Page 128 of 288
128 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANELInstalling the Air Strainer
1. Affix the air strainer (3) to the grating (5) (make certain that the ends project evenly).
2. Replace the air strainer (3) and grating (5) on the cover and press the Velcro closure (4) on the
cover (6).
3. Insert the air strainer (3) with the cover and grating (5).
4. Lock (1) all quick-acting fasteners.
ELECTRIC BLOWER (OPTIONAL)See Section 4, Understanding Your Instrument Panel,
for switch locations.
The electric blower can be used to
aerate or deaerate the cargo area.
This feeds fresh air into the cargo
area or extracts warm air.
Deaeration:
Press switch upward.
Aeration:
Press switch downward.
To switch off:
Switch the airflow switch to the center position.
CAUTION!
Never operate the air conditioner for rear
passenger compartment without an air strainer.
Never install a damaged air strainer.
If the air strainer with visible contamination is
neither cleaned nor replaced, damage to the air
conditioner for rear passenger compartment may
result; such damage is not covered by the
Warranty.
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 131 of 288
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 131
4
NOTE: After three successive attempts to start the
heater, a malfunction will be recorded in the integrated
diagnostic system and no further operation on
auxiliary heater will be available (lock-out). The work
to annul the lock-out must be carried out at an
authorized Sprinter Dealer.
The auxiliary heater should be run at least once a
month for about 10 minutes.
The maximum heating period is 120 minutes. For more
information, refer to "Switching the Auxiliary Heater
On and Off - Ignition On".
The auxiliary heater will automatically switch off if the
fuel level is under about 4 US gal (15 l).
In case of faults, refer to "Auxiliary Heater – Tips for
Coping with Problems".
WARNING!
Aerosals, gas cartridges and other pressurized
containers transported in the vehicle may be high-
ly flammable and could explode when heated.
Make sure, particularly on vehicles with an air
heater, that such containers are not placed in the
flow of hot air of the auxiliary heating system
Otherwise there is a risk of severe personal
injuries, death and property damage due to
explosion.
WARNING!
Vehicles with air heater:
For safety reasons, we strongly recommend that
the heat exchanger be replaced by an authorized
Sprinter Dealer after 10 years of use.
If the vehicle is sold, the owner is required to
inform the buyer of this requirement. This should
be done when the Operator’s Manual is
transferred to the buyer.
Page 137 of 288
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 137
4
NOTE: Only on vehicles with automatic heater
control/regulated air conditioner:
Before switching on the heater or entering the switch-
on time, the temperature control (1) must be set to
maximum heater output (as illustrated).
Set the air distribution control (3) as required between
Y and Z .AUXILIARY HEAT EXCHANGER IN LOAD
COMPARTMENT, ONLY WITH AUXILIARY HEATER
(OPTIONAL)
The auxiliary heat exchanger switch
is located on the right next to the
steering column. To switch on at blower speed 1:
Press the upper section, the left-hand indicator lamp in
the switch lights up.
To switch on at blower speed 2:
Press the lower section, the right-hand indicator lamp
in the switch lights up.
To switch off :
Press the switch to the middle position.
Operation is only possible when the key is turned to
position 2 in the ignition lock.
NOTE:
The auxiliary heat exchanger in the load
compartment should be switched off at coolant
temperatures below 176 °F (+80 °C) to quickly de-fog
and de-ice the windshield and front side windows.
Page 138 of 288
138 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANELAUXILIARY HEATER – TIPS FOR COPING WITH
PROBLEMSNOTE: After three successive attempts to start the
heater, a malfunction will be recorded in the integrated
diagnostic system and no further operation on
auxiliary heater will be available (lock-out). The work
to annul the lock-out must be carried out at an
authorized Sprinter Dealer.
The heater either does not switch on or automatically
switches off:
Insufficient fuel, fill up the fuel tank. Start up heater two times, until the fuel lines are filled.
The auxiliary heater will automatically switch off if the fuel level is under about 4 US gal (15 l).
The fuses in the fuse box are damaged. Electric fuses.
The battery voltage is too low, an undervoltage protector switches off the heater if the battery
voltage falls below about 10 volts. The heater motor does not run
The battery voltage is too low, check the battery.
Batteries.
The fuses in the fuse box are damaged. Electric fuses.
The heater motor is damaged.
Overheating The air channels are clogged. The heater can be restarted once the fault has been
repaired. When this is done, the heater should be
switched on and off.
The heater will remain switched off after it has been overheated a number of times (about 10 times in
succession). Have the fault repaired by an
authorized Sprinter Dealer.
NOTE: Repairs should only be made by an authorized
Sprinter Dealer.
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 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 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.
