2007 DODGE SPRINTER tires

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.

242 OperationCleaning and care of the vehicle
4
Automatic car wash
You can clean the vehicle in an automatic
car wash from the very start. It is prefera-
ble to use a car wash that does not have
brushes.
If the vehicle is very dirty, prewash it be-
fore you drive into the car wash.
\1Remove the radio / telephone antenna
and fold the exterior mirrors in before
driving into the automatic car wash.After using an automatic car wash, wipe off
wax from the windshield and the wiper
blades. This prevents smears and reduces
wiping noises which can be caused by res-
idue on the windshield.High-pressure cleaners
\1The minimum distance that must be
maintained between the vehicle and
the nozzle of the high-pressure cleaner
is:
\4approximately 2.2 ft (70 cm) for
round-spray jets
\4approximately 1 ft (30 cm) for 25°
flat-spray jets and concentrated-
power jets
\1Move the high-pressure cleaner nozzle
around when cleaning your vehicle.Care of the vehicle!
CAUTION
After cleaning your vehicle, especially
the wheel rims with rim cleaner, do not
simply park the vehicle and leave it.
Rim cleaners can promote corrosion of
the brake discs and the brake pads /
linings. Before parking and leaving the
vehicle after cleaning, always warm the
vehicle up to normal operating temper-
ature first.
!
CAUTION
Make sure that the automatic car wash
is suitable for the size of the vehicle.
If you do not remove the radio / tele-
phone antenna and fold in the exterior
mirrors, there is a possibility that the
antenna, the exterior mirrors or the ve-
hicle could be damaged by the auto-
matic car wash.
!
CAUTION
Make sure that the windshield wiper
switch is set to 0 (\2page 126), other-
wise the rain sensor could be activated,
for example, and the windshield wipers
could be triggered unintentionally. This
could cause damage to the vehicle.
!
CAUTION
Do not use high-pressure cleaners with
round-spray jets for cleaning the tires.
You could otherwise damage the tires.
Have damaged tires replaced.
!
CAUTION
To avoid damage, do not aim directly at
the door joints, brake hoses, electrical
components, connectors or seals.

246 OperationCleaning and care of the vehicle
4
Seat belts
Remove stains or dirt immediately to pre-
vent damage or the build-up of residues.
!
CAUTION
Clean the seat belts with a mild wash-
ing solution. Do not dry the seat belts in
direct sunlight or at temperatures
above 176 °F (80 °C).
Do not bleach or dye the seat belts.
This could impair the function of the
seat belts.
After driving off-road or on construc-
tion sitesWarning
G
Dirt on the vehicle can affect road and oper-
ating safety.In particular, the following dangers can arise:Stone chippings
Stones trapped between the tires can be
thrown out while the vehicle is in motion and
injure other road users or damage their ve-
hicles (in particular the windshield).
Risk of skidding
Dirt and mud on the tires / road surface re-
duce wheel grip. This is especially so if the
road surface is wet. The vehicle could then
start to skid.
Risk of slipping
Dirt and mud on the steps and entrances
make the steps less safe. As a result you
could slip from the steps and injure yourself.
For this reason, always clean your vehicle
carefully after driving off-road and on con-
struction sites before using public roads.
If you use a high-pressure cleaner or auto-
matic car wash for this purpose, you must
follow the relevant safety instructions in this
section.

247 Operation
Cleaning and care of the vehicle
4
\1Clean the vehicle, particularly the light-
ing equipment, windows, exterior mir-
rors, steps, entrances, grab handles,
wheels, tires, wheel housings and li-
cense plates. Observe the notes in this
section.
\1Remove any trapped foreign objects,
e.g. stones.After driving in mud, sand, water or similar
conditions:
\4Check the brake system for operating
safety.
\4Clean the wheels, chassis and brake
system.
\4Check them for damage and have any
damage repaired by an authorized
Sprinter Dealer if necessary.
Warning
G
Dirty brake discs and brake pads / linings
can impair braking power (to the point of to-
tal failure).
You could thereby cause an accident.
Check the brake system for operating safety
by testing the brakes before driving the ve-
hicle onto public roads.
If braking power is impaired, stop the ve-
hicle as soon as it is safe to do so and con-
sult an authorized Sprinter Dealer which has
the necessary specialist knowledge and
tools to carry out the work required.
The manufacturer recommends that you use
an authorized Sprinter Dealer for this pur-
pose. In particular, work relevant to safety
or on safety-related systems must be car-
ried out at an authorized Sprinter Dealer.

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.

283 Practical hints
Display messages
5
— —The message is displayed for 30 seconds.TPMSThe message is also displayed after
30 seconds.
The tire pressure monitor detects a moder-
ate loss of pressure in at least one of the
tires, or the difference in pressure on one
axle is too great.
\1Check the tire pressure at the earli-
est opportunity and correct it if nec-
essary.
Display messages
Possible cause / result
Possible solution

286 Practical hintsDisplay messages
5
ESP
Visit workshop
WARNING
G
ESP
® has been deactivated due to a mal-
function. Cruise control is also switched off
as a result.
Vehicle stability is no longer automatically
controlled in good time.
Engine power output may be reduced.
\1Continue driving, but with even greater
care.
\1Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Sprinter Dealer as soon as possi-
ble.
unavailable
ESP
® has been deactivated due to under-
voltage. Cruise control is also switched off
as a result.
The battery may not be being charged.
Vehicle stability is no longer automatically
controlled in good time.
Engine power output may be reduced.
\1Continue driving, but with even greater
care.
\1Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Sprinter Dealer as soon as possi-
ble.
Tire pres.
Adjust pres.
The pressure is too low in one or more tires.
\1Check and correct tire inflation pressure
as required.
Tire pres.
monitor
inoperative
The TPMS is malfunctioning.
\1Have the TPMS checked at an autho-
rized Sprinter Dealer.
Tire pres. displayed
after driving
several minutes
The tire inflation pressure is being checked.
\1Drive the vehicle for a few minutes.
Display messages
Possible cause / result
Possible solution