2008 DODGE SPRINTER warning

278 Controls in detailTransporting
3
During loading
\1
Observe the maximum permissible
axle loads and permissible gross
weight for the vehicle.
\1
Observe the notes on load distribu-
tion (
\2
page 279).
\1
Secure the load (
\2
page 280). All
country-specific legal requirements
must be observed.
Checks after loading
\1Securing a load:
before each jour-
ney and at regular intervals during
longer journeys, check whether the
load is properly secured and take ad-
ditional securing measures, if neces-
sary.
\1Doors:
close the sliding doors and
rear doors.
\1Tire pressure:
adjust the tire pres-
sure in accordance with the vehicle's
load (
\2
page 365).
\1Driving characteristics:
adapt your
driving style to the load.
!
CAUTION
In passenger vans with the maximum
number of seats, the maximum pay-
load would cause the permissible
rear axle load to be exceeded.
iBear in mind that your vehicle's un-
laden weight is increased by the in-
stallation of optional equipment and
accessories.
Warning
G
Make sure that the sliding doors and rear
doors are always closed when the engine
is running.
Otherwise, exhaust fumes could enter the
vehicle interior and poison you.
nf_BA.book Page 278 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

282 Controls in detailTransporting
3
\1
Always attach the lashing net or
tarps to all available lashing points.
While doing so, make sure that the
mounting hooks cannot open unin-
tentionally.
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 lash-
ing 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 individu-
al lashing points
(\2
page 629).
During full-braking applications, for
example, forces can be involved that
are much greater than the weight
force of the load.
Always use several lashing points in
order 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 immediately in front of and be-
hind the load. The locking rods ab-
sorb possible shifting forces directly.
nf_BA.book Page 282 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

283 Controls in detail
Transporting
3
Warning
G
If you tension the lashing straps between
the side walls or between a side wall and
the load compartment floor, the permissi-
ble load for the lashing rails, lashing
points or lashing eyes could be exceeded
in the event of strong braking, sudden
changes of direction or an accident.The load would no longer be secured,
which could result in serious injuries
caused by the load slipping.
Continued
Warning (Continued)
G
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.
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.
nf_BA.book Page 283 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

284 Controls in detailTransporting
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.
iWhen you pull locking
mechanism
1
out of the recess, the
lashing eye is able to move within the
lashing rail or load rail. Make sure
that locking mechanism
1
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
lashing eye is firmly in place whenever
you install it.
nf_BA.book Page 284 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

285 Controls in detail
Transporting
3
\1
Check 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.
It is possible to mount a roof rack if your
vehicle is equipped with securing rails
on the roof.
1Securing railsSpecial mountings (sliding blocks) are
available as accessories. These are
available from any authorized Sprinter
Dealer.
Carrier systems
Warning
G
Handling and braking characteristics may
change when you have mounted carrier
systems on the vehicle. You could endan-
ger yourself and others.Observe the manufacturer’s installation
instructions. An incorrectly secured carri-
er system or load could:\4come loose\4fall offand thereby endanger yourself and
others.
Continued
nf_BA.book Page 285 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

286 Controls in detailTransporting
3
Only install roof racks that have been
approved or recommended for Sprinter
vehicles. These are available in any au-
thorized Sprinter Dealer.Observe the instructions in the “Opera-
tion” section (
\2
page 303).
Warning (Continued)
G
Observe the maximum roof loads
(\2page 630), the maximum axle load
and the maximum load-bearing capacity
of the roof rack.!
CAUTION
Make sure that:
the securing bolts for the roof
rack are tightened to a torque of
6.0 – 7.4 lb-ft (8 – 10 Nm) in the slid-
ing blocks provided
the bolts do not make contact with
the rails when tightened
the sliding blocks are not positioned
near the plastic caps
the sliding blocks have the correct
cross-section
the securing rails are free of dirt on
the inside
the securing bolts are retightened
evenly after approximately 300 miles
(500 km)
This will help to avoid damage to the
vehicle.
!
CAUTION
If you wish to retrofit securing rails,
have them installed at a qualified
specialist workshop which has the
necessary specialist knowledge and
tools to carry out the work required.
You could otherwise damage the ve-
hicle.
The manufacturer recommends that
you use an authorized Sprinter Deal-
er for this purpose.
Trailer towing
nf_BA.book Page 286 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

287 Controls in detail
Features
3
\3 Features
Storage compartments above the
windshieldStorage compartment above the roof
trim*
1Storage compartment
Interior storage compartmentsWarning
G
Only load the storage compartments in
such a way that occupants cannot be in-
jured by their contents in the event of an
accident, braking or a sudden change in
direction.
For this reason, do not transport heavy,
bulky, pointed or sharp-edged objects in
the storage spaces or compartments.
!
CAUTION
It is permissible to load the right and
left-hand storage compartments up
to a maximum of 5.5 lbs (2.5 kg)
each.
nf_BA.book Page 287 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

289 Controls in detail
Features
3
\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-
boardExample on the right-hand side
Warning
G
Do not store any items in the storage
compartment above the passenger’s air-
bag if they protrude from the compart-
ment. The passenger’s airbag must be
able to inflate unimpeded.!
CAUTION
It is permissible to load the right and
left-hand storage compartments up
to a maximum of 11 lbs (5 kg) each.
nf_BA.book Page 289 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM