2007 Dodge Sprinter Owners Manual

Catalytic converter (gasoline engine)

Your vehicle is equipped with monolithic- type catalytic converters, an important el- ement in conjunction with the oxygen sen- sors to achieve substantial control of the pollutants in the exhaust emissions. Keep your vehicle in proper operating condition by following our recommended mainte- nance instructions as outlined in your Ser- vice Booklet.

Operation Driving tips

Oxidation catalyst (diesel engine)

Your vehicle is equipped with an oxidation catalyst, an important element in conjunc- tion with the oxygen sensors to achieve substantial control of the pollutants in the exhaust emissions. Keep your vehicle in proper operating condition by following our recommended maintenance instruc- tions as outlined in your Service Booklet.

Warning

As with any vehicle, do not idle, park or op- erate this vehicle in areas where combusti- ble materials such as grass, hay, or leaves can come into contact with the hot exhaust system, as these materials could be ignited and cause a vehicle fire.

!CAUTION To prevent damage to the catalytic con- verters, only use premium unleaded gasoline in this vehicle. Any noticeable irregularities in engine operation should be repaired promptly. Otherwise, excessive unburned fuel may reach the catalytic converter, causing it to overheat and potentially start a fire.

Warning

As with any vehicle, do not idle, park or op- erate this vehicle in areas where combusti- ble materials such as grass, hay, or leaves can come into contact with the hot exhaust system, as these materials could be ignited and cause a vehicle fire.

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Operation Driving tips

Emission control

Certain systems of the engine serve to keep the toxic components of the exhaust gases within permissible limits required by law. These systems, of course, will function properly only when maintained strictly ac- cording to factory specifications. Any ad- justments to the engine should therefore be carried out only by an authorized Sprint- er Dealer. Engine adjustments should not be altered in any way. Moreover, the specified service jobs must be carried out regularly accord- ing to the manufacturer’s servicing re- quirements. For details refer to the Service Booklet.

Warning

Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to your health. All exhaust gas contains carbon monoxide (CO), and inhaling it can cause un- consciousness and lead to death.

Do not run the engine in confined areas (such as a garage) which are not properly ventilated. If you think that exhaust gas fumes are entering the vehicle while driving, have the cause determined and corrected immediately. If you must drive under these conditions, drive with at least one window fully open at all times.

182

왔 Electronic equipment Radio, telephone, two-way radio, fax machine and navigation system

Warning

Please do not forget that your primary respon- sibility is to drive the vehicle safely. Only operate the electronic equipment when road and traffic conditions permit. Keep in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph (about 50 km/h), your vehicle travels 44 feet (about 14 m) per second.

A navigation system does not provide infor- mation about bridge load-bearing capacities or headroom clearances. You are responsible for safety at all times.

Observe legal requirements.

Operation Electronic equipment

The vehicle’s general operating permit may be invalidated if you do not observe the manufacturer’s installation specifications . You will find information about retrofitting electrical/electronic equipment in the “Technical data” section (컄 page 354).

Telephones, two-way radios and fax machines without an exterior antenna may interfere with the vehicle’s electronics, thereby jeopar- dizing the vehicle’s operating safety. The risk of an accident increases.

Do not use this equipment while the vehicle is in motion.

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Operation Refueling 왔 Refueling

Warning

The fuel filler flap is next to the driver’s door. You can only open the fuel filler flap when the driver’s door is open.

Fuel is highly flammable. Fire, naked flames and smoking as well as the use of auxiliary heaters (sparks) are therefore prohibited when handling fuel.

For this reason, switch off the auxiliary heat- ing when refueling.

Warning

Do not allow fuel to come into contact with your skin or clothing. Your health may be damaged if: 앫 you spill fuel onto your bare skin 앫 you inhale fuel vapors

1 Retaining strap 2 Fuel filler cap 왘 Remove the key from the ignition lock. 왘 Switch off the auxiliary heating. 왘 Open the driver’s door.

왘 Open the fuel filler flap. 왘 Close all the vehicle’s doors, so that no

fuel vapors can enter the vehicle.

왘 Turn fuel filler cap 2 counterclock-

wise and let it hang by retaining strap 1.

왘 Only fill the tank until the pump nozzle

switches off.

왘 Replace fuel filler cap 2 and turn it

clockwise. A clicking sound indicates that the fuel filler cap is fully closed.

왘 Open the driver’s door and close the

fuel filler flap.

You will find information about fuel in the “Technical data” section (컄 page 358).

184

왔 Engine Hood

Warning

Do not pull the release lever while the vehi- cle is in motion. The hood could otherwise open, thereby impairing visibility and leading to loss of control of the vehicle.

For this reason, only open the hood when the vehicle is parked.

Opening

!CAUTION Make sure that the windshield wipers are not folded away from the wind- shield. The windshield wipers or the hood may otherwise be damaged.

Operation Engine

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1 Release lever 왘 Pull release lever 1 under the instru- ment panel on the left-hand side in the driver’s footwell. The hood is released.

2 Securing hook 왘 Push up securing hook lever 2.

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3 Support strut

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Operation Engine

Warning

Warning

Warning

If the hood support strut is not engaged, the hood can fall shut. You could be injured.

After opening the hood, you should there- fore check whether the support strut is en- gaged.

왘 Swing the hood upward until support strut 3 engages and the hood is sup- ported.

Warning

Engine parts may be hot and can rotate. There is a risk of injury if the hood is open and the engine is running.

The engine has an electronic ignition system which carries a high voltage. For this reason, you must never touch the ignition system components (ignition coil, test socket) while: 앫 the engine is running 앫 the engine is being started 앫 the key is in position 2 in the ignition

lock and the engine is being cranked by hand

Closing

Warning

Only open the hood when the engine has stopped and cooled down.

Make sure that nobody can become trapped as you close the hood.

Make sure that the hood is securely en- gaged before driving off. Do no continue driving if the hood can no longer engage af- ter an accident, for example.

The hood could otherwise come loose while the vehicle is in motion and endanger you and/or others.

왘 Lift the hood gently. 왘 Push back support strut 3

(컄 page 185).

!CAUTION When you press the support strut back, make sure that you do not press it against the detent position and cause it to bend.

왘 Let the hood drop from a height of ap-

proximately 05. ft (30 cm). The hood engages audibly.

왘 Check to make sure the hood is fully

closed.

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If the hood can be raised slightly, it is not properly engaged.

왘 Open it again and allow it to drop from

a slightly greater height.

!CAUTION Do not use your hands to push the hood down. Doing so could damage it.

Service products

Mechanical elements and the lubricants used for them must be carefully matched. For this reason, only brands tested and ap- proved by the manufacturer should be used. Please contact your Sprinter Dealer to obtain the necessary information. No lu- bricant additives should be used. The use of such additives could affect your warranty rights. Information is available from any authorized Sprinter Dealer. For specifications of engine oils, coolant and brake fluid, see "Service products and capacities" (컄 page 355) and contact your authorized Sprinter Dealer.

Warning

Operation Engine Check the engine oil level on a regular ba- sis, for example weekly or each time you refuel.

If handled incorrectly, service products can constitute a health risk for people and an en- vironmental hazard.

Always observe relevant guidelines for han- dling, storing and disposing of service prod- ucts.

Engine oil

The vehicle consumes a maximum of 1 US qt (1.0 l) oil per 620 miles (1000 km), depending on your driving style. Engine oil consumption may even be high- er if: 앫 the vehicle is new 앫 you mainly operate the vehicle under

arduous operating conditions

앫 you often drive at high engine speeds The engine oil consumption can only be judged after a lengthy distance has been covered.

If the oil level exceeds the maximum level several times during operation, have the malfunction rectified immedi- ately at an authorized Sprinter Dealer.

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Operation Engine Checking the engine oil level in the dis- play In vehicles with diesel engines, you can view the engine oil level in the display. When the oil is being checked, the vehicle must 앫 be standing level 앫 be at normal operating temperature 앫 have been standing with the engine switched off for at least five minutes

If no oil level reading is shown again, check the engine oil level with the dip- stick. Have the engine oil level display checked at an authorized Sprinter Dealer.

!CAUTION Have any excess oil drained or si- phoned off at an authorized Sprinter Dealer. Otherwise, the engine or cata- lytic converter could be damaged.

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If at extremely low temperatures no en- gine oil level is displayed after 5 min- utes, wait a further 5 minutes before repeating the engine oil level check.

왘 Switch on the ignition (컄 page 67).

The display is activated.

Vehicles without steering wheel buttons 왘 Press the

menu button on the in- strument cluster repeatedly until you see the P symbol in the display. The --:-- display flashes during the measurement process.

The following messages may be displayed:

OK -1.0 qt -1.5 qts -2.0 qts HI

왘 Do not add oil. 왘 Add the amount of oil shown (컄 page 190).

왘 The engine oil level is too high. Have the oil siphoned off.

Engine oil level display: 앫 qt in USA only 앫 l in Canada only

왘 Check the engine oil level again after a

few minutes.

Vehicles with steering wheel buttons* 왘 Press the

button on the instrument

cluster (컄 page 84).

왘 The following message is displayed for the duration of the measurement pro- cess: N Engine oil level Measuring in progress

The following messages may be displayed:

Observe wait. period

왘 Carry out another measurement after approximately 5 min- utes when the engine is at normal operat- ing temperature. 왘 Carry out another measurement after approximately 30 minutes when the engine has cooled down.

왘 Switch off the engine and wait for approxi- mately 5 minutes if the engine is at nor- mal operating tem- perature.

Engine oil level Not when eng. running

Engine oil level display: 앫 quart(s) in USA only 앫 liter(s) in Canada only

Engine oil level OK Engine oil Add 1.0 quart Engine oil Add 1.5 quarts Engine oil Add 2.0 quarts Engine oil level Reduce oil level

Eng. oil lev. Turn ignition on for level

왘 Do not add oil.

왘 Add the amount of oil shown (컄 page 190). 왘 Check the engine oil level again after a few minutes.

왘 The engine oil level is too high. Have the oil siphoned off.

왘 Switch on the ignition

(컄 page 67).

Operation Engine Checking the engine oil level with the dipstick When the oil is being checked, the vehicle must 앫 be at normal operating temperature 앫 be standing level 앫 have been standing with the engine switched off for at least five minutes

Diesel engine

1 Engine oil filler neck 2 Engine oil dipstick

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Operation Engine

4 Gasoline engine

1 Engine oil filler neck 2 Engine oil dipstick 왘 Pull out dipstick 2. 왘 Wipe it clean with a lint-free cloth. 왘 Insert it into the dipstick tube as far as

the stop and pull it back out.

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The difference in the quantity of oil be- tween the upper and lower marks on the dipstick is approx. 앫 2 US qts (2 l) in vehicles with diesel

engines

앫 3 US qts (3 l) in vehicles with gaso-

line engines

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3 Engine oil dipstick 왘 Check the engine oil level.

The oil level is correct if the oil is be- tween the lower min and upper max marks on the dipstick.

왘 Add engine oil if necessary

(컄 page 190).

Adding engine oil For specifications of engine oils see "Ser- vice products and capacities" (컄 page 355). 왘 Unscrew the cap on engine oil filler

neck 1. Make sure that you only fill the engine oil as far as the upper max mark.

!CAUTION Have any excess engine oil drained or siphoned off at an authorized Sprinter Dealer. Otherwise, the engine or cata- lytic converter could be damaged. The alternator is underneath the en- gine oil filler neck. For this reason, add the engine oil carefully. There is a risk of damage to the alternator from en- gine oil dripping down.

왘 Unscrew the cap on filler neck 1.

Environmental note

When adding oil, take care not to spill any.

No engine oil must be allowed to enter sew- age systems, surface water, ground water or soil. You would otherwise be damaging the envi- ronment.

Dispose of engine oil in an environmentally responsible manner. Comply with the manu- facturer’s instructions.

Coolant

The expansion tank is in the engine com- partment. Only add coolant with the vehi- cle standing on a level surface and with the engine switched off. The coolant tempera- ture must have dropped below 122 °F (50 °C).

