2007 DODGE SPRINTER lock

158 Controls in detailTransporting
3
The load's overall center of gravity should
be as low and central as possible, between
the axles near the rear axle.
For crewbus models:
\1Always transport loads in the load com-
partment.
\1Always place loads flush against the
seat backrests of the rear bench seat.
\1Slide larger and heavier loads as far for-
ward as possible when looking in the
direction of travel. Stack items against
each other behind the rear bench seat.\1Always secure loads with suitable
transport aids or lashing materials.
As the driver of the vehicle, you are respon-
sible for ensuring that the load is secured
against slipping, tipping over, rolling or fall-
ing down, whether driving in normal traffic
situations or on poor road surfaces or as a
result of having to swerve to avoid an ob-
stacle or applying the brakes fully.Failing to secure the load in accordance
with relevant requirements and sound
practice may be a punishable offense, de-
pending on national legislation and the
consequences that arise.
For this reason, observe the legal require-
ments in all countries concerned.
Before each journey and at regular inter-
vals during longer journeys, check whether
the load is secure and take additional ac-
tion to improve any incorrect or inade-
quate safety measures.
\1Fill up any empty spaces between the
load and the load compartment walls
or wheel arches in a form-fitting man-
ner. For this purpose, use solid trans-
port aids, such as chocks, wooden
blocks or storage cushions.Load distribution!
CAUTION
Excessive loads on individual points of
the load compartment floor or load sur-
face have a negative effect on handling
characteristics and could damage the
floor covering.
iObserve the following notes:
\4Do not stack loads higher than the
upper edge of the backrests.
\4Transport loads behind seats that
are not occupied.
\4If the rear bench seat is not occu-
pied, insert the seat belts in a cross-
wise pattern into the opposite belt
buckles.Securing a load
iInformation about how to secure a
load correctly can be obtained from the
manufacturers of transport aids or
lashing materials for securing loads.

160 Controls in detailTransporting
3
\1Always attach the lashing net or tarps
to all available lashing points. While do-
ing so, make sure that the mounting
hooks cannot open unintentionally.Warning
G
Do not carry out any modifications or repairs
to the lashing points, the lashing eyes or the
lashing materials. The load or the lashing
points could accidentally come loose and
cause serious injury to you or others as well
as damage to property.
Distribute loads evenly between the lashing
points or lashing eyes.
Observe the loading guidelines.iLoose loads should be secured with an
approved lashing net or tarp.
!
CAUTION
Observe the data on the maximum
load-bearing capacity of the individual
lashing points
(\2
page 371).
During full-braking applications, for ex-
ample, forces can be involved that are
much greater than the weight force of
the load.
Always use several lashing points in or-
der to distribute force absorption, and
make sure that the lashing points have
an equal load.
iIf your vehicle has load rails in the floor,
you should position locking rods imme-
diately in front of and behind the load.
The locking rods absorb possible shift-
ing forces directly.
Warning
G
If you tension the lashing straps between
the side walls or between a side wall and the
load compartment floor, the permissible
load for the lashing rails, lashing points or
lashing eyes could be exceeded in the event
of strong braking, sudden changes of direc-
tion or an accident.
The load would no longer be secured, which
could result in serious injuries caused by the
load slipping.
For this reason, do not tension a lashing
strap between the side walls or between a
side wall and the load compartment floor.
Only locking bars or rods may be installed
between the load rails near the side walls.
Observe the operating instructions issued
by the locking bar or locking rod manufac-
turer.

161 Controls in detail
Transporting
3
Mounting lashing points for load rails*
1Locking mechanism
\1To install: slide the lashing eye
through a recess in the load rail close
to the load until locking mechanism 1
in the recess engages.\1Check whether the lashing eye is firmly
in place.
\1To remove: pull locking mechanism 1
upward and pull the lashing eye
through a recess towards the locking
mechanism and out of the load rail.
iSecuring loads to the load compart-
ment floor is only recommended for
lightweight loads and should be rein-
forced by using anti-slip mats.Warning
G
Before releasing lashing straps, make sure
that the load is stable and would not tip over
even without being lashed down.
Otherwise, you or others could be injured by
a moving load.
iWhen you pull locking mechanism1
out of the recess, the lashing eye is
able to move within the lashing rail or
load rail. Make sure that locking
mechanism1 is always engaged in a
recess.
Warning
G
If the lashing eye is not firmly anchored in
the load rail, the lashing eye may slip or snap
out of the load rail in the event of sudden
braking or an accident.
The load would no longer be secured, which
could result in serious injuries caused by the
load slipping.
For this reason, always check that the lash-
ing eye is firmly in place whenever you in-
stall it.

162 Controls in detailTransporting
3
It is possible to mount a roof rack if your
vehicle is equipped with securing rails on
the roof.
1Securing rails
Special mountings (sliding blocks) are
available as accessories. These are avail-
able from any authorized Sprinter Dealer.Carrier systems
Warning
G
Handling and braking characteristics may
change when you have mounted carrier sys-
tems on the vehicle. You could endanger
yourself and others.
Observe the manufacturer’s installation in-
structions. An incorrectly secured carrier
system or load could:
\4come loose
\4fall off
and thereby endanger yourself and others.
Observe the maximum roof loads
(\2page 372), the maximum axle load and
the maximum load-bearing capacity of the
roof rack.
!
CAUTION
Make sure that:
\4the securing bolts for the roof
rack are tightened to a torque of
6.0 – 7.4 lb-ft (8 – 10 Nm) in the
sliding blocks provided
\4the bolts do not make contact with
the rails when tightened
\4the sliding blocks are not posi-
tioned near the plastic caps
\4the sliding blocks have the correct
cross-section
\4the securing rails are free of dirt on
the inside
\4the securing bolts are retightened
evenly after approximately
300 miles (500 km)
This will help to avoid damage to the ve-
hicle.
Only install roof racks that have been
approved or recommended for Sprinter
vehicles. These are available in any au-
thorized Sprinter Dealer.

