THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 53
2
Engine Oil ConsumptionWhen the engine has passed the break-in period, oil
consumption may reach 0.5 % of the fuel consumption
recorded in actual operating circumstances. In isolated
cases and in arduous operating conditions, oil
consumption may increase to 1 % of the fuel
consumption recorded in actual operating
circumstances.
Engine oil consumption depends on the driving style
adopted and the operating conditions. It can only be
judged after the engine has passed the break-in period.
SAFETY TIPS Check the vehicle’s lights and the general condition
of the vehicle before each trip.
Keep tires at the recommended inflation pressure.
All occupants should fasten their seat belts before each trip.
Driving in an environmentally responsible manner will reduce noise, fuel consumption and exhaust
emissions.
Allow the engine to warm up under low load use.
Avoid unnecessarily hard acceleration, driving with the throttle fully open, and carrying loads not
specifically needed on the journey.
Stop the engine during lengthy waiting periods, for example at traffic lights.
Remove ancillary parts, such as wind deflectors and roof racks, as soon as they are no longer needed.
140 STARTING AND OPERATING
Deactivating the Acceleration Skid
Control (ASR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168Brake Assist System (BAS)
(vehicle type 2500 only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169Indicator Lamp Electronic Stability Program
(ESP) (type 2500 vehicles only) . . . . . . . . . . . . 170Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
(vehicle type 2500 only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Auxiliary Drive (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Wheels and Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173Tire Grip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175Hydroplaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Tire Pressures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175Tire Pressures of Loaded Vehicle in PSI (kPa) . . . 177Vehicle type 2500 C/HC/SHC . . . . . . . . . . . . 177Vehicle type 3500 C/HC/SHC . . . . . . . . . . . . 177Comfort Tire Pressures in PSI (kPa) . . . . . . . . 178Comfort Tire Pressures in PSI (kPa) . . . . . . . . 178
Snow Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Fuel Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179Fuel Filter with Water Separator . . . . . . . . . . . 180Diesel Fuels for Use at Very Low
Temperatures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Refueling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181Capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Programmed Top Speed (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . 182
Bleeding Diesel Fuel System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Draining Fuel Filter with Water Separator . . . . . 184Bleeding the Diesel Fuel Syst em . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Permissible Roof Load . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186Trailer Hitches (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186Electrical Connections (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . 186Vehicle and Trailer Weights and Ratings . . . . 187Loading a Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187Checking Weights of Vehicle and Trailer . . . . 188Attaching a Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188Towing a Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189Parking a Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Emissions Control System (Catalytic Converter) 192
Inhalation of Exhaust Gas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Fording (Wading Capability) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Body Builder Guideline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193A Special Note Concerning Vehicle
Alteration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
176 STARTING AND OPERATINGThe vehicle’s safety on the road depends to a great
extent on tire condition and correct tire pressure.
If tire pressures are too high or too low, handling
characteristics will be adversely affected and fuel
consumption and tire wear will increase. Check tire
pressures regularly (each time the vehicle is refueled).
Check tire pressures (including the spare wheel) with
the tires cold. The pressure difference between the tires
on a single axle should not exceed 1.5 psi (10 kPa). If
tire pressure in individual tires is too low: check the
valves, wheels and tires for signs of leaks.
After a period of fast driving, or in hot weather, tire
pressures can increase by as much as 14.5 psi (100 kPa).
Never release air from a warm tire or else the tire
pressure will be too low. NOTE:
Tire pressure changes by about 1.5 psi (10 kPa)
for every 18
°F (+10
°C) change in air temperature. For
this reason, do not release pressure from tires when
they are warm.
Remember to allow for this when checking tire
pressures indoors, particularly in winter.
Example:
Room temperature: about 68
°F (+20
°C)
Outside temperature: about 32
°F (0
°C)
Required tire pressure, specified tire pressure 3 psi
(20 kPa).
Information on tires can be obtained from any
authorized Sprinter Dealer.
WARNING!
Correct the tire pressures before loading the
vehicle fully. If the tire pressure is too low driving
safety and tire mileage are decreased.
180 STARTING AND OPERATINGFuel Filter with Water SeparatorCheck the water separator when the fuel indicator
lamp does not go out or comes on while the engine
is running. For more information on the indicator
lamp .
