
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 53
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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.

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 223
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Brake fluidRefer to the "Recommended Fluids" chart later in this
section for recommended brake fluids.
In the course of its service life, the boiling point of the
brake fluid will fall due to the continuous absorption of
moisture from the atmosphere.
If the brakes are placed under heavy loads (e.g., on
steep hills) bubbles of steam can then form in the brake
system.
This will adversely affect the brakes' effectiveness.Engine Cooling SystemThe use of aluminum components in Sprinter engines
requires that anticorrosive/antifreeze specifically
formulated to protect aluminum parts be used. The
factory approved Service Products are suitable for
Sprinter engines and can be mixed with the original
anticorrosion/antifreeze filled in at factory.
Cooling system design and anticorrosion/antifreeze
agent used stipulate the replacement interval for the
coolant solution in your vehicle. Please observe the
replacement interval specified in the Service Booklet
for your vehicle.
Failure to use MB 325.0 an ticorrosion/antifreeze and/or
equivalent to DaimlerChrys ler material standard MS-
9769 and/or adhere to the specified replacement interval
may result in a significantly shortened service life.For coolant composition and water quality, contact
your authorized Sprinter Dealer.Engine CoolantThe coolant is a mixture of water and a corrosion
inhibitor/antifreeze additive. Within the cooling
system, the corrosion inhibitor/antifreeze ensures
anti-corrosion protection
antifreeze protection
a higher boiling point.
The coolant added in the factory ensures adequate
antifreeze and anti-corrosion protection.
Refer to the "Recommended Fluids" chart for coolant
recommendations.
For reasons of anti-corrosion protection and to increase
the boiling point, the cool ant added to the cooling
system is designed for all year round operation – even
in countries with high prevailing temperatures.

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 231
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Appearance Care and Corrosion ProtectionIn operation, your vehicle is subjected to varying
external influences which, if gone unchecked, can
attack the paintwork as well as the underbody and
cause lasting damage.
Such damage is caused not only by extreme and
varying climatic conditions, but also by air pollution,
road salt, tar, gravel and stone chipping. Grease and
oil, fuel, coolant, brake flui d, bird droppings, insects, tree resins etc. should be removed immediately to
avoid paint damage. Frequent washing reduces and/
or eliminates the aggressiveness and potency of the
above adverse influences.
More frequent washings are necessary to deal with
unfavorable conditions; for example operation near the
ocean, in industrial areas (smoke, exhaust emissions),
or during the winter months.
You should check your vehicle from time to time for
stone chipping or other damage. Any damage should
be repaired as soon as possible to prevent the start of
corrosion.
In doing so, do not neglect the underside of the vehicle.
A prerequisite for a thorough check is a washing of the
underbody followed by a thorough inspection.
Damaged areas need to be undercoated again.
Your vehicle has been treated at the factory with a wax-
base rustproofing in the body cavities which will last
for the lifetime of the vehicle. Post-production
treatment is neither necessary nor recommended by
DaimlerChrysler Corporation.
WARNING!
Many cleaning products can be hazardous. Some
are poisonous, others are flammable. Always
keep cleaning products sealed and out of the
reach of children. Always follow the instructions
on the particular container. Always open your ve-
hicle’s doors or windows when cleaning the in-
side.
Never use fluids or solvents that are not designed
for cleaning your vehicle. Do not use fuel as a
cleaning agent. Fuel is flammable and constitutes
a health hazard.

258 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLERecommended Fluids and LubricantsThe manufacturer recommends for your vehicle model
the use of DaimlerChrysler approved fluids and
lubricants, e.g. engine oil, gear oil, automatic
transmission fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid,
coolant and anti-corrosion/anti-freeze fluid only.
WARNING!
Failure to use fluids and lubricants which meet
the standards and specifications described in this
booklet or failure to adhere to the specified re-
placement intervals may result in damage to safe-
ty-related systems of your vehicle, such as the
brake system, which could cause an accident and/
or serious injury to you and others.
Use only fluids and lubricants meeting the
standards and specifications and adhere to
specified replacement intervals.
CAUTION!
Failure to use fluids and lubricants which meet
the standards and specifications described in this
booklet or failure to adhere to the specified
replacement intervals may result in a significantly
shortened service life and/or damage to
components of your vehicle, the repair of which
will not be covered by Warranty.
Use only fluids and lubricants meeting the
standards and specifications and adhere to
specified replacement intervals.

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 265
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The use of Special lubricant additives is not
recommended. The use of such additives may affect
your warranty rights. With regard to legal stipulations
concerning emissions control, please note that engines
have to be serviced and adjusted in accordance with
special instructions and using special measuring
equipment. Modifications to or interference with the
emissions control systems are not permissible.
All Sprinter Dealer are familiar with the relevant and
appliable regulations.
MAINTENANCE - WITHOUT ASSYST
MAINTENANCE COMPUTER
Maintenance IntervalsAdditional work must be carried out at yearly
intervals.
As a general rule, to avoid unnecessary visits to the
workshop you should try to have necessary repair
work performed together with other maintenance
work. Oil service and fuel filter
replacement
– Refer to
Normal Operation every
10,000 miles or
16,000 km or 12 months
Maintenance service every
30,000 miles or
48,000 km

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.
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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