342 Practical hintsTowing
5
\3 TowingComply with legal regulations when tow-
ing.
Having the vehicle carried away on a trans-
porter or trailer is preferable to towing it
away. We recommend the use of a rigid
towing bar if towing is necessary.The fixture for the front towing eye is locat-
ed behind the cover in the bumper on the
right-hand side when viewed in the direc-
tion of travel.
1CoverInstalling the towing eye
\1Press bottom of cover1 in the direc-
tion of the arrow and remove it.
You will see the fixture for the towing
eye.
\1Take the towing eye and the wheel
wrench from the vehicle tool kit
(\2page 300).
\1Screw in the towing eye clockwise to
the stop.
\1Insert the wheel wrench handle into the
towing eye and tighten.
Removing the towing eye
\1Remove the wheel wrench from the ve-
hicle tool kit.
\1Insert the wheel wrench handle into the
towing eye and turn the wrench coun-
terclockwise.
\1Unscrew the towing eye.
\1Insert bottom of cover 1 using the lug
and press it in at the top until it engag-
es.Warning
G
Tow the vehicle using a rigid towing bar if:
\4the engine is not running,
\4there is a malfunction in the power sup-
ply or the vehicle’s electrical system.
There is no power assistance for the steer-
ing and braking when the engine is not run-
ning. You must then use significantly greater
force to steer the vehicle and brake.
Do not tow the vehicle if the key cannot
be turned in the ignition lock. The steering
is then locked and it will not be possible to
steer the vehicle.
When towing another vehicle, its weight
should not be greater than the permissible
gross weight of your vehicle.
Installing / removing the towing eye
\2\2
352 *Technical dataGenuine Sprinter parts
6
\3 Genuine Sprinter parts The “Technical data” section contains im-
portant technical data regarding your vehi-
cle.
You will find other vehicle-specific and
equipment-dependent technical data, such
as:
\4engine power output data
\4speeds
\4vehicle dimensions
\4vehicle weights
in your vehicle documents.Make sure that spare parts are suitable for
your vehicle. Parts that constitute a modi-
fication to the vehicle by:
\4changing the type of vehicle approved
in the general operating permit,
\4creating a risk to road users or
\4having an adverse effect on the vehi-
cle’s emissions and noise levels,
will in many countries invalidate the gen-
eral operating permit. The use of non-
approved parts could have a detrimental
effect on road safety.Every authorized Sprinter Dealer maintains
a stock of genuine sprinter parts for main-
tenance and repair work.
Over 6000 retailers around the world guar-
antee that you can be supplied with genu-
ine sprinter parts wherever you are. Over
300,000 different parts and assemblies,
including parts for older vehicle models,
are distributed from a central parts ware-
house using an optimally tuned logistics
concept.
367 *Technical data
Rims and tires
6
\3 Rims and tires
!
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.
Using tires other than those approved
by the vehicle manufacturer can have
detrimental effects, such as
\4poor handling characteristics
\4increased noise
\4increased fuel consumption
Moreover, tires and rims not approved
by the vehicle manufacturer may, un-
der load, exhibit dimensional variations
and different tire deformation charac-
teristics that could cause them to come
into contact with the vehicle body or
axle parts. Damage to the tires or the
vehicle may be the result.
Warning
G
Loose wheel nuts or bolts could cause the
vehicle to lose a wheel while it is in motion.
This would jeopardize the operating and
road safety of the vehicle. You could lose
control of the vehicle as a result, cause an
accident an injure yourself or others.
If a wheel was replaced or new wheel nuts
are used, the wheel bolts or wheel nuts must
be retightened to the specified tightening
torque after 30 miles (50 km).
If new or repainted wheels are mounted, the
wheel bolts or wheel nuts must be retight-
ened again to the specified tightening
torque after approximately 600 to 3000
miles (about 1000 to 5000 km).
iFurther information on tires and rims is
available at any authorized Sprinter
Dealer. A placard with the recommend-
ed tire inflation pressures is located on
\4the driver’s door B-pillar for vehi-
cles with a gross weight capacity
less than 10,000 lbs (4500 kg)
(\2page 375)
\4on a label below the driver’s seat on
an outward facing position of the
mounting pillar for vehicles with a
gross weight capacity above
10,000 lbs (4500 kg) (\2page 375)
The tire inflation pressure should be
checked regularly and should only be
adjusted on cold tires.
369 *Technical data
Tire inflation pressure
6
\3 Tire inflation pressureFor vehicles with a gross weight capacity
above 10,000 lbs (4500 kg) only.
For vehicles with a gross weight capacity
less than 10,000 lbs (4500 kg) observe the
recommended cold tire inflation pressures
listed on the tire and loading information
placard on the driver’s door B-pillar
(\2page 210).
Observe the information on recommended
tyre inflation pressure in the “Operation”
section (\2page 210).
The following table lists the recommended
cold tire inflation pressures for all load
conditions up to the maximum permissible
weight limits (GAWR). The tire inflation
pressures listed apply to the tires installed
as original equipment.
Set the correct tyre pressure before load-
ing the vehicle. If the vehicle has been
loaded, check the tyre pressures and cor-
rect them if necessary.The tires can be considered cold if the ve-
hicle has been parked for at least 3 hours
or driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km) at an
ambient temperature of approximately
68 °F (20 °C).
Keeping the tires properly inflated pro-
vides the best handling, tread life and
riding comfort.
Tire temperature and tire inflation pressure
are also increased while driving, depending
on the driving speed and the tire load.
Tire inflation pressure changes by approxi-
mately 1.5 psi (0.1 bar) per 18 °F (10 °C)
of air temperature change. Keep this in
mind when checking tire inflation pressure
where the temperature is different from
the outside temperature.
iIn addition to the following table the
recommended cold tire inflation pres-
sures are listed on a label below the
driver’s seat on an outward facing posi-
tion of the mounting pillar.
