Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified load limit as indicated on the Tire
and Loading Information placard on the
driver's door B-pillar. Overloading the tires
can overheat them, possibly causing a
blowout. Overloading
the tires can also result
in handling or steering problems, or brake
failure.
Check the tire pressure at least once a month.
Only check and correct tire pressures when
the tires are cold. Checking the tire pressure manually
In order to determine and adjust the tire
pressures, proceed as follows:
X Remove the valve cap of the tire you wish
to check.
X Press the
tire pressure gauge securely onto
the valve.
X Read the tire pressure and compare it with
the recommended value on the Tire and
Loading Information placard12
or on the tire
pressure plate on the B-pillar on the driver's
side of the vehicle.
X If necessary, increase the tire pressure to
the recommended value.
X If the tire pressure is too high, release air
by pressing down
the metal pin in the valve
using the tip of a pen, for example. Then,
check the tire pressure again using the tire
pressure gauge.
X Screw the valve cap onto the valve.
X Repeat the steps for the other tires. Tire pressure monitor
Important safety notes If a tire pressure monitor is installed, the
vehicle's wheels have sensors installed that
monitor the
tire
pressures in all four tires. The
tire pressure monitor warns you when the pressure drops in one or more of the tires. The
tire pressure monitor only functions if the
correct wheel electronics units are installed
in all wheels.
The tire pressure monitor has a yellow
0077
warning lamp in the instrument cluster for
indicating pressure loss/malfunctions (USA)
or pressure loss
(Canada). Depending on how
the warning lamp flashes or lights up, an
underinflated tire or a malfunction in the tire
pressure monitor is displayed:
R if the 0077 warning lamp is lit continuously,
the tire pressure on one or more tires is
significantly too low. The tire pressure
monitor is not malfunctioning.
R USA only: if the 0077 warning lamp flashes
for 60 seconds and then remains lit
constantly, the tire pressure monitor is
malfunctioning. G
Warning
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked at least once a month
when cold and inflated to the inflation
pressure recommended by the vehicle
manufacturer on the Tire and Loading
Information placard on the driver’s door B-
pillar or the
tire inflation pressure label on the
inside of the fuel filler flap. If your vehicle has
tires of a different size than the size indicated
on the Tire and Loading Information placard
or the tire inflation pressure label, you should
determine the proper tire inflation pressure
for those tires.
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has
been equipped with a tire pressure monitoring
system (TPMS) that illuminates a low tire
pressure telltale when one or more of your
tires are significantly underinflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure
telltale illuminates, you should stop and check
your tires as soon as possible, and inflate
them to the proper pressure. Driving on a
significantly underinflated tire causes the tire
to overheat and can lead to tire failure.
12 Only for vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 10,000 lbs(4536 kg).258
Tire pressure
Wheels and tires
DOT (Department of Transportation)
Tires with the DOT label fulfill the
requirements of the U.S. Department of
Transportation. Average weight of vehicle occupants
The number of occupants for which the
vehicle is designed
multiplied by 68 kilograms
(150 lb). Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards
A uniform standard to grade the quality of
tires with regard
to tread quality, traction and
temperature characteristics. The quality
grading assessment is made by the
manufacturer following specifications from
the U.S. government. The quality grade of a
tire is imprinted on the sidewall of the tire. Recommended tire pressure F
The tire pressure recommended for your
vehicle for normal driving situations. The
recommendation can be found on the Tire &
Loading Information placard 13
or on the tire
pressure plate on the B-pillar on the driver's
side of the vehicle. The recommended tire
pressure provides the best balance between
handling characteristics, ride comfort and
wear. Increased vehicle weight due to
optional equipment
The combined weight of all standard and
optional equipment available for the vehicle,
regardless of whether it is actually installed
on the vehicle or not. Wheel rim
The part of the wheel on which the tire is
mounted. GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
The GAWR is
the maximum gross axle weight
rating. The actual load on an axle must never
exceed the gross axle weight rating. The
Gross Axle Weight Rating can be found on the
vehicle identification plate on the driver seat
frame (Y page 277). Speed index
The speed index is part of the tire
identification. It specifies
the speed range for
which the tire is approved. GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight)
The gross vehicle weight includes the weight
of the vehicle including fuel, tools, spare
wheel, accessories installed, occupants,
luggage and the drawbar noseweight if
applicable. The gross
vehicle weight may not
exceed the GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating) specified on the vehicle identification
plate on the driver seat frame ( Y page 277). GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
The GVWR is
the maximum permissible gross
weight of a fully loaded vehicle (the weight of
the vehicle including all accessories,
occupants, fuel, luggage and the drawbar
noseweight if applicable). The Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating is specified on the vehicle
identification plate on the driver seat frame
(Y page 277).
