Page 129 of 288

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 129
4
HEATER BOOSTER
The switch (1) for activating the
heater booster system is located in
the center section of the dashboard.
The heater booster system can be
switched on while the vehicle is
being driven to help the engine to
reach its normal operating
temperature more quickly, which
will help to heat up the passenger compartment as
quickly as possible when the heating is switched on. To switch on with the engine running:
Press switch (1), the indicator lamp (2) lights up.
To switch off:
Press switch (1) again or switch the engine off. The
heater booster will then switch to run-on mode (about
2minutes).
NOTE:
When the vehicle is being driven and a coolant
temperature of over 185 °F (+80 °C) is reached, the
heater booster system will switch to regulation mode.
If the coolant temperature drops to below 167 °F
(+75 °C) with the heater booster system switched on,
heat output is increased again.
If the key is turned to position 0 in the ignition lock
(run-on for about 2 minutes), the last setting selected at
switch (1) is retained when the engine is restarted
(memory function).
The operation of the heater booster system is usually
not required at outside temperatures above 41 °F
(+5 °C).
Page 130 of 288

130 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANELAUXILIARY HEATER – WATER OR AIR HEATER
(OPTIONAL)
NOTE: The auxiliary heater (water or air heating
device) can be used whether or not the engine is
running.
After you have filled your vehicle’s gas tank with
winterized diesel fuel for the first time, it is
recommended that you operate the auxiliary heater
before beginning a journey or operating the heater
continuously so that any summer diesel fuel left in the
auxiliary heater can combust.
Before switching the auxiliary heater on make sure that
that the battery is sufficiently charged and that there is
enough fuel in the tank. At least a quarter of the tank
should be filled up. See Fuel Gauge.
WARNING!
The auxiliary heating must not be operated at gas
stations due to the risk of fire and explosion. For
this reason, switch off the auxiliary heating before
refuelling.
Auxiliary heaters emit fumes when in operation,
including carbon monoxide.
Inhaling carbon monoxide is a health hazard and
can result in unconsciousness and death.
For this reason, do not operate auxiliary heating in
enclosed spaces without ventilation or an
extractor system, e.g. in a garage. Otherwise you
could endanger yourself and others.
Always keep the ground under the vehicle as clear
as possible so that the auxiliary heater can receive
enough combustion air and exhaust fumes can
escape. Otherwise you could endanger yourself
and others.
WARNING!
Vehicles for transporting hazardous goods:
Observe the relevant safety regulations.
Page 139 of 288

STARTING AND OPERATING
5
CONTENTS
Power Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141Maximum Engine Speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142Constant RPMs (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Stopping the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145Accelerator Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146Stopping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146Maneuvering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146Gear Selector Lever Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147Gear Selection for Special Circumstances . . . . 148
Transmission Selector Lever, Manually
Unlocking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150Reversing Aid (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Loading the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153Loading Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155Service Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155Brake Pad Wear Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156Brake Indicator and Electronic Brake Force
Distribution (EBD) Indicator Lamp . . . . . . . . . 157Parking Brake Indicator Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159Driving Safety Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) Indicator
Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) . . . 164Acceleration Skid Control Indicator Lamp
(ASR) and Brake Assist System (BAS)
1
if equipped . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Acceleration Skid Control (ASR) Warning
Lamp and Electronic Stability Program
(ESP)
1 – if equipped . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Acceleration Skid Control (ASR) . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Page 141 of 288
STARTING AND OPERATING 141
5
POWER ASSISTANCE STARTING THE ENGINE
Battery charge warning lamp (1)
Engine oil level indicator lamp (2)
Preheater indicator lamp (3)
WARNING!
When the engine is not running, there is no power
assistance for the brake and steering system. In
this case, it is important to keep in mind that a
considerably higher degree of effort is necessary
to brake and steer the vehicle.
Page 142 of 288

142 STARTING AND OPERATING1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Automatic transmission, shift selector lever to "P" or "N" position, refer to "Automatic Transmission".
3. Do not depress the accelerator pedal.
4. Turn the key to position 2 in the ignition lock. The preheater indicator lamp q lights up.5. Turn the key clockwise to the stop as soon as the
preheater indicator lamp
q
goes out.
If the engine is at its normal operating temperature,
the preheater indicator lamp will only light up briefly.
Release the key as soon as the engine is running.
NOTE: The key must be returned to position 0 in the
ignition lock before repeating the starting procedure.
If the display Á lights up alternately with î in
the multi-function display, there is an immobilizer
malfunction or the key used has not been
programmed.
The : engine oil level warning lamp and the #
battery charge warning lamp must go out after the
engine is started.
If either lamp remains on, stop the engine at once and
have the cause traced and repaired by an authorized
Sprinter Dealer.
During the trip, check the displays and the warning/
indicator lamps in the instrument cluster at regular
intervals.Maximum Engine SpeedThe maximum engine speed for all vehicles is
4,200 rpm.
Page 143 of 288
STARTING AND OPERATING 143
5
Constant RPMs (Optional)The switch for the Constant RPMs
is located on the center section of
the dashboard.
Constant RPMs increases the
engine-idling RPMs to a set
working-RPM level and maintains
this level regardless of work load.
It can only be used when the vehicle is stationary, the
parking brake is engaged and the gear selector level is
in position "P".
Constant RPMs indicator lamp
To switch it on:
Press the top of the switch; the indicator lamp in the switch and the constant RPMs indicator lamp
will light up.
To switch off
Press bottom of switch.
Page 144 of 288
144 STARTING AND OPERATINGNOTE: The Constant RPMs will automatically switch
off when the parking brake is released, the vehicle is in
motion or the control unit detects a malfunction.
The Constant RPMs will also automatically switch off
when you depress the brake pedal. In this case it will
automatically switch on again as soon as you release
the brake pedal.
STOPPING THE ENGINEAfter having brought the vehicle to a stop:
1. Do not depress the accelerator pedal.
2. Apply the parking brake.
3. Turn the key back to position 0 in the ignition lock.
NOTE: When the engine is very hot, such as after
climbing a long steep slope, allow the engine to idle for
1 to 2 minutes so that it can return to its normal
operating temperature.
Page 145 of 288

STARTING AND OPERATING 145
5
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONThe automatic transmission selects individual gears
automatically, dependent upon:
Gear Selector lever position
Accelerator position
Vehicle speed
The gear shifting process is continuously adapted,
dependent on the driving style, the driving situation
and the road characteristics.
NOTE: When parking the vehicle or before working on
the vehicle with the engine running, apply the parking
brake and shift the gear selector lever into "P".
DrivingThe gear selector lever is automatically locked while in
position "P". To move the gear selector lever out of
position "P", the service brake is applied and the key in
position 2 in the ignition lock or the engine running
before the shift lock will release.
Shift gear selector lever to the desired position only
when the engine is idling normally and the service
brake is applied. Do not release the brake until ready to
drive. The vehicle may otherwise start creeping when
the gear selector lever is in drive or reverse position.
WARNING!
It is dangerous to shift the gear selector lever out
of "P" o r " N " if th e e n g i ne s p e e d i s h i g h e r t h a n i d le
speed. If your foot is not firmly on the brake ped-
al, the vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or
in reverse. You could lose control of the vehicle
and hit someone or something. Only shift into
gear when the engine is idling normally and when
your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.