234 OperationWinter driving
4
\3 Winter drivingHave your vehicle winterproofed at the
onset of winter at an authorized Sprinter
Dealer. This service includes the following:
\4Oil change, if the current engine oil
used has not been approved for winter
use
\4The antifreeze / anti-corrosion concen-
tration in the coolant is checked
\4The addition of a concentrated clean-
ing agent to the water in the windshield
washer system
\4Battery check
\4A tire change
You will find information about diesel fuel
for use at low outside temperatures in the
“Technical data” section (\2page 360).
Please also observe the information about
winter driving (\2page 235).Always use winter tires at temperatures
below 45°F (7°C) and whenever wintry
road conditions prevail. Winter tires should
be of the same size and type construction
as the summer tires.
Winter tires should also be operated as
printed on the tire and loading information
placard, refer to "Tires and wheels"
(\2page 199). Not all M+S rated radial-ply
tires provide special winter performance.
Make sure the tires you use show M+S and
the mountain/snowflake marking.on
the tire side wall. These tires meet specific
snow traction performance requirements
of the Rubber Manufacturers Association
(RMA) and the Rubber Association of Can-
ada (RAC) and have been designed specif-
ically for use in snow conditions. Use of
winter tires is the only way to achieve the
maximum effectiveness of the ABS, BAS,
ASR and ESP
® in winter operation.
For safe handling, make sure all winter
tires mounted are of the same make and
have the same tread design.Always observe the speed rating of the
winter tires installed on your vehicle. If the
maximum speed for which your tires are
rated is below the speed rating of your ve-
hicle, you must place a notice to this effect
where it will be seen by the driver. Such no-
tices are available at your tire dealer or any
authorized Sprinter Dealer.
\1Reactivate the tire pressure monitor.
While studded tires improve performance
on ice, skid and traction capability on wet
or dry surfaces may be poorer than that of
non-studded tires. Some states prohibit
studded tires; therefore, local laws should
be checked before using these tire types.
Winter tires
Warning
G
Winter tires with a tread depth under 1/6 in
(4 mm) must be replaced. They are no long-
er suitable for winter operation.
236 OperationWinter driving
4
Use "Class U" chains, or other traction aids
that meet SAE Type "U" specifications.
Snow chains must be the proper size for
the vehicle, as recommended by the chain
manufacturer. They should only be driven
on snow-covered roads at speeds not to
exceed 30 mph (50 km / h). Remove
chains as soon as possible when driving on
roads without snow.Please observe the following guidelines
when using snow chains:
\4Snow chains should only be used on
rear wheels. In vehicles with dual rear
wheels, they should be mounted on the
exterior wheels. Follow the manufac-
turer’s mounting instructions.
\4Only use snow chains that are ap-
proved by the vehicle manufacturer.
For approved snow chains, please con-
tact your authorized Sprinter Dealer.
\4Use of snow chains may be prohibited
depending on location. Always check
local and state laws before mounting
snow chains.
To avoid damage to your vehicle, tires or
chains, observe the following precautions:
\4Because of limited chain clearance be-
tween tires and other suspension com-
ponents, it is important that only
chains in good condition are used. Bro-
ken 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.
\4Install chains as tightly as possible and
then retighten after driving about 1/2
mile (0.8 km).
\4Do not exceed 30 mph (50 km/h).
\4Drive cautiously and avoid severe turns
and large bumps, especially with a
loaded vehicle.
\4Do not install tire chains on front
wheels.
\4Do not drive for a prolonged period on
dry pavement.
\4Observe the tire chain manufacturer’s
instructions on method of installation,
operating speed, and conditions for us-
age. Always use the lower suggested
operating speed of the chain manufac-
turer if different than the speed recom-
mended by the manufacturer.Snow chains!
CAUTION
Use snow chains on rear wheels only.
Some tire sizes do not leave adequate
clearance for snow chains. To help
avoid serious damage to your vehicle or
tires, use of snow chains is not permis-
sible with the spare wheel.
iWhen driving with snow chains, you
may wish to deactivate the ASR
(\2page 44) before setting the vehicle
in motion. This will improve the vehi-
cle’s traction.
242 OperationCleaning and care of the vehicle
4
Automatic car wash
You can clean the vehicle in an automatic
car wash from the very start. It is prefera-
ble to use a car wash that does not have
brushes.
If the vehicle is very dirty, prewash it be-
fore you drive into the car wash.
\1Remove the radio / telephone antenna
and fold the exterior mirrors in before
driving into the automatic car wash.After using an automatic car wash, wipe off
wax from the windshield and the wiper
blades. This prevents smears and reduces
wiping noises which can be caused by res-
idue on the windshield.High-pressure cleaners
\1The minimum distance that must be
maintained between the vehicle and
the nozzle of the high-pressure cleaner
is:
\4approximately 2.2 ft (70 cm) for
round-spray jets
\4approximately 1 ft (30 cm) for 25°
flat-spray jets and concentrated-
power jets
\1Move the high-pressure cleaner nozzle
around when cleaning your vehicle.Care of the vehicle!
