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
STARTING AND OPERATING 153
5
For all sensors, the minimum distance between sensor
and obstacle is 12 in (30 cm).
In the event of a malfunction, a continuous warning
signal sounds for approximately three seconds when
the vehicle is reversingNOTE: Distance display– "in" in USA only
– "cm" in Canada only
LOADING THE VEHICLE
WARNING!
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the specified
vehicle capacity weight (as indicated by the label on
the base of the driver’s seat). Overloading the tires
can overheat them, poss ibly causing a blowout,
which could cause an accident and personal injury.
In addition, braking and stopping distances can be
significantly longer if the vehicle is overloaded.
WARNING!
Always close the sliding and rear doors when
driving.
Otherwise exhaust fumes could enter the vehicle
interior and poison you.
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.
STARTING AND OPERATING 175
5
Tire GripTire grip is greatly reduced on a wet or icy road. Speed
and driving style must therefore be adapted to suit
road conditions.
In winter, install M+S radial tires.
Below a tread depth of 1/8 inch (3 mm), tire grip
begins to decrease rapidly on wet roads.HydroplaningDepending on the depth of the water layer on the road,
hydroplaning may occur, even at low speeds and with
new tires. Reduce vehicle speed, avoid grooves in the
road, and apply brakes cautiously in the rain.
TIRE PRESSURES
WARNING!
If tire pressures are too low, there is a risk of the
tire’s tread deteriorating and sudden loss of pres-
sure due to the excessive temperature of the tire.
This has an adverse effect on road safety and in-
creases the risk of an accident.
The limiting speed for the tires (tires and tire
pressure) must not be exceeded. Exceeding the
permissible maximum speed causes tire damage,
which can lead to loss of control of the vehicle.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflating tires can
result in sudden deflation (blowout) because they
are more likely to become punctured or damaged by
road debris, potholes, etc. Follow recommended
inflation pressures.
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the specified
vehicle capacity weight as indicated by the label on
the base of the driver’s seat. Overloading the tires
can overheat them, possibly causing a blowout,
which could cause an accident resulting in severe
personal injuries, death and property damage.
198 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIESCHANGING THE TIREIf you get a flat tire while driving, gradually decrease
your speed. Hold the steering wheel firmly and slowly
move to a safe place on the side of the road. The
pressure of the spare wheel always has to be checked
regularly (at least after every tenth time at the filling
station).
WARNING!
Only certain tires meeting the tire size/load/speed
rating specifications contained in the Tire Pres-
sure Tables are certified to conform to FMVSS 120
for the Sprinter vehicle at this time. Please check
your side walls of your originally equipped tires
for specific makes/sizes, and speed load ratings
when you need to replace your tires.
To prevent accident, injury or possible death, use
only the correct tires for your tire replacement.
WARNING!
The jack is designed exclusively for jacking up the
vehicle at the jack take-up brackets built into ei-
ther side of the vehicle. To help avoid personal in-
jury, use the jack only to lift the vehicle during a
wheel change. Never get beneath the vehicle
while it is supported by the jack only.
Keep hands and feet away from the area under the
lifted vehicle. Always firmly set parking brake
and block wheels before raising vehicle with jack.
Do not disengage parking brake while the vehicle
is raised.
Always use the jack on a level surface.
Do not change wheels on either steep uphill or
downhill grades. Be sure that the jack arm end is
fully seated in the jack take-up bracket. The
vehicle may begin to move and fall from the jack
which could cause serious or fatal personal injury
and property damage.
Always lower the vehicle onto sufficient capacity
jack stands before working under the vehicle.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 207
6
NOTE: The optional light alloy wheels are supplied
with 5 short wheel lug bolts enclosed for the steel spare
wheel in the vehicle tool kit.
Before fitting the spare wheel, clean rust and dirt off the contact surfaces of the wheel and the wheel hub,
and from the wheel bolts.
Note the specified wheel and tire size, tire load capacity and speed code.
Do not change the tire’s direction of rotation.
Do not damage, grease or oil wheel bolts or their threads.
WARNING!
Different wheel bolts are required for pressed
steel and light-alloy wheels.
Incorrect wheel lug bolts for the wheels could
work loose, thereby causing you to lose control of
the vehicle. This could cause an accident resulting
in severe personal injuries and and property
damage.
WARNING!
Incorrect mounting bolts or improperly tightened
mounting bolts can cause the wheel to come off.
To avoid the risk of serious or fatal injuries or ve-
hicle damage, please bear the following points in
mind:• Always replace wheel bolts that are damaged or
rusted.• Never apply oil or grease to wheel bolts• If a wheel hub thread is damaged, you must not
drive the vehicle. Consult a qualified specialist
workshop.