2008 DODGE SPRINTER Owners Manual

343 Operation
Tires and wheels
4
Warning
G
Do not use a tire, wheel size or rating oth-
er than that specified for your Sprinter ve-
hicle. Some combinations of unapproved
tires and wheels may change suspension
dimensions and performance characteris-
tics, resulting in changes to steering, han-
dling, and braking of your Sprinter vehicle.
This can cause unpredictable handling
and stress to steering and suspension
components. You could lose control and
have an accident resulting in serious inju-
ry or death.
Continued
Warning (Continued)
G
Only use the tire and wheel sizes with load
ratings approved for your Sprinter vehicle,
refer to "Tire and loading information".Never use a tire with a smaller load index
or speed index or capacity other than
what was originally equipped on your
Sprinter vehicle. Using a tire with a small-
er load index could result in tire overload-
ing and failure. You could lose control and
have an accident.Failure to equip the vehicle with tires hav-
ing adequate speed capability can result
in sudden tire failure and loss of vehicle
control.
!
CAUTION
Replacing original tires with tires of a
different size may result in false
speedometer and odometer read-
ings.
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344 OperationTires and wheels
4
Only use wheels and tires which have
been tested and approved by the vehicle
manufacturer.
Warning
G
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the
tire tread is badly worn, or if the tires have
sustained damage, replace them.
When replacing rims, only use genuine
wheel bolts approved by the vehicle man-
ufacturer and specified for the particular
rim type. Failure to do so can result in the
bolts loosening and possibly an accident.
Do not use retreaded/remolded tires.
This process does not always permit pre-
vious damage to be detected. Therefore
vehicle safety cannot be guaranteed if re-
treaded/remolded tires are fitted.
Warning
G
Fitting other wheel sizes to the vehicle will
change the vehicle’s handling characteris-
tics and may lead to an accident resulting
in death, severe personal injuries and
property damage.
Continued
Warning (Continued)
G
Only certain tires meeting the tire size/
load/speed rating specifications are cer-
tified to conform to FMVSS 110 for the
Sprinter vehicle at this time. Please check
your side walls of your originally equipped
tires for specific makes/sizes, and speed
load ratings when you need to replace
your tires.To prevent accidents resulting in possible
death, severe injury or property damage,
use only the tire and wheel sizes with load
ratings approved for your Sprinter vehicle
for your tire replacement. Refer to "Tire and loading information"
(\2page 352).
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345 Operation
Tires and wheels
4
For information on tire and wheel sizes
with load ratings, refer to "Tire and load-
ing information" (
\2
page 303).Cuts and punctures in radial tires are re-
pairable only in the tread area because
of side wall flexing. Consult an autho-
rized tire dealer for radial tire repairs.
Radial-ply tiresWarning
G
Combining radial ply tires with other types
of tires on your Sprinter vehicle will
change the vehicle’s handling characteris-
tics and may lead to an accident resulting
in death, severe personal injuries and
property damage. Always use radial ply
tires in sets of 4 (or 6, in case of vehicles
with dual rear wheels).
Never combine them with other types of
tires.
Tire valves (snap-in valves)Warning
G
Sprinter vehicle tire valves are tested and ap-
proved under rough operating conditions.The installation of additional hub caps or
other wheel simulators could cause dam-
age to the tire valve and lead to a loss of
tire pressure at the valve stem.
Continued
Warning (Continued)
G
Do not install any of these parts on your
Sprinter vehicle. To help ensure safe and
reliable operation of your Sprinter vehicle,
only use parts and accessories tested and
approved by the vehicle manufacturer for
your Sprinter vehicle.
nf_BA.book Page 345 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

346 OperationTires and wheels
4
\4
Only use sets of tires and rims of the
same type and make.
\4
Tires must be of the correct size for
the rim.
\4
Break in new tires for approximately
65 miles (100 km) at moderate
speeds.
\4
Regularly check the tires and rims
for damage. Dented or bent rims can
cause tire inflation pressure loss or
damage to the tire beads.
\4
If the vehicle is heavily loaded, check
tire inflation pressure and correct as
required.
\4
Do not allow your tires to wear down
too far. Adhesion properties on wet
roads are sharply reduced at tread
depths under
1/8in (3 mm) for sum-
mer tires and
1/6in (4 mm) for win-
ter tires.
\4
When replacing individual tires, you
should mount new tires on the front
wheels first.
!
CAUTION
Vehicles not equipped with Tire Pres-
sure Monitoring System (TPMS)*:
For safety reasons, whenever you
change a tire, you must also change
the tire valve.
The following tire valves from the
company Schrader must be used on
the vehicles not equipped with
TPMS*:
\4
TR 600 for vehicle model type
2500
\4
TR 418 for vehicle model type
3500
Other tire valves could be damaged
by the specified tire pressures.
Important guidelines
nf_BA.book Page 346 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

