2004 DODGE SPRINTER tires

180 STARTING AND OPERATINGTowing a TrailerThere are many different laws, including speed limit
restrictions, having to do with trailer towing. Make
sure that your vehicle-trailer combination will be legal,
not only for where you reside, but also for where you
will be driving. A good source for this information can
be the police or local authorities.
Before you start driving with the trailer, check the
trailer hitch, break-away switch, safety chains,
electrical connections, lighting and tires. Also adjust
the mirrors to permit unobstructed view beyond rear
of trailer.
If the trailer has electric brakes, start your vehicle and
trailer moving slowly, and then apply only the trailer
brake controller by hand to be sure the brakes are
working properly.
When towing a trailer, check occasionally to be sure
that the load is secure, and that lighting and trailer
brakes (if so equipped) are functioning properly.
Always secure items in the trailer to prevent load shifts
while driving.Take into consideration that when towing a trailer, the
handling characteristics are different and less stable
from those when operating the vehicle without a
trailer. It is important to avoid sudden maneuvers. The
vehicle and trailer combination is heavier, and
therefore is limited in acceleration and climbing ability,
and requires longer stopping distances. It is more
prone to reacting to side wind gusts, and requires more
sensitive steering input.
In order to gain skill and an understanding of the
vehicle’s behavior, you should practice turning, stopping
and backing up in an area which is free from traffic.If possible, do not brake abruptly, but rather engage
the brake slightly at first to permit the trailer to activate
its brake. Then increase the braking force.
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190 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIESNOTE: Lug wrench and jack, refer to "Vehicle Tool
Kit". For reasons of safety, check at regular intervals
that the spare wheel is properly secured.Spare Wheel Beneath the End of the Frame
Retaining screws for the spare wheel structural member
(1)Hook (2)
1. Open the cargo doors and remove the retaining
screws (1) with the lug wrench from the vehicle
tool kit.
2. Lift the spare wheel structural member, unhinge
the hooks (2), and lower the spare wheel structural
member. Remove the spare wheel.
WARNING!
The spare wheel holder should be reattached once
the wheel has been changed.
Regularly check the spare wheel fastening.
A loose spare wheel or spare wheel holder could
be loosen or could move around the vehicle
interior uncontrollably in the event of sudden
braking, a rapid change in direction or an
accident. This increases the risk of injury to
vehicle occupants and other road users in these
situations.
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.
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192 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIESSpare Wheel Location for Chassis
1. Loosen thumb nuts by hand and remove.
2. Use wrench to loosen fixing nut to the thread end.
3. Lift spare wheel holder.
4. Turn hooks to the side and lower spare wheel
holder. Remove the spare wheel.
JA CK
WARNING!
To avoid the risk of serious or fatal injuries or vehicle
damage, please bear the following points in mind:
 The jack is intended only for raising the vehicle
briefly, for instance, when changing a wheel. If it is
not designed to enable work to be carried out
underneath the vehicle.
Do not crawl under the jacked-up vehicle. For work
under the vehicle, stands must be used.
 The jack must be placed on a firm, flat surface only.
 Do not change wheels on uphill or downhill
gradients under any circumstances.
 Make sure that no persons are present in the vehicle
when jacking up the vehicle.
 Do not start the engine while the vehicle is raised.
 Make sure that the distance between the underside
of the tires and the ground does not exceed 1.2 in (30
mm). Otherwise the vehicle may tip over.
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208 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLEDisposal of Service ProductsDispose of service products and of parts which come
into contact with them (e.g. filters) in an
environmentally responsible manner. Comply with
applicable bars and regulations.EMISSION RELA TED COMPONENT WA RRA NTY
STATEMENTThe Manufacturer warrants to the original and each
subsequent owner of a MERCEDES-BENZ heavy-duty
on highway diesel engine that:
(1) the engine was designed, built and equipped so as
to conform at the time of sale with the applicable
regulations adopted by the Federal Environmental
Protection Agency
(2) the emission control system of such engine is free
from defects in materials and workmanship which
would cause it not to conform with those regulations
for a period of use of five years or 100 000 miles or
3 000 hours of engine operation, whichever occurs
first.
REGULA R CHECKSThe following checks should be performed at regular
intervals (for example once a week or each time the
vehicle is refueled):
 Windshield cleaner system – fluid reservoir.
 Air strainer, in vehicles with an air strainer element
maintenance indicator (optional equipment).
