Page 322 of 666
320 OperationEngine compartment
4
Closing
Warning
G
Engine parts may be hot and can rotate.
There is a risk of injury if the hood is open
and the engine is running.
Only open the hood when the engine has
stopped and cooled down.
Warning
G
The engine has an electronic ignition sys-
tem which carries a high voltage. For this
reason, you must never touch the ignition
system components (ignition coil, test
socket) while:
\4the engine is running
\4the engine is being started
\4the key is in position2 in the ignition
lock and the engine is being cranked
by hand
Warning
G
Make sure that nobody can become
trapped as you close the hood.
nf_BA.book Page 320 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM
Page 323 of 666
321 Operation
Engine compartment
4
\1
Lift the hood gently.
\1
Push back support strut
3
(
\2
page 319).
\1
Let the hood drop from a height of
approximately 05. ft (30 cm).
The hood engages audibly.
\1
Check to make sure the hood is fully
closed.
If the hood can be raised slightly, it
is not properly engaged. Open it
again and allow it to drop from a
slightly greater height.
Warning
G
Make sure that the hood is securely en-
gaged before driving off. Do no continue
driving if the hood can no longer engage
after an accident, for example.
The hood could otherwise come loose
while the vehicle is in motion and endan-
ger you and/or others.
!
CAUTION
When you press the support strut
back, make sure that you do not
press it against the detent position
and cause it to bend.
!
CAUTION
Do not use your hands to push the
hood down. Doing so could damage
it.
nf_BA.book Page 321 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM
Page 324 of 666

322 OperationEngine compartment
4
Mechanical elements and the lubricants
used for them must be carefully
matched.
For this reason, only brands tested and
approved by the manufacturer should be
used. Please contact your Sprinter Deal-
er to obtain the necessary information.
No lubricant 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" (
\2
page 604) and con-
tact 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
higher if:
\4
the vehicle is new
\4
you mainly operate the vehicle under
arduous operating conditions
\4
you often drive at high engine
speeds
The engine oil consumption can only be
judged after a lengthy distance has been
covered.
Service products
Warning
G
If handled incorrectly, service products
can constitute a health risk for people and
an environmental hazard.
Always observe relevant guidelines for
handling, storing and disposing of service
products.
Engine oil
nf_BA.book Page 322 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM
Page 332 of 666

330 OperationEngine compartment
4
\1
Slowly unscrew cap
1
counter-
clockwise to reduce excess pres-
sure.
\1
Continue turning the cap and remove
it.
\1
Add coolant as far as the MAX mark.
\1
Twist cap
1
back on.
For coolant specifications, see "Service
products and capacities" (
\2
page 604).
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
temperature.
Wear gloves and eye protection. Only
open the coolant expansion tank when
the coolant temperature is less than
122 °F (50 °C).
Warning
G
Coolant contains glycol and is therefore
toxic. Do not swallow coolant. Consult a
doctor immediately if any coolant is swal-
lowed.
Do not allow coolant to come into contact
with your skin, eyes or clothing. In the
event of contact with the eyes, rinse them
thoroughly with clean water. Clean skin
and clothes immediately with soap and
water. Change out of soiled clothing with-
out delay.
!
CAUTION
Check the cooling and heating sys-
tems regularly for leaks. If a large
quantity of coolant is lost, have the
cause traced and rectified at an au-
thorized Sprinter Dealer.
nf_BA.book Page 330 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM
Page 334 of 666

332 OperationEngine compartment
4
!
CAUTION
Brake fluid corrodes paintwork. If
brake fluid comes into contact with
the paintwork, immediately rinse
with water.
If the brake fluid does not reach the
MIN mark, the vehicle’s hydraulic
system could be malfunctioning. Do
not add brake fluid under any cir-
cumstances. This will not solve the
problem.
Do not drive any further.
Have the system checked immediate-
ly at an authorized Sprinter Dealer.
Warning
G
Brake fluid is hazardous to health. Do not
swallow brake fluid. Consult a doctor im-
mediately if any brake fluid is swallowed.Brake fluid must not come into contact
with the skin, eyes or clothing. Wash af-
fected areas with plenty of clean water
and consult a doctor immediately if nec-
essary.You should always wear eye pro-
tection and gloves when you are adding
brake fluid.
Continued
Warning (Continued)
G
Only store brake fluid in its closed original
container and keep out of the reach of
children. Comply with safety regulations
when handling brake fluid.
nf_BA.book Page 332 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM
Page 335 of 666
333 Operation
Engine compartment
4
For specifications of brake fluid, see
"Service products and capacities"
(\2
page 616).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
system, this is also supplied from the
windshield washer reservoir.
1Coolant tank cap
2Brake fluid reservoir cap
3Windshield washer reservoir capAdd windshield washer fluid concentrate
to the water all year round.
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
stretches). This has a detrimental effect
on braking efficiency, which could in-
crease the stopping distance. This in-
creases the risk of an accident.
Have the brake fluid replaced every
two years.
Windshield washer system/
headlamp cleaning system*
N20.30-2063-31
nf_BA.book Page 333 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM
Page 336 of 666

334 OperationEngine compartment
4
Adapt the mixing ratio to the outside
temperature. Use:\4
Summerwash to protect against
smearing at temperatures above
freezing.
\4
Winterwash when there is a risk of
frost so that the water does not
freeze onto the windshield.
\1
Mix the windshield washer fluid in a
container and in the specified pro-
portions.
\1
Remove cap
3
.
\1
Fill up the windshield washer fluid.
\1
Press cap
3
back on.
Check assemblies regularly for leaks. In
the event of fluid loss (e.g. spots of oil
under the vehicle when it has been
parked), have the cause traced and rec-
tified immediately 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 purpose. All work relevant to safety
or on safety-related systems must be
carried out at an authorized Sprinter
Dealer.
Warning
G
Windshield washer concentrate is highly
flammable. Fire, open flames and smok-
ing are prohibited when you are handling
windshield washer concentrate.
Vehicle assemblies
nf_BA.book Page 334 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM
Page 337 of 666
335 Operation
Battery
4
\3 BatteryYour vehicle may be equipped with two
batteries, depending on the equipment
version:\4
Starter battery in the battery recess
in the driver’s footwell
\4
Auxiliary battery in the engine com-
partment*
Warning
G
A
Risk of explosion
When batteries are being
charged, explosive detonating
gas is emitted. Only charge bat-
teries in well-ventilated areas.
D
Risk of explosion
Because of the risk of explosion,
avoid creating sparks from fire,
open flames and smoking.
Continued
Warning (Continued)
G
B
Battery acid is caustic.
Wear acid-proof protective
gloves. Neutralize splashes of
acid on skin or clothing immedi-
ately with soapy water or acid
neutralizer and clean with wa-
ter.
Continued
nf_BA.book Page 335 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM