212 OperationTires and wheels
4
The placard lists the recommended cold
tire inflation pressures for all load conditi-
ons up to the maximum permissible weight
limits (GAWR). The tire inflation pressures
listed apply to the tires installed as original
equipment.
Important notes on tire inflation pres-
sure
Tire temperature and tire inflation pressure
are also increased while driving, depending
on the driving speed and the tire load.
Tire inflation pressure changes by approxi-
mately 1.5 psi (0.1 bar) per 18 °F (10 °C)
of air temperature change. Keep this in mind when checking tire inflation pressure
where the temperature is different from
the outside temperature.
For example:
If the inside temperature is 68 °F (20 °C)
and the outside temperature is 32 °F
(0 °C) then the cold tire inflation pressure
should be increased by 3 psi (0.2 bar),
which equals 1.5 psi (0.1 bar) for every
18 °F (10 °C) for this outside temperature
condition.
Check tire pressures more often if subject
to a wide range of outdoor temperatures,
as tire pressures vary with temperature
changes.Warning
G
If the tire inflation pressure repeatedly
drops:
\4Check the tires for punctures from for-
eign objects.
\4Check to see whether air is leaking from
the valves or from around the rim.
Warning
G
Tire pressure may increase during opera-
tion.
Never reduce this normal pressure build up
or your tire pressure will be too low.
Underinflated tires wear excessively and/or
unevenly, adversely affect handling and fuel
economy, and are more likely to fail from be-
ing overheated.
226 OperationTires and wheels
4
DOT (D
epartment O
f T
ransportation)
A tire branding symbol1 which denotes
the tire meets requirements of the
U.S. Department of Transportation.
Manufacturer’s identification mark
The manufacturer’s identification mark2
denotes the tire manufacturer.
New tires have a mark with two symbols.
Retreaded tires have a mark with four sym-
bols. For more information on retreaded
tires, see (\2page 199).
Tire size
The code3 indicates the tire size.
Tire type code
The code4 may, as the manufacturer's
option, be used as a descriptive code for
identifying significant characteristics of
the tire.
Date of manufacture
The date of manufacture5 identifies the
week and year of manufacture.The first two figures identify the week,
starting with “01” to represent the first full
week of the calendar year. The second two
figures represent the year.
For example, "0301" represents the 3rd
week of 2001.
If the date of manufacture code indicated
on the tire is less than 4 figures, do not use
it.1Maximum tire load rating
The maximum tire load is the maximum
weight the tires are designed to support.
iPrior to July 2000, tire manufacturers
were only required to have 1 number to
represent the year in which the tire was
manufactured.
For example, "031" could represent the
3rd week of 1981 or 1991.Warning
G
Tires and spare tire should be replaced
after 6 years, regardless of the remain-
ing tread.
Maximum tire loadiFor illustrative purposes only. The actu-
al data on tires is specific to each vehi-
cle and may vary from the data shown
in the above illustration.
228 OperationTires and wheels
4
1Plies in side wall
2Plies under tread
This marking tells you about the type of
cord and number of plies in the side wall
and under the tread.Accessory weight
The combined weight (in excess of those
standard items which may be replaced) of
automatic transmission, power steering,
power brakes, power windows, power
seats, radio, and heater, to the extent that
these items are available as factory-in-
stalled equipment (whether installed or
not).
Air pressure
The amount of air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of the tire.
Air pressure is expressed in pounds per
square inch (psi), or kilopascal (kPa) or
bars.
Aspect ratio
Dimensional relationship between the tire
section height and the section width ex-
pressed in percentage.Bar
Another metric unit for air pressure. There
are 14.5038 pounds per square inch (psi)
to 1 bar; there are 100 kilopascals (kPa)
to 1 bar.
Bead
The tire bead contains steel wires wrapped
by steel cords that hold the tire onto the
rim.