CAUTION
After cleaning your vehicle, especially
the wheel rims with rim cleaner, do not
simply park the vehicle and leave it.
Rim cleaners can promote corrosion of
the brake discs and the brake pads /
linings. Before parking and leaving the
vehicle after cleaning, always warm the
vehicle up to normal operating temper-
ature first.
!
CAUTION
Make sure that the automatic car wash
is suitable for the size of the vehicle.
If you do not remove the radio / tele-
phone antenna and fold in the exterior
mirrors, there is a possibility that the
antenna, the exterior mirrors or the ve-
hicle could be damaged by the auto-
matic car wash.
!
CAUTION
Make sure that the windshield wiper
switch is set to 0 (\2page 126), other-
wise the rain sensor could be activated,
for example, and the windshield wipers
could be triggered unintentionally. This
could cause damage to the vehicle.
!
CAUTION
Do not use high-pressure cleaners with
round-spray jets for cleaning the tires.
You could otherwise damage the tires.
Have damaged tires replaced.
!
CAUTION
To avoid damage, do not aim directly at
the door joints, brake hoses, electrical
components, connectors or seals.
279 Practical hints
What to do if ...
5
Warning!
G
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recom-
mended by the vehicle manufacturer on the
vehicle placard or the tire inflation pressure
label. (If your vehicle has tires of a different
size than the size indicated on the vehicle
placard or the tire inflation pressure label,
you should determine the proper tire infla-
tion pressure for those tires).
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has
been equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitor-
ing System (TPMS) that illuminates a low tire
pressure telltale when one or more of your
tires is significantly underinflated. Accord-
ingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illu-
minates, you should stop and check your
tires as soon as possible, and inflate them to
the proper pressure. Driving on a significant-
ly underinflated tire causes the tire to over-
heat and can lead to tire failure.
Underinflation also reduces fuel efficiency
and tire tread life, and may affect the vehi-
cle’s handling and stopping ability. Please
note that the TPMS is not a substitute for
proper tire maintenance, and it is the driv-
er’s responsibility to maintain correct tire
pressure, even if underinflation has not
reached the level to trigger illumination of
the TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
USA only:
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a
TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate
when the system is not operating properly.
The TPMS malfunction indicator is com-
bined with the low tire pressure telltale.
When the system detects a malfunction, the
telltale will flash for approximately 1 minute
and then remain continuously illuminated.
This sequence will continue upon subse-
quent vehicle start-ups as long as the mal-
function exists. When the malfunction
indicator is illuminated, the system may not
be able to detect or signal low tire pressure
as intended.
TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety
of reasons, including the installation of in-
compatible replacement or alternate tires or
wheels on the vehicle that prevent the TPMS
from functioning properly. Always check the
TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing
one or more tires or wheels on your vehicle
to ensure that the replacement or alternate
tires and wheels allow the TPMS to continue
to function properly.
390 Indexloading the vehicle
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
low tire pressure indicator
. . . . . . . 278
maximum load
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
messages in the multifunction
display
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
ply composition and material used
. . . 230
problems under/overinflation
221
, 222
radial-ply tires
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
retreads
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
rotating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
, 231
seating capacity
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
service life
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
sizes
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
speed rating
. . . . . . . . . 119
, 224
, 230
storing
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
temperature
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
, 369
terminology
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
TIN
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
, 230
Tire Identification Number see TIN
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS), (USA only)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
TPMS malfunction indicator
. . . . . . 278
traction
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
, 230
tread
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
tread depth
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
, 234
Treadwear Indicator (TWI)
. . . . . . . 118
Treadwear Indicators
. . . . . . . . . . . 230
valves
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
vehicle maximum load on
. . . . . . . 231wear pattern
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
winter tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Tongue Weight Rating
see TWR
TopTether
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Tow-away protection
. . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Towing
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342
in the event of a malfunction in the
electrical system
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344
in the event of particular
malfunctions
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343
vehicle that is stuck
. . . . . . . . . . . . 343
Towing eye
installing/removing . . . . . . . . . . . . 342
Tow-starting
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341
Traction
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Trailer
safety notes
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
, 176
towing
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
, 175
, 176
towing with Parktronic
. . . . . . . . . . 153
Tread
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Tread depth
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Tread depth (tires)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Treadwear Indicator (TWI)
. . . . . . . 118
Treadwear Indicators
. . . . . . . . . . . 230
Trip computer
menu (vehicles with steering wheel
buttons)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106Trip meter
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
resetting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Turn signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
front
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
changing bulbs
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
malfunctions
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
rear
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
changing bulbs
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
side-mounted
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
Twin co-driver’s seat
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Two-way radio
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
retrofitting
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 354
TWR (Tongue Weight Rating)
. . . . . 231
U
Uniform tire quality grading
standards
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Uphill gradients
cruise control
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
parking
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
, 116
V
Vehicle
assemblies
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
automatic locking when driving
. . . . 64
cleaning
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
U
V