165 Controls in detail
Features
3
Glove box
1Glove box handle
2Locked*
3Unlocked*\1To open: pull glove box handle 1 in
the direction of the arrow.
4Cards holder
5Pen holder
\1To close: fold the cover upwards and
push against it until it engages in place.Storage compartments on the dash-
board
Example on the right-hand side
iYou can lock and unlock the glove box
using the key*.
Warning
G
Do not store any items in the storage com-
partment above the co-driver’s airbag if they
protrude from the compartment. The co-
driver’s airbag must be able to inflate unim-
peded.!
CAUTION
It is permissible to load the right and
left-hand storage compartments up to
a maximum of 11 lbs (5 kg) each.

170 Controls in detailFeatures
3
The paper holder is on the control panel for
the air-conditioning system. 1Paper holder
\1Press top of paper holder1.The 12 V sockets for accessories are
\4on the bottom of the center console
(12 V, 25 A)
\4on the inside of the driver's seat base
(12 V, 15 A)
\4in the corner trim next to each rear
door in the passenger compartment
(12 V, 15 A)
\4in the load compartment next to the
rear door on the left-hand side (12 V,
15 A)*.
Socket at the bottom of the center console112 V, 25 A socketYou can use the 12 V sockets (15 A) for ac-
cessories with a maximum power con-
sumption of 180 watts. You can connect
accessories with a maximum power con-
sumption of 300 watts to the 12 V socket
(25 A) at the bottom of the center console.
For more information about the electric air
pump* and the Premium tire sealant*,
please refer to the "Practical hints" section
(\2page 303).
Paper holder
N68.00-2425-31
12 V socket
!
CAUTION
Only connect the electric air pump*
(Premium tire sealant*) to the 12 V
socket (25 A) on the bottom of the cen-
ter console. You could otherwise dam-
age the vehicle electrical system.
iThe sockets are supplied with power
even if the key is removed from the ig-
nition lock. Please note that the battery
may be discharged if you have connect-
ed an accessory, e.g. a coolbox, and
the engine is switched off.

171 Controls in detail
Features
3
Telephones may only be used inside the
vehicle if they are connected to a separate
exterior antenna of a type tested and ap-
proved by the manufacturer.The installation of the antenna must be ap-
proved by a qualified specialist workshop.
Always have maintenance work carried out
at a qualified specialist workshop, e.g. an
authorized Sprinter Dealer.Telephone*Warning
G
You must observe the legal requirements for
the country in which you are driving when
operating a cell phone in the vehicle.
If it is permitted to operate a cell phone
while the vehicle is in motion, you must only
operate it when road and traffic conditions
permit. You may otherwise be distracted
from the traffic conditions, cause an acci-
dent and injure yourself and others.
Cell phones without exterior antennas may
interfere with the vehicle electronics and
thereby jeopardize the operational safety of
the vehicle. You must therefore only use
these devices when they are connected to a
separate exterior antenna.
Warning
G
Only use the telephone when road, weather
and traffic conditions permit you to do so.
You will otherwise be too distracted. If you
are not using the hands-free system, pull
over to make a phone call.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approx. 50 km/h), your vehicle is covering
a distance of 44 feet (approx. 14 m) every
second.
Telephones without exterior antennas may
interfere with the vehicle electronics and
thereby jeopardize the operational safety of
the vehicle.
iObserve all legal requirements.iThe cell phone battery will be charged
depending on the charge status and
the position of the key in the ignition
lock. The cell phone display indicates
the charging process.

178 OperationDriving tips
4
Attaching a trailer
Please observe the maximum permitted
trailer dimensions (width and length).
Most states and all Canadian provinces re-
quire safety chains between your tow vehi-
cle and the trailer. The chains should be
crisscrossed under the trailer tongue. They
must be attached to the hitch receiver, and
not to the vehicle’s bumper or axle. Be sure
to leave enough slack in the chains to per-
mit turning corners.Towing a trailer
There are many different laws, including
speed limit restrictions, having to do with
trailer towing. Make sure that your vehicle-
trailer combination will be legal, not only
for where you reside, but also for where
you will be driving. A good source for this
information can be the police or local au-
thorities.
Before you start driving with the trailer,
check the trailer hitch, break-away switch,
safety chains, electrical connections, light-
ing and tires. Also adjust the mirrors to
permit an unobstructed view beyond the
rear of the trailer.
If the trailer has electric brakes, start your
vehicle and trailer moving slowly, and then
apply only the trailer brake controller by
hand to be sure that the brakes are work-
ing properly.
When towing a trailer, check occasionally
to be sure that the load is secure, and that
lighting and trailer brakes (if so equipped)
are functioning properly.
iMost states and all Canadian provinces
require a separate brake system at var-
ious trailer weights.
Warning
G
Do not connect a trailer brake system (if
trailer is so equipped) directly to the vehi-
cle’s hydraulic brake system as your vehicle
is equipped with antilock brakes. If you do,
neither the vehicle’s brakes nor the trailer’s
brakes will function properly. This could
cause an accident resulting in property dam-
age, injury or death to you or others.
The provided vehicle electrical wiring har-
ness for trailer towing has a brake signal
wire for hook-up to a brake controller.
Most states and all Canadian provinces re-
quire a break-away switch on trailers with a
separate brake system. The switch activates
the trailer brakes in the possible event that
the trailer might separate from the tow vehi-
cle.
You should consider using a trailer sway
control system. For further information, see
your authorized Sprinter Dealer.