Page 213 of 288
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
7
CONTENTS
Engine Compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Sprinter Original Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Service Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217Disposal of Service Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Emission Related Component Warranty
Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Regular Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218Windshield Washer System Fluid Reservoir . 219Air Filter Restriction Indicator (Optional) . . . 219Engine Oils . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220Engine Oil Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221Ribbed V-Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222Hydraulic Brake System, Clutch
Mechanism Fluid Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222Brake fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223Engine Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223Checking Coolant Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Winter Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227Disconnecting the Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227Reconnecting the Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228Charging the Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Replacing Wiper Blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230Appearance Care and Corrosion Protection . 231Power Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232Automatic Car Wash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233Tar Stains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233Paintwork, Painted Body Components . . . . . . 233Engine Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233Vehicle Washing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234Ornamental Moldings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Page 216 of 288
216 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLELegend For Engine Compartment
1. Windshield washer system fluid reservoir.
2. Maintenance indicator for air cleaner element (Optional).
3. Oil dipstick.
4. Oil filler neck.
5. Ribbed V-belt. Auxiliary drive (Optional) refer to “Auxiliary
drive“. 6. Fuel filter with water separator.
7. Hydraulic brake fluid reservoir.
8. Coolant reservoir.
9. Battery
The auxiliary battery is located underneath the
front passenger seat (optional equipment).
10. Fuse box (These special fuses should only be replaced at by
an authorized Sprinter Dealer).
Page 217 of 288
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 217
7
SPRINTER ORIGINAL PARTSEvery authorized Sprinter Dealer maintains a stock of
Sprinter original parts for maintenance and repair work.Over 6,000 retailers around the world guarantee that
you can be supplied with Sprinter original parts
wherever you are. Over 300,000 different parts and
assemblies, including parts for older vehicle models,
are distributed from a central parts warehouse using
an optimally tuned logistics concept.
Sprinter original parts are subjected to the most
stringent quality inspections and will ensure that the
vehicle is maintained at a high level of operating
efficiency and safety, and that it maintains its value.
Each part has been specifically designed and
manufactured or selected and approved for use in
Sprinter vehicles.
It is therefore best to use only Sprinter original parts.For cost-effective repairs in accordance with sound
recycling principles, the use of non-genuine parts and
accessories not authorized by the manufacturer could
damage the vehicle or compromise its durability or safety. When ordering original parts, always provide the
vehicle identification number and the engine number.
SERVICE PRODUCTSMechanical elements and the lubricants used for them
must be carefully matched.
For this reason, only brands tested and approved by
the manufacturer should be used. Please contact your
Sprinter Dealer to obtain the necessary information.
No lubricant additives should be used.
The use of such additives could affect your warranty
rights. Information is available from any authorized
Sprinter Dealer.
For specifications of engine oils, coolant and brake
fluid, contact your authorized Sprinter Dealer.
WARNING!
If handled incorrectly, service products can consti-
tute a health risk for people and an environmental
hazard.
Always observe relevant guidelines for handling,
storing and disposing of service products.
Page 218 of 288
218 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLEDisposal of Service ProductsDispose of service products and of parts which come
into contact with them (e.g. filters) in an
environmentally responsible manner. Comply with
applicable bars and regulations.EMISSION RELATED COMPONENT WARRANTY
STATEMENTThe Manufacturer warrants to the original and each
subsequent owner of a Sprinter heavy-duty on
highway diesel engine that:
(1) the engine was designed, built and equipped so as
to conform at the time of sale with the applicable
regulations adopted by the Federal Environmental
Protection Agency, and
(2) the emission control system of such engine is free
from defects in materials and workmanship which
would cause it not to conform with those regulations
for a period of use of five years or 100 000 miles or
3 000 hours of engine operation, whichever occurs
first.
REGULAR CHECKSThe following checks should be performed at regular
intervals (for example once a week or each time the
vehicle is refueled):
Windshield cleaner system – fluid reservoir.
Air strainer, in vehicles with an air strainer element maintenance indicator (optional equipment).
Engine oil level.
