2004 DODGE SPRINTER tire type

18 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEH ICLEPress the Πbutton a second time. The passenger
door and cargo doors are unlocked and the turn signal
lamps, as well as the remote keyless entry transmitter
indicator lamp, blink once again. The button must be
pressed a second time within about 2.5 seconds,
otherwise the second request to open can not be
performed.
NOTE: The vehicle is automatically locked again, if
within about 40 seconds of unlocking with the remote
keyless entry transmitter, none of the doors are
opened. The hazard warning lamp does not blink.Locking with Remote Keyless EntryPress the ‹ button. The entire vehicle is locked and
the hazard warning lamp blinks three times. The
remote keyless entry transmitter indicator lamp blinks
once.
If the hazard warning lamp does not blink, at least one
door is improperly closed. Check to see if there is a
door that is not properly closed or if there is a key in the
ignition lock. Remove key from ignition lock and/or
close doors properly and press the ‹ button again.
REPLA CING BA TTERIES IN REMOTE KEYLESS
ENTRYDo not touch the battery contact surfaces (insert the
batteries with a lint-free cloth).
NOTE: Do not operate the remote control while the
battery is being replaced.
WARNING!
Keep batteries away from children.
Consult a doctor immediately if a battery is
swallowed.
Dispose of used batteries in an environmentally
responsible manner.
Danger of explosion if the battery is not correctly
replaced. Replacements should always be either
of the same type or one which has been
recommended by the manufacturer.
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134 STARTING AND OPERATING
Deactivating the Acceleration Skid Control
(ASR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159Brake Assist System (BAS) (Cargo/passenger
vans type 2500 C/HC/SHC only) . . . . . . . . . . 160Indicator Lamp Electronic Stability
Program (ESP) (Cargo/passenger vans
type 2500 C/HC/SHC only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161Electronic Stability Program (ESP) (Cargo/
passenger vans type 2500 C/HC/SHC only) . . 162

Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163

Wheels and Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163Tire Grip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165Hydroplaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165

Tire Pressures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165Tire Pressures of Loaded Vehicle in PSI (kPa) . 167Tire Pressures of Loaded Vehicle in PSI (kPa) . 168Comfort Tire Pressures in PSI (kPa) . . . . . . . . 169Comfort Tire Pressures in PSI (kPa) . . . . . . . . 169

Snow Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170

Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170Fuel Filter with Water Separator . . . . . . . . . . . 170Diesel Fuels for Use at Very Low
Temperatures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171

Refueling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172Capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173

Programmed Top Speed (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . 173

Bleeding Diesel Fuel System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174

Draining Fuel Filter with Water Separator . . . . . 175Bleeding the Diesel Fuel System . . . . . . . . . . . 176

Permissible Roof Load . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177

Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177Trailer Hitches (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177Electrical Connections (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . 177Vehicle and Trailer Weights and Ratings . . . . 178Loading a Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178Checking Weights of Vehicle and Trailer . . . . 179Attaching a Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179Towing a Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180Parking a Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182

Emissions Control System (Catalytic Converter) . 183

Fording (Wading Capability) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183