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1 Coolant tank cap 2 Brake fluid reservoir cap 3 Windshield washer reservoir cap

Warning

When opening the coolant expansion tank there is a risk of scalding from hot coolant spraying out. The cooling system and the coolant expansion tank are pressurized when the engine is at normal operating tem- perature. Wear gloves and eye protection. Only open the coolant expansion tank when the cool- ant temperature is less than 122 °F (50 °C).

Operation Engine

Warning

Coolant contains glycol and is therefore tox- ic. Do not swallow coolant. Consult a doctor immediately if any coolant is swallowed.

Do not allow coolant to come into contact with your skin, eyes or clothing. In the event of contact with the eyes, rinse them thor- oughly with clean water. Clean skin and clothes immediately with soap and water. Change out of soiled clothing without delay.

왘 Slowly unscrew cap 1 counterclock-

wise to reduce excess pressure.

왘 Continue turning the cap and remove

it.

왘 Add coolant as far as the MAX mark. 왘 Twist cap 1 back on. For coolant specifications, see "Service products and capacities" (컄 page 355).

191

Operation Engine

!CAUTION Check the cooling and heating systems regularly for leaks. If a large quantity of coolant is lost, have the cause traced and rectified at an authorized Sprinter Dealer.

Brake fluid

The reservoir is in the engine compart- ment. Check the brake fluid level: 앫 regularly, e.g. weekly or when refueling 앫 only with the vehicle standing on a level surface and with the engine switched off

192

N20.30-2063-31

1 Coolant tank cap 2 Brake fluid reservoir cap 3 Windshield washer reservoir cap The brake fluid level must be between the MIN and MAX marks.

There is usually a notice in the engine compartment to remind you when the next brake fluid change is due.

!CAUTION Brake fluid corrodes paintwork. If brake fluid comes into contact with the paintwork, immediately rinse with wa- ter. If the brake fluid does not reach the MIN mark, the vehicle’s hydraulic sys- tem could be malfunctioning. Do not add brake fluid under any circumstanc- es. This will not solve the problem. Do not drive any further. Have the system checked immediately at an authorized Sprinter Dealer.

Warning

Brake fluid is hazardous to health. Do not swallow brake fluid. Consult a doctor imme- diately if any brake fluid is swallowed.

Brake fluid must not come into contact with the skin, eyes or clothing. Wash affected ar- eas with plenty of clean water and consult a doctor immediately if necessary.

컄컄

You should always wear eye protection and gloves when you are adding brake fluid.

Only store brake fluid in its closed original container and keep out of the reach of chil- dren. Comply with safety regulations when handling brake fluid.

Warning

If the boiling point of the brake fluid is too low, vapor pockets may form in the brake system when the brakes are applied hard (e.g. when driving on long downhill stretch- es). This has a detrimental effect on braking efficiency, which could increase the stop- ping distance. This increases the risk of an accident. Have the brake fluid replaced every two years.

For specifications of brake fluid, see "Service products and capacities" (컄 page 362).

Windshield washer system/head- lamp cleaning system*

The windshield washer reservoir is in the engine compartment. It holds approx. 7.4 US qt (7.0 l). On vehicles with a headlamp cleaning sys- tem, this is also supplied from the wind- shield washer reservoir.

N20.30-2063-31

1 Coolant tank cap 2 Brake fluid reservoir cap 3 Windshield washer reservoir cap Add windshield washer fluid concentrate to the water all year round.

Operation Engine

Warning

Windshield washer concentrate is highly flammable. Fire, open flames and smoking are prohibited when you are handling wind- shield washer concentrate.

Adapt the mixing ratio to the outside tem- perature. Use: 앫 Summerwash to protect against

smearing at temperatures above freez- ing.

앫 Winterwash when there is a risk of frost so that the water does not freeze onto the windshield.

왘 Mix the windshield washer fluid in a container and in the specified propor- tions.

왘 Remove cap 3. 왘 Fill up the windshield washer fluid. 왘 Press cap 3 back on.

193

Operation Engine

Vehicle assemblies

Check assemblies regularly for leaks. In the event of fluid loss (e.g. spots of oil un- der the vehicle when it has been parked), have the cause traced and rectified imme- diately at an authorized Sprinter Dealer which has the necessary specialist knowl- edge and tools to carry out the work re- quired. The manufacturer recommends that you use an authorized Sprinter Dealer for this purpose. All work relevant to safety or on safety-related systems must be carried out at an authorized Sprinter Dealer.

194

왔 Battery Your vehicle may be equipped with two batteries, depending on the equipment version: 앫 Starter battery in the battery recess in

the driver’s footwell

앫 Auxiliary battery in the engine compart-

ment*

Warning

ARisk of explosion

When batteries are being charged, explosive detonating gas is emit- ted. Only charge batteries in well- ventilated areas.

D Risk of explosion

Because of the risk of explosion, avoid creating sparks from fire, open flames and smoking.

B Battery acid is caustic.

Wear acid-proof protective gloves. Neutralize splashes of acid on skin or clothing immediately with soapy water or acid neutralizer and clean

with water.C Keep out of the reach of children. E Wear eye protection.

Children cannot appreciate the dangers involved in handling bat- teries and acid.

When mixing water and acid, the liquid can splash in your eyes. Rinse out your eyes immediately after acid splashes with clean wa- ter, and consult a doctor immedi-

ately.F When handling batteries, observe

the safety precautions and special protective measures contained in these operating instructions.

Operation Battery

Environmental note

Á

À

Batteries contain pollutants. Do not dispose of old batteries with the household garbage.

Dispose of batteries in an environ- mentally responsible manner. Take batteries to an authorized Sprinter Dealer or a special collec- tion point for old batteries.

Transport and store full batteries in an upright position. When trans- porting batteries, secure them so that they do not tip over. Battery acid can spill from the cell cap vents and cause damage to the en- vironment.

195

Operation Battery The batteries must always be sufficiently charged so that they achieve their intend- ed service life. Have the battery charge status checked more frequently if you use the vehicle mainly for short trips or if you leave it parked up for a long period. If you intend to leave your vehicle parked up for a long period, seek advice from an authorized Sprinter Dealer and switch off the electrical system at the battery isolat- ing switch (컄 page 197).