Checking ribbed V-belt.
Hydraulic brake system, clutch mechanism fluid level.
Coolant level.
Tire and spare wheel condition and pressures of the same. For more information, refer to "Wheels and
Tires".
Vehicle lighting.
Page 220 of 288
220 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLEApproved Engine OilsNOTE: Use only engine oils that are labeled on the
container as meeting the specifications of API (American
Petroleum Institute) and/or DaimlerChrysler specification
sheets MB 228.3, 228.5, 229.3 and 229.5, such as MOPAR®
SAE 15W-40 HD Diesel Engine Oil (e.g. MOPAR® Part
No. 04798231AD), or equivalent.Always refer to the following viscosity chart for the
proper viscosity grade based on ambient temperature.
Select oil viscosity according to the lowest air
temperature expected before the next oil change.
For further information, contact your authorized
Sprinter Dealer. NOTE: This chart supercedes ALL previously
published viscosity charts.
Page 221 of 288
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 221
7
Engine Oil Level1. Oil dipstick
2. Oil filler neck Check the engine oil level at regular intervals with the
vehicle standing on a level surface.
Check engine oil level about 5 minutes after
stopping the engine, which should have reached its
regular operating temperature. The normal
operating temperature should have been reached
and maintained for some time.
Wipe the dipstick clean with a lint-free cloth before checking.
The engine oil level must be between the
lower (MIN) and upper (MAX) marks on
the dipstick.
Add engine oil only up to the MAX mark.
Excess oil must be drained or siphoned off.
Page 222 of 288
222 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLERibbed V-BeltThe ribbed V-belt drives the accessories, such as
generator, coolant pump and hydraulic steering pump.
The ribbed V-belt is automatically kept tensioned.
Check the state of the ribbed V-belt regularly, such as
at every engine oil level check.
The belt must not be damaged, worn, oiled or glazed.
There must be no cracks in the belt running surface.
Replace damaged belts.
Hydraulic Brake System, Clutch Mechanism Fluid
Level1. Brake fluid reservoir
Brake fluid level must be between the MIN and MAX
marks in the reservoir (1).
If the brake fluid is below the MIN mark, there may be
a fault in the hydraulic system. Have the system
checked as soon as possible by an authorized Sprinter
Dealer.
Page 223 of 288
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 223
7
Brake fluidRefer to the "Recommended Fluids" chart later in this
section for recommended brake fluids.
In the course of its service life, the boiling point of the
brake fluid will fall due to the continuous absorption of
moisture from the atmosphere.
If the brakes are placed under heavy loads (e.g., on
steep hills) bubbles of steam can then form in the brake
system.
This will adversely affect the brakes' effectiveness.Engine Cooling SystemThe use of aluminum components in Sprinter engines
requires that anticorrosive/antifreeze specifically
formulated to protect aluminum parts be used. The
factory approved Service Products are suitable for
Sprinter engines and can be mixed with the original
anticorrosion/antifreeze filled in at factory.
Cooling system design and anticorrosion/antifreeze
agent used stipulate the replacement interval for the
coolant solution in your vehicle. Please observe the
replacement interval specified in the Service Booklet
for your vehicle.
Failure to use MB 325.0 an ticorrosion/antifreeze and/or
equivalent to DaimlerChrys ler material standard MS-
9769 and/or adhere to the specified replacement interval
may result in a significantly shortened service life.For coolant composition and water quality, contact
your authorized Sprinter Dealer.Engine CoolantThe coolant is a mixture of water and a corrosion
inhibitor/antifreeze additive. Within the cooling
system, the corrosion inhibitor/antifreeze ensures
anti-corrosion protection
antifreeze protection
a higher boiling point.
The coolant added in the factory ensures adequate
antifreeze and anti-corrosion protection.
Refer to the "Recommended Fluids" chart for coolant
recommendations.
For reasons of anti-corrosion protection and to increase
the boiling point, the cool ant added to the cooling
system is designed for all year round operation – even
in countries with high prevailing temperatures.