13 Only for vehicles with a gross weight of less than 10,000 lbs(4536 kg). Definition for tires and loading
269
Wheels and tires Z
a high-capacity battery, are not included in
the unladen weight and the weight of the
accessories.
TIN (Tire Identification Number)
A unique identification number which can be
used by a tire manufacturer to identify tires,
for example for a product recall, and thus
identify the purchasers.
The TIN is composed
of the manufacturer identification code, tire
size, tire model code and manufacturing date. Load bearing index
The load bearing index (also load index) is a
code that contains
the maximum load bearing
capacity of a tire. Traction
Traction is the result of friction between the
tires and the road surface. Wear indicator
Narrow bars (tread wear bars) that are
distributed over the
tire tread. If the tire tread
is level with the bars, the wear limit of 1
/ 16 in
(1.6 mm) has been reached. Distribution of the vehicle occupants
The distribution of vehicle occupants over
designated seat positions in a vehicle. Maximum permissible payload
weight
Nominal load and cargo/luggage load plus
68 kilograms (150 lb) multiplied by the
number of seats in the vehicle. Changing wheels
Flat tire
The "Flat tire"
section in the "Practical advice"
chapter (Y page 221) contains information
and notes on how to deal with a flat tire. It
also provides instructions on changing a
wheel or mounting the spare wheel. Replacing wheels
G
Warning
Rotate front and rear wheels only if the tires
are of the same dimension.
If your vehicle is equipped with mixed-size
tires (different tire
dimensions front vs. rear),
tire rotation is not possible. G
Warning
After changing a wheel, for safety reasons you
must:
R have the tightening torque checked. For
wheel bolts, the tightening torque is
177 lb-ft (240 Nm) (steel wheel)/ 133 lb-ft
(180
Nm) (alloy wheel). For wheel nuts, the
tightening torque is 133 lb-ft (180 Nm). The
wheels could otherwise work loose.
R check the tire pressure and correct it if
necessary.
R have the wheel bolts/wheel nuts
retightened after driving a distance of 30
miles (50 km). The tightening torque for
wheel bolts is 177 lb-ft (240 Nm)(steel
wheel)/133 lb-ft (180 Nm) (alloy wheel).
The tightening torque for wheel nuts is
133 lb-ft (180 Nm).
R if using new or painted rims, have the wheel
bolts and wheel nuts retightened at the
specified tightening torque after the vehicle
has been driven for approximately 600 to
3000 miles (1000 to 5000 km).
R have the direction of rotation corrected, if
reversed, as soon as possible at a qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. an authorized
Sprinter Dealer. The vehicle handling Changing wheels
271
Wheels and tires
Z
You may mount a spare wheel against the
direction of rotation. Observe the time
restriction on use as well as the speed
limitation specified on the spare wheel.
Storing wheels
Store wheels that
are not being used in a cool,
dry and preferably dark place. Protect the
tires from contact with oil, grease and fuel. Cleaning wheels
G
Warning
Do not use power washers with circular jet
nozzles (concentrated-power jets) to clean
your vehicle, especially
for cleaning tires. You
could otherwise damage the tires and cause
an accident. Changing wheels
273
Wheels and tires Z