229 Operation
Tires and wheels
4
DOT (D
epartment O
f T
ransportation)
A tire branding symbol which denotes that
the tire meets the requirements of the
U.S. Department of Transportation.
GAWR (G
ross A
xle W
eight R
ating)
The GAWR is the maximum permissible
axle weight. The gross vehicle weight on
each axle must never exceed the GAWR for
the front and rear axle indicated on the
certification label located on the driver’s
door B-pillar.
GTW (G
ross T
railer W
eight)
The GTW is the weight of the trailer plus
the weight of all cargo, equipment, luggage
etc. loaded on the trailer.GVW (G
ross V
ehicle W
eight)
The GVW comprises the weight of the vehi-
cle including fuel, tools, spare wheel, in-
stalled accessories, passengers and cargo
and, if applicable, trailer tongue load. The
GVW must never exceed the GVWR indicat-
ed on the certification label located on the
driver’s door B-pillar.
GVWR (G
ross V
ehicle W
eight R
ating)
This is the maximum permissible vehicle
weight of the fully loaded vehicle (weight of
the vehicle including all options, passen-
gers, fuel, and cargo and, if applicable,
trailer tongue load). It is indicated on the
certification label located on the driver’s
door B-pillar.
Kilopascal (kPa)
The metric unit for air pressure. There are
6.9kPa to 1psi; another metric unit for air
pressure is bars. there are 100 kilopascals
(kPa) to 1 bar.Maximum load rating
The maximum load in kilograms and
pounds that can be carried by the tire.
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
The sum of curb weight, accessory weight,
vehicle capacity weight and production op-
tions weight.
Maximum tire inflation pressure
This number is the greatest amount of air
pressure that should ever be put in the tire
under normal driving conditions.
Normal occupant weight
The number of occupants the vehicle is de-
signed to seat, multiplied by 68 kilograms
(150 lbs).
Occupant distribution
The distribution of occupants in a vehicle
at their designated seating positions.
233 Operation
Tires and wheels
4
Dual rear wheels:
\1Rotate front tires by axle and the outer
rear tire side to side if there is no ap-
proved direction of rotation.
The tires used on dual wheel assem-
blies should be matched for wear to
prevent overloading one tire in a set.
\1To check if tires are even, lay a straight
edge across all four tires.
The straight edge should touch all the
tires.
For information on wheel change, see the
“Practical hints” section (\2page 320).
!
CAUTION
3500 dual rear tires have only one ap-
proved direction of rotation. This is to
accommodate the asymmetrical de-
sign (tread pattern) of the ON/OFF
road tire and the use of Outline White
Letter (OWL) tires.
When replacing a flat tire, the spare tire
may have to be remounted on the rim
or installed at a different location to
maintain the correct placement of the
tire on the wheel relative to the tire/
wheel position on the vehicle. For ex-
ample, if the spare is used to replace an
outer rear tire it will have to remounted
on the rim so that the wheel is dished
inward.
That way the tread design of asymmet-
rical tires and the white writing of the
OWL tires will maintain proper position.
235 Operation
Winter driving
4
Drive with particular care on icy roads.
Avoid sudden acceleration, steering move-
ments and braking.If it seems likely that the vehicle is about to
enter a skid or cannot be stopped at a low
speed:
\4Move the selector lever to position N.
\4Try to maintain control of the vehicle
using light corrective steering.
Road salt may adversely affect braking ef-
ficiency. It may therefore be necessary to
apply the brakes more forcefully in order to
achieve the same braking force as normal.
Apply the brakes regularly when making
longer journeys on gritted or salted roads.
This will have the effect of restoring the
brakes to their normal level of perfor-
mance.
When stopping the vehicle after traveling
on roads that have been salted, check that
the brakes are fully functional before pro-
ceeding further.
Warning
G
If you use your spare tire when winter tires
are fitted on the other wheels, be aware that
the difference in tire characteristics may im-
pair turning stability and overall driving sta-
bility may be reduced. Adapt your driving
style accordingly.
Have the spare tire replaced with a winter
tire at the nearest authorized Sprinter Deal-
er.iWhen they have been removed, store
wheels and tires in a cool, dry, and if
possible dark place. Protect the tires
from oil, grease, and gasoline / diesel.
Driving in winterWarning
G
Downshifting to brake could cause the drive
wheels to lose grip on a slippery surface due
to the increased difference in speed be-
tween the engine and the drive wheels at
this time.
Do not downshift for additional engine brak-
ing on a slippery surface. Use the service
brake in accordance with road conditions.
Only downshift to a lower gear when travel-
ing at a low engine speed.
236 OperationWinter driving
4
Use "Class U" chains, or other traction aids
that meet SAE Type "U" specifications.
Snow chains must be the proper size for
the vehicle, as recommended by the chain
manufacturer. They should only be driven
on snow-covered roads at speeds not to
exceed 30 mph (50 km / h). Remove
chains as soon as possible when driving on
roads without snow.Please observe the following guidelines
when using snow chains:
\4Snow chains should only be used on
rear wheels. In vehicles with dual rear
wheels, they should be mounted on the
exterior wheels. Follow the manufac-
turer’s mounting instructions.
\4Only use snow chains that are ap-
proved by the vehicle manufacturer.
For approved snow chains, please con-
tact your authorized Sprinter Dealer.
