28 SafetyOccupant safety
2
Adjust the belt height in such a way that
the shoulder belt is routed over the middle
of the shoulder.Belt sash guide with height adjustment5Release button
\1To raise the belt height: slide belt
sash guide1 upward.
Belt sash guide1 engages in various
positions.
\1To lower the belt height: press and
hold release button 5.\1Slide belt sash guide1 to the desired
height.
\1Let go of release button5 and make
sure that belt sash guide1 engages.
The SRS (S
upplemental R
estraint S
ystem)
may consist of the following components,
depending on the equipment level:
\41 warning lamp
\4Emergency tensioning retractors
\4Belt force limiters
\4Airbag system with:
\4Airbag control unit
\4Airbags1 warning lamp
The SRS performs a self-test at regular in-
tervals when the ignition is switched on
and while the engine is running. Malfunc-
tions can therefore be detected in good
time.
The 1 warning lamp in the instrument
cluster (\2page 14) comes on for approxi-
mately 4 seconds when you switch on the
ignition.
SRS (Supplemental Restraint
System)
Warning
G
A malfunction has occurred if the 1
warning lamp:
\4does not come on when you switch on
the ignition
\4does not go out after approximately 4
seconds
\4lights up again
Individual systems may be activated unin-
tentionally or may not be triggered in the
event of an accident with a high rate of vehi-
cle deceleration.
30 SafetyOccupant safety
2
Vehicle deceleration or acceleration and
the direction of the force are essentially
determined by:
\4the distribution of the force during the
impact
\4the collision angle
\4the deformation characteristics of the
vehicle
\4the composition of the object involved
in the collision, for example the other
vehicle
Factors that cannot be seen or measured
until after the collision are not used to de-
termine whether the airbag should be trig-
gered and are not decisive for this.
The vehicle may be substantially deformed
without an airbag being triggered, for exam-
ple if only relatively easily-deformable vehicle
parts such as the hood or fenders are affect-
ed by the collision and the required deceler-
ation threshold is not reached. On the other
hand, airbags may be triggered even though
the vehicle only displays minor deformation,
if, for example, rigid vehicle parts such as a
longitudinal member are affected by the im-
pact, thus causing vehicle deceleration to ex-
ceed the pre-determined threshold. Emergency tensioning retractors, belt
force limiters
If the vehicle is equipped with a driver’s air-
bag, the driver’s and the co-driver’s seat
belts are equipped with emergency ten-
sioning retractors.
A belt force limiter additionally installed in
the seat belt reduces the load exerted by
the seat belt on the occupant when it is
triggered.
Emergency tensioning retractors tension
the seat belts in an accident, pulling them
close against the body. When the ignition is on, the emergency
tensioning retractor is activated:
\4only if the restraint systems are opera-
tional (the 1-warning lamp comes
on for approximately 4 seconds after
the ignition is switched on.)
(\2page 28).
\4in the event of a head-on or rear-end
collision, if there is a high rate of vehi-
cle acceleration or deceleration in the
initial stages of a collision
\4in the event of a side impact, if the ve-
hicle suddenly decelerates or acceler-
ates in a lateral direction at the initial
stage of the impact and the vehicle is
equipped with thorax / sidebags and /
or windowbags.
If the emergency tensioning retractors are
triggered, you will hear a bang that is gen-
erally harmless to your hearing. A small
amount of powder may also be released.
The 1 warning lamp lights up.
iEmergency tensioning retractors do
not correct:
\4incorrect sitting positions
\4incorrectly worn seat belts
Emergency tensioning retractors do
not pull occupants back towards the
backrest.
45 Safety
Driving safety systems
2
Activating/deactivating ASR
ASR is automatically activated as soon as
the engine is switched on.
It may be best to deactivate ASR in the fol-
lowing situations:
\4if snow chains are being used
\4in deep snow
\4on sand or gravel
If you deactivate ASR:
\4the engine’s torque is then no longer
limited and the drive wheels could spin;
the spinning wheels produce a cutting
effect for better traction
\4traction control still intervenes by brak-
ing if one drive wheel reaches its grip
limit, for example if the surface under
one side of the vehicle is slippery. The
wheel is then braked to increase trac-
tion in this situation.