The interval for changing the fuel filter is reduced to
10,000 miles (about 15,000 km).
Diesel Fuels for Use at Very Low TemperaturesAt very low temperatures the fluidity of No. 2 diesel
fuel may become insufficient due to parraffin
separation. For this reason the vehicle comes equipped
with a fuel preheater. It permits a troublefree engine
operation to a temperature of approximately 14 °F (–
10 °C) when using No. 2 diesel fuel.
To avoid malfunctions, No. 2 diesel fuel of a lowered
cloud point is marketed during the cold season.
A t tem pera tures below 1 4 ° F (–1 0 °C) us e win teriz ed or
No. 1 diesel fuel only. If not available, a certain
quantity of kerosene or fuel flow improver may be
added. Mixing only to be done within the vehicle’s fuel
tank. Kerosene has to be filled in before the diesel fuel.
Engine power may drop according to the proportion of
kerosene. For this reason, keep percentage of kerosene
added to the minimum necessitated by the ambient
temperature.
WARNING!
Under no circumstances should gasoline be mixed
with diesel fuel.
Due to the high pressure and high temperature in
the injection system, there is a risk of fire and
explosion.
In addition, there is a risk of engine damage.
Always follow basic safety rules when working
with any combustible material.
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.
266 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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MAINTENANCE - WITH ASSYST MAINTENANCE
COMPUTERASSYST provides you with information on the best
possible timing for maintenance work.
When the next maintenance service is due, this will be
indicated in the multi-function display with the
symbol
9 Oil service and fuel filter replacement
9 Maintenance service - displayed in km/miles
or days.
9
If the display shows the number of days, the symbol
È will also appear in the multi-function display.
You should have the maintenance performed within
the stated period/distance.
The service indicator will be reset by your Sprinter
Dealer after an oil service and/or maintenance service
has been performed.
REGULAR CHECK-UPSTo maintain the safe operation of your vehicle, it is
recommended that you perform the following tasks on
a regular basis (i.e., weekly or whenever the vehicle is
refueled). Check:
Engine oil level
Brake system, clutch mechanism – fluid level
Battery – acid level
Windshield washer system and headlamp cleaning
system – fluid level
Mechanical assemblies (e. g. ,engine, transmission, etc.) – check for leaks
Condition of tires and tire pressures
All exterior lights
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 269
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Check fluid levels for the following systems, correct
as necessary.
Should there be a loss of fluid which cannot be
explained by regular use, trace and eliminate
the cause.
Engine cooling system
Check corrosion inhibitor/antifreeze,
refill as necessary.
Hydraulic brake system
Battery
Windscreen washer system
Engine
Fuel filter renewal
Air cleaner with maintenance indicator:
Check degree of contamination.
Air cleaner filter element renewed as
necessary. Chassis and body
Trailer coupling:
Check operation, play and retaining fixtures
Secondary rubber springs:
Visual check
Tire pressures:
Correct as necessary, including spare tyre
Check thickness of brake pads
Brake test
Check condition of brake disks. Brake disks renewal as
necessary
– as a separate order
Check condition of steering mechanism
Heating/ventilation dust filter renewal
280 INDEXClock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Comfort Tire Pressures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Compartments in Front Doors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Constant RPMs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Consumer Assistance Be Reasonable with Request . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
If You Need Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Prepare a List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Prepare for the Appointment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Coolant Level Indicator Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Coolant, Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Cooling System, Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Corrosion Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Cup Holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85DDe-Fogging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Dehumidification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
De-Icing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Diesel Fuels for Use at Very Low Temperatures . . 180
Displaying Engine Oil Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Doors Front Doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Rear Cargo Doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Sliding Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Draining Fuel Filter with Water Separator . . . . . . . 184
Driver’s Airbag. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Driving Safety Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
EElectric Sun Roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Electrical Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238 Fuse and Relay Optional Equipment . . . . . . . . . . 242
Fuse, Relay, and Diode Assignments - Optional
Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Relay Assignment, Standard Equipment . . . . . . 242
Standard Fuse and Relay Equipment. . . . . . . . . . 239
Electrical Outlet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Electronic Brake Force Distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Electronic Brake Force Distribution Lamp . . . . . . . . 157
Electronic Stability Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Emission Label, Vehicle/Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Emission Related Component . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Emissions Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Engine Break-in Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52