Warning
G
Follow recommended tire inflation pres-
sures.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires
wear excessively and/or unevenly, adverse-
ly affect handling and fuel economy, and are
more likely to fail from being overheated.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflated tires
can adversely affect handling and ride com-
fort, wear unevenly, increase stopping dis-
tance, and result in sudden deflation
(blowout) because they are more likely to
become punctured or damaged by road de-
bris, potholes etc.
371 *Technical data
Lashing points and carrier systems
6
\3 Lashing points and carrier systemsYou will find further information on the
lashing eyes in the "Operation" section
(\2page 158).Lashing eyes
The maximum tensile load of the lashing
eyes is:
Load rails*
The maximum tensile load of the lashing
points in the load compartment is:The specified values only apply to loads on
the load compartment floor if:
\4the load is secured to 2 lashing points
on the rail and
\4the distance to the next lashing point
used on the same rail is about 3 ft
(1 m).Lashing points!
CAUTION
Observe the data on the maximum
load-bearing capacity of the individual
lashing points.
During full-braking applications, for ex-
ample, forces can be involved that are
much greater than the weight force of
the load.
Always use several lashing points in or-
der to distribute force absorption, and
make sure that the lashing points have
an equal load.
Lashing eyes
Permissible nom-
inal tensile force
Crewbus
3500 N
Panel van
5000 N
Lashing point
Permissible nom-
inal tensile force
Load rails in the
load compartment
floor
5000 N
Lower load rail on
the side wall
2500 N
Upper load rail on
the side wall
1500 N
372 *Technical dataLashing points and carrier systems
6
Maximum roof load and minimum number
of pairs of roof rack supports on vehicles
with:
The data is valid when the load is distribut-
ed evenly over the entire roof area.
When using a shorter roof rack, reduce the
load proportionately.
The maximum load is 110 lbs (50 kg) per
pair of roof rack supports.Roof carrier systems
Maxi-
mum roof
load
Minimum
number of
pairs of
supports
Standard roof
660 lbs
(300 kg)
6
Raised roof
330 lbs
(150 kg)
3
!
CAUTION
The weight of any load carried on the
roof, including the roof rack, must not
exceed the maximum permissible roof
load.
The roof rack supports must be ar-
ranged at equal distances.
The manufacturer recommends that
you have an anti-roll bar installed on
the front axle.
Warning
G
High roof loads may cause a significant de-
terioration in handling, steering and braking
characteristics even if the maximum permis-
sible gross vehicle weight or axle loads have
not been exceeded.
Always ensure that loads are distributed
correctly and adapt your driving style in ac-
cordance with the load.
375 *Technical data
Vehicle identification labels
6
Example emission control information label
for gasoline engines
For vehicles with a gross weight capacity
less than 10,000 lbs (4500 kg) only.
The tire and loading information placard is
located on the driver’s door B-pillar.
1Tire and loading information placardFor tire and loading information, see
"Loading the vehicle" (\2page 205).
iThe data shown on the labels is for il-
lustrative purposes only. The data is
specific to each vehicle and may vary
from the data shown in the illustration.
Refer to the label on your vehicle for
data specific to your vehicle.
Tire and loading information placard
iThe data shown on the placard is for il-
lustrative purposes only. The load limit
data and seating data is specific to
each vehicle and may vary from the
data shown in the illustration.
Refer to the placard on your vehicle for
data specific to your vehicle.
377
Numerics
12 V socket
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
A
ABS
see Antilock Brake System
Acceleration skid control (ASR)
. . . 44
activating/deactivating
. . . . . . . . . . 45
display message
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
indicator lamp
. . . . . . . . . . . . 268
–270
malfunction
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
, 268
Accessory weight
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Accident
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Additional turn signal lamp
. . . . . . 307
ADR
see Operating speed governor
Air conditioning in the rear . . . . . . 136
Air conditioning, regulated
refrigerant
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 362
Air pressure
see Tire inflation pressure
Air vents
air distribution
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
in the rear
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Airbag
co-driver's . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33driver's
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
safety notes
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
thorax sidebag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
windowbag
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Air-conditioning system
see Tempmatic
Air-conditioning system in the rear
compartment
air cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Air-recirculation mode
air conditioning in the rear
. . . . . . . 136
rear heating
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Tempmatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Alarm
audible
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Anticorrosion/antifreeze fluid
. . . 363
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
. . . . . 42
display message
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
indicator lamp
. . . . . . . 268
, 269
, 271
malfunction
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Anti-theft alarm system (ATA)
. . . . . 47
malfunction
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
switching off the alarm
. . . . . . . . . . 47
Anti-theft system
immobilizer
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
see Anti-theft alarm
system (ATA)
Aquaplaning
see HydroplaningArmrest
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Ashtray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Aspect ratio
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
ASR
see Acceleration skid control
ASSYST
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
calling up the due date
vehicles with steering wheel
buttons
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
vehicles without steering wheel but-
tons
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Attaching lashing straps
. . . . . . . . 158
Attaching locking rods
. . . . . . . . . . 158
Audible alarm
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Automatic car wash
. . . . . . . . . . . . 242
headlamps
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
windshield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Automatic headlamp control
. . . . . . 78
Automatic locking
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
entire vehicle
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
rear doors
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Automatic transmission
. . . . . . . . . 121
accelerator pedal position . . . . . . . 123
changing gear yourself
. . . . . . . . . . 122
driving tips
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
fluid
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 362
gearshift pattern
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
kickdown
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
malfunctions
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Index
A