 Engine oil level.
 Checking ribbed V-belt.
 Hydraulic brake system, clutch mechanism fluid
level.
 Coolant level.
 Tire and spare wheel condition and pressures of the
same. For more information, refer to "Wheels and
Tires".
 Vehicle lighting.
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MAINTAININ G YOUR VEHICLE 215
7
(1.5 cm) above the base area which is visible
through the filler opening.
 Replace and tighten the radiator cap.
If a large quantity of coolant has been lost, or if smaller
amounts are lost at regular intervals, have the engine
cooling system examined by an authorized Sprinter
Dealer.
For coolant composition and water quality, contact
your Sprinter Dealer.
WINTER OPERATIONHave your vehicle winterized by an authorized
Sprinter Dealer before the onset of winter.
 Have the engine oil changed, if the engine oil filled
is not approved for winter use.
 Coolant: antifreeze/anti-corrosion concentration in
the coolant checked.
 Windshield washer system: add winter concentrate
to the washer fluid.
 Battery: the battery will lose capacity as
temperatures drop. Only a well-charged battery will
ensure reliable engine starting even at low outside
temperatures.
 Tires: fit M+S radial tires, taking note of the
maximum permissible speed of the tires fitted.
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220 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLEScratches, corrosive deposits, corrosion or damage due
to negligent or incorrect care cannot always be
removed or repaired with car-care products. In such
cases it is best to seek aid by your authorized Sprinter
Dealer.
The following topics deal with the cleaning and care of
your vehicle and give important "how-to" information
as well as references to car-care products.
Power WasherWhen using a power washer for cleaning the vehicle
always observe manufacturers’ operating instructions.
WARNING!
Never use openings in the bodywork as steps.
You could otherwise damage the vehicle and it
could lead to an accident.
CAUTION!
Do not use abrasive or strong cleaning materials
such as steel wool or scouring powder, which will
scratch metal and painted surfaces.
CAUTION!
The intense jet of water of a round nozzle can
result in damage to the tire. Therefore never use a
round nozzle to power wash tires.
Always replace a damaged tire.
Always keep the jet of water moving across the
surface. To avoid damaging the vehicle, do not
aim the water jet directly at electrical components,
end of electrical lines, electrical connectors, intake
or ventilation openings, brake hoses, door joints,
seals, other rubber parts.
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250 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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MA INTENA NCE - WITH A SSYST MA INTENA NCE
COMPUTERASSYST provides you with information on the best
possible timing for maintenance work.
NOTE: The engine manufacturer strongly
recommends the use of synthetic engine oils, such as
Mobil 1 SAE 0W-40.
When the next maintenance service is due, this will be
indicated in the multi-function display with the
symbol
9 Oil service
9 Maintenance service - displayed in km/miles
or days.
9
If the display shows the number of days, the symbol
È will also appear in the multi-function display.
You should have the maintenance performed within
the stated period/distance.
The service indicator will be reset by your Sprinter
Dealer after an oil service and/or maintenance service
has been performed.
REGULA R CHECK-UPSTo maintain the safe operation of your vehicle, it is
recommended that you perform the following tasks on
a regular basis (i.e., weekly or whenever the vehicle is
refueled). Check:
 Engine oil level
 Brake system, clutch mechanism – fluid level
 Battery – acid level
 Windshield washer system and headlamp cleaning
system – fluid level
 Mechanical assemblies (e. g. ,engine, transmission,
etc.) – check for leaks
 Condition of tires and tire pressures
 All exterior lights
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INDEX 271
10
Tie Down Rings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Tire Grip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Tire Pressure Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Tire Pressures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Tires
Changing the Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Comfort Tire Pressures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Hydroplaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Installing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Jack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Removing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Snow Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Spare Wheel Location. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Tire Grip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Tire Pressures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Tire Pressures Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Tires, Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Towing a Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Towing Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20Switching off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Towing Protection and Passenger Compartment
Protection Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Towing the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
If the Engine is Damaged . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
If the Front Axle is Damaged . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
If the Rear Axle is Damaged . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
If the Transmission is Damaged . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Attaching a Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Checking Weights of Vehicle and Trailer . . . . . . 179
Electrical Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Loading a Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Parking a Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Towing a Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Trailer Hitches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Vehicle and Trailer Weights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Transmission, Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Trip Meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90Freightliner-all.book Pag e 271 Monday, December 1, 2003 2:54 PM