tires DODGE SPRINTER 2008 2.G Owners Manual

8 IntroductionOperating safetyWarning
G
Always have maintenance work carried
out at an authorized Sprinter Dealer which
has the necessary specialist knowledge
and tools to carry out the work required.
The manufacturer recommends that you
use an authorized Sprinter Dealer for this
purpose.
In par ti c ula r , w or k rel ev an t to s afe ty or on
safety-related systems must be carried
out at an authorized Sprinter Dealer.
Warning
G
A heavy impact to the underbody, tires or
wheels, for example when bottoming out
on rough terrain or driving over an obsta-
cle at high speed, could damage your ve-
hicle. This also applies to vehicles
equipped with underbody protection.In this case, have your vehicle checked at
an authorized Sprinter Dealer which has
the necessary specialist knowledge and
tools to carry out the work required. The
manufacturer recommends that you use
an authorized Sprinter Dealer for this pur-
pose.
Continued
Warning (Continued)
G
I n p a r t i c u l a r , w o r k r e l e v a n t t o s a f e t y o r o n
safety-related systems must be carried
out at an authorized Sprinter Dealer.
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10 IntroductionOperating safetyDo not allow the electronically stored to-
tal distance covered by your vehicle to
be modified as a result of tampering with
the electronics system.
This type of modification or failing to in-
form the buyer when selling the vehicle
could constitute an offense punishable
by law, depending on the country con-
cerned.Having the engine power output of your
vehicle increased by tampering with the
electronic engine management system
will invalidate the vehicle’s general oper-
ating permit and insurance coverage, as
well as your warranty and warranty enti-
tlement.
Modifications to the output of the engine
must be reported to the insurance pro-
vider and require the vehicle to be recer-
tified. The tires, chassis, brake and
cooling systems must be adapted to the
increased engine power output.Tampering with the electronic engine
management system modifies emission
values and it will not be possible to guar-
antee the operating safety of the engine
in every case. Increases in performance
may lead to malfunctions and conse-
quential damage to other assemblies.
If you sell the vehicle, failing to inform
the buyer of the modified engine power
output could constitute an offense pun-
ishable by law, depending on the country
concerned.Digital speedometer and total
distance recorder
Modifying the engine power out-
put
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69 Safety
Driving safety systems
2
\3 Driving safety systemsIn this section, you will find information
about the following driving safety sys-
tems: \4
ABS (A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem)
\4
BAS (B
rake As
sist)
\4
ESP
® (E
lectronic S
tability P
rogram)
\4
ASR (acceleration skid control)
\4
EBV (electronic brake force distribu-
tion)
iThe maximum effect of ABS, BAS,
ESP
®, ASR and EBV can only be
achieved if you:
\4
always drive with the correct tire
pressures adjusted according to
the load (
\2
page 361)
\4
use winter tires (M+S tires) in
wintry conditions, with snow
chains if necessary
Warning
G
There is an increased risk of an accident if
you:\4
drive too fast, in particular when corner-
ing and on a wet or slippery road surface
\4drive too close to the vehicle in front
The driving safety systems described in
this section cannot reduce this risk and
are unable to override the laws of physics.
Always adapt your driving style to the pre-
vailing road and weather conditions, and
maintain an adequately safe distance
from other road users as well as any ob-
stacles on the road.
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73 Safety
Driving safety systems
2
There is a malfunction if the
#
indica-
tor lamp is permanently lit while the en-
gine is running (
\2
page 468).
If ESP
® malfunctions, engine power out-
put may be reduced.ASR improves traction for a sustained
period, i.e. the transfer of power from
the tires to the road surface, and thus
also improves the driving stability of the
vehicle. ASR assists you when pulling
away and accelerating, especially on
smooth and slippery surfaces.
ASR brakes individual drive wheels and
limits the engine torque to prevent the
drive wheels from spinning. When ASR
intervenes, the
v
indicator lamp in
the speedometer flashes.
!
CAUTION
Only operate the vehicle briefly (max-
imum of 10 seconds) on a brake dy-
namometer. The key must be turned
to position
1 in the ignition lock dur-
ing this time. You could damage the
drive train or the brake system.
!
CAUTION
Do not operate the vehicle on a roller
dynamometer (for example for per-
formance testing). If you wish to op-
erate the vehicle on a roller
dynamometer, please consult an au-
thorized Sprinter Dealer beforehand.
You could otherwise damage the
drive train or the brake system.
Acceleration skid control (ASR)
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74 SafetyDriving safety systems
2
If the road surface is not capable of pro-
viding sufficient traction, bearing in
mind the tires, load and gradient, it is
not be possible to pull away smoothly
even with ASR.
Vehicles without steering wheel but-
tons:
There is a malfunction if the
k
indi-
cator lamp is permanently lit while the
engine is running (
\2
page 73).
If ASR malfunctions, engine power out-
put may be reduced.
Activating/deactivating ASRASR is automatically activated as soon
as the engine is switched on.
It may be best to deactivate ASR in the
following situations:\4
if snow chains are being used
\4
in deep snow
\4
on sand or gravelIf you deactivate ASR:
\4
the engine’s torque is then no longer
limited and the drive wheels could
spin; the spinning wheels produce a
cutting effect for better traction
\4
traction control still intervenes by
braking if one drive wheel reaches its
grip limit, for example if the surface
under one side of the vehicle is slip-
pery. The wheel is then braked to in-
crease traction in this situation.
\4
ESP
® still intervenes to stabilize the
vehicle
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195 Controls in detail
Driving and parking
3
Driving in wet conditions Driving on flooded roads
If you are forced to drive on stretches of
road on which water has collected,
please note that:\4
the water level must not reach above
the lower edge of the front bumper
\4
the maximum speed at which you
may drive is walking speed
TiresThe tires are particularly important for
the operating and road safety of the ve-
hicle. You should therefore check the
pressure, tread and condition of the tires
on a regular basis.