\4ESP
® still intervenes to stabilize the ve-
hicleThe ASR switch is located on the center
console.
1To deactivate/activate ASR
\1To switch off: press upper section1
of the switch.
The v warning lamp in the speed-
ometer lights up.
\1To switch on: press upper section1
of the switch again.
Thev warning lamp in the speed-
ometer goes out.
Warning
G
ESP
® remains active despite ASR having
been deactivated and carries out braking in-
terventions if this is necessary to improve
driving stability. Thev warning lamp
flashes.
If ASR is deactivated, there is an increased
risk that the brake system of your vehicle
could overheat and be damaged when sub-
jected to high loads for a long period of time.
A hot brake system also increases the stop-
ping distance.
For this reason, only deactivate ASR when it
is absolutely necessary.
N54.25-2916-31
63 Controls in detail
Opening and closing
3
\1To close: make sure that the left-hand
rear door is closed.
\1Pull the right-hand rear door firmly
closed by the door handle.
\1To lock: slide catch2 to the right.
Only the rear door is locked.
The white marking is no longer visible.Using the central locking switch, you can
centrally lock or unlock from the inside ei-
ther the entire vehicle or the sliding doors
and rear doors only.The central locking switch is located on the
center console.
1To lock / unlock the entire vehicle
2To lock / unlock the sliding doors and
rear doorWarning
G
M a k e s u r e t h a t n o b o d y c a n b e c o m e t r a p p e d
as you close the rear door.
Locking and unlocking centrally
from the insideWarning
G
Do not leave children unsupervised in the
vehicle, even if they are secured by a child
restraint system. The children could:
\4injure themselves on parts of the vehicle
\4be severely or even fatally injured by
prolonged exposure to intense heat
If the children open a door, they could:
\4cause injury to others as a result
\4get out of the vehicle and could either
injure themselves when doing so or they
could be injured by passing vehicles
\4sustain serious injuries if they were to
fall out of the vehicle, due in particular
to the height of the passenger compart-
ment from the ground
iIf the key is in position0 or no longer in
the ignition lock, the indicator lamp in
the central locking switch lights up for
5 seconds after it is pressed. It lights
up permanently if the key is in position
1 or2 in the ignition lock.
N54.25-2917-31
78 Controls in detailLighting
3
\1Turn key to position1 in ignition lock
(\2page 67).
\1Turn light switch to B.
\1Press combination switch forward 1.
The indicator lampA in the instru-
ment cluster lights up.
Headlamp flasher
\1Turn key to position1 in ignition lock
(\2page 67).
\1Pull combination switch briefly in
direction2.
Constant headlamp mode*
On vehicles with steering wheel buttons,
you can set constant headlamp mode
(\2page 102). This does not apply to coun-
tries in which there is a legal requirement
to use constant headlamp mode.\1Turn light switch to M.
The low-beam headlamps, parking
lamps and license plate lamp are
switched on when the engine is
running.
TheB indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up.
Automatic headlamp control*
The parking lamps, low-beam headlamps
and license plate lamp are switched on au-
tomatically when the brightness of ambi-
ent light falls below a predetermined level.\1Turn light switch toU.
The parking lamps are switched on / off
automatically when the key is in posi-
tion 1 (\2page 67) in the ignition lock.
The parking lamps, low-beam head-
lamps and license plate lamp are
switched on / off automatically when
the engine is running, depending on the
ambient light conditions.
Only use manual headlamp mode when
you are driving in countries where driving
with the low-beam headlamps switched on
is required by law.
\1In this case, turn the light switch to
B.
Warning
G
If the light switch is atU:
\4the headlamps could switch off tempo-
rarily due to extreme glare, e.g. from on-
coming traffic
\4the lights do not switch on automatically
in foggy conditions
Set the light switch to B. Otherwise you
are endangering yourself and others.
If it is dark, only turn the light switch from
U toB when the vehicle is stationary.
