winter tires DODGE SPRINTER 2008 2.G Owners Manual

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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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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301 Operation
4 Operation
The first 1000 miles (1500 km)........... 302
Driving tips........... 303
Electronic equipment........... 315
Refueling........... 316
Engine compartment........... 318
Battery........... 335
Battery isolating switch*........... 338
Tires and wheels........... 341
Winter driving........... 404
Maintenance and servicing........... 409
Cleaning and care of the vehicle........... 416
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342 OperationTires and wheels
4
For more information on tire size desig-
nation, load and speed rating, see "Tire
labeling" (
\2
page 382).
See an authorized Sprinter Dealer for in-
formation on tested and recommended
rims and tires for summer and winter op-
eration. They can also offer advice con-
cerning tire service and purchase.
!
CAUTION
Only use tires which have been test-
ed and approved for your Sprinter ve-
hicle by the vehicle manufacturer.
Tires approved by the vehicle manu-
facturer are developed to provide the
best possible performance in con-
junction with the driving safety sys-
tems on your Sprinter vehicle such as
ABS, BAS, ASR or ESP
®.
Using tires other than those ap-
proved by the vehicle manufacturer
may result in damage that is not cov-
ered by the Sprinter vehicle warran-
ty.
!
CAUTION
Using tires other than those ap-
proved by the vehicle manufacturer
can have detrimental effects, such as
\4
poor handling characteristics
\4
increased noise
\4
increased fuel consumption
Tires and rims not approved by the
vehicle manufacturer may, under
load, exhibit dimensional variations
and different tire deformation char-
acteristics that could cause them to
come into contact with the vehicle
body or axle parts. Damage to the
tires or the vehicle may be the result.
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349 Operation
Tires and wheels
4
Life of tireThe service life of a tire depends on vary-
ing factors including but not limited to:\4
Driving style
\4
Tire inflation pressure
\4
Distance driven
Tread depthDo not allow your tires to wear down too
far. Adhesion properties on wet roads
are sharply reduced at tread depths un-
der
1/8in (3 mm) for summer tires and
1/6in (4 mm) for winter tires.
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.Recommended minimum tire tread
depth:
\4
Summer tires
1/8in (3 mm)
\4
Winter tires
1/6in (4 mm)
Warning
G
Tires and spare tire should be replaced af-
ter 6 years, regardless of the remaining
tread.
nf_BA.book Page 349 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

350 OperationTires and wheels
4
1Treadwear Indicator (TWI)The Treadwear Indicator appears as a
solid band across the tread.
Storing tires
Cleaning tires
Warning
G
Although the applicable federal motor
safety laws consider a tire to be worn
when the Treadwear Indicators (TWI) be-
come visible at approximately
1/16in
(1.6 mm), we recommend that you do not
allow your tires to wear down to that lev-
el. As tread depth approaches
1/8in
(3 mm) for summer tires or
1/6in (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.
!
CAUTION
Keep unmounted tires in a cool, dry
place with as little exposure to light
as possible. Protect tires from con-
tact with oil, grease and gasoline/
diesel.
!
CAUTION
Never use a round nozzle to power
wash tires. The intense jet of water
can result in damage to the tire.
Always replace a damaged tire.
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386 OperationTires and wheels
4
Tire speed ratingThe tire speed rating
6
indicates the
approved maximum speed for the tire.
The commercial vehicle tires based on
European standards may have an addi-
tional index in the parentheses. In such
cases, the index preceding the paren-
theses is valid for European countries
and the parenthesized for the USA and
Canada.
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
personal injury and possible death, for
you and for others.
iAlways observe the speed rating of
the winter tires installed on your
Sprinter vehicle. If the maximum
speed for which your tires are rated
is below the speed rating of your
Sprinter vehicle, you must place a
notice to this effect where it will be
seen by the driver.
Such notices are available at your
tire dealer or any authorized Sprinter
Dealer.
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404 OperationWinter driving
4
\3 Winter drivingHave your vehicle winterproofed at the
onset of winter at an authorized Sprinter
Dealer. This service includes the follow-
ing:\4
Oil change, if the current engine oil
used has not been approved for win-
ter use
\4
The antifreeze / anti-corrosion con-
centration in the coolant is checked
\4
The addition of a concentrated
cleaning agent to the water in the
windshield washer system
\4
Battery check
\4
A tire changeYou will find information about diesel
fuel for use at low outside temperatures
in the “Technical data” section
(
\2
page 614).
Please also observe the information
about winter driving (
\2
page 406).
Winter tires should also be operated as
printed on the tire and loading informa-
tion placard
1 or on the tire inflation pres-
sure placard located on the driver’s door
B-pillar, refer to “Tires and wheels” (
\2
page 362). Not all M+S rated radial-
ply tires provide special winter perfor-
mance. Make sure the tires you use
show M+S and the mountain/snowflake
marking
.
on the tire side wall.
These tires meet specific snow traction
performance requirements of the Rub-
ber Manufacturers Association (RMA)
and the Rubber Association of Canada
(RAC) and have been designed specifi-
cally for use in snow conditions. Use of
winter tires is the only way to achieve
the maximum effectiveness of the ABS,
BAS, ASR and ESP
® in winter operation.
Winter tires1. For vehicles with a gross weight capacity less
than 10 000 lbs (4 536 kg) (USA only).
nf_BA.book Page 404 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

405 Operation
Winter driving
4
For safe handling, make sure all winter
tires mounted are of the same make and
have the same tread design.
Always observe the speed rating of the
winter tires installed on your vehicle. If
the maximum speed for which your tires
are rated is below the speed rating of
your vehicle, you must place a notice to
this effect where it will be seen by the driver. Such notices are available at your
tire dealer or any authorized Sprinter
Dealer.
\1
Reactivate the tire pressure monitor.
While studded tires improve perfor-
mance on ice, skid and traction capabil-
ity on wet or dry surfaces may be poorer
than that of non-studded tires. Some
states prohibit studded tires; therefore,
local laws should be checked before us-
ing these tire types.
Warning
G
Winter tires with a tread depth under
1/6 in (4 mm) must be replaced. They are
no longer suitable for winter operation.
Warning
G
If you use your spare tire when winter
tires are fitted on the other wheels, be
aware that the difference in tire charac-
teristics may impair turning stability and
overall driving stability may be reduced.
Adapt your driving style accordingly.
Have the spare tire replaced with a winter
tire at the nearest authorized Sprinter
Dealer.
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