!CAUTION Switch off the engine and wait for approximately 20 seconds before you loosen or disconnect the terminal clamps. You could otherwise damage electrical system components.

Care of batteries

!CAUTION Dirty terminal clamps and battery sur- faces cause leakage current, leading to battery discharge. Always keep the ter- minal clamps and battery surfaces clean and dry. Lightly grease the termi- nal clamps, particularly the undersides, with acid-proof grease. Cleaning agents containing fuel can corrode the battery casing. Only clean with commercially available cleaning agents and clean the battery casing with the cell caps screwed in.

You will find further information in the “Practical hints” section (컄 page 335).

196

You can disconnect the current to all your vehicle’s consumers using the battery isolating switch. This will prevent uncon- trolled battery discharge caused by quies- cent current consumption.

Warning

If the vehicle is equipped with an auxiliary battery in the engine compartment, it is nec- essary to disconnect both batteries when working on the vehicle electrical system. Only then is the electrical system fully dis- connected from the power supply.

Only disconnect the vehicle electrical system from the power supply using the battery isolating switch if the vehi- cle is to be parked up for a long period or when this is absolutely necessary. After the power supply is switched on, you must reset the electric sliding door (컄 page 57).

The battery isolating switch is to the right of the accelerator pedal in the driver’s foot- well.

Operation Battery isolating switch*

Switching off the electrical system 왘 Take the key out of the ignition lock

and wait for approx. 20 seconds.

왘 Move red slide 2 down in the direc-

tion of the arrow and disconnect connector 1 from the ground pin.

왘 Clamp connector 1 under the acceler- ator pedal so that it cannot make con- tact with the ground pin. The consumers of the vehicle battery are cut off from the electrical circuit.

1 Connector 2 Slide

!CAUTION Make sure that the key is in position 0 in the ignition lock and wait at least 20 seconds before disconnecting or connecting the battery isolating switch. You could otherwise damage electrical system components.

!CAUTION When you clamp the connector under the accelerator pedal, make sure that the connector does not become: 앫 dirty 앫 damaged It may otherwise not be possible to re- store the electrical connection when the parts are reassembled.

197

왘 Insert the key into the ignition lock. 왘 Press connector 1 onto ground

pin 2 until you feel it engage and the lock inhibitor is released. The connector must be in full contact with ground pin 2.

왘 Move the red slide up until it engages. All consumers are reconnected to the power supply circuit.

Operation Battery isolating switch*

Switching on the electrical system

1 Connector 2 Ground pin

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!CAUTION Only use tires which have been tested and approved for your Sprinter vehicle by the vehicle manufacturer. Tires ap- proved by the vehicle manufacturer are developed to provide the best possible performance in conjunction with the driving safety systems on your Sprinter vehicle such as ABS, BAS, ASR or ESP®. Using tires other than those approved by the vehicle manufacturer may result in damage that is not covered by the Sprinter warranty.

왔 Tires and wheels The tires on a new vehicle provide a bal- ance of many characteristics. They should be inspected regularly for wear and correct cold tire inflation pressure. The vehicle manufacturer strongly recommends using tires equivalent to the originals in size, quality and performance when a replace- ment becomes necessary. Refer to the tire and loading information placard on the driver’s door B-pillar (컄 page 373) for the size designation of your tire. The service description and load identifica- tion will be found on the original equip- ment tire. Failure to use equivalent replacement tires may adversely affect the safety, handling, and ride of your Sprinter vehicle. Contact an authorized Sprinter Dealer or an authorized tire dealer with any ques- tions you may have on tire specifications or capability.

Operation Tires and wheels

!CAUTION Using tires other than those approved by the vehicle manufacturer can have detrimental effects, such as 앫 poor handling characteristics 앫 increased noise 앫 increased fuel consumption Tires and rims not approved by the ve- hicle manufacturer may, under load, exhibit dimensional variations and dif- ferent tire deformation characteristics that could cause them to come into contact with the vehicle body or axle parts. Damage to the tires or the vehi- cle may be the result.

For more information on tire size designa- tion, load and speed rating, see "Tire label- ing" (컄 page 222). See an authorized Sprinter Dealer for infor- mation on tested and recommended rims and tires for summer and winter operation. They can also offer advice concerning tire service and purchase.

199

4

Operation Tires and wheels

Warning

Do not use a tire, wheel size or rating other than that specified for your Sprinter vehicle. Some combinations of unapproved tires and wheels may change suspension dimensions and performance characteristics, resulting in changes to steering, handling, and brak- ing of your Sprinter vehicle. This can cause unpredictable handling and stress to steer- ing and suspension components. You could lose control and have an accident resulting in serious injury or death. Only use the tire and wheel sizes with load ratings approved for your Sprinter vehicle, refer to "Tire and loading information".

Never use a tire with a smaller load index or speed index or capacity other than what was originally equipped on your Sprinter vehicle. Using a tire with a smaller load index could result in tire overloading and failure. You could lose control and have an accident.

Failure to equip the vehicle with tires having adequate speed capability can result in sud- den tire failure and loss of vehicle control.

200

!CAUTION Replacing original tires with tires of a different size may result in false speed- ometer and odometer readings.

Warning

Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the tire tread is badly worn, or if the tires have sustained damage, replace them.

When replacing rims, only use genuine wheel bolts approved by the vehicle manu- facturer and specified for the particular rim type. Failure to do so can result in the bolts loosening and possibly an accident.

Do not use retreaded/remolded tires. This process does not always permit previous damage to be detected. Therefore vehicle safety cannot be guaranteed if retreaded/ remolded tires are fitted.

Only use wheels and tires which have been tested and approved by the vehicle manu- facturer.

Warning

Fitting other wheel sizes to the vehicle will change the vehicle’s handling characteris- tics and may lead to an accident resulting in death, severe personal injuries and property damage.

Only certain tires meeting the tire size/ load/speed rating specifications are certi- fied to conform to FMVSS 110 for the Sprinter vehicle at this time. Please check your side walls of your originally equipped tires for specific makes/sizes, and speed load ratings when you need to replace your tires.

To prevent accidents resulting in possible death, severe injury or property damage, use only the tire and wheel sizes with load ratings approved for your Sprinter vehicle for your tire replacement. Refer to "Tire and loading information" (컄 page 205).

Radial-ply tires

Warning

Tire valves (snap-in valves)

Warning

Combining radial ply tires with other types of tires on your Sprinter vehicle will change the vehicle’s handling characteristics and may lead to an accident resulting in death, severe personal injuries and property dam- age. Always use radial ply tires in sets of 4 (or 6, in case of vehicles with dual rear wheels).

Never combine them with other types of tires.

Cuts and punctures in radial tires are re- pairable only in the tread area because of side wall flexing. Consult an authorized tire dealer for radial tire repairs.

Sprinter tire valves are tested and approved under rough operating conditions.

The installation of additional hub caps or other wheel simulators could cause damage to the tire valve and lead to a loss of tire pressure at the valve stem.

Do not install any of these parts on your Sprinter vehicle. To help ensure safe and re- liable operation of your Sprinter vehicle, only use parts and accessories tested and approved by the vehicle manufacturer for your Sprinter vehicle.

!CAUTION For safety reasons, the following tire valves from the Schrader company must be used on the vehicles: 앫 TR 600 for vehicle model type 2500
앫 TR 418 for vehicle model type 3500

Operation Tires and wheels

Other tire valves could be damaged by the specified tire pressures.

Important guidelines 앫 Only use sets of tires and rims of the

same type and make.

앫 Tires must be of the correct size for the

rim.

앫 Break in new tires for approximately

65 miles (100 km) at moderate speeds.

앫 Regularly check the tires and rims for

damage. Dented or bent rims can cause tire inflation pressure loss or damage to the tire beads.

앫 If the vehicle is heavily loaded, check tire inflation pressure and correct as required.

앫 Do not allow your tires to wear down too far. Adhesion properties on wet roads are sharply reduced at tread depths under 1/8 in (3 mm) for sum- mer tires and 1/6 in (4 mm) for winter tires.

201

Operation Tires and wheels 앫 When replacing individual tires, you should mount new tires on the front wheels first.

Tire care and maintenance

Warning

Regularly check the tires for damage. Dam- aged tires can cause tire inflation pressure loss. As a result, you could lose control of your vehicle.

Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the tire tread is badly worn, or if the tires have sustained damage, replace them.

The tire inflation pressure should be checked regularly, i.e. at least each time you refuel the vehicle. The preferred inter- val for checking the tire inflation pressure, however, is before each trip. For more information on checking tire in- flation pressure, refer to "Recommended tire inflation pressure" (컄 page 210).

202

Tire inspection Every time when checking the tire inflation pressure, the tires should also be inspect- ed for the following: 앫 excessive treadwear, refer to "Tread

depth". the condition of the tread depths, i.e. uneven tread wear or ex- cessive treadwear on one side. Turn the front wheels to full lock if neces- sary to enable you to check the inner edge of the front tires more easily. You must also always check the inside of the tire tread on the rear wheels.

Tire damage Tire damage can be caused by: 앫 the vehicle’s operating conditions 앫 tire aging 앫 curbs 앫 foreign objects 앫 insufficient or excessive tire pressures 앫 weather and environmental influences 앫 contact with oil, grease, fuel, etc.

앫 cord or fabric showing through the

Warning

tire’s rubber

앫 bumps, bulges, cuts, cracks or splits in

the tread or side of the tire

앫 foreign objects between the tires

(on vehicles with twin tires)

Replace the tire if any of the above condi- tions is found. Also inspect the spare tire periodically for condition and inflation. Spare tires will age and become worn over time even if never used, and thus should be inspected and re- placed when necessary.

Driving over curbs or sharp-edged objects can cause damage to the tire substructure which is not visible from the outside.

Damage to the tire substructure cannot be detected until later and can cause the tire to burst.

컄컄

You could lose control of the vehicle as a re- sult, cause an accident and injure yourself or others.

Avoid driving up against curbs or parking the vehicle with part of the tire tread surface on the curb.

Life of tire The service life of a tire depends on varying factors including but not limited to: 앫 Driving style 앫 Tire inflation pressure 앫 Distance driven

Warning

Tires and spare tire should be replaced after 6 years, regardless of the remaining tread.

Tread depth Do not allow your tires to wear down too far. Adhesion properties on wet roads are sharply reduced at tread depths under 1/8 in (3 mm) for summer tires and 1/6 in (4 mm) for winter tires. Treadwear indicators (TWI) are required by law. These indicators are located in six places on the tread circumference and be- come visible at a tread depth of approxi- mately 1/16 in (1.6 mm), at which point the tire is considered worn and should be replaced. Recommended minimum tire tread depth: 앫 Summer tires 1/8 in (3 mm) 앫 Winter tires 1/6 in (4 mm)

Operation Tires and wheels

Warning

Although the applicable federal motor safety laws consider a tire to be worn when the Treadwear Indicators (TWI) become visible at approximately 1/16 in (1.6 mm), we rec- ommend that you do not allow your tires to wear down to that level. As tread depth ap- proaches 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 re- duced.

Depending upon the weather and/or road surface (conditions), the tire traction varies widely.

203

Operation Tires and wheels

4 1 Treadwear Indicator (TWI)

The Treadwear Indicator appears as a solid band across the tread.

Storing tires

!CAUTION Keep unmounted tires in a cool, dry place with as little exposure to light as possible. Protect tires from contact with oil, grease and gasoline/diesel.

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!CAUTION Spare wheels may be mounted against the direction of rotation (spinning) even with a unidirectional tire for temporary use only until the regular drive wheel has been repaired or replaced. Always observe and follow applicable tempo- rary use restrictions and speed limita- tions indicated on the spare wheel. Have a spare wheel that was mounted against the direction of rotation re- placed with a regular road wheel as soon as possible.

Cleaning tires

!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.

Direction of rotation

An arrow on the side wall indicates the in- tended direction of rotation (spinning) of the tire which means the wheel must be mounted in the direction of rotation. If a tire does not have an arrow on the side wall indicating the direction of rotation, the wheel can be mounted either way.

The Tire Identification Number (TIN) must always be visible on the outboard side of the tire.

Loading the vehicle

The following labels on the vehicle show how much weight it may properly carry. 앫 Only vehicles with a gross weight ca- pacity less than 10,000 lbs (4500 kg) The tire and loading information plac- ard can be found on the driver’s door B- pillar. This placard tells you important information about the number of peo- ple that can be in the vehicle and the total weight that can be carried in the vehicle. It also contains information on the proper size and recommended tire in- flation pressures for the original equip- ment tires on your vehicle.

앫 The certification label can be found be- low the driver’s seat on an outward fac- ing position of the mounting pillar (컄 page 373). This label tells you about the gross weight capacity of your vehi- cle, called the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). The GVWR includes the weight of the vehicle, all occupants, fuel and cargo. The certification label

also tells you about the front and rear axle weight capacity, called the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). The GAWR is the total allowable weight that can be carried by a single axle (front or rear). Never exceed the GVWR or GAWR for either the front axle or rear axle.

1 Tire and loading information placard on

driver’s door B-pillar

The information below explains how to work with the information contained on the placard with regards to loading your vehi- cle.

Operation Tires and wheels

Tire and loading information

Warning

Do not overload the tires by exceeding the specified load limit as indicated on the tire and loading information placard on the driv- er’s door B-pillar or on the certification label below the driver’s seat on the mounting pil- lar. Overloading the tires can overheat them, possibly causing a blowout. Overloading the tires can also result in handling or steering problems, or brake failure.

Overloading of tires is dangerous. Overload- ing can cause tire failure, affect vehicle han- dling, and increase the stopping distance. Use tires of the recommended load capacity for the vehicle. Never overload them.

The vehicle maximum load on the tire must not exceed the load carrying capacity of the tire on your vehicle. You will not exceed the tire’s load carrying capacity if you adhere to the loading conditions, tire size and cold tire inflation pressures specified on the tire and loading information placard, tire pressure la- bel and this section.

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Operation Tires and wheels Placard For vehicles with a gross weight capacity less than 10,000 lbs (4500 kg) only. The tire and loading information placard is located on the driver’s door B-pillar.

Tire and loading information placard

1 Seating capacity 2 Load limit information

The data shown on this placard is for il- lustrative purposes only. The load limit data and seating data are specific to each vehicle and may vary from the data shown in the illustration below. Refer to the placard on your vehicle for actual data specific to your vehicle.

Seating capacity The seating capacity 1 gives you impor- tant information on the number of occu- pants that can be in the vehicle. Observe front and rear seating capacity. Never let more people ride in the vehicle than there are designated seating posi- tions and seat belts available. Make sure that everyone riding in the vehicle is cor- rectly restrained with a separate seat belt.

Load limit information Locate the statement “The combined weight of occupants and cargo should nev- er exceed XXX kilograms or XXX lbs.” 2 on the tire and loading information plac- ard. The combined weight of all occupants, cargo/luggage and trailer tongue load (if applicable) should never exceed the weight referenced in that statement.

Steps for determining correct load limit For vehicles with a gross weight capacity less than 10,000 lbs (4500 kg) only. The following steps have been developed as required of all manufacturers under Title 49, Code of U.S. Federal Regulations, Part 575 pursuant to the “National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966”.

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Step 1
왘 Locate the statement “The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs.” on your vehicle’s placard.

Step 2
왘 Determine the combined weight of the

driver and passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.

Step 3
왘 Subtract the combined weight of the

driver and passengers from XXX kilograms or XXX lbs.

Step 4
왘 The resulting figure equals the avail-

Step 6 (if applicable) 왘 If your vehicle will be towing a trailer,

Operation Tires and wheels

able amount of cargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if the “XXX” amount equals 1400 lbs and there will be five 150 lbs passengers in your vehi- cle, the amount of available cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs (1400- 750 (5 x150) = 650 lbs).

Step 5
왘 Determine the combined weight of lug- gage and cargo being loaded on the ve- hicle. That weight may not safely exceed the available cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in step 4.

load from your trailer will be trans- ferred to your vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how this reduces the available cargo and luggage load capacity of your vehicle.

The following table shows examples on how to calculate total load, cargo load and towing capacities with varying seating con- figurations and number and size of occu- pants. The following examples use a load limit of 1500 lbs. This is for illustrative purposes only. Make sure you are using the actual load limit for your vehicle stated on the vehicle’s tire and loading informa- tion placard (컄 page 206). The higher the weight of all occupants, the less cargo and luggage load capacity is available.

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Number of occupants (driver and passengers)

Seating configura- tion

Occupants' weight Combined

weight of all occupants

Available cargo/luggage and trailer tongue weight (total load limit or vehicle capacity weight from plac- ard minus combined weight of all occupants)

Front: 2

Rear: 3

Front: 1
Rear: 2

Front:1

Occupant 1: 150 lbs Occupant 2: 180 lbs Occupant 3: 160 lbs Occupant 4: 140 lbs Occupant 5: 120 lbs Occupant 1: 200 lbs Occupant 2: 190 lbs Occupant 3: 150 lbs Occupant 1: 150 lbs

750 lbs

1500 lbs - 750 lbs = 750 lbs

540 lbs

1500 lbs - 540 lbs = 960 lbs

150 lbs

1500 lbs - 150 lbs = 1350 lbs

Operation Tires and wheels

Example Combined

weight limit of occu- pants and cargo from placard 1500 lbs

1500 lbs

1500 lbs

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Certification label Even after careful determination of the combined weight of all occupants, cargo and the trailer tongue load (if applicable) as to not exceed the permissible load limit, you must make sure that your vehicle nev- er exceeds the Gross Vehicle Weight Rat- ing (GVWR) and the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for either the front or rear axle and the Gross Combination Weights Rating (GCWR) (if applicable). Under a maximum loaded vehicle condi- tion, gross axle weight ratings (GAWR’s) for the front and rear axles must not be ex- ceeded.

USA only - for vehicles with a gross weight capacity less than 10,000 lbs (4500 kg) only: To determine the maximum loading condi- tions of your vehicle, locate the statement "The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs." on the tire and loading informa- tion placard. The combined weight of occu- pants, cargo/luggage and trailer tongue weight (if applicable) should never exceed the weight referenced here. You can obtain the GVWR, the front/rear- GAWR and the GCWR from the certification label. The certification label can be found below the driver’s seat on an outward fac- ing position of the mounting pillar (컄 page 373).

