STARTING AND OPERATING 149
5
transmission are negatively affected by this mode of
operation.
The delayed upshift is effective with vehicle speeds
below 31 mph (50 km / h) at partial throttle and engine
temperatures below 95
°F (+35
°C).
To avoid overrevving the engine when the gear
selector lever is moved to a lower gear, the
transmission will not shift to a lower gear if the
engine’s revolutions per minute limit would be
exceeded. In this case there will be no downshift, even
when the vehicle speed reaches the engine’s rpm limit
of that gear, for example by applying the service
brakes.
To prevent the engine from laboring at low rpm when
driving uphill grades or with your vehicle heavily
loaded, the automatic transmission will downshift
when necessary to maintain engine rpm within the best
torque range. Gear
q
Upshift through 4th gear only. Suitable for
performance driving.
p Upshift through 3rd gear only. Suitable for
moderately steep hills. Since the transmission
does not shift higher than 3rd gear, this gear
selection will allow use of the engine’s braking
power downhill.
o Upshift through 2nd gear only. For driving in
mountainous regions or under extreme
operating conditions. This gear selection will
allow use of the engine’s braking power when
descending steep grades.
n Use this position, which makes maximum use of
the engine’s braking effect, while descending
very steep or lengthy downgrades and only at
speeds below 25 mph (38 km / h).
STARTING AND OPERATING 167
5
Acceleration Skid Control (ASR)ASR makes it possible to pull away and accelerate on a
slippery surface. A spinning wheel is braked and its
tractive power is transferred to the wheel with full
grip.
The acceleration skid control (ASR) improves driving
stability at all speeds only on vehicles of the chassis
and cargo/passenger vans type 3500 C/HC/SHC
(without ESP).
The engine’s torque is limited to improve driving
stability. When this is happening, the warning
lamp v in the speedometer flashes.
If the road surface is not capable of providing traction,
bearing in mind the tires, load and grade, it may not be
possible to pull away even with ASR.
If wheels with tires of a different size than those offered
by an authorized Sprinter Dealer are used, the correct
operation of the ASR cannot be guaranteed.
WARNING!
ASR cannot prevent the natural laws of physics
from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase the
traction afforded.
The ASR cannot prevent accidents, including
those resulting from excessive speed in turns,
following another vehicle too closely, or
hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful
driver can prevent accidents.
The capabilities of an ASR equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety
or the safety of others.
If the ASR function is used for a prolonged period
of time, the rear axle brakes may fail due to
overheating.
If the vehicle is to be towed away with the front
wheels clear of the ground, or if the brakes are to
be tested on a brake dynamometer, do not pull the
key in position 2 in the ignition lock, because the
drive wheels could lock.
168 STARTING AND OPERATINGDeactivating the Acceleration Skid Control (ASR)See Section 4, Understanding Your Instrument Panel,
for switch locations. When driving with snow chains, in
deep snow, or on sand or gravel, it
can be beneficial to deactivate the
acceleration skid control (ASR).
The engine ’s torque is then no longer
limited and the drive wheels are free
to spin, which can help them cut into
loose surfaces.
The ASR can only be shut off with the engine running.
If the engine is shut off with the ASR deactivated, the
ASR is automatically re-activated after the engine is
started again. Vehicle Type 2500 only:
If there is a danger of skidding, and/or starting at a
speed of 38 mph (60 km/h) ESP activates ASR
automatically.
WARNING!
On a slippery road surface if both drive wheels
start to spin there is a risk of skidding. Adapt your
speed and driving style to the prevailing road,
traffic and weather conditions.
P54.25-0294-20
WARNING!
Vehicle type 2500 only:
Even when ASR is deactivated, ESP remains
active and regulates braking to improve stability
as necessary. The warning lamp
v flashes in
the speedometer.
The danger of your vehicle’s brake system
overheating and being damaged is increased
during long, demanding application of the
brakes. Furthermore, an overheated brake system
could result in a longer stopping distance.
Thus, only deactivate ASR if it is absolutely
necessary.
