
147 Controls in detail
Driving systems
3
\3 Driving systemsDriving systems which may form part of
your vehicle are described on the following
pages:
\4Cruise control* (\2page 147), which
you can use to control the speed of
your vehicle
\4Parktronic system*, which is an aid for
parking and maneuvering
(\2page 150)
\4Reverse warning feature*, which helps
you ensure the safety of other road us-
ers (\2page 153)
The ABS, BAS, ESP
®, ASR and EBV driving
safety systems are described in the "Safe-
ty and Security" section (\2page 23).Cruise control maintains the speed of the
vehicle for you.
Use cruise control if road and traffic condi-
tions make it appropriate to maintain a
steady speed for a prolonged period. You
can store any road speed above 20 mph
(30 km/h).
Cruise control*iThe increments for setting speed and
the threshold values for switching on or
automatically switching off cruise con-
trol depend on the digital speedometer
setting, mph or km/h (\2page 99).Warning
G
The cruise control function cannot take ac-
count of road and traffic conditions.
Always pay attention to road and traffic
conditions, even when cruise control is acti-
vated.
Cruise control is only an aid designed to as-
sist driving. You are responsible for the vehi-
cle’s speed and for braking in good time.
If there is a change of drivers, advise the
new driver of the cruising speed that is
stored.Warning
G
Do not use cruise control:
\4if road and traffic conditions do not per-
mit a constant driving speed to be main-
tained (e.g. heavy traffic or winding
roads). You could otherwise cause an
accident.
\4on slippery roads. The drive wheels may
lose their grip when braking or acceler-
ating and the vehicle could skid
\4when visibility is poor, e.g. in fog, heavy
rain or snow

154 Controls in detailOperating the vehicle
3
\3 Operating the vehicleWhen activated, the operating speed gov-
ernor (ADR) automatically increases the
engine speed to a preset or adjustable
operating speed (\2page 155).Activating / deactivating ADR
The switch is between the light switch and
the steering wheel.
1To switch on
2To switch off
\1To switch on: press upper part 1 of
the switch with the engine running.
The indicator lamp in the switch comes
on.
Vehicles without steering wheel but-
tons:
The™ indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster comes on.Vehicles with steering wheel buttons:
The
Operating speed governor active
message appears in the display.
\1To switch off: press lower part 2 of
the switch with the engine running.
The indicator lamp in the switch and
the™ indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster go out.
Operating speed governor (ADR)*iThe idle speed of the engine automati-
cally increases after a cold start. If the
set operating speed is lower than the
increased idle speed, the set operating
speed is attained only after the engine
has reached its operating temperature.
It is only possible to activate ADR with
the vehicle stationary and the hand-
brake applied. The selector lever must
be in position P.
N54.25-2932-31
iADR is automatically deactivated
when:
\4you release the handbrake
\4the vehicle moves
\4the control unit detects a malfunc-
tion

158 Controls in detailTransporting
3
The load's overall center of gravity should
be as low and central as possible, between
the axles near the rear axle.
For crewbus models:
\1Always transport loads in the load com-
partment.
\1Always place loads flush against the
seat backrests of the rear bench seat.
\1Slide larger and heavier loads as far for-
ward as possible when looking in the
direction of travel. Stack items against
each other behind the rear bench seat.\1Always secure loads with suitable
transport aids or lashing materials.
As the driver of the vehicle, you are respon-
sible for ensuring that the load is secured
against slipping, tipping over, rolling or fall-
ing down, whether driving in normal traffic
situations or on poor road surfaces or as a
result of having to swerve to avoid an ob-
stacle or applying the brakes fully.Failing to secure the load in accordance
with relevant requirements and sound
practice may be a punishable offense, de-
pending on national legislation and the
consequences that arise.
For this reason, observe the legal require-
ments in all countries concerned.
Before each journey and at regular inter-
vals during longer journeys, check whether
the load is secure and take additional ac-
tion to improve any incorrect or inade-
quate safety measures.
\1Fill up any empty spaces between the
load and the load compartment walls
or wheel arches in a form-fitting man-
ner. For this purpose, use solid trans-
port aids, such as chocks, wooden
blocks or storage cushions.Load distribution!
CAUTION
Excessive loads on individual points of
the load compartment floor or load sur-
face have a negative effect on handling
characteristics and could damage the
floor covering.
iObserve the following notes:
\4Do not stack loads higher than the
upper edge of the backrests.
\4Transport loads behind seats that
are not occupied.
\4If the rear bench seat is not occu-
pied, insert the seat belts in a cross-
wise pattern into the opposite belt
buckles.Securing a load
iInformation about how to secure a
load correctly can be obtained from the
manufacturers of transport aids or
lashing materials for securing loads.

173
4 Operation
The first 1000 miles (1,500 km) ......... 174
Driving tips ......... 175
Electronic equipment ......... 183
Refueling ......... 184
Engine ......... 185
Battery ......... 195
Battery isolating switch* ......... 197
Tires and wheels ......... 199
Winter driving ......... 234
Maintenance and servicing ......... 237
Cleaning and care of the vehicle ......... 241

176 OperationDriving tips
4
Vehicle and trailer weights and ratings
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is the
maximum permissible vehicle weight:
\48550 lbs (3880 kg) for vehicle model
type 2500
\49990 lbs (4530 kg), or 11030 lbs
(5003 kg) for vehicle model type 3500
GVWR (G
ross V
ehicle W
eight R
ating)
The total allowable weight of the vehicle.
All occupants, all cargo, and the trailer
tongue load must never exceed the GVWR.
GAWR (G
ross A
xle W
eight R
ating)
The total allowable weight that can be
carried by a single axle (front (FA) or rear
(RA)).
GCWR (G
ross C
ombination W
eight
R
ating)
The total allowable weight of vehicle and
trailer when weighed in combination inclu-
ding a 150 lbs (68 kg) allowance for the
presence of a driver.GTW (G
ross T
railer W
eight)
The maximum permissible trailer weight to
be towed.
TWR (T
railer Tongue W
eight R
ating)
The maximum permissible weight of the
trailer tongue (limit for Sprinter approved
hitch receiver).
For the permissible weights and ratings,
refer to the following table.
Trailer towing
!
CAUTION
Cargo vans with a long wheelbase of
170.3 in (4325 mm) and an overall
vehicle length of 289.1 in (7344 mm)
have a reduced GTW and TWR.
iThe GVWR and the front/rear GAWR of
your vehicle are indicated on the
certification label.!
CAUTION
For vehicle model type 3500, the allow-
able GCWR is less than the combined
maximum weight of the GVWR and the
GTW. Exceeding the GCWR can cause
damage to the drive train, the transmis-
sion, or the trailer hitch*.
Thus, the permissible values for GVWR
and/or the GTW are reduced when
either the trailer or the vehicle is fully
laden. you may therefore only partly
load the vehicle and/or the trailer.

177 Operation
Driving tips
4
1Cargo vans with a long wheelbase of 170.3in (4325 mm) and an overall vehicle length of 289.1 in (7344 mm) only.
*optional equipmentWhen loading the vehicle and/or a trailer,
you should observe that the GCWR of your
vehicle is not exceeded.
You must distribute total weight between
the vehicle and the trailer such that neither
the permissible GTW, nor the GVWR and
front/rear GAWR , nor the TWR are
exceeded.The tongue weight at the hitch ball must be
added to the GVWR to prevent exceeding
your Sprinter tow vehicle’s rear GAWR.
Maximum permissible values are listed in
the table above and on the safety compli-
ance certification labels for the vehicle and
for the trailer to be towed. The lowest value
listed must be selected when determining
how the vehicle and trailer are loaded.To assure that the vehicle and trailer are in
compliance with the maximum permissible
weight limits, and to know the actual
weights, have the loaded vehicle-trailer
combination (tow vehicle including driver,
passengers and cargo, trailer fully loaded)
weighed on a commercial scale.Sprinter type
GVWR
GAWR (FA)
GAWR (RA)
GCWR
GTW
TWR
2500
8550 lbs (3878 kg)
3970 lbs (1801 kg)
5360 lbs (2431 kg)
13550 lbs (6146 kg)
5000 lbs (2268 kg)
500 lbs (227 kg)
3500
9990 lbs (4531 kg)
4080 lbs (1851 kg)
7060 lbs (3202 kg)
15250 lbs (6917 kg)
7500 lbs (3402 kg) or
5000 lbs (2268 kg)
1
750 lbs (340 kg) or
500 lbs (227 kg)
1
4410 lbs (2000 kg)*
3500
11030 lbs (5003 kg)
4080 lbs (1851 kg)
7720 lbs (3502 kg)
15250 lbs (6917 kg)
7500 lbs (3402 kg) or
5000 lbs (2268 kg)
1
750 lbs (340 kg) or
500 lbs (227 kg)
1
4410 lbs (2000 kg)*
Loading the vehicle and/or a trailer

188 OperationEngine
4
Checking the engine oil level in the dis-
play
In vehicles with diesel engines, you can
view the engine oil level in the display.
When the oil is being checked, the vehicle
must
\4be standing level
\4be at normal operating temperature
\4have been standing with the engine
switched off for at least five minutes\1Switch on the ignition (\2page 67).
The display is activated.
Vehicles without steering wheel buttons
\1Press the menu button on the in-
strument cluster repeatedly until you
see the P symbol in the display.
The
--:--
display flashes during the
measurement process.The following messages may be displayed:
\1Check the engine oil level again after a
few minutes.
Vehicles with steering wheel buttons*
\1Press the button on the instrument
cluster (\2page 84).
iIf no oil level reading is shown again,
check the engine oil level with the dip-
stick.
Have the engine oil level display
checked at an authorized Sprinter
Dealer.!
CAUTION
Have any excess oil drained or si-
phoned off at an authorized Sprinter
Dealer. Otherwise, the engine or cata-
lytic converter could be damaged.
iIf at extremely low temperatures no en-
gine oil level is displayed after 5 min-
utes, wait a further 5 minutes before
repeating the engine oil level check.
POK
\1Do not add oil.
-1.0 qt
\1Add the amount of oil
shown (\2page 190).
-1.5 qts-2.0 qtsHI
\1The engine oil level is
too high. Have the oil
siphoned off.
iEngine oil level display:
\4
qt in USA only
\4l in Canada only

199 Operation
Tires and wheels
4
\3 Tires and wheelsThe tires on a new vehicle provide a bal-
ance of many characteristics. They should
be inspected regularly for wear and correct
cold tire inflation pressure. The vehicle
manufacturer strongly recommends using
tires equivalent to the originals in size,
quality and performance when a replace-
ment becomes necessary.
Refer to the tire and loading information
placard on the driver’s door B-pillar
(\2page 373) for the size designation of
your tire.
The service description and load identifica-
tion will be found on the original equip-
ment tire. Failure to use equivalent
replacement tires may adversely affect the
safety, handling, and ride of your Sprinter
vehicle.
Contact an authorized Sprinter Dealer or
an authorized tire dealer with any ques-
tions you may have on tire specifications
or capability.For more information on tire size designa-
tion, load and speed rating, see "Tire label-
ing" (\2page 222).
See an authorized Sprinter Dealer for infor-
mation on tested and recommended rims
and tires for summer and winter operation.
They can also offer advice concerning tire
service and purchase.
!
CAUTION
Only use tires which have been tested
and approved for your Sprinter vehicle
by the vehicle manufacturer. Tires ap-
proved by the vehicle manufacturer are
developed to provide the best possible
performance in conjunction with the
driving safety systems on your Sprinter
vehicle such as ABS, BAS, ASR or
ESP®.
Using tires other than those approved
by the vehicle manufacturer may result
in damage that is not covered by the
Sprinter warranty.
!
CAUTION
Using tires other than those approved
by the vehicle manufacturer can have
detrimental effects, such as
\4poor handling characteristics
\4increased noise
\4increased fuel consumption
Tires and rims not approved by the ve-
hicle manufacturer may, under load,
exhibit dimensional variations and dif-
ferent tire deformation characteristics
that could cause them to come into
contact with the vehicle body or axle
parts. Damage to the tires or the vehi-
cle may be the result.