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.
190 OperationEngine
4
Gasoline engine1Engine oil filler neck
2Engine oil dipstick
\1Pull out dipstick2.
\1Wipe it clean with a lint-free cloth.
\1Insert it into the dipstick tube as far as
the stop and pull it back out.
3Engine oil dipstick
\1Check the engine oil level.
The oil level is correct if the oil is be-
tween the lower min and upper max
marks on the dipstick.\1Add engine oil if necessary
(\2page 190).
Adding engine oil
For specifications of engine oils see "Ser-
vice products and capacities"
(\2page 355).
\1Unscrew the cap on engine oil filler
neck1.
Make sure that you only fill the engine
oil as far as the upper max mark.
\1Unscrew the cap on filler neck1.
iThe difference in the quantity of oil be-
tween the upper and lower marks on
the dipstick is approx.
\42 US qts (2 l) in vehicles with diesel
engines
\43 US qts (3 l) in vehicles with gaso-
line engines
N18.00-2041-31
!
CAUTION
Have any excess engine oil drained or
siphoned off at an authorized Sprinter
Dealer. Otherwise, the engine or cata-
lytic converter could be damaged.
The alternator is underneath the en-
gine oil filler neck. For this reason, add
the engine oil carefully. There is a risk
of damage to the alternator from en-
gine oil dripping down.
191 Operation
Engine
4
The expansion tank is in the engine com-
partment. Only add coolant with the vehi-
cle standing on a level surface and with the
engine switched off. The coolant tempera-
ture must have dropped below 122 °F
(50 °C).1Coolant tank cap
2Brake fluid reservoir cap
3Windshield washer reservoir cap
\1Slowly unscrew cap1 counterclock-
wise to reduce excess pressure.
\1Continue turning the cap and remove
it.
\1Add coolant as far as the MAX mark.
\1Twist cap1 back on.
For coolant specifications, see "Service
products and capacities" (\2page 355).Environmental note
H
When adding oil, take care not to spill any.
No engine oil must be allowed to enter sew-
age systems, surface water, ground water or
soil.
You would otherwise be damaging the envi-
ronment.
Dispose of engine oil in an environmentally
responsible manner. Comply with the manu-
facturer’s instructions.Coolant
Warning
G
When opening the coolant expansion tank
there is a risk of scalding from hot coolant
spraying out. The cooling system and the
coolant expansion tank are pressurized
when the engine is at normal operating tem-
perature.
Wear gloves and eye protection. Only open
the coolant expansion tank when the cool-
ant temperature is less than 122 °F (50 °C).
N20.30-2063-31
Warning
G
Coolant contains glycol and is therefore tox-
ic. Do not swallow coolant. Consult a doctor
immediately if any coolant is swallowed.
Do not allow coolant to come into contact
with your skin, eyes or clothing. In the event
of contact with the eyes, rinse them thor-
oughly with clean water. Clean skin and
clothes immediately with soap and water.
Change out of soiled clothing without delay.
193 Operation
Engine
4
For specifications of brake fluid, see
"Service products and capacities"
(\2page 362).The windshield washer reservoir is in the
engine compartment. It holds approx.
7.4 US qt (7.0 l).
On vehicles with a headlamp cleaning sys-
tem, this is also supplied from the wind-
shield washer reservoir.
1Coolant tank cap
2Brake fluid reservoir cap
3Windshield washer reservoir cap
Add windshield washer fluid concentrate
to the water all year round.Adapt the mixing ratio to the outside tem-
perature. Use:
\4Summerwash to protect against
smearing at temperatures above freez-
ing.
\4Winterwash when there is a risk of frost
so that the water does not freeze onto
the windshield.
\1Mix the windshield washer fluid in a
container and in the specified propor-
tions.
\1Remove cap3.
\1Fill up the windshield washer fluid.
\1Press cap3 back on.You should always wear eye protection and
gloves when you are adding brake fluid.
Only store brake fluid in its closed original
container and keep out of the reach of chil-
dren. Comply with safety regulations when
handling brake fluid.Warning
G
If the boiling point of the brake fluid is too
low, vapor pockets may form in the brake
system when the brakes are applied hard
(e.g. when driving on long downhill stretch-
es). This has a detrimental effect on braking
efficiency, which could increase the stop-
ping distance. This increases the risk of an
accident.
Have the brake fluid replaced every
two years.
Windshield washer system/head-
lamp cleaning system*
N20.30-2063-31
Warning
G
Windshield washer concentrate is highly
flammable. Fire, open flames and smoking
are prohibited when you are handling wind-
shield washer concentrate.
237 Operation
Maintenance and servicing
4
\3 Maintenance and servicing
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.
Observe the information on spare parts in
the “Technical data” section
(\2page 352).
Warning
G
Before carrying out maintenance operations
and repairs, please make sure that you read
the relevant sections of the technical docu-
mentation, such as:
\4Operating instructions and workshop in-
formation
Familiarize yourself in advance in particular
with legal requirements, such as:
\4Safety at work and accident prevention
regulations.
You may otherwise fail to recognize dangers
and could injure yourself or others.
When working underneath the vehicle, you
must place the vehicle on stands with suffi-
cient load-bearing capacity.
Never use the vehicle jack instead. There is
a risk that the vehicle jack could give way
and the vehicle could drop, seriously injuring
yourself or others, or causing damage to
property.
The jack is only designed to raise the vehicle
for a short time.
Always have the maintenance work carried
out and checked 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 car-
ried out at an authorized Sprinter Dealer.
Service products
355 *Technical data
Service products and capacities
6
\3 Service products and capacitiesService products are:
\4fuels
\4lubricants (e.g. engine oils, transmis-
sion oils, hydraulic fluids, greases)
\4antifreeze additives, coolant
\4brake fluid
Service products are tested for suitability
in our assemblies. Approved service prod-
ucts meet the highest quality standards.
For this reason, only use service products
that have been approved for your vehicle.
This is an important condition for warranty
claims to be upheld. Information about ap-
proved service products is available from
all authorized Sprinter Dealers.
You will find details about windshield
washer fluid in the “Operation” section
(\2page 193).
It is neither necessary nor permissible to
mix special additives with approved ser-
vice products (except for approved fuel ad-
ditives). Therefore, special additives must
not be mixed with fuels or lubricants. The properties of the service products could be
adversely affected by special additives and
result in damage to the assemblies.
The vehicle operator is responsible at all
times for any use of special additives. The
use of special additives may result in a lim-
itation or an invalidation of your warranty
entitlement.
Warning
G
Failure to use fluids and lubricants which
meet the standards and specifications de-
scribed in this booklet or failure to adhere to
the specified replacement intervals may re-
sult in damage to safety/ and/or emissions-
related systems of your vehicle, such as the
brake system, which could cause an acci-
dent and/or serious injury to you and oth-
ers.
Use only fluids and lubricants meeting the
standards and specifications and adhere to
specified replacement intervals.
!
CAUTION
Damage caused by the use of non-ap-
proved service products is not covered
by the Sprinter warranty.
Warning
G
Service products constitute a health hazard.
They contain toxic and highly corrosive con-
stituents.
For this reason, bear the following points in
mind to avoid injury to yourself and others:
\4Do not inhale fumes. Make sure that en-
closed spaces are adequately ventilated
to prevent poisoning.
\4Service products must not come into
contact with the skin, eyes or clothing. If
contact is made with a service product,
clean the affected areas of skin with wa-
ter and soap to prevent burns and other
injuries.
\2\2
356 *Technical dataService products and capacities
6
Valid Mercedes-Benz oil specification
sheets:Always refer to the following viscosity
chart for the proper viscosity grade based
on ambient temperature. Select oil viscos-
ity according to the lowest air temperature
expected before the next oil change.
This chart supersedes ALL previously pub-
lished viscosity charts.
For further information contact your autho-
rized Sprinter Dealer.