\4Use of snow chains may be prohibited
depending on location. Always check
local and state laws before mounting
snow chains.
To avoid damage to your vehicle, tires or
chains, observe the following precautions:
\4Because of limited chain clearance be-
tween tires and other suspension com-
ponents, it is important that only
chains in good condition are used. Bro-
ken chains can cause serious vehicle
damage. Stop the vehicle immediately if noise occurs that could suggest chain
breakage. Remove the damaged parts
of the chain before further use.
\4Install chains as tightly as possible and
then retighten after driving about 1/2
mile (0.8 km).
\4Do not exceed 30 mph (50 km/h).
\4Drive cautiously and avoid severe turns
and large bumps, especially with a
loaded vehicle.
\4Do not install tire chains on front
wheels.
\4Do not drive for a prolonged period on
dry pavement.
\4Observe the tire chain manufacturer’s
instructions on method of installation,
operating speed, and conditions for us-
age. Always use the lower suggested
operating speed of the chain manufac-
turer if different than the speed recom-
mended by the manufacturer.Snow chains!
CAUTION
Use snow chains on rear wheels only.
Some tire sizes do not leave adequate
clearance for snow chains. To help
avoid serious damage to your vehicle or
tires, use of snow chains is not permis-
sible with the spare wheel.
iWhen driving with snow chains, you
may wish to deactivate the ASR
(\2page 44) before setting the vehicle
in motion. This will improve the vehi-
cle’s traction.
279 Practical hints
What to do if ...
5
Warning!
G
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
vehicle placard or the tire inflation pressure
label. (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 determine the proper tire infla-
tion 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.
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.
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.
282 Practical hintsDisplay messages
5
Display messages
Possible cause / result
Possible solution
N
There is insufficient or no oil in the engine.
There is a risk of engine damage.
\1Stop your vehicle as soon as it is safe
to do so.
\1Switch off the engine.
\1Check the engine oil level using the
dipstick (\2page 189).
\1If the oil level is correct, have the
malfunction rectified immediately at
an authorized Sprinter Dealer.
\1If there is insufficient or no oil in the
engine, have the vehicle towed to an
authorized Sprinter Dealer.
NOThe message is displayed for 30 seconds.TPMSThe message is also displayed after
30 seconds.
The TPMS is malfunctioning.
\1Have the TPMS checked at an autho-
rized Sprinter Dealer as soon as pos-
sible.
The tire pressure monitor is not receiving
signals from one or more wheels because:
\4a wheel was replaced with the spare
wheel, which is not equipped with a
wheel electronics unit
\4the maximum temperature in one of the
wheel electronics units has been ex-
ceeded
\4one of the wheel electronics units is mal-
functioning
\1Have wheels with wheel electronics
units mounted at an authorized
Sprinter Dealer.
287 Practical hints
Display messages
5
Tire pres.
monitor
currently
unavailable
The TPMS or Advanced TPMS* is unable to
monitor the tire pressure due to
\4a nearby radio interference source.
\4excessive wheel sensor temperatures.
\1As soon as the causes of the malfunc-
tion have been removed, the TPMS au-
tomatically becomes active again after a
few minutes of driving.
Tire pres.
monitor
inoperative
No wheel
sensors
There are wheels without appropriate wheel
sensors mounted (for example winter tires).
\1Have the TPMS checked at an autho-
rized Sprinter Dealer.
\1Have the wheel sensors installed by an
authorized Sprinter Dealer.
Wheel sens.
missing
One ore more sensors are malfunctioning
(for example battery discharged).
One or more wheels without appropriate
wheel sensors mounted (for example spare
tire)
\1Have the TPMS checked by an autho-
rized Sprinter Dealer.
\1Have the wheel sensors installed by an
authorized Sprinter Dealer.
The tire pressure for the respective tire is
shown in the multifunction display.
Slid. sunroof
open
You have the removed the key from the ig-
nition lock and the sliding sunroof is still
open.
\1If necessary, close the sliding sunroof
using the switch in the overhead control
panel (\2page 145).
Cruise cont.
Visit workshop
Cruise control is malfunctioning.
\1Have cruise control checked at an au-
thorized Sprinter Dealer.
Display messages
Possible cause / result
Possible solution
301 Practical hints
Where will I find...?
5
3Tensioning lever
4Jack
5Vehicle tool kit
\1Remove the vehicle tool kit.
\1Pull tensioning lever3 upward and
unhook the retaining strap of jack4.
\1Remove jack4 upward out of the re-
tainer.If you are replacing the tires on the vehicle,
you may use the spare wheel as a road
wheel provided that:
\4the tires are no more than 6 years old
\4the wheel and tire have the same spec-
ified design as the road wheels
The spare wheel is located in a spare wheel
bracket under the rear of the vehicle.
More information about tire inflation pres-
sures can be found in the "Operation" sec-
tion (\2page 213).Panel van / crewbus
1Cover
2Recess
\1Open the rear doors (\2page 61).
\1Insert a screwdriver into recesses2
and pry off covers1.
\1Using the wheel wrench from the vehi-
cle tool kit (\2page 300), now unscrew
the visible bolts approximately
20 turns counterclockwise.
iPlace the jack into the retainer as
shown when storing it back into place.
Make sure that the jack’s retaining
strap is hooked in and tensioned.
Spare wheel!
CAUTION
Check regularly that the spare wheel is
secured correctly.