2005 DODGE SPRINTER spare wheel

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.

STARTING AND OPERATING 187
5
Vehicle and Trailer Weights and RatingsGross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is the maximum
permissible vehicle weight: 8,550 lbs (3,878 kgs),
9,990 lbs (4,531 kgs) or 10,200 lbs (4,627 kgs).
NOTE: The weight of your Sprinter is indicated on the
type plate. For type plate, see Identification Labels.
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW): comprises weight of
vehicle including fuel, tools, spare wheel, installed
accessories, passengers, cargo and trailer tongue. It
must never exceed the GVWR.
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) is the maximum
permissible axle weight: Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) is the maximum
permissible trailer weight to be towed:
5,000 lbs. (2,260 kgs)
Trailer Tongue Weight Rating (TWR) is the maximum
permissible weight of the trailer tongue:
500 lbs. (225 kgs) limit for Sprinter approved hitch
receiver.
Loading a TrailerWhen loading a trailer, you should observe that
neither the permissible GTW, nor the GVWR are
exceeded.
Maximum permissible values are listed on the safety
compliance certification labels for the vehicle and for
the trailer to be towed. The lowest value listed must be
selected when determining how the vehicle and trailer
are loaded.
We recommend loading the trailer in such a manner
that it has a tongue weight (TW) between 10% and 15%
of the GTW.
The tongue weight at the hitch ball must be added to
the GVW to prevent exceeding your Sprinter tow
vehicle’s rear GAWR.
Type GVWR GAWR (FA) GAWR (RA)
2500
C/HC / SHC 8,550 lbs
3,878 kgs 3,860 lbs
(1,751 kgs) 5,360 lbs
(2,431 kgs)
3500
C/HC / SHC 9,990 lbs
4,531 kgs 3,860 lbs
(1,751 kgs) 7,060 lbs
(3,202 kgs)
10,200 lbs 4,627 kgs 3,860 lbs
(1,751 kgs) 7,060 lbs
(3,202 kgs)

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
6
CONTENTS

Hazard Warning Flasher Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196


Fire Extinguisher (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197


Vehicle Tool Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197


Changing the Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Spare Wheel Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200


Jack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Using the Jack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203


Removing a Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206


Installing a Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206


Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209


Towing the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
If the Engine is Damaged . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
If the Transmission is Damaged . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
If the Front Axle is Damaged . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
If the Rear Axle is Damaged . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212

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.

200 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIESSpare Wheel Location
NOTE: Lug wrench and jack, refer to "Vehicle Tool
Kit". For reasons of safety, check at regular intervals
that the spare wheel is properly secured.
WARNING!
If the rear cargo doors are opened to 90° (detent
position), the rear lights will be concealed. The ve-
hicle is then not sufficiently safeguarded at the
rear and may only be seen by other road users
when they are close to the vehicle. This could lead
to an accident.
The vehicle must then be clearly marked in
accordance with state and local laws, e.g., with a
warning triangle.
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.

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 201
6
Spare Wheel Beneath the End of the FrameRetaining 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. Spare Wheel in Cargo Area (Optional)
1. Open the rear cargo doors.

202 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES2. Turn spare wheel holder to loosen.
3. Remove the spare wheel. Spare 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.

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 207
6
NOTE: The optional light alloy wheels are supplied
with 5 short wheel lug bolts enclosed for the steel spare
wheel in the vehicle tool kit.
 Before fitting the spare wheel, clean rust and dirt off the contact surfaces of the wheel and the wheel hub,
and from the wheel bolts.
 Note the specified wheel and tire size, tire load capacity and speed code.
 Do not change the tire’s direction of rotation.
 Do not damage, grease or oil wheel bolts or their threads.
WARNING!
Different wheel bolts are required for pressed
steel and light-alloy wheels.
Incorrect wheel lug bolts for the wheels could
work loose, thereby causing you to lose control of
the vehicle. This could cause an accident resulting
in severe personal injuries and and property
damage.
WARNING!
Incorrect mounting bolts or improperly tightened
mounting bolts can cause the wheel to come off.
To avoid the risk of serious or fatal injuries or ve-
hicle damage, please bear the following points in
mind:• Always replace wheel bolts that are damaged or
rusted.• Never apply oil or grease to wheel bolts• If a wheel hub thread is damaged, you must not
drive the vehicle. Consult a qualified specialist
workshop.