\4Rinse thoroughly with plenty of water in
case of contact with eyes. Consult a
doctor immediately if a service product
is swallowed.
\4Change out of clothing soiled with ser-
vice products immediately to avoid the
risk of fire and other injuries.
\4Fire, naked flames and smoking are
therefore prohibited when handling ser-
vice products due to their highly flam-
mable nature.
\4Keep service products out of the reach
of children.
\4You must observe the notes on danger
concerning the risk of poisoning, acid
burns and fire on the service product
containers.Environmental note
H
Dispose of service products in an environ-
mentally responsible manner.
Engine oils!
CAUTION
Engine oils are labeled on the container
with various ACEA (Association des
Constructeurs Européens d’Automo-
biles) and/or API (American Petroleum
Institute) designations of quality.
DaimlerChrysler Vans LLC recom-
mends the use of MB approved engine
oils listed in the Mercedes-Benz oil
specification sheets MB 229.3, 229.5
and 229.51 which also meet ACEA
and/or API classifications listed on the
following chart. Only engine oils (in-
cluding synthetic) with any of the fol-
lowing classification grades, or
combinations thereof, are approved.
Engine
MB sheet
Gasoline
M272
229.3, 229.31
229.5, 229.51
Diesel
OM642
228.51, 229.31,
229.51
357 *Technical data
Service products and capacities
6
The following oils have been
determined to meet the DaimlerChrysler
requirements as shown below:MB approved engine
oil
SAE
MB sheet
Castrol Syntec 5W-40
5W-40
229.3
Castrol Syntec 0W-30
European Formula
0W-30
229.5
Chevron Supreme
Synthetic Motor Oil
SAE 5W-40
5W-40
229.31
Fuchs Titan Cargo
Maxx SAE 10W-40
10W-40
228.51
Fuchs Titan GT1 SAE
5W-30
5W-30
229.51
Fuchs Titan Supersyn
Longlife SAE 5W-30
5W-30
229.3
229.5
Havoline Ultra S 5W-
30
5W-30
229.31
Havoline Ultra S 5W-
40
5W-40
229.31
High Star
5W-30
229.3
Lotos Economic SL/
CF
5W-30
229.3
Lotos Syntetic Auto
Diesel CF
5W-40
229.3
Lotos Syntetic SL/SJ/
CF/CD
5W-40
229.3
Mobil 1 0W-40
0W-40
229.3
229.5
Mobil 1 5W-50
5W-50
229.3
Mobil 1 ESP Formula
MB
5W-40
229.51
Mopar Part No
68001334AA
5W-30
229.51
Pennzoil Platinum
Synthetic Ultra
Diesel
5W-30
229.51
Pennzoil European
Formula Ultra
5W-30
229.5
Pennzoil Platinum Eu-
ropean Formula
5W-40
229.3
Pento High Perfor-
mance 5W-30 LA
5W-30
229.31
Pento High Perfor-
mance 5W-40
5W-40
229.3
Pento High Perfor-
mance 5W-40 LA
5W-40
229.31
The following oils have been
determined to meet the DaimlerChrysler
requirements as shown below:MB approved engine
oil
SAE
MB sheet
Pentosin Diesel 10W-
40 LA
10W-40
228.51
Pentospeed
0W-30
229.3
Pentospeed 0W-30
VS*
0W-30
229.3
229.5
Q Diesel Plus
5W-30
229.51
Q European Engine
5W-40
229.3
Q European Engine Ul-
tra
5W-30
229.5
Quaker State Euro
Synthetic Ultra
Diesel
5W-30
229.51
Shell Helix Ultra AX
5W-30
229.51
Shell Rimula Signia
10W-40
228.51
Texaco Havoline Syn-
thetic Motor Oil SAE
5W-40
5W-40
229.31
Valvoline SynPower
MST
5W-30
229.51
The following oils have been
determined to meet the DaimlerChrysler
requirements as shown below:MB approved engine
oil
SAE
MB sheet