Page 175 of 288

STARTING AND OPERATING 175
5
Tire GripTire grip is greatly reduced on a wet or icy road. Speed
and driving style must therefore be adapted to suit
road conditions.
In winter, install M+S radial tires.
Below a tread depth of 1/8 inch (3 mm), tire grip
begins to decrease rapidly on wet roads.HydroplaningDepending on the depth of the water layer on the road,
hydroplaning may occur, even at low speeds and with
new tires. Reduce vehicle speed, avoid grooves in the
road, and apply brakes cautiously in the rain.
TIRE PRESSURES
WARNING!
If tire pressures are too low, there is a risk of the
tire’s tread deteriorating and sudden loss of pres-
sure due to the excessive temperature of the tire.
This has an adverse effect on road safety and in-
creases the risk of an accident.
The limiting speed for the tires (tires and tire
pressure) must not be exceeded. Exceeding the
permissible maximum speed causes tire damage,
which can lead to loss of control of the vehicle.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflating tires can
result in sudden deflation (blowout) because they
are more likely to become punctured or damaged by
road debris, potholes, etc. Follow recommended
inflation pressures.
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the specified
vehicle capacity weight as indicated by the label on
the base of the driver’s seat. Overloading the tires
can overheat them, possibly causing a blowout,
which could cause an accident resulting in severe
personal injuries, death and property damage.
Page 176 of 288

176 STARTING AND OPERATINGThe vehicle’s safety on the road depends to a great
extent on tire condition and correct tire pressure.
If tire pressures are too high or too low, handling
characteristics will be adversely affected and fuel
consumption and tire wear will increase. Check tire
pressures regularly (each time the vehicle is refueled).
Check tire pressures (including the spare wheel) with
the tires cold. The pressure difference between the tires
on a single axle should not exceed 1.5 psi (10 kPa). If
tire pressure in individual tires is too low: check the
valves, wheels and tires for signs of leaks.
After a period of fast driving, or in hot weather, tire
pressures can increase by as much as 14.5 psi (100 kPa).
Never release air from a warm tire or else the tire
pressure will be too low. NOTE:
Tire pressure changes by about 1.5 psi (10 kPa)
for every 18
°F (+10
°C) change in air temperature. For
this reason, do not release pressure from tires when
they are warm.
Remember to allow for this when checking tire
pressures indoors, particularly in winter.
Example:
Room temperature: about 68
°F (+20
°C)
Outside temperature: about 32
°F (0
°C)
Required tire pressure, specified tire pressure 3 psi
(20 kPa).
Information on tires can be obtained from any
authorized Sprinter Dealer.
WARNING!
Correct the tire pressures before loading the
vehicle fully. If the tire pressure is too low driving
safety and tire mileage are decreased.
Page 177 of 288
STARTING AND OPERATING 177
5
Tire Pressures of Loaded Vehicle in PSI (kPa)
Vehicle type 2500 C/HC/SHCTire pressures for size 225/70 R 15 C 115 N– Front axle with max. axle load 3,858 lbs (1,750 kg) 51 psi (350 kPa)
– Rear axle with max. axle load 5,357 lbs (2,430 kg) 70 psi (480 kPa)Tire pressures for size LT225/75 R 16 115 N– Front axle with max. axle load
3,858 lbs (1,750 kg) 55 psi (380 kPa)
– Rear axle with max. axle load 5,357 lbs (2,430 kg) 80 psi (550 kPa)
Vehicle type 3500 C/HC/SHCTire pressures for size 195/70 R 15 C 104 / 102 R– Front axle with max. axle load3,858 lbs (1,750 kg) 65 psi (450 kPa)
– Rear axle with max. axle load 7,054 lbs (3,200 kg) 65 psi (450 kPa)Tire pressures for size LT225/75 R 16 115/112– Front axle with max. axle load 3,858 lbs (1,750 kg) 58 psi (400 kPa)
– Rear axle with max. axle load 7,054 lbs (3,200 kg) 57 psi (390 kPa)
Page 178 of 288
178 STARTING AND OPERATINGComfort Tire Pressures in PSI (kPa)For reasons of comfort, we recommend setting the tire
pressures according to the table below, depending on
axle loads, on longer journeys with an unloaded or
only partially loaded vehicle.
Comfort Tire Pressures in PSI (kPa)
Front Axle
Size Application Axle loads in lbs (kg), see
type plate
2,315
(1,050) 2,646
1,200) 2,976
(1,350) 3,219
(1,460)
195/70 R 15 C
104 / 102 R Single
36
(250) 40
(275) 47
(325) 51
(350)
225/70 R 15 C
112 / 110 R
(115 N) Single
33
(225) 36
(250) 36
(250) 36
(250)
WARNING!
Correct the tire pressures before loading the
vehicle fully. If the tire pressure is too low driving
safety and tire mileage are decreased.
Rear Axle
Size Appli-
cationAxle loads in lbs (kg), see type plate1,764
(800) 2,205
(1,000) 2,646
(1,200) 3,307
(1,500) 3,748
(1,700)
195/70 R 15 C
104 / 102 R
Double
–
36
(250) –––
225/70 R 15 C
112 / 110 R
(115 N) Single
33
(225)
33
(225) 36
(250) 43
(300) 47
(325)
Page 198 of 288

