
Verify compliance with weight limitations on
a weighbridge.
Trailer power supply
Your vehicle may be equipped with various
electrical fittings for trailer towing.
Depending on your trailer, you may need an
adapter to allow your trailer to be connected
to the vehicle. Information about your
vehicle's electrical equipment is available
from any authorized Sprinter Dealer.
!
Faulty wiring of the connector plug could
in certain circumstances cause other
electronic systems to
malfunction. For this
reason, we recommend having the wiring
of the connector plug performed at an
authorized Sprinter Dealer. Operation in winter
General notes
Have your vehicle winterized at a qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. an authorized
Sprinter Dealer, at the onset of winter.
This service includes the following:
R oil change, if the engine oil currently used
does not have adequate low temperature
characteristics or if these are no longer
sufficient due to aging
R the antifreeze/anticorrosion
concentration in the coolant is checked.
R the addition of a concentrated cleaning
agent to the water in the windshield
washer/headlamp cleaning system
R battery check
R a tire change
Prior to the
onset of winter, ensure that snow
chains are available in the vehicle.
Do not cover the surface of the radiator or the
radiator grill, even in winter. Doing so could
cause the engine diagnostics to record false
or incorrect data. Recording of engine
diagnostic data is legally prescribed and must therefore be correct, clear and
comprehensible at all times.
You
will find
information about diesel fuel for
use at low outside temperatures in the
"Operation" section ( Y page 154).
Please also observe the information about
winter driving (Y page 111).
You will find information about winter tires
and about driving with snow chains in the
"Wheel and tires" section (Y page 153). Service products
Fuel
G
Warning
Fuel is highly flammable. Fire, naked flames
and smoking as well as the use of auxiliary
heaters (sparks) are therefore prohibited
when handling fuel.
Switch off the
engine and the auxiliary heating
before refueling. G
Warning
Avoid any contact with fuels.
You can damage your health if your skin
comes into direct contact with fuel or if you
inhale fuel vapors.
! Filter the fuel
before transferring it to the
vehicle if you are refueling the vehicle from
barrels or containers.
This will prevent malfunctions in the fuel
system due to contaminated fuel.
! Refuel only with commercially available
vehicle diesel fuel, ULTRA-LOW SULFUR
DIESEL with a sulfur content no greater
than 15 ppm. Fuels such as fatty acid
methyl ester FAME (bio-diesel fuels),
marine diesel, heating oil etc. may not be
used as a diesel fuel mixture.
Refuel with B5 bio-diesel only if it fulfills the
requirements listed under "Fuel quality". Service products
153
Operation Z

X
Push hood catch release handle 0047
upwards. X
Swing the hood upwards until support strut
008A engages and the hood is supported.
Closing the hood G
Warning
When closing the hood be careful that nobody
becomes trapped.
X Lift the hood slightly.
X Press support strut 008A towards the back.
! When you press the support strut back,
make sure that you do not press it against
the detent position and cause it to bend.
X Lower the hood and let it drop shut from a
height of approximately 1 ft (30 cm).
The hood engages audibly. If the hood can
be raised slightly, it is not properly
engaged.
X If
the hood is not properly engaged, open it
once more and
allow it to drop shut from a
slightly greater height.
! Do not use your hands to push the hood
down. You could damage it otherwise. Maintenance points under the hood
0046
Coolant tank cap (Y page 169)
0047 Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) filler neck
cap 4
(Y page 143)
008A Engine oil filler neck cap (Y page 171)
0088 Brake fluid reservoir cap (Y page 170)
0086 Washer fluid reservoir cap (Y page 171) Coolant level
Only add coolant
with the vehicle standing on
a level surface and with the engine switched
off. The coolant temperature must have
dropped below 122 ‡ (50 †). G
Warning
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.
4 Only on Cargo Van/Passenger Van. Maintenance
169
Operation
Z

Only open the coolant expansion tank when
the coolant temperature is below 122 ‡
(50 †).
G
Warning
Coolant contains glycol and is therefore toxic.
Do not swallow the coolant. See a doctor
immediately if you swallow coolant.
Make sure that coolant does not come into
contact with skin,
eyes or clothing. In case of
contact with eyes, rinse immediately with
plenty of clean water. Clean affected areas of
skin and clothing with soap and water
immediately. Change any affected clothing
immediately.
X Slowly turn cap 0046 counter-clockwise and
allow the excess pressure to escape.
X Turn cap 0046 further and remove it.
X Add coolant until it is at the MAX mark.
Observe the correct coolant mixture ratio
and the required water quality
(Y page 160).
X Replace cap 0046 and tighten
it until the stop.
! Check the cooling and heating system
regularly for leaks.
If a large quantity of coolant is lost, have
the cause traced
and rectified at a qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. an authorized
Sprinter Dealer. Clutch mechanism and brake system
G
Warning
Brake fluid is hazardous to health. Do not
swallow brake fluid.
See a doctor immediately
if you swallow brake fluid.
Make sure that brake fluid does not come into
contact with skin, clothing or eyes. Rinse
affected areas with plenty of clean water and
consult a doctor if necessary.
Always wear gloves and eye protection when
topping up brake fluid. Store brake fluid only in the original closed
container and keep it out of the reach of
children. Comply with safety regulations
when handling brake fluid.
G
Warning
If the
boiling point of the brake fluid is too low,
vapor pockets may form in the brake system
when the brakes
are subjected to a heavy load
(e.g. on long downhill stretches). This would
impair braking efficiency. The vehicle's
stopping distance may then be longer. This
increases the risk of an accident.
Have the brake fluid renewed every two years.
The brake fluid reservoir is located in the
engine compartment.
Check the brake fluid level:
R regularly, e.g. weekly or when refueling
R only with the vehicle standing on a level
surface and with the engine switched off
! Brake fluid corrodes paint, plastic and
rubber. If paint, plastic or rubber has come
into contact with brake fluid, rinse with
water immediately. 0046
Brake fluid reservoir cap
The brake fluid level must be between the
MIN and
MAX marks.
! If the brake fluid does not reach the
MIN mark, the vehicle's hydraulic system
could be faulty. Do not add brake fluid
under any circumstances. This will not
rectify the malfunction.
Do not drive any further. 170
Maintenance
Operation

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
0050 Solutions00B4
The yellow
engine oil level