Cold tire inflation pressure
Tire inflation pressure when your vehicle
has been sitting for at least 3 hours or driv-
en no more than 1 mile (1.6 km).
Curb weight
The weight of a motor vehicle with stan-
dard equipment including the maximum
capacity of fuel, oil, and coolant, and, if so
equipped, air conditioning and additional
optional equipment, but without passen-
gers and cargo.Tire ply materialiFor illustrative purposes only. The actu-
al data on tires is specific to each vehi-
cle and may vary from the data shown
in the above illustration.
Tire and loading terminology
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.
230 OperationTires and wheels
4
Production options weight
The combined weight of those installed
regular production options weighing over
5 lbs (2.3 kilograms) in excess of those
standard items which they replace, not
previously considered in curb weight or ac-
cessory weight, including heavy duty
brakes, ride levelers, roof rack, heavy duty
battery, and special trim.
PSI (P
ounds per S
quare I
nch)
A standard unit of measure for air pres-
sure. Another metric unit for air pressure is
bar or kilopascal (kPa).
Recommended tire inflation pressure
Recommended tire inflation pressure list-
ed on the placard located on driver’s door
B-pillar for normal driving conditions. Pro-
vides best handling, tread life and riding
comfort.Rim
A metal support for a tire or a tire and tube
assembly upon which the tire beads are
seated.
Side wall
The portion of a tire between the tread and
the bead.
TIN (T
ire I
dentification N
umber)
Unique identifier which facilitates efforts
by tire manufacturers to notify purchasers
in recall situations or other safety matters
concerning tires and gives purchases the
means to easily identify such tires. The TIN
is comprised of the “manufacturer’s identi-
fication mark”, “tire size”, “tire type code”
and “date of manufacture”.
Tire load rating
Numerical code associated with the maxi-
mum load a tire can support.Tire ply composition and material used
This indicates the number of plies or the
number of layers of rubber-coated fabric in
the tire tread and side wall. Tire manufac-
turers also must indicate the ply materials
in the tire and side wall, which include
steel, nylon, polyester, and others.
Tire speed rating
Part of tire designation; indicates the
speed range for which a tire is approved.
Traction
Force exerted by the vehicle on the road
via the tires. The amount of grip provided.
Tread
The portion of a tire that comes into con-
tact with the road.
Treadwear Indicators
Narrow bands, sometimes called
“wear bars” that show across the tread of
a tire when only
1/16
in (1.6 mm) of tread
remains.
231 Operation
Tires and wheels
4
TWR (T
ongue W
eight R
ating)
Maximum permissible weight on the trailer
tongue.
Uniform tire quality grading standards
A tire information system that provides
consumers with ratings for a tire’s traction,
temperature and treadwear. Ratings are
determined by tire manufacturers using
government testing procedures. The rat-
ings are molded into the side wall of the
tire.
Vehicle capacity weight
Rated cargo and luggage load plus
68 kilograms (150 lbs) times the vehicle’s
designated seating capacity.
Vehicle maximum load on the tire
Load on an individual tire that is deter-
mined by distributing to each axle its share
of the maximum loaded vehicle weight and
dividing it by two.
Tires on the front and rear axles of vehicles
operate at different loads and perform dif-
ferent steering, driving and braking func-
tions. For these reasons, they wear at unequal rates, and develop irregular wear
patterns. These effects can be reduced by
timely rotation of tires.
The benefits of rotation are especially
worthwhile with aggressive tread designs
such as those on On/Off Road type tires.
Rotation will increase tread life, help to
maintain mud, snow, and wet traction lev-
els, and contribute to a smooth ride.
If applicable to your vehicle’s tire configu-
ration, tires can be rotated according to
the tire manufacturer’s recommended in-
tervals in the tire manufacturer’s warranty
pamphlet located in your vehicle literature
portfolio. If none is available, tires should
be rotated every 10,000 miles
(16,000 km), or sooner if necessary, ac-
cording to the degree of tire wear.