Body Builder Guideline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183A Special Note Concerning Vehicle
Alteration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
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STARTING AND OPERATING 145
5
The handling characteristics of a vehicle when laden
are dependent on the type of load and the distribution
of the load within the vehicle.
Carrying heavy or bulky loads may alter the vehicle’s
handling characteristic.Loading GuidelinesPlease note and comply with the following information
when loading and transporting goods.
 Do not allow the load, including passengers, to
exceed the permitted gross vehicle weight or the
permitted axle loads for the vehicle. Bear in mind
that the unladen weight could be increased by
installing items of optional equipment and
accessories.
 Distribute the load uniformly. Excessive loads on
individual points of the load surface could cause
damage to the floor covering.
 Transport heavy loads between the axles near the
rear axle as low as possible in the vehicle.
 Secure any kind of load with sufficient wear and
tear-resistant load restraints. Lashing rings.
WARNING!
Unsecure or poorly secured loads, and seats that
have been removed, could move around the vehi-
cle interior uncontrollably in the event of sudden
braking, a rapid change in direction or an acci-
dent. This increases the risk of injury to occu-
pants in these situations.
Secure and position a load as described in the
following loading guidelines.
Piling up heavy objects or placing them on upper
shelves or loading them otherwise high up in the
vehicle will significantly raise the center of
gravity of the vehicle. Placing excessive loads on
individual points of the load surface or behind
the rear axle will also adversely affect the
handling characteristics of your vehicle and may
lead to loss of control over the vehicle.
Road safety and tire durability are adversely
affected if the permissible axle loads or gross
vehicle weight are exceeded due to the vehicle’s
load. Braking and stopping distances can be
significantly longer.
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158 STARTING AND OPERATINGA cceleration Skid Control (A SR)ASR makes it possible to pull away and accelerate on a
slippery surface. A spinning wheel is braked and its
tractive power is transferred to the wheel with full
grip.
The acceleration skid control (ASR) improves driving
stability at all speeds only on vehicles of the chassis
and cargo/passenger vans type 3500 C/HC/SHC
(without ESP).
The engine’s torque is limited to improve driving
stability. When this is happening, the warning
lampv in the speedometer flashes.
If the road surface is not capable of providing traction,
bearing in mind the tires, load and grade, it may not be
possible to pull away even with ASR.
If wheels with tires of a different size than those offered
by an authorized Sprinter Dealer are used, the correct
operation of the ASR cannot be guaranteed.
WARNING!
ASR cannot prevent the natural laws of physics
from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase the
traction afforded.
The ASR cannot prevent accidents, including
those resulting from excessive speed in turns,
following another vehicle too closely, or
hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful
driver can prevent accidents.
The capabilities of an ASR equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety
or the safety of others.
If the ASR function is used for a prolonged period
of time, the rear axle brakes may fail due to
overheating.
If the vehicle is to be towed away with the front
wheels clear of the ground, or if the brakes are to
be tested on a brake dynamometer, do not pull the
key in position 2 in the ignition lock, because the
drive wheels could lock.
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160 STARTING AND OPERATINGTo deactivate the ASR:– Press the upper section of the switch – the warning
lamp
v in the speedometer lights up.
Traction control continues to cut in if, for example, a
wheel on one side of the vehicle reaches its limit of
adhesion. The wheel is then braked to increase the
vehicle’s overall traction.
The warning lamp v will flash in the speedometer
at any speed when a tire reaches its limit of adhesion.
To activate the ASR:
– Press the upper section of the switch again
– the
warning lamp v in the speedometer goes out.
Brake A ssist System (BA S) (Cargo/passenger vans
type 2500 C/HC/SHC only)The Brake Assist System (BAS) operates in emergency
situations. If you apply the brakes very quickly, the
BAS automatically provides full brake boost, thereby
potentially reducing braking distance.
Apply continuous full braking pressure until the
emergency braking situation is over.
The ABS will prevent the wheels from locking.
When you release the brake pedal, the brakes function
again as normal. The BAS is then deactivated.
WARNING!
If the indicator lamp k remains on, a malfunc-
tion may not only have occurred in the ASR sys-
tem but also in the BAS.
The handling and braking characteristics of your
vehicle change. Drive with extra caution.
Have the malfunction traced and repaired as soon
as possible by an authorized Sprinter Dealer.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 161
5
For the indicator lamp k refer to
"Indicator Lamp
Acceleration Skid Control (ASR) and Brake Assist
System (BAS)
".
Indicator Lamp Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
(Cargo/passenger vans type 2500 C/HC/SHC only)When the key is in position 2 in the ignition lock, the
ESP indicator lamp will light up in the instrument
cluster as a function check. It goes out when the engine
is running.
If the indicator lamp remains on or lights up when
the engine is running, the electronic stability program
(ESP) is malfunctioning and switched off
automatically. The engine’s power output may be then
reduced.
WARNING!
The Brake Assist system (BAS) cannot prevent the
natural laws of physics from acting on the vehicle,
nor can it increase braking efficiency beyond that
afforded by the condition of the vehicle brakes
and tires or the traction afforded.
The BAS cannot prevent accidents, including
those resulting from excessive speed in turns,
following another vehicle too closely, or
hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful
driver can prevent accidents.
The capabilities of an BAS equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety
or the safety of others
.
Adapt your speed and driving style to the
prevailing road, traffic and weather conditions.
Driving too fast increases the risk of an accident.
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162 STARTING AND OPERATINGNOTE: If the ABS is malfunctioning or the voltage in
the vehicle’s electrical system drops below 10 volts, the
indicator lamp will also light up in the instrument
cluster and the ESP will be deactivated. The indicator
lamp will go out as soon as the voltage reaches this
level again or the ABS is operational again
– the ESP is
then reactivated.
Electronic Stability Program (ESP) (Cargo/
passenger vans type 2500 C/HC/SHC only)The Electronic Stability Program (ESP) monitors the
vehicle’s traction (force of adhesive friction between
the tires and the road surface) and handling.
The ESP recognizes when a wheel is spinning or if the
vehicle starts to skid. By applying brakes to the
appropriate wheel and by limiting engine output, the
ESP works to stabilize the vehicle. The ESP is especially
useful while driving off and on wet or slippery wet
surfaces.
The warning lamp v in the speedometer flashes
when the ESP is engaged, refer also to
"Warning Lamp
Acceleration Skid Control (ASR) and Electronic
Stability Program (ESP)
".
If wheels with tires of a different size than those offered
by an authorized Sprinter Dealer are used, the correct
operation of the ESP cannot be guaranteed.
WARNING!
If the ESP indicator lamp remains on, the
electronic stability program (ESP) is malfunction-
ing. The vehicle stability will no longer be auto-
matically regulated in good time.
The danger that your vehicle breaks into a skid, is
increased in certain driving situations. Drive with
extra caution.
Have the ESP repaired as soon as possible by an
authorized Spinter Dealer.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 163
5
STEERINGWhen the engine is not running, there is no power
assistance for the steering. Greater force will be
required to steer the vehicle.WHEELS AND TIRESCheck tires regularly for even tread wear, tread depth
(note legal requirements) and signs of external
damage.
Only use wheels and tires of the same size, make and
pattern.
Do not install tires that are not approved for the size
and type of wheel installed or the vehicle itself. Only
use those wheel sizes which were delivered to you by
your authorized Sprinter Dealer.
Use only wheels and tires which have been tested and
approved by the vehicle manufacturer.
Break in new tires at moderate speeds for a distance of
about 65 miles (about 100 km).
WARNING!
ESP cannot prevent the natural laws of physics
from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase the
traction afforded.
The ESP cannot prevent accidents, including
those resulting from excessive speed in turns,
following another vehicle too closely, or
hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful
driver can prevent accidents.
The capabilities of an ESP equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety
or the safety of others.If the vehicle is to be towed away with the front
wheels clear of the ground, or if the brakes are to be
tested on a brake dynamometer, do not put the key
in position 2 in the ignition lock because the ESP
would engage the brakes to stabilize the vehicle.If the ESP function is used for a prolonged period
of time, the rear axle brakes may fail due to
overheating.
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