Page 156 of 288
156 STARTING AND OPERATINGNOTE: On long and steep downhill slopes, reduce the
l o a d o n t h e b r a k e s b y s h i ft i n g d o w n a g e a r t o u t i l i z e t h e
braking effect of the engine.
To prevent corrosion on the brake pads, after driving
on very wet roads, especially if road salts have been
used, apply brakes before parking the vehicle. The heat
generated will help to dry the brake disks.
Brake Pad Wear IndicatorWhen the key is turned to position 2 in the ignition
lock, the indicator lamp 2 in the instrument cluster
lights up for about 2 seconds. It must go out when the
engine is running.
If the 2indicator lamp lights up while the engine is
running, the brake pads are worn almost to their limit.
Have the brake system examined as soon as possible
by an authorized Sprinter Dealer.
Page 159 of 288
STARTING AND OPERATING 159
5
Parking BrakeOnly apply the parking brake when the vehicle is
stationary.
To apply:
Pull the lever up as many notches as possible. When
the key is in position 2 in the ignition lock, the parking
brake indicator lamp will light up in the
instrument cluster. To release:
Lift the lever up slightly, press the button on the lever
in and move the lever down to the stop. The parking
brake indicator lamp should go out.
WARNING!
Always fully apply the parking brake when leav-
ing your vehicle, or vehicle may roll and cause
damage or injury.
WARNING!
On uphill or downhill grades steeper than 15%
the vehicle must be safeguarded. Vehicles which
are not secured could roll away and result in se-
vere personal injuries, death and property dam-
age.
Safeguard an unloaded vehicle by chocking the
front axle.
Safeguard a loaded vehicle by chocking the rear
axle.
Page 161 of 288
STARTING AND OPERATING 161
5
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) Indicator LampWhen the key is in position 2 in the ignition lock, the
ABS indicator lamp - will light up in the
instrument cluster. It goes out after about 2 seconds.
If the ABS indicator lamp - remains on or lights up
when the engine is running, the ABS is malfunctioning.
NOTE: If the voltage in the vehicle’s electrical system
drops below 10 volts, the ABS indicator lamp - will
also light up in the instrument cluster and the ABS will
be deactivated. The indicator lamp will go out as soon
WARNING!
The following factors increase the risk of acci-
dents:
Excessive speed, especially in turns
Wet and slippery road surfaces
Following another vehicle too closely
The ABS, EBV, ASR, BAS and ESP cannot reduce
this risk nor can they prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle.
Always adapt your speed and driving style to the
prevailing road, traffic and weather conditions
and maintain a safe distance between your vehicle
and other road users as well as objects on the road.
Page 164 of 288
164 STARTING AND OPERATINGElectronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD)The electronic brake force distribution (EBD) prevents
the rear wheels from being overbraked when there is
little load on the rear axle or if there is not much friction
between the tires and road (e.g., if the road is wet).
Acceleration Skid Control Indicator Lamp (ASR)
and Brake Assist System (BAS)
1if equipped
When the key is in position 2 in the ignition lock, the
indicator lamp k will light up in the instrument
cluster as a function check. It goes out when the engine
is running.12500 Type vehicles only
WARNING!
If the brake indicator lamp ; (- ) does not
go out or lights up again while driving, the brake
fluid level may not necessarily have dropped be-
low the minimum filling capacity but a malfunc-
tion may have occurred in the EBD. In this case
continue driving, but with even greater care.
The wheels of the rear axle could lock if the
vehicle is braked hard. This could lead to a
skidding of the vehicle. Have the malfunction
traced and repaired without delay by an
authorized Sprinter Dealer.
Adapt your speed and driving style to the
prevailing road, traffic and weather conditions.
Driving too fast increases the risk of an accident.
Page 165 of 288
STARTING AND OPERATING 165
5
If the indicator lamp k remains on or lights up
when the engine is running, the acceleration skid
control (ASR) or the brake assist system (BAS) is
malfunctioning.
Then the ASR will be switched off automatically.
NOTE: If the ABS is malfunctioning or the voltage in
the vehicle’s electrical system drops below 10 volts, the
indicator lamp k will also light up in the instrument
cluster and the ASR and the BAS will be deactivated.
The indicator lamp will go out as soon as the voltage
reaches this level again or the ABS is operational again– the ASR and the BAS are then reactivated.
