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.
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.
268 Practical hintsWhat to do if ...
5
Indicator and warning lamps in the
instrument clusterWarning
G
Always have maintenance work carried out
at 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 carried out
at an authorized Sprinter Dealer. There is a
risk of an accident and injury if this work is
carried out incorrectly.
Problem
Possible cause / result
Suggested solutions
v
The yellow ASR/ESP
® warning
lamp flashes while the vehicle is
in motion.
WARNING
G
ESP
® or ASR is intervening because at least
one of the wheels has reached its tire grip
limit.
\1Adapt your driving style to suit the
road and traffic conditions. Do not
use too much throttle.
\1Drive slowly.
The yellow ASR / ESP
® warning
lamp is lit while the engine is run-
ning.
WARNING
G
ASR is deactivated.
\1Reactivate ASR.
Exceptions (\2page 45).
#
-
k
6
The yellow ESP
®, ABS-, ASR/
BAS indicator lamps and the red
brake system indicator lamp are
lit while the engine is running.
WARNING
G
EBV has malfunctioned.
The rear wheels could lock up sooner than
expected when you apply the brakes.
\1Also observe the messages in the dis-
play on vehicles with steering wheel
buttons (\2page 284).
\1Continue driving, but with even great-
er care.
\1Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Sprinter Dealer as soon as pos-
sible.
269 Practical hints
What to do if ...
5
#
-
k
6
The yellow ESP
®, ABS, ASR/BAS
indicator lamps and the red
brake system indicator lamp are
lit while the engine is running.
WARNING
G
EBV has been deactivated due to undervolt-
age.
The battery may not be being charged.
The rear wheels could lock up sooner than
expected when you apply the brakes.
\1Also observe the messages in the dis-
play on vehicles with steering wheel
buttons (\2page 284).
\1Stop your vehicle as soon as it is safe
to do so.
\1Do not drive any further.
\1Consult an authorized Sprinter Dealer.
6
The red brake system indicator
lamp is lit while the engine is run-
ning.
A signal also sounds.
WARNING
G
There is insufficient brake fluid in the fluid
reservoir.
\1Also observe the messages in the dis-
play on vehicles with steering wheel
buttons (\2page 284).
\1Do not add brake fluid under any cir-
cumstances. This will not solve the
problem.
\1Do not drive any further.
\1Consult an authorized Sprinter Dealer.
6
When towing a trailer:
The red brake system indicator
lamp is lit while the engine is run-
ning.
A signal also sounds.
WARNING
G
The trailer's brake booster is malfunctioning.
The vehicle's driving and braking characteris-
tics may change. There is a risk of the trailer
overbraking.
\1Also observe the messages in the dis-
play on vehicles with steering wheel
buttons (\2page 284).
\1Stop your vehicle as soon as it is safe
to do so.
\1Do not drive any further.
\1Consult an authorized Sprinter Dealer.
Problem
Possible cause / result
Suggested solutions
271 Practical hints
What to do if ...
5
-
The yellow ABS indicator lamp is
lit while the engine is running.
WARNING
G
ABS has been deactivated due to a malfunc-
tion. ESP
®, ASR and BAS as well as cruise
control have also been deactivated as a re-
sult.
The brake system continues to function
with the normal braking effect but with no
electronic support. The wheels could there-
fore lock up, for example if the brakes are
applied with maximum force.
\1Also observe the messages in the dis-
play on vehicles with steering wheel
buttons (\2page 284).
\1Continue driving, but with even great-
er care.
\1Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Sprinter Dealer as soon as pos-
sible.
WARNING
G
ABS is temporarily unavailable.
Self diagnosis may not have been complet-
ed yet.
The brake system is still available with the
normal braking effect.
\1Drive on for a distance of more than
13 mph (20 km / h).
ABS is available again if the message
goes out.
ABS has been deactivated due to undervolt-
age.
The battery may not be being charged.
The brake system continues to function
with the normal braking effect but with no
electronic support. The wheels could there-
fore lock up, for example if the brakes are
applied with maximum force.
\1Continue driving, but with even great-
er care.
\1Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Sprinter Dealer as soon as pos-
sible.
Problem
Possible cause / result
Suggested solutions
289 Practical hints
Display messages
5
Symbol messagesDisplay symbol
Display message
Possible cause / result
Possible solution
#
Battery/
Alternator
Visit workshop
The battery is not being charged. Possible
causes:
\4malfunctioning alternator
\4torn poly-V-belt
\1Stop immediately and check the poly-V-
belt.
If it is torn:
\1Do not drive any further.
\1Consult an authorized Sprinter Deal-
er.
If it is not damaged:
\1Drive to the nearest authorized
Sprinter Dealer immediately.
2
Brake wear
Visit workshop
WARNING
G
The brake pads / linings have reached
their wear limit.
\1Have the brake pads / linings replaced as
soon as possible at an authorized Sprint-
er Dealer.
6
Brake force
distribution
WARNING
G
EBV has been deactivated due to under-
voltage.
The battery may not be being charged.
The rear wheels could lock up sooner
than expected when you apply the
brakes.
\1Stop your vehicle as soon as it is safe to
do so.
\1Do not drive any further.
\1Consult an authorized Sprinter Dealer.
290 Practical hintsDisplay messages
5
6
Brake fluid
Visit
workshop
WARNING
G
There is insufficient brake fluid in the fluid
reservoir.
\1Stop your vehicle as soon as it is safe to
do so.
\1Do not add brake fluid under any circum-
stances. This will not solve the problem.
\1Do not drive any further.
\1Consult an authorized Sprinter Dealer. .
6
Brake force
distribution
Visit
workshop
WARNING
G
EBV has malfunctioned.
The rear wheels could lock up sooner
than expected when you apply the
brakes.
\1Stop your vehicle as soon as it is safe to
do so.
\1Do not drive any further.
\1Consult an authorized Sprinter Dealer.
7
Parking brake
Release brakeA signal also sounds.
You are driving with the handbrake
applied.
\1Release the handbrake (\2page 115).
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause / result
Possible solution