
268 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Refrigerant Recovery and Recycling
R-134a Air Conditioning Refrigerant is a
hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) that is endorsed by the
Environmental Protection Agency and is an ozone-
saving product. However, the manufacturer
recommends that air conditioning service be
performed by dealers or other service facilities using
recovery and recycling equipment.REPLACING WIPER BLADES
1. Fold over the wiper arm (2) and place the wiper
blade crosswise.
2. Press the retaining spring (1) and push the wiper
blade out of the end of the wiper arm (2).
3. Remove the wiper blade. 

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 269
74. Insert the end of the wiper arm (2) into the larger
cutout (3) of the wiper blade.
5. Push the wiper blade into the end of the wiper
arm (2) until the retaining spring (1) engages.Appearance Care and Corrosion Protection
In 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 fluid, bird droppings, insects,
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. 

270 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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.Because of the possibility of incompatibility between
materials used in the production process and others
applied later.
Scratches, corrosive deposits, corrosion or damage due
to negligent or incorrect care cannot always be
removed or repaired with car-care products. In such
cases it is best to seek aid by your authorized Sprinter
Dealer.
The following topics deal with the cleaning and care of
your vehicle and give important "how-to" information
as well as references to car-care products.
WARNING!
Never use openings in the bodywork as steps.
You could otherwise damage the vehicle and it
could lead to an accident.
CAUTION!
Do not use abrasive or strong cleaning materials 
such as steel wool or scouring powder, which will 
scratch metal and painted surfaces. 

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 271
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Power Washer
When using a power washer for cleaning the vehicle
always observe manufacturers’ operating instructions.Automatic Car Wash
If the vehicle is very dirty, prewash it before you drive
into the car wash.
Fold in the exterior mirrors before washing the vehicle
in an automatic car wash and make sure that the
windshield wiper switch is in position 0. 
The exterior mirrors and windshield wipers could
otherwise be damaged.
Make sure that mirrors are fully folded out after
leaving the automatic car wash.
CAUTION!
Never use a round nozzle to power wash tires. The 
intense jet of water can result in damage to the 
tire. Always replace a damaged tire.
Always keep the jet of water moving across the
surface. To avoid damaging the vehicle, do not
aim the water jet directly at electrical components,
end of electrical lines, electrical connectors, intake
or ventilation openings, brake hoses, door joints,
seals, other rubber parts.
WARNING!
Smears impair visibility, which is impaired fur-
ther by unfavourable conditions (e.g. fog, dark-
ness, driving snow).
If a wax preservative is sprayed on after washing
the vehicle, wipe off the wax from the windshield
and the wiper blade rubbers. This will prevent
smears forming on the windshield. 

300 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
COMPONENT SERVICE 
INTERVALPRODUCT NAME/PRODUCT NUMBER MB 
SHEET
Air Conditioning
The air conditioning system of your vehicle contains R-134a, a refrigerant that does not deplete the ozone layer in the 
upper atmosphere.
Refrigerant R-134a — Refrigerant R-134a 361.0
Automatic 
Transmission Fluidonce only at
80,000 mi
(128,000 km)Shell ATF 3403/M-115
MOPAR® Part No. 05127382AA, or equivalent
Fuchs/Shell ATF 3353236.10
236.12
Brakes
Use brake fluid approved to DaimlerChrysler standard MB 331.0 and/or DaimlerChrysler material standard MS-9971, 
brake fluid certified to DOT 4 Plus standards, that also maintains a minimum dry boiling point (ERBP) of 500°F (260°C), 
a minimum wet boiling point (WERBP) of 356°F (180°C) and maximum viscosity of 1500 mm
2/s, conforming to FMVSS 
116 and ISO 4925.
Brake Fluid 2 years Intac B026D Dry boiling point: 500°F (260°C)
Wet boiling point: 356°F (180°C),
MOPAR® MS-9971 Part No. 04549625AC, or equivalent331.0
Engine Oil 12 months or
10,000 mi
(16,000 km)See "Approved Engine Oils" 

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 307
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SPECIAL MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
If bodies built by manufacturers other than
DaimlerChrysler Corporation are fitted to the vehicle, the
maintenance requirements and lubrication intervals
specified by the body manufacturer must be adhered to,
in addition to all standard maintenance requirements.
Brake Fluid
Only use brake fluids approved by the manufacturer
(DOT 4 plus). Information about brake fluids is
available from your Sprinter Dealer.
Coolant
Have the corrosion inhibitor/antifreeze concentration
in the coolant checked before the onset of winter (once
a year in countries with high prevailing temperatures).
Have the coolant renewed every fifteen years or
100,000 miles.
Dust Filter for Heating/Ventilation Replacement
The dust filter and the tailgate interior filter are
renewed during routine maintenance service.
However, if operating conditions are dusty, these
filters should be renewed more frequently.ENGINE OIL CHANGE AND FILTER 
REPLACEMENT
In a minimum, change the engine oil and oil filter once
a year - even if the vehicle mileage per year is extremly
low. For standard oil service schedules, please see the
chapter oil service and maintenance service.
Once a Year
Select the viscosity of the engine oil (SAE classes)
according to the outside air temperature. 
Only use engine oil approved by DaimlerChrysler
Corporation if following the ASSYST system
guidelines. 
Information is available from your Sprinter Dealer.
If the fuel used has a sulphur content exceeding 0.05 %
by weight, the service intervals should be split in half. 
If the sulphur content of the fuel used is between 0.3%
and 0.8% by weight, the service intervals should be
split in half (i.e. every 5,000 miles instead of every
10,000 miles). 

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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 

INDEX
10
AA Special Note Concerning Vehicle Alteration . . . .  230
Acceleration Skid Control  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  167
Deactivating. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  171
Indicator Lamp  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  167
Warning Lamp  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  146, 169
Acceleration Skid Control (ASR) . . . . . . . . . . . .  169, 170
Air Conditioner for the Rear Passenger 
Compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  127
Air Recirculation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  128
Air Strainer  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  129
Air Conditioning
Climate Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  125
Dehumidification  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  126
Rear Passenger Compartment  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  126
Air Conditioning, Regulated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  124
Air Filter Restriction Indicator. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  258Air Recirculation  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  119
Air Vents
Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  122
Side  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  122
Upper  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  122
Airbag  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  47
Malfunction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  44
Safety Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  50
Airbag and Belt Tensioners  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  49
Airbag Malfunction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  44
Alarm Pushbutton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  26
Alignment and Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  206
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) Indicator Lamp . . .  164
Appearance and Care  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  269
Armrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  62
Ashtray  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  82