Page 329 of 666
327 Operation
Engine compartment
4
Diesel engine
1Engine oil filler neck
2Engine oil dipstickGasoline engine
1Engine oil filler neck
2Engine oil dipstick
\1
Pull out dipstick
2
.
\1
Wipe it clean with a lint-free cloth.
\1
Insert it into the dipstick tube as far
as the stop and pull it back out.iThe difference in the quantity of oil
between the upper and lower marks
on the dipstick is approx.\4
2 US qts (2 l) in vehicles with die-
sel engines
\4
3 US qts (3 l) in vehicles with gas-
oline engines
nf_BA.book Page 327 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM
Page 330 of 666
328 OperationEngine compartment
4
3
Engine oil dipstick
\1
Check 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.
\1
Add engine oil if necessary
(\2
page 328).
Adding engine oilFor specifications of engine oils see
"Service products and capacities"
(\2
page 604).
\1
Unscrew the cap on engine oil filler
neck
1
.
Make sure that you only fill the en-
gine oil as far as the upper
max
mark.
\1
Unscrew the cap on filler neck
1
. N18.00-2041-31
!
CAUTION
Have any excess engine oil drained
or siphoned off at an authorized
Sprinter Dealer. Otherwise, the en-
gine or catalytic 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 engine oil dripping down.
nf_BA.book Page 328 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM
Page 331 of 666
329 Operation
Engine compartment
4
The expansion tank is in the engine com-
partment. Only add coolant with the ve-
hicle standing on a level surface and
with the engine switched off. The cool-
ant temperature must have dropped be-
low 122 °F (50 °C).
1Coolant tank cap
2Brake fluid reservoir cap
3Windshield washer reservoir cap
Environmental note
H
Wh en addi n g o i l, ta ke c ar e n ot t o s pi ll a n y.
No engine oil must be allowed to enter
sewage systems, surface water, ground
water or soil.
You would otherwise be damaging the en-
vironment.
Dispose of engine oil in an environmental-
ly responsible manner. Comply with the
manufacturer’s instructions.
Coolant
N20.30-2063-31
nf_BA.book Page 329 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 333 of 666
331 Operation
Engine compartment
4
The reservoir is in the engine compart-
ment. Check the brake fluid level:\4
regularly, e.g. weekly or when refuel-
ing
\4
only with the vehicle standing on a
level surface and with the engine
switched off
1Coolant tank cap
2Brake fluid reservoir cap
3Windshield washer reservoir capThe brake fluid level must be between
the MIN and MAX marks.
Brake fluid
N20.30-2063-31
iThere is usually a notice in the engine
compartment to remind you when
the next brake fluid change is due.
nf_BA.book Page 331 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