A tire dealer, a qualified specialist work-
shop or any authorized Sprinter Dealer
will be able to provide further informa-
tion regarding the:\4
list of recommended makes of tire
\4
tire load-bearing capacity (LI Load
Index)
\4
maximum tire speed (SI Speed In-
dex)
\4
tire age
Warning
G
The vehicle may hydroplane despite hav-
ing adequate tire tread depth and being
driven at low speeds, depending on the
depth of water on the road surface.
For this reason, avoid tire ruts and brake
carefully.
!
CAUTION
Note that vehicles in front or oncom-
ing vehicles create waves.
This may mean that the maximum
permitted water depth is exceeded.
These notes must be observed to
avoid the risk of engine damage.
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196 Controls in detailDriving and parking
3
\4
causes and consequences of tire
wear
\4
measures to be taken in the event of
tire damage
\4
tire types for certain regions, areas
of operation or conditions of vehicle
use
\4
interchangeability of tires, etc.
Modifications to the brake system or
wheels are not permissible, nor is the
use of spacer plates or brake dust
shields. Any such modifications will in-
validate the vehicle’s general operating
permit.Treadwear indicators (TWI) are required
by law. These indicators are located in
six places on the tread circumference
and become visible at a tread depth of
approximately 1/16 in (1.6 mm), at
which point the tire is considered worn
and should be replaced.
The Treadwear Indicator appears as a
solid band across the tread.
Warning
G
If you feel a sudden significant vibration
or ride disturbance, or you suspect that
possible damage to your vehicle has oc-
curred, you should turn on the hazard
warning flashers, carefully slow down,
and drive with caution to an area which is
a safe distance from the road.
Inspect the tires and the vehicle undercar-
riage for possible damage. If the vehicle
or tires appear unsafe, have the vehicle
towed to the nearest authorized Sprinter
Dealer or tire dealer for repairs.
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197 Controls in detail
Driving and parking
3
Specified tire inflation pressures must
be maintained. This applies particularly
if the tires are subject to extreme oper-
ating conditions (e.g. high speeds, heavy
loads, high ambient temperatures).For detailed information on tires, see
"Tires and wheels" (
\2
page 341).
HydroplaningDepending on the depth of the water lay-
er on the road, hydroplaning may occur,
even at low speeds and with new tires.
Reduce vehicle speed, avoid track
grooves in the road and apply brakes
cautiously in the rain.
Warning
G
Although the applicable federal motor ve-
hicle safety laws consider a tire to be
worn when the Treadwear Indicators
(TWI) become visible at approximately 1/
16 in (1.6 mm), do not allow your tires to
wear down to that level. As tread depth
approaches 1/8 in (3 mm) for summer
tires or 1/6 in (4 mm) for winter tires, the
adhesion properties on a wet road are
sharply reduced.
Depending upon the weather and/or road
surface (conditions), the tire traction var-
ies widely.
Warning
G
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire af-
fects the ability to steer or brake the vehi-
cle. You may lose control of the vehicle.
Continued driving with a flat tire or driving
at high speed with a flat tire will cause ex-
cessive heat buildup and possibly a fire.
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198 Controls in detailDriving and parking
3
Tire tractionTire grip is greatly reduced on a wet,
snow covered or icy road. Speed and
driving style must therefore be adapted
to suit road conditions. The safe speed
on a wet, snow covered or icy road is al-
ways lower than on a dry road.
Below a tread depth of 1/8 in (3 mm),
tire grip begins to decrease rapidly on
wet roads.
Pay particular attention to the condition
of the road whenever the outside tem-
peratures is close to the freezing point.In winter, install M+S radial tires with a
minimum tread depth of approximately
1/6 in (4 mm) on all wheels to ensure
normal balanced handling characteris-
tics. On packed snow, they can reduce
y ou r st opp ing di st ance com pa re d to s um -
mer tires.Stopping distance, however, is still con-
siderably greater than when the road is
not covered with snow or ice. Exercise
appropriate caution.
For information on winter tires, see
"Winter tires" (
\2
page 404).
Warning
G
If ice has formed on the road, tire traction
will be substantially reduced. Under such
weather conditions, drive, steer and
brake with extreme caution.
!
CAUTION
Avoid spinning a drive wheel. This
may cause serious damage to the
drive train which is not covered by
the Sprinter warranty.
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199 Controls in detail
Driving and parking
3
Tire speed ratingRegardless of the tire speed rating, local
speed limits should be obeyed. Use pru-
dent driving speeds appropriate to pre-
vailing conditions.The vehicles are factory equipped with "L"
(vehicle models type 2500 only) or "N"-rat-
ed tires, which have a speed rating of
74 mph (120 km / h) or 87 mph (140 km /
h) respectively.
For information on speed ratings or for
additional general information on tire
speed markings on the tire side wall, see
"Tire speed rating" (
\2
page 386).
Alignment and balancePoor suspension alignment may result
in:\4
Fast tire wear
\4
Uneven tire wear, such as feathering
and one-sided wear
\4
Vehicle pulling to the left or right
Tires may also cause the vehicle to pull
to the left or right. Alignment will not
correct this condition. See an authorized
Sprinter Dealer for proper diagnosis.
Warning
G
Even when permitted by law, never oper-
ate a vehicle at speeds greater than the
maximum speed rating of the tires.
Exceeding the maximum speed for which
tires are rated can lead to sudden tire fail-
ure, causing loss of vehicle control and
possibly resulting in an accident and / or
serious injury and possible death, for you
and for others.
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