174 STARTING AND OPERATING
WARNING!
In order to avoid losing a wheel and in order to re-
duce the risk of fatal or serious injuries or vehicle
damage, please follow these safety instructions:
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.
Be sure to use correct mounting bolts. Check tightness of wheel bolts or nuts regularly and
retighten with a torque wrench, if necessary.
Tighten wheel bolts or nuts in a cross-pattern
sequence.
After changing a wheel, the wheel bolts or nuts must be tightened once the vehicle has been
driven for about 30 miles (50 km).
If new or repainted wheels are fitted, the wheel
bolts or nuts must be retightened again after about
600 to 3,000 miles (about 1,000 to 5,000 km).
WARNING!
Sprinter tire valves are tested and approved under
rough operating conditions. The installation of
additional hub caps or other wheel simulators
could cause damage to the tire valve and lead to a
loss of tire pressure at the valve stem.
Do not install any of these parts on your Sprinter
vehicle. To help ensure safe and reliable
operation of your Sprinter vehicle, only use parts
and accessories tested and approved by the
vehicle manufacturer for your Sprinter vehicle.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 199
6
Procedure:
1. Park the vehicle on a firm, level, non-slippery surface.
2. Switch on the hazard warning flasher switch, apply the parking brake, and place the transmission
selector in "P".
3. Everyone must leave the vehicle before you jack it up.
4. Everyone must leave the danger zone, before jacking the vehicle. 5. The vehicle must be safeguarded in accordance
with legal regulations (such as using a warning
triangle).
6. Prevent vehicle from rolling away by blocking wheels with wheel chocks (not supplied with
vehicle) or sizable wood block or stone.
On a level road, place one chock in front of and one
behind the wheel that is diagonally opposite to the
wheel being changed.
When changing a wheel on mild uphill or downhill
grades, place chocks on the downhill side blocking
both wheels of the other axle.
Do not jack the vehicle up more than 1.2 in (30
mm) between the tire and the surface. Otherwise,
the vehicle may tip over and may cause serious
injury or death to you or others.
Precautions when changing a wheel:
For the torque, refer to
"Installing a wheel ";
Do not damage, grease or oil wheel bolts or their
threads.
WARNING!
Do not change wheels on either steep uphill or
downhill grades. The vehicle may begin to move
and fall from the jack which could cause personal
injury and property damage.
208 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIESCentering wheels with wheel bolts
If dual assemblies are used, before placement the inner wheel should be inspected to ensure that all
ball bearing rings are in proper position.
Install the wheel and snug the wheel bolts.
Slightly tighten wheel bolts.
Slowly open jack release va lve to lower vehicle until
tire is resting on ground.
Tighten the wheel bolts in a crosswise pattern to the specified torque with a torque wrench.
Tightening torque for 8,550 lbs (3,880 kgs)
(vehicle type 2500 C/HC/SHC):
Steel wheel – 177 lbf.ft ±7 lbf.ft (240 N.m ±10 N.m)
Light alloy wheel – 138 lbf.ft ±14 lbf.ft
(190 N.m ±20 N.m) Tightening torque for 9,990 lbs (4,530 kgs)
(vehicle type 3500 C/HC/SHC):
Steel wheel – 138lbf.ft ±14lbf.ft (190N.m ±20N.m)
Remove jack and stow it in the vehicle tool kit.
Check the tire pressure.
Re-tighten the wheel bolts to the specified torque with a torque wrench after a distance of 30 miles
(about 50 km).
WARNING!
Do not tighten the wheel bolts and wheel nuts
completely while the vehicle is still jacked up.
The vehicle could tip.
WARNING!
After changing a wheel, you must, for safety reasons, have the specified tightening torque checked. The
wheels could otherwise work loose.
check the tire pressure and correct it if necessary.
retighten the wheel bolts and wheel nuts to the specified tightening torque once the vehicle has
been driven for 30 miles (50 km).
have a reversed direction of tire rotation corrected as soon as possible at a qualified specialist
workshop. The vehicle handling characteristics
could otherwise be affected.