You could otherwise cause an accident if the
headlamps were to switch off briefly.
Automatic headlamp mode is only a driving
aid. You are responsible for the vehicle’s
lighting at all times.
85 Controls in detail
Lighting
3
With the lights switched on, you can adjust
the brightness of the instrument lighting
using the and buttons.
\1Brighter: press the button.
\1Dimmer: press the button.The red band in the tachometer indicates
the engine’s overrevving range.
To protect the engine, the fuel supply is in-
terrupted when the red band is reached.
Warning
G
No messages can be displayed if the instru-
ment cluster and / or the display is malfunc-
tioning.
You will not then be able to see information
about the vehicle status, such as speed and
outside temperature, warning and indicator
lamps, malfunction and warning messages
or the malfunction of systems. Handling
characteristics may be affected.
Contact a qualified specialist workshop im-
mediately which has the necessary special-
ist 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 a qualified specialist workshop.
Only use adjustment buttons , , ,
or when traffic conditions permit.
You will otherwise be unable to observe road
and traffic conditions and could cause an ac-
cident.
Do not reach through the steering wheel to
press the adjustment buttons. This will
make the steering wheel much more difficult
to control. Your attention will also be divert-
ed from the road and traffic conditions. This
could cause you to lose control of the vehi-
cle and could lead to an accident.
Do not rest your head or chest on the steer-
ing wheel or dashboard when operating the
adjustment buttons. See the safety precau-
tions for airbags (\2page 31).Instrument lightingiVehicles with automatic headlamp
mode*:
The instrument lighting also adjusts in
line with the automatic headlamp
mode.
Tachometer!
CAUTION
Do not drive in the overrevving range.
Doing so could damage the engine.
Environmental note
H
Avoid high engine speeds. These could in-
crease your vehicle’s fuel consumption un-
necessarily and damage the environment
through increased pollutant emissions.SpeedometeriIn some countries, a signal sounds
when the vehicle reaches the maximum
speed limit, e.g. at 75 mph
(120 km/h).
115 Controls in detail
Driving and parking
3
Handbrake
The handbrake is located between the driv-
er’s seat and the co-driver’s seat.
1Lever
2Release knobApplying the handbrake
\1Pull lever1 up as far as the last de-
tent.
The7 indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up while the engine
is running.
Releasing the handbrake
\1Raise lever1 slightly and press re-
lease knob2.
\1Guide lever1 down to the stop.
The7 indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster goes out.Emergency braking
Normally, you are only permitted to apply
the handbrake when the vehicle is station-
ary.
In exceptional cases, the handbrake can
be used for emergency braking if the ser-
vice brake fails.
\1Keep release knob2 pressed and
carefully apply lever1.Warning
G
Never leave children unsupervised in the ve-
hicle. They could release the handbrake.
This could lead to a serious or fatal accident.!
CAUTION
You must only apply the handbrake
when the vehicle is stationary.
iOn vehicles with a folding handbrake
lever, you can then press lever1
down to the stop.iOn vehicles with a folding handbrake
lever, you must first pull lever1 up to
the stop.
Warning
G
The wheels on the rear axle could lock if the
handbrake lever is applied too abruptly. The
vehicle could then start to skid.
Make sure that you apply the handbrake le-
ver carefully to ensure that braking applica-
tion is moderated.
250 Practical hintsWhat to do if ...
5
Audible warning signalsWarning
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
The anti-theft alarm system is suddenly
triggered.
You have opened the vehicle using the key
while the anti-theft alarm system was still
primed.
Key:
\1Press theŒ button.
or
\1Insert the key into the ignition lock.
The anti-theft alarm system is deacti-
vated.
You hear a warning signal.
A message appears in the display.
\1Observe the instructions on
(\2page 281).
You are driving with the handbrake applied.
\1Release the handbrake
(\2page 115).
You opened the driver’s door and forgot to
switch off the lights.
\1Turn the light switch to0.
Warning
G
You are not wearing your seat belt.
\1Fasten your seat belt (\2page 25).