THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 53
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Engine Oil Consumption
When 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 tire 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.
182 STARTING AND OPERATING
Treadwear indicators (TWI) are required by law. These
indicators are located in six places on the tread
circumference and become visible at a tread depth of
approximately 1/16 in (1.6 mm), at which point the tire
is considered worn and should be replaced.
Recommended minimum tire tread depth:
Summer tires 1/8 in (3 mm)
Winter tires 1/6 in (4 mm)Storing Tires
Cleaning Tires
Direction of Rotation
An arrow on the sidewall indicates the intended
direction of rotation (spinning) of the tire which
means, the wheel must mounted in the direction of
rotation.
WARNING!
Although the applicable federal motor vehicle
safety laws consider a tire to be worn when the
treadwear indicators (TWI) become visible at ap-
proximately 1/16 in (1.6 mm), do not allow your
tires to wear down to that level. As tread depth ap-
proaches 1/8 in (3 mm) for summer tires or 1/6 in 4
mm) for winter tires, the adhesion properties on a
wet road are sharply reduced.
Depending upon the weather and/or road surface
conditions), the tire traction varies widely.
WARNING!
Keep unmounted tires in a cool, dry place with as
little exposure to light as possible. Protect tires
from contact with oil, grease and diesel fuel.
WARNING!
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.
STARTING AND OPERATING 209
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To avoid damage to your vehicle, tires or chains,
observe the following precautions:
Because of limited chain clearance between tires and
other suspension components, it is important that
only chains in good condition are used. Broken
chains can cause serious vehicle damage. Stop the
vehicle immediately if noise occurs that could
suggest chain breakage. Remove the damaged parts
of the chain before further use.
Install chains as tightly as possible and then
retighten after driving about 1/2 mile (0.8 km).
Do not exceed 30 mph (50 km/h).
Drive cautiously and avoid severe turns and large
bumps, especially with a loaded vehicle.
Do not install tire chains on front wheels.
Do not drive for a prolonged period on dry
pavement.
Observe the tire chain manufacturer’s instructions
on method of installation, operating speed, and
conditions for usage. Always use the lower
suggested operating speed of the chain
manufacturer if different than the speed
recommended by the manufacturer.FUEL REQUIREMENTS
Use only commercially available vehicular diesel fuels
No. 2 or No. 1 (ASTM D 975 No. 2-D or No. 1-D).
NOTE: Because of its better quality the manufacturer
recommends the use of commercially available
vehicular diesel fuel No. 2.
For information on cold weather operation, contact
your authorized Sprinter Dealer.
WARNING!
Marine diesel fuel, Bio diesel fuel, heating oil or
the like must not be used.
Do not blend diesel fuel with marine diesel fuel,
Bio diesel fuel or heating oil.
The use of such non-approved fuels or blending
diesel fuel may result in malfunction or cause
engine damage. Damage or malfunctions
resulting from poor fuel quality or from blending
specific fuel additives are not covered by the
Sprinter Warranty.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 261
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Hydraulic Brake System, Clutch Mechanism Fluid
Level
1. Brake fluid reservoir
Brake fluid level must be between the MIN and MAX
marks in the reservoir (1).
If the brake fluid is below the MIN mark, there may be
a fault in the hydraulic system. Have the system
checked as soon as possible by an authorized Sprinter
Dealer.Brake fluid
Refer 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 System
The 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.
262 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Failure to use MB 325.0 anticorrosion/antifreeze and/or
equivalent to DaimlerChrysler 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 Coolant
The 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 coolant added to the cooling
system is designed for all year round operation – even
in countries with high prevailing temperatures.Have the coolant renewed at least every 15 years or
after 160,000 miles.
When the coolant is renewed, the new coolant should
contain 50% antifreeze/corrosion inhibitor by volume.
This corresponds to antifreeze protection down to -
37 °C/-35°F.
Do not exceed a proportion of about 55 % by volume
(antifreeze protection down to about -45 °C/-49 °F) as
the heat dissipation properties then deteriorate.
In the event of coolant loss, do not add water only, but
sufficient antifreeze/corrosion inhibitor to maintain
the correct concentration.
The water in the coolant must satisfy certain
requirements. These are often met by tap supply
drinking water.
The water must be specially prepared if the water
quality does not come up to the required standards.
Have the corrosion inhibitor/antifreeze concentration
in the coolant checked at the outset of winter,
respectively once a year in countries with high
prevailing temperatures.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 297
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Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
The 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 305
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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 Intervals
Additional 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 toNormal Operation
every
10,000 miles or
16,000 km or 12 months
Maintenance serviceevery
30,000 miles or
48,000 km
306 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULESM
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MAINTENANCE - WITH ASSYST MAINTENANCE
COMPUTER
ASSYST 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-UPS
To 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