If a malfunction is present in the acceleration skid
control (ASR), the engine’s power output may be
reduced.
WARNING!
If the indicator lamp k remains on, the acceler-
ation skid control (ASR) or the brake assist system
(BAS) is malfunctioning .
Your vehicle’s handling characteristics can
change. Drive with extra caution.
Have the malfunction traced and repaired as soon
as possible by an authorized Sprinter Dealer.
Page 170 of 288
170 STARTING AND OPERATINGFor the indicator lamp k refer to
"Indicator Lamp
Acceleration Skid Control (ASR) and Brake Assist
System (BAS)
" .
Indicator Lamp Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
(vehicle type 2500 only)When the key is in position 2 in the ignition lock, the
ESP indicator lamp will light up in the instrument
cluster as a function check. It goes out when the engine
is running.
If the indicator lamp remains on or lights up when
the engine is running, the electronic stability program
(ESP) is malfunctioning and switched off
automatically. The engine’s power output may be then
reduced.
WARNING!
The Brake Assist system (BAS) cannot prevent the
natural laws of physics from acting on the vehicle,
nor can it increase braking efficiency beyond that
afforded by the condition of the vehicle brakes
and tires or the traction afforded.
The BAS cannot prevent accidents, including
those resulting from excessive speed in turns,
following another vehicle too closely, or
hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful
driver can prevent accidents.
The capabilities of an BAS equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety
or the safety of others
.
Adapt your speed and driving style to the
prevailing road, traffic and weather conditions.
Driving too fast increases the risk of an accident.
Page 171 of 288
STARTING AND OPERATING 171
5
NOTE: If the ABS is malfunctioning or the voltage in
the vehicle’s electrical system drops below 10 volts, the
indicator lamp will also light up in the instrument
cluster and the ESP will be deactivated. The indicator
lamp will go out as soon as the voltage reaches this
level again or the ABS is operational again
– the ESP is
then reactivated.
Electronic Stability Program (ESP) (vehicle type
2500 only)The Electronic Stability Program (ESP) monitors the
vehicle’s traction (force of adhesive friction between
the tires and the road surface) and handling.
The ESP recognizes when a wheel is spinning or if the
vehicle starts to skid. By applying brakes to the
appropriate wheel and by limiting engine output, the
ESP works to stabilize the vehicle. The ESP is especially
useful while driving off and on wet or slippery road
surfaces.
The warning lamp v in the speedometer flashes
when the ESP is engaged, refer also to
"Warning Lamp
Acceleration Skid Control (ASR) and Electronic
Stability Program (ESP)
".
If wheels with tires of a different size than those offered
by an authorized Sprinter Dealer are used, the correct
operation of the ESP cannot be guaranteed.
WARNING!
If the ESP indicator lamp remains on, the
electronic stability program (ESP) is malfunction-
ing. The vehicle stability will no longer be auto-
matically regulated in good time.
The danger that your vehicle breaks into a skid, is
increased in certain driving situations. Drive with
extra caution.
Have the ESP repaired as soon as possible by an
authorized Spinter Dealer.
Page 214 of 288
214 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Headlamps, Taillamps, Identification Lamps,
Turn Signal Lenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234Reversing Aid Sensors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235Window Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235Wiper Blade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236Light Alloy Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236Steering Wheel and Gear Selector Lever . . . . 236Cup Holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237Seat Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237Headliner and Shelf Below Rear Window . . . 237Upholstery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237Hard Plastic Trim Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237Plastic and Rubber Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Electrical Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238Standard Fuse and Relay Equipment . . . . . . . 239Relay Assignment, Standard Equipment . . . . 242Fuse and Relay Optional Equipment . . . . . . . 242
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245Front Lamp Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245Taillamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250License Plate Lamps
(Cargo/Passenger Vans Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252Additional Brake Lamp
(Cargo/Passenger Vans Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252Side-Mounted Turn Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253Side-Marker Lamps,
Standing Lamps (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253Identification Lamps (Cargo/
passenger vans only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254Interior Lighting in Passenger Compartment
and Load Compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254Interior Lighting with Reading Lamp . . . . . . . 255Interior Lighting with Interior Sensor
Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255Exit Lamps (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Capacities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257Recommended Fluids and Lubricants . . . . . . 258