198 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIESCHANGING THE TIREIf you get a flat tire while driving, gradually decrease
your speed. Hold the steering wheel firmly and slowly
move to a safe place on the side of the road. The
pressure of the spare wheel always has to be checked
regularly (at least after every tenth time at the filling
station).
WARNING!
Only certain tires meeting the tire size/load/speed
rating specifications contained in the Tire Pres-
sure Tables are certified to conform to FMVSS 120
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 accident, injury or possible death, use
only the correct tires for your tire replacement.
WARNING!
The jack is designed exclusively for jacking up the
vehicle at the jack take-up brackets built into ei-
ther side of the vehicle. To help avoid personal in-
jury, use the jack only to lift the vehicle during a
wheel change. Never get beneath the vehicle
while it is supported by the jack only.
Keep hands and feet away from the area under the
lifted vehicle. Always firmly set parking brake
and block wheels before raising vehicle with jack.
Do not disengage parking brake while the vehicle
is raised.
Always use the jack on a level surface.
Do not change wheels on either steep uphill or
downhill grades. Be sure that the jack arm end is
fully seated in the jack take-up bracket. The
vehicle may begin to move and fall from the jack
which could cause serious or fatal personal injury
and property damage.
Always lower the vehicle onto sufficient capacity
jack stands before working under the vehicle.
Page 208 of 288

208 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIESCentering wheels with wheel bolts
If dual assemblies are used, before placement the inner wheel should be inspected to ensure that all
ball bearing rings are in proper position.
Install the wheel and snug the wheel bolts.
Slightly tighten wheel bolts.
Slowly open jack release va lve to lower vehicle until
tire is resting on ground.
Tighten the wheel bolts in a crosswise pattern to the specified torque with a torque wrench.
Tightening torque for 8,550 lbs (3,880 kgs)
(vehicle type 2500 C/HC/SHC):
Steel wheel – 177 lbf.ft ±7 lbf.ft (240 N.m ±10 N.m)
Light alloy wheel – 138 lbf.ft ±14 lbf.ft
(190 N.m ±20 N.m) Tightening torque for 9,990 lbs (4,530 kgs)
(vehicle type 3500 C/HC/SHC):
Steel wheel – 138lbf.ft ±14lbf.ft (190N.m ±20N.m)
Remove jack and stow it in the vehicle tool kit.
Check the tire pressure.
Re-tighten the wheel bolts to the specified torque with a torque wrench after a distance of 30 miles
(about 50 km).
WARNING!
Do not tighten the wheel bolts and wheel nuts
completely while the vehicle is still jacked up.
The vehicle could tip.
WARNING!
After changing a wheel, you must, for safety reasons, have the specified tightening torque checked. The
wheels could otherwise work loose.
check the tire pressure and correct it if necessary.
retighten the wheel bolts and wheel nuts to the specified tightening torque once the vehicle has
been driven for 30 miles (50 km).
have a reversed direction of tire rotation corrected as soon as possible at a qualified specialist
workshop. The vehicle handling characteristics
could otherwise be affected.
Page 218 of 288

218 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 RELATED COMPONENT WARRANTY
STATEMENTThe Manufacturer warrants to the original and each
subsequent owner of a Sprinter 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, and
(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.
REGULAR 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.
Page 266 of 288

266 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
M A I
N T
E
N A
N
C E
S
C
H
E
D
U L
E
S8
MAINTENANCE - WITH ASSYST MAINTENANCE
COMPUTERASSYST provides you with information on the best
possible timing for maintenance work.
When the next maintenance service is due, this will be
indicated in the multi-function display with the
symbol
9 Oil service and fuel filter replacement
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.
REGULAR 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