347 Operation
Tires and wheels
4
The tire inflation pressure should be
checked regularly, i.e. at least each time
you refuel the vehicle. The preferred in-
terval for checking the tire inflation pres-
sure, however, is before each trip.
For more information on checking tire
inflation pressure, refer to "Recom-
mended tire inflation pressure"
(\2
page 361).
Tire inspectionEvery time when checking the tire infla-
tion pressure, the tires should also be in-
spected for the following:\4
excessive treadwear, refer to "Tread
depth".
\4
the condition of the tread depths, i.e.
uneven tread wear or excessive
treadwear on one side. Turn the front
wheels to full lock if necessary to en-
able you to check the inner edge of
the front tires more easily. You must
also always check the inside of the
tire tread on the rear wheels.
\4
cord or fabric showing through the
tire’s rubber
Tire care and maintenanceWarning
G
Regularly check the tires for damage.
Damaged tires can cause tire inflation
pressure loss. As a result, you could lose
control of your vehicle.
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the
tire tread is badly worn, or if the tires have
sustained damage, replace them.
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348 OperationTires and wheels
4
\4
bumps, bulges, cuts, cracks or splits
in the tread or side of the tire
\4
foreign objects between the tires
(on vehicles with twin tires)
Replace the tire if any of the above con-
ditions is found.
Also inspect the spare tire periodically
for condition and inflation. Spare tires
will age and become worn over time
even if never used, and thus should be
inspected and replaced when neces-
sary.
Tire damageTire damage can be caused
by:
\4
the vehicle’s operating conditions
\4
tire aging
\4
curbs
\4
foreign objects
\4
insufficient or excessive tire inflation
pressures
\4
weather and environmental influenc-
es
\4
contact with oil, grease, fuel, etc.
Warning
G
Driving over curbs or sharp-edged objects
can cause damage to the tire substruc-
ture which is not visible from the outside.
Damage to the tire substructure cannot
be detected until later and can cause the
tire to burst.
You could lose control of the
vehicle as a result, cause an accident and
injure yourself or others.
Avoid driving up against curbs or parking
the vehicle with part of the tire tread sur-
face on the curb.
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349 Operation
Tires and wheels
4
Life of tireThe service life of a tire depends on vary-
ing factors including but not limited to:\4
Driving style
\4
Tire inflation pressure
\4
Distance driven
Tread depthDo not allow your tires to wear down too
far. Adhesion properties on wet roads
are sharply reduced at tread depths un-
der
1/8in (3 mm) for summer tires and
1/6in (4 mm) for winter tires.
Treadwear indicators (TWI) are required
by law. These indicators are located in
six places on the tread circumference
and become visible at a tread depth of
approximately
1/16
in (1.6 mm), at
which point the tire is considered worn
and should be replaced.Recommended minimum tire tread
depth:
\4
Summer tires
1/8in (3 mm)
\4
Winter tires
1/6in (4 mm)
Warning
G
Tires and spare tire should be replaced af-
ter 6 years, regardless of the remaining
tread.
nf_BA.book Page 349 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

350 OperationTires and wheels
4
1Treadwear Indicator (TWI)The Treadwear Indicator appears as a
solid band across the tread.
Storing tires
Cleaning tires
Warning
G
Although the applicable federal motor
safety laws consider a tire to be worn
when the Treadwear Indicators (TWI) be-
come visible at approximately
1/16in
(1.6 mm), we recommend that you do not
allow your tires to wear down to that lev-
el. As tread depth approaches
1/8in
(3 mm) for summer tires or
1/6in (4 mm)
for winter tires, the adhesion properties
on a wet road are sharply reduced.
Depending upon the weather and/or road
surface (conditions), the tire traction var-
ies widely.
!
CAUTION
Keep unmounted tires in a cool, dry
place with as little exposure to light
as possible. Protect tires from con-
tact with oil, grease and gasoline/
diesel.
!
CAUTION
Never use a round nozzle to power
wash tires. The intense jet of water
can result in damage to the tire.
Always replace a damaged tire.
nf_BA.book Page 350 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM