
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

229 Operation
Tires and wheels
4
DOT (D
epartment O
f T
ransportation)
A tire branding symbol which denotes that
the tire meets the requirements of the
U.S. Department of Transportation.
GAWR (G
ross A
xle W
eight R
ating)
The GAWR is the maximum permissible
axle weight. The gross vehicle weight on
each axle must never exceed the GAWR for
the front and rear axle indicated on the
certification label located on the driver’s
door B-pillar.
GTW (G
ross T
railer W
eight)
The GTW is the weight of the trailer plus
the weight of all cargo, equipment, luggage
etc. loaded on the trailer.GVW (G
ross V
ehicle W
eight)
The GVW comprises the weight of the vehi-
cle including fuel, tools, spare wheel, in-
stalled accessories, passengers and cargo
and, if applicable, trailer tongue load. The
GVW must never exceed the GVWR indicat-
ed on the certification label located on the
driver’s door B-pillar.
GVWR (G
ross V
ehicle W
eight R
ating)
This is the maximum permissible vehicle
weight of the fully loaded vehicle (weight of
the vehicle including all options, passen-
gers, fuel, and cargo and, if applicable,
trailer tongue load). It is indicated on the
certification label located on the driver’s
door B-pillar.
Kilopascal (kPa)
The metric unit for air pressure. There are
6.9kPa to 1psi; another metric unit for air
pressure is bars. there are 100 kilopascals
(kPa) to 1 bar.Maximum load rating
The maximum load in kilograms and
pounds that can be carried by the tire.
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
The sum of curb weight, accessory weight,
vehicle capacity weight and production op-
tions weight.
Maximum tire inflation pressure
This number is the greatest amount of air
pressure that should ever be put in the tire
under normal driving conditions.
Normal occupant weight
The number of occupants the vehicle is de-
signed to seat, multiplied by 68 kilograms
(150 lbs).
Occupant distribution
The distribution of occupants in a vehicle
at their designated seating positions.

230 OperationTires and wheels
4
Production options weight
The combined weight of those installed
regular production options weighing over
5 lbs (2.3 kilograms) in excess of those
standard items which they replace, not
previously considered in curb weight or ac-
cessory weight, including heavy duty
brakes, ride levelers, roof rack, heavy duty
battery, and special trim.
PSI (P
ounds per S
quare I
nch)
A standard unit of measure for air pres-
sure. Another metric unit for air pressure is
bar or kilopascal (kPa).
Recommended tire inflation pressure
Recommended tire inflation pressure list-
ed on the placard located on driver’s door
B-pillar for normal driving conditions. Pro-
vides best handling, tread life and riding
comfort.Rim
A metal support for a tire or a tire and tube
assembly upon which the tire beads are
seated.
Side wall
The portion of a tire between the tread and
the bead.
TIN (T
ire I
dentification N
umber)
Unique identifier which facilitates efforts
by tire manufacturers to notify purchasers
in recall situations or other safety matters
concerning tires and gives purchases the
means to easily identify such tires. The TIN
is comprised of the “manufacturer’s identi-
fication mark”, “tire size”, “tire type code”
and “date of manufacture”.
Tire load rating
Numerical code associated with the maxi-
mum load a tire can support.Tire ply composition and material used
This indicates the number of plies or the
number of layers of rubber-coated fabric in
the tire tread and side wall. Tire manufac-
turers also must indicate the ply materials
in the tire and side wall, which include
steel, nylon, polyester, and others.
Tire speed rating
Part of tire designation; indicates the
speed range for which a tire is approved.
Traction
Force exerted by the vehicle on the road
via the tires. The amount of grip provided.
Tread
The portion of a tire that comes into con-
tact with the road.
Treadwear Indicators
Narrow bands, sometimes called
“wear bars” that show across the tread of
a tire when only
1/16
in (1.6 mm) of tread
remains.

235 Operation
Winter driving
4
Drive with particular care on icy roads.
Avoid sudden acceleration, steering move-
ments and braking.If it seems likely that the vehicle is about to
enter a skid or cannot be stopped at a low
speed:
\4Move the selector lever to position N.
\4Try to maintain control of the vehicle
using light corrective steering.
Road salt may adversely affect braking ef-
ficiency. It may therefore be necessary to
apply the brakes more forcefully in order to
achieve the same braking force as normal.
Apply the brakes regularly when making
longer journeys on gritted or salted roads.
This will have the effect of restoring the
brakes to their normal level of perfor-
mance.
When stopping the vehicle after traveling
on roads that have been salted, check that
the brakes are fully functional before pro-
ceeding further.
Warning
G
If you use your spare tire when winter tires
are fitted on the other wheels, be aware that
the difference in tire characteristics may im-
pair turning stability and overall driving sta-
bility may be reduced. Adapt your driving
style accordingly.
Have the spare tire replaced with a winter
tire at the nearest authorized Sprinter Deal-
er.iWhen they have been removed, store
wheels and tires in a cool, dry, and if
possible dark place. Protect the tires
from oil, grease, and gasoline / diesel.
Driving in winterWarning
G
Downshifting to brake could cause the drive
wheels to lose grip on a slippery surface due
to the increased difference in speed be-
tween the engine and the drive wheels at
this time.
Do not downshift for additional engine brak-
ing on a slippery surface. Use the service
brake in accordance with road conditions.
Only downshift to a lower gear when travel-
ing at a low engine speed.

240 OperationMaintenance and servicing
4
Vehicles without steering wheel buttons
\1Press the menu button on the in-
strument cluster repeatedly until you
see the following in the display:
\49 for service A
\4´ for service B
The following are also shown, depend-
ing on the style of driving:
\4the remaining distance in miles (kilo-
meters)
\4the remaining time in daysAn increased amount of sand or dust may
collect in the air cleaner when you drive on
dusty or sandy roads.
Air cleaner in the roof in the rear compart-
ment1Cover
2RecessesFor this reason, check the air cleaner reg-
ularly for visible damage.
Removing the air cleaner element
\1Carefully pry cover1 out of
recesses2 and remove it.
\1Remove the filter mat.
Cleaning the filter mat
\1Wash the filter mat with clean water.
\1Leave the filter mat to dry.
Installing the air cleaner element
\1Insert the filter mat.
\1Attach cover1.Air cleaner for the air-conditioning
system in the rear compartment*!
CAUTION
You must clean visible dirt from the air
cleaner or replace it if necessary. The
dirt can otherwise damage the air con-
ditioning, which is not covered by war-
ranty.
!
CAUTION
The filter mat must not be cleaned or
dried in a machine.

247 Operation
Cleaning and care of the vehicle
4
\1Clean the vehicle, particularly the light-
ing equipment, windows, exterior mir-
rors, steps, entrances, grab handles,
wheels, tires, wheel housings and li-
cense plates. Observe the notes in this
section.
\1Remove any trapped foreign objects,
e.g. stones.After driving in mud, sand, water or similar
conditions:
\4Check the brake system for operating
safety.
\4Clean the wheels, chassis and brake
system.
\4Check them for damage and have any
damage repaired by an authorized
Sprinter Dealer if necessary.
Warning
G
Dirty brake discs and brake pads / linings
can impair braking power (to the point of to-
tal failure).
You could thereby cause an accident.
Check the brake system for operating safety
by testing the brakes before driving the ve-
hicle onto public roads.
If braking power is impaired, stop the ve-
hicle as soon as it is safe to do so and con-
sult an authorized Sprinter Dealer which has
the necessary specialist knowledge and
tools to carry out the work required.
The manufacturer recommends that you use
an authorized Sprinter Dealer for this pur-
pose. In particular, work relevant to safety
or on safety-related systems must be car-
ried out at an authorized Sprinter Dealer.

348 Practical hintsFuses
5
Preliminary fuse box in the battery recess in
the driver’s footwell F59
The fuse box is located in the base of the
driver’s seat on the outboard side.
1Latching springs
\1To open: adjust the seat to its highest
position (\2page 69).
\1Press both latching springs1 down
and remove the cover.
\1To close: attach the cover at the bot-
tom and fold it closed.
The cover must engage.
No.
Consumer
Amp.
15
Non MB-body electrics
10 A
16
Heating, rear heating/
Tempmatic (air-conditioning
system), front/CD-player*
10 A
17
Motion detector*/con-
venience interior lighting*/
satellite radio*
10 A
18
Air conditioning in the rear*
7.5 A
No.
Consumer
Amp.
1
Pre-glow relay/secondary
air pump
80/40 A
2
Engine fan air-conditio-
ning system
80 A
3
Signal acquisition and ac-
tuation module SAM/fuse
and relay block SRB
80 A
4
Auxiliary battery* in the
engine compartment
150 A
5
T erm in al 30 f us e bo xe s, si-
gnal acquisition and actu-
ation module SAM/fuse
and relay block SRB
150 A
6
Connecting point in
driver’s seat base
Brücke
7
Heater booster (PTC)
150 A
Fuse box in the driver’s seat
N54.15-2149-31

350 Practical hints
5
No.
Consumer
Amp.
1
Mirror adjustment*
5A
2
Rear window wiper*
30 A
3
Reversing camera*/
telephone*
5A
4
Operating speed governor
(ADR)/PTO/trailer
connection unit AAG
7.5 A
5
Terminal 87 electronic
transmission control ETC,
control unit
10 A
6
Unassigned
–
7
Electronic selector level
module ESM
7.5/15 A
8
Terminal 15 body builder,
drop side/3-way tipper
10 A
9
Roof ventilator*/audio
signal equipment*
15 A
10
Terminal 30, tapping wire
body builder
25 A
11
Terminal 15, tapping wire
body builder
15 A
12
D+, tapping wire body
builder
10 A
No.
Consumer
Amp.
13
Auxiliary indication
modul 1
10 A
14
Trailer socket*
20 A
15
Trailer recognition device*
25 A
16
Tir pressure monitoring
system (TPMS)*/
Parktronic system (PTS)*
7.5 A
17
PSM control unit*
25 A
18
PSM control unit*
25 A
19
Overhead control panel*/
sliding sunroof*
5/25 A
20
Clearance lamps*
7.5 A
21
Rear window heating*
30/15 A
22
Rear window heating* 2
15 A
23
12V socket* rear left,
load/passenger compart-
ment
15 A
24
12V socket driver’s seat
base
15 A
25
12V socket rear right,
load/passenger compart-
ment/Auxiliary heating*
blower speed 1
15 A
No.
Consumer
Amp.
26
Auxiliary heating*
25 A
27
Heater booster*
25/20 A
28
Air conditioning
in the rear*
30 A
29
Unassigned
–
30
Unassigned
–
31
Blower unit, rear heating*
30 A
32
Unassigned
–
33
Electric sliding door*,
right
30 A
34
Electric sliding door*, left
30 A
35
Brake booster*
30 A
36
Unassigned
–
Fuses