175 Operation
Driving tips
4
\3 Driving tipsInformation is available about driving in
winter and with snow chains
(\2page 236).
Transporting your vehicle by rail may be
subject to certain restrictions or require
special measures to be taken in some
countries due to varying tunnel heights
and loading standards.
You can obtain information at any
authorized Sprinter Dealer.Trailer hitches*
Only install a trailer hitch receiver ap-
proved for your vehicle. For information on
availability and installation, please see
your authorized Sprinter Dealer.
The bumpers on your vehicle are not de-
signed for use with clamp-type hitches. Do
not attach rental hitches or other bumper-
type hitches to them.
To reduce the possibility of damage, re-
move the hitch ball adaptor from the re-
ceiver when not in use.Electrical connections*
The Sprinter is available with a variety of
pre-installed conditions (lines and turn sig-
nal indicator and brake module installed
and / or not installed). Make sure that the
correct trailer hitch receiver kit is used. For
further information, please see your autho-
rized Sprinter Dealer.
In order to prevent possible damage to the
vehicle’s electrical system by incorrectly
installing the trailer wiring plug, we recom-
mend having the harness connected at an
authorized Sprinter Dealer.Rail transportTrailer towingWarning
G
Failure to use proper equipment and driving
technique can result in a loss of vehicle con-
trol when towing a trailer.
Improper towing or failure to follow the in-
structions contained in this guide can result
in serious injury.
Follow the guidelines below carefully to as-
sure safe trailer operation.
Ask your authorized Sprinter Dealer if you
require an explanation of information con-
tained in this guide.
186 OperationEngine
4
\1Swing the hood upward until support
strut3 engages and the hood is sup-
ported.
Closing\1Lift the hood gently.
\1Push back support strut3
(\2page 185).
\1Let the hood drop from a height of ap-
proximately 05. ft (30 cm).
The hood engages audibly.
\1Check to make sure the hood is fully
closed.Warning
G
If the hood support strut is not engaged, the
hood can fall shut. You could be injured.
After opening the hood, you should there-
fore check whether the support strut is en-
gaged.Warning
G
Engine parts may be hot and can rotate.
There is a risk of injury if the hood is open
and the engine is running.
Only open the hood when the engine has
stopped and cooled down.
Warning
G
The engine has an electronic ignition system
which carries a high voltage. For this reason,
you must never touch the ignition system
components (ignition coil, test socket)
while:
\4the engine is running
\4the engine is being started
\4the key is in position2 in the ignition
lock and the engine is being cranked by
handWarning
G
Make sure that nobody can become trapped
as you close the hood.
Warning
G
Make sure that the hood is securely en-
gaged before driving off. Do no continue
driving if the hood can no longer engage af-
ter an accident, for example.
The hood could otherwise come loose while
the vehicle is in motion and endanger you
and/or others.!
CAUTION
When you press the support strut back,
make sure that you do not press it
against the detent position and cause it
to bend.
187 Operation
Engine
4
If the hood can be raised slightly, it
is not properly engaged.
\1Open it again and allow it to drop from
a slightly greater height.
Mechanical elements and the lubricants
used for them must be carefully matched.
For this reason, only brands tested and ap-
proved by the manufacturer should be
used. Please contact your Sprinter Dealer
to obtain the necessary information. No lu-
bricant additives should be used.
The use of such additives could affect your
warranty rights. Information is available
from any authorized Sprinter Dealer.
For specifications of engine oils, coolant
and brake fluid, see "Service products and
capacities" (\2page 355) and contact your
authorized Sprinter Dealer.The vehicle consumes a maximum of
1 US qt (1.0 l) oil per 620 miles (1000 km),
depending on your driving style.
Engine oil consumption may even be high-
er if:
\4the vehicle is new
\4you mainly operate the vehicle under
arduous operating conditions
\4you often drive at high engine speeds
The engine oil consumption can only be
judged after a lengthy distance has been
covered.Check the engine oil level on a regular ba-
sis, for example weekly or each time you
refuel.!
CAUTION
Do not use your hands to push the
hood down. Doing so could damage it.
Service products
Warning
G
If handled incorrectly, service products can
constitute a health risk f o r p e o p l e a n d a n e n -
vironmental hazard.
Always observe relevant guidelines for han-
dling, storing and disposing of service prod-
ucts.Engine oil
iIf the oil level exceeds the maximum
level several times during operation,
have the malfunction rectified immedi-
ately at an authorized Sprinter Dealer.
223 Operation
Tires and wheels
4
Tire sizes for Sprinter vehicles
Design standard
Depending on the design standards used,
the tire size molded into the side wall may
have no letter or a letter1 preceding the
tire width or the tire load rating designa-
tion.
Letter “LT” preceding the size designation:
Light Truck tire based on U.S. design stan-
dards.
Letter “C” preceding the tire load designa-
tion:
Commercial vehicle tire based on Europe-
an design standards.
Tire width
The tire width2 indicates the nominal tire
width in mm.Aspect ratio
The aspect ratio3 is the dimensional re-
lationship between tire section height and
section width and is expressed in percent-
age. The aspect ratio is arrived at by divid-
ing section height by section width.
Tire code
The tire code4 indicates the tire con-
struction type. The “R” stands for radial
tire type. Letter “D” means diagonal or bias
ply construction; letter “B” means belted-
bias ply construction.
Rim diameter
The rim diameter5 is the diameter of the
bead seat, not the diameter of the rim
edge. Rim diameter is indicated in
inches (in).
Tire load rating
The tire load rating6 is a numerical code
associated with the maximum load a tire
can support.For example, a load rating of 120 corre-
sponds to a maximum load of 3042 lbs
(1380 kg) the tire is designed to support.
If two values are given (as illustrated), the
first value, preceding the slash "/", applies
to single tires (rear axle). The second val-
ue, succeeding the slash "/", applies to
twin tires (dual wheel rear axle).
The commercial vehicle tires based on Eu-
ropean standards may have an additional
value in the parentheses (as illustrated). In
such cases, the value preceding the paren-
theses is valid for European countries and
the parenthesized for the USA and Canada.
Refer also to "Maximum tire load"
(\2page 226) where the maximum load as-
sociated with the load index is indicated in
kilograms and lbs.
Sprinter type
2500
LT 245/75 R 16 120/116 LLT 245/75 R 16 120/116 N
3500
LT 215/85 R 16 115/112 NLT 215/85 R 16 115/112 Q
228 OperationTires and wheels
4
1Plies in side wall
2Plies under tread
This marking tells you about the type of
cord and number of plies in the side wall
and under the tread.Accessory weight
The combined weight (in excess of those
standard items which may be replaced) of
automatic transmission, power steering,
power brakes, power windows, power
seats, radio, and heater, to the extent that
these items are available as factory-in-
stalled equipment (whether installed or
not).
Air pressure
The amount of air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of the tire.
Air pressure is expressed in pounds per
square inch (psi), or kilopascal (kPa) or
bars.
Aspect ratio
Dimensional relationship between the tire
section height and the section width ex-
pressed in percentage.Bar
Another metric unit for air pressure. There
are 14.5038 pounds per square inch (psi)
to 1 bar; there are 100 kilopascals (kPa)
to 1 bar.
Bead
The tire bead contains steel wires wrapped
by steel cords that hold the tire onto the
rim.
Cold tire inflation pressure
Tire inflation pressure when your vehicle
has been sitting for at least 3 hours or driv-
en no more than 1 mile (1.6 km).
Curb weight
The weight of a motor vehicle with stan-
dard equipment including the maximum
capacity of fuel, oil, and coolant, and, if so
equipped, air conditioning and additional
optional equipment, but without passen-
gers and cargo.Tire ply materialiFor illustrative purposes only. The actu-
al data on tires is specific to each vehi-
cle and may vary from the data shown
in the above illustration.
Tire and loading terminology
387 Index
Removing/installing the floor covering
in the driver’s footwell
. . . . . . . . . . 336
Reserve warning indicator (fuel)
. . 276
Residual heat mode
. . . . . . . . . . . . 134
problems
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Restraint system
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
airbags
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
belt force limiters
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
child restraint systems
. . . . . . . . . . 37
display message
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
emergency tensioning retractor
. . . 30
front airbags
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
malfunction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
seat belt
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
thorax sidebag
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
windowbags
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Reverse lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
changing bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Reverse warning feature
. . . . . . . . 153
Rims
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Roll-back warning
see Parktronic
Roof load
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 372
Roof rack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Roof ventilator
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
S
Seat
adjusting
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
folding rear bench seat
. . . . . . . . . . 74
folding seat
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
fore-and-aft adjustment
. . . . . . . . . . 69
heating
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
malfunction
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
height
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
suspension
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
swivelling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
vertical lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Seat belt
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
adjusting height
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
cleaning
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
telltale
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
wearing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Seat heating
switching on
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Seating capacity
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Securing a load
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Securing tensioning straps
. . . . . . 158
Selector lever
lock
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
, 121
Service
calling up the due date
vehicles with steering wheel buttons
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
vehicles without steering wheel but-
tons
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Service information
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Service life
tires
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Service products
. . . . . . . . . . . 187
, 237
capacities
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 365
coolants, lubricants, etc.
. . . . . . . . 362
diesel
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359
engine oils
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 356
fuels
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 358
gasoline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 358
notes
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355
windshield washer fluid
. . . . . . . . . 193
Setting the blower speed . . . . . . . . 133
Setting the date
vehicles with steering wheel
buttons
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
vehicles without steering wheel
buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Settings
resetting all (vehicles with steering
wheel buttons)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Shift range
automatic transmission
. . . . . . . . . 123
display
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
S