The same rotation (spinning) direction
must be maintained when mounted, see
"Direction of rotation" (\2page 204).
Rotate tires before the characteristic tire
wear pattern becomes visible (shoulder
wear on front tires and tread center wear
on rear tires).
Rotating tiresWarning
G
Rotate front and rear wheels only if they are
of the same dimension.
Changing the tire dimension for an axle
\4could cause the tire to come into con-
tact with the vehicle body or axle parts.
Damage to the tire or the vehicle may be
the result.
\4could result in changes to steering, han-
dling, and braking of your Sprinter vehi-
cle. This can cause unpredictable
handling and stress to steering and sus-
pension components. You could lose
control and have an accident resulting in
serious injury or death.
\4could result in tire overloading and fail-
ure, if the tires' load index are not iden-
tical. You could lose control and have an
accident.
243 Operation
Cleaning and care of the vehicle
4
Steps
Engine cleaningLight-alloy wheels*
Clean light-alloy wheels on a regular basis.
Outside of windshield and wiper blades
\1Turn key to position1 in ignition lock
(\2page 67).
\1Switch on windshield wipers
(\2page 126).
\1When the wiper arms are vertical, turn
key to position0 in the ignition lock or
remove the key.
\1Fold the wiper arms away from the
windshield until you feel them engage
in place.\1You can now clean the windshield and
the wiper blades.
\1Fold the windshield wipers back again
before you switch on the ignition.Warning
G
Dirty or iced-up steps and entrances create
a risk of slipping or falling.
Keep steps, entrances and footwear free
from dirt (e.g. mud, clay, snow and ice).!
CAUTION
Do not allow water to enter the intake
and ventilation openings.
When cleaning with high-pressure wa-
ter or steam cleaners, the spray must
not be aimed directly at electrical com-
ponents or at the end of electrical
lines.
Treat the engine with preservative
agents after cleaning. Protect the belt
drive system from the preservative
when you do so.
!
CAUTION
Do not use any acidic or alkaline clean-
ing agents. They can cause corrosion of
the wheel bolts (wheel nuts) or the bal-
ancing weight retainers.
!
CAUTION
Do not fold the windshield wipers away
from the windshield unless the hood is
closed. You will otherwise damage the
hood.
Warning
G
Switch off the ignition before cleaning the
windshield or the wiper blades. The wind-
shield wipers could otherwise move and in-
jure you.
341 Practical hints
Jump-starting
5
\1Using red positive terminal clamp1 of
the jumper cable, slide the red protec-
tive cap of the jump-starting connec-
tion point back with a clockwise turn
and connect the positive terminal
clamp of the jumper cable to the posi-
tive terminal of the jump-starting con-
nection point.
1Positive terminal of jump-starting con-
nection point (under cover)
2Positive terminal of donor battery
3Negative terminal of donor battery
4Ground contact of own vehicle
(negative terminal of your own battery)\1Run the other vehicle’s engine at idling
speed.
\1Connect negative terminal3 of the
donor battery to ground contact4 of
your own vehicle.
Start with the donor battery.
\1Start the engine.
\1Disconnect the jumper cable from neg-
ative terminal3 of the battery and
ground contact 4 first, then from pos-
itive terminal 2 of the battery and
jump-starting connection point 1.
The red protective cap springs back to
its initial position when the terminal
clamp is removed from the jump-start-
ing connection point.
\1Have the battery checked at an
authorized Sprinter Dealer.Use a rigid towing bar and secure this only
to the front towing eye (\2page 342).
iDo not connect the jumper cable to the
auxiliary battery* in the engine com-
partment. This is not suitable for jump-
starting operations.
Tow-starting!
CAUTION
Your vehicle is equipped with an auto-
matic transmission. Do not tow-start
your vehicle.
Warning
G
When tow-starting another vehicle, its
weight should not be greater than the per-
missible gross weight of your vehicle.