Operation Tires and wheels For more information on the trailer tongue load, refer to "Trailer tongue load". Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): The total weight of the vehicle, all occu- pants, all cargo, and the trailer tongue load must never exceed the GVWR. Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR): The total allowable weight that can be car- ried by a single axle (front (FA) or rear (RA)). Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR): The total allowable weight of vehicle and trailer when weighed in cominbation in- cluding a 150 lbs (68 kg) allowance for the presence of a driver.

Vehicle Model type GVWR 2500

8550 lbs (3878 kg)

3500

9990 lbs (4531 kg)

11030 lbs (5003 kg)

GAWR (FA) 3970 lbs (1801 kg)

4080 lbs (1851 kg) 4410 lbs (2000 kg)* 4080 lbs (1851 kg) 4410 lbs (2000 kg)

GAWR (RA) 5360 lbs (2431 kg)

GCWR 13550 lbs (6146 kg)

7060 lbs (3202 kg)

15250 lbs (6917 kg)

7720 lbs (3502 kg)

15250 lbs (6917 kg)

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4

Operation Tires and wheels To assure that your vehicle does not ex- ceed the maximum permissible weight lim- its (GVWR and GAWR for front and rear axle), have the loaded vehicle (including driver, passengers and all cargo and, if ap- plicable, trailer fully loaded) weighed on a suitable commercial scale.

Trailer tongue load The tongue load (tongue weight at the hitch ball) of any trailer is an important weight to measure because it affects the load you can carry in your vehicle. If a trail- er is towed, the tongue load must be added to the weight of all occupants riding and any cargo you are carrying in the vehicle to prevent exceeding your Sprinter tow vehi- cle’s rear GAWR. The tongue load typically is between 10% and 15% of the trailer weight and everything loaded in it. For example, if the trailer tongue load equals 140 lbs and the determined avail- able cargo/luggage and trailer tongue weight equals 750 lbs, the amount of avail- able cargo and luggage load capacity is 610 lbs. (750 – 140 = 610 lbs.)

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For further information on vehicle and trail- er weights and ratings, loading a trailer and trailer towing, see “Trailer towing” (컄 page 175).

Your vehicle is equipped with either the tire and loading information placard1 or with the tire inflation pressure placard lo- cated on the driver’s door B-pillar.

Recommended tire inflation pres- sure

Warning

Follow recommended tire inflation pres- sures.

Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires wear excessively and/or unevenly, adverse- ly affect handling and fuel economy, and are more likely to fail from being overheated.

Do not overinflate tires. Overinflated tires can adversely affect handling and ride com- fort, wear unevenly, increase stopping dis- tance, and result in sudden deflation (blowout) because they are more likely to become punctured or damaged by road de- bris, potholes etc.

1 Tire and loading information placard or

tire inflation pressure placard on dri- ver’s door B-pillar

The tire inflation pressure (including the spare wheel) should be checked regularly and adjusted as well as inspected for signs of tire wear or visible damage. Use a good quality pocket-type gauge to check tire in- flation pressure.

1. For vehicles with a gross weight capacity less than

10 000 lbs (4 536 kg) (USA only).

For more information, refer to “Important notes on tire inflation pressure”.

Placard The placard is located on the driver’s door B-pillar.

Tire and loading information placard

Do not make a visual judgment when de- termining proper inflation. Radial tires may look properly inflated even when they are underinflated. The tire inflation pressure should be checked regularly, i.e. at least each time you refuel the vehicle, and should only be adjusted on cold tires. The preferred inter- val for checking the tire inflation pressure, however, is before each trip. The tires can be considered cold if the ve- hicle has been parked for at least 3 hours or driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km) at an ambient temperature of approximately 68 °F (20 °C). Follow recommended cold tire inflation pressures listed on vehicle placard. Keeping the tires properly inflated provi- des the best handling, tread life and riding comfort. The pressure difference between the tires on a single axle should not exceed 1.5 psi (10 kPa). In addition to the placard, also consult the tire inflation pressure table (컄 page 370).

Operation Tires and wheels

Tire inflation pressure placard

1 Recommended cold tire inflation pres-

sure

The data shown on the tire and loading information placard1and on the tire in- flation pressure placard is for illustrati- ve purposes only. Tire data is specific to each vehicle and may vary from the data shown in the illustration below. Refer to your vehicle’s placard for actu- al data specific to your vehicle.

1 For vehicles with a gross weight capacity less

than 10 000 lbs (4 536 kg) (USA only).

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mind when checking tire inflation pressure where the temperature is different from the outside temperature. For example: If the inside temperature is 68 °F (20 °C) and the outside temperature is 32 °F (0 °C) then the cold tire inflation pressure should be increased by 3 psi (0.2 bar), which equals 1.5 psi (0.1 bar) for every 18 °F (10 °C) for this outside temperature condition. Check tire pressures more often if subject to a wide range of outdoor temperatures, as tire pressures vary with temperature changes.

Warning

Tire pressure may increase during opera- tion.

Never reduce this normal pressure build up or your tire pressure will be too low.

Underinflated tires wear excessively and/or unevenly, adversely affect handling and fuel economy, and are more likely to fail from be- ing overheated.

Operation Tires and wheels The placard lists the recommended cold tire inflation pressures for all load conditi- ons up to the maximum permissible weight limits (GAWR). The tire inflation pressures listed apply to the tires installed as original equipment. Important notes on tire inflation pres- sure

Warning

If the tire inflation pressure repeatedly drops: 앫 Check the tires for punctures from for-

eign objects.

앫 Check to see whether air is leaking from

the valves or from around the rim.

Tire temperature and tire inflation pressure are also increased while driving, depending on the driving speed and the tire load. Tire inflation pressure changes by approxi- mately 1.5 psi (0.1 bar) per 18 °F (10 °C) of air temperature change. Keep this in

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Checking tire inflation pressure The tire inflation pressure should be checked regularly, i.e. at least each time you refuel the vehicle. The preferred inter- val for checking the tire inflation pressure, however, is before each trip. The inflation pressures specified either on the tire and loading information placard on the driver’s door B-pillar or on tire pressure label below the driver’s seat on an outward facing position of the mounting pillar are always cold tire inflation pressures. Check and adjust the tire inflation pressure when the tires are cold. Cold tire inflation pres- sure is defined as the tire pressure after the vehicle has been parked for at least 3 hours or driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km) at an ambient temperature of approxi- mately 68 °F (20 °C). The cold tire inflation pressure must not exceed the maximum tire inflation pres- sure molded into the tire side wall, see "Tire labeling" (컄 page 222). If you check the tire inflation pressure when the tires are warm (the vehicle has been driven for several miles or sitting less

than 3 hours), the reading will be higher than the cold reading. This is normal. Do not let air out to match the specified cold tire inflation pressure. Otherwise, the tire will be underinflated.

Warning

Observe the recommended tire inflation pressures.

Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires wear excessively and/or unevenly, adverse- ly affect handling and fuel economy, and are more likely to fail from being overheated.

Do not overinflate tires. Overinflated tires can adversely affect handling and ride com- fort, wear unevenly, increase stopping dis- tance, and result in sudden deflation (blowout) because they are more likely to become punctured or damaged by road de- bris, potholes etc.

Do not overload the tires by exceeding the specified load limit as indicated on the tire and loading information placard on the driv- er’s door B-pillar. Overloading the tires can overheat them, possibly causing a blowout.

Operation Tires and wheels Checking tire inflation pressure manu- ally Follow the steps below to achieve correct tire inflation pressure: 왘 Remove the cap from the valve on one

tire.

왘 Firmly press a tire gauge onto the

valve.

왘 Read the tire inflation pressure on the tire gauge and compare it with the rec- ommended tire inflation pressure on the placard on the driver’s door B-pillar or on the tire pressure label below the driver’s seat. If necessary, add air to achieve the recommended tire inflation pressure.

If you have overfilled the tire, release tire inflation pressure by pushing the metal stem of the valve with for exam- ple a tip of a pen. Then recheck the tire inflation pressure with the tire gauge.

왘 Reattach the valve cap.

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Operation Tires and wheels

!CAUTION After inspecting or adjusting the tire in- flation pressure, always reattach the valve cap if equipped. This will prevent moisture and dirt from entering the valve stem, which could damage the valve stem.

왘 Repeat this procedure for each tire.

Checking tire pressure electronically with the Tire Pressure Monitoring Sys- tem (TPMS)* (vehicles without steering wheel buttons) Vehicles without steering wheel buttons are equipped with the Tire Pressure Moni- toring System.

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USA only: The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) is equipped with a combination low tire pressure/TPMS malfunction telltale in the instrument cluster (컄 page 14). Depending on how the telltale illuminates, it indicates a low tire pressure condition or a malfunction in the TPMS system itself: 앫 If the telltale illuminates continu- ously, one or more of your tires is significantly underinflated. There is no malfunction in the TPMS.

앫 If the telltale flashes for 60 seconds

and then stays illuminated, the TPMS system itself is not operating properly.

Canada only: The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) is equipped with a low tire pres- sure telltale in the instrument cluster (컄 page 14). If the telltale illuminates, one or more of your tires is significantly underinflated.

The TPMS only functions on wheels that are equipped with the proper electronic sensors. It monitors the tire inflation pres- sure, as selected by the driver, in all four tires. A warning is issued to alert you to a decrease in pressure in one or more of the tires.

Warning

The TPMS does not warn you against incor- rectly selected tire inflation pressure and does not warn you when the tire pressure is not properly selected for the respective ve- hicle load. It warns you only when the pres- sure of one or more tires decreases significantly below the reference inflation

컄컄

pressure which was stored at the time of calibration of the TPMS after you inflated the tires.

Always ensure that you re-calibrate the TPMS after you inflated the tires to the rec- ommended cold inflation pressure.

Always adjust tire inflation pressure accord- ing to the tire and loading information plac- ard on the driver’s door B-pillar.

Underinflated tires wear excessively and/or unevenly, adversely affect handling and fuel economy, and are more likely to fail from be- ing overheated.

Overinflated tires can adversely affect han- dling and ride comfort, wear unevenly, in- crease stopping distance, and result in sudden deflation (blowout) because they are more likely to become punctured or dam- aged by road debris, potholes etc.

The TPMS is not able to issue a warning due to a sudden dramatic loss of pressure (e.g. tire blowout caused by a foreign object). In this case bring the vehicle to a halt by care- fully applying the brakes and avoiding abrupt steering maneuvers.

Warning

Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be checked monthly when cold and inflated to the inflation pressure recom- mended by the vehicle manufacturer on the tire and loading information placard. (If your vehicle has tires of a different size than the size indicated on the vehicle placard or the tire inflation pressure label, you should de- termine the proper tire inflation pressure for those tires).

As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitor- ing System (TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when one or more of your tires is significantly underinflated. Accord- ingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illu- minates, you should stop and check your tires as soon as possible, and inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving on a significant- ly underinflated tire causes the tire to over- heat and can lead to tire failure.

Operation Tires and wheels

Underinflation also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect the vehi- cle’s handling and stopping ability. Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire maintenance, and it is the driv- er’s responsibility to maintain correct tire pressure, even if underinflation has not reached the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS low tire pressure telltale.

USA only:

Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate when the system is not operating properly. The TPMS malfunction indicator is com- bined with the low tire pressure telltale. When the system detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash for approximately 1 minute and then remain continuously illuminated. This sequence will continue upon subse- quent vehicle start-ups as long as the mal- function exists. When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the system may not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure as intended.

컄컄

215

Operation Tires and wheels

TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety of reasons, including the installation of in- compatible replacement or alternate tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the TPMS from functioning properly. Always check the TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or more tires or wheels on your vehicle to ensure that the replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS to continue to function properly.

If a condition causing the TPMS to mal- function develops, it may take up to 10 minutes for the system to signal a mal- function using the TPMS telltale flash- ing and illumination sequence. The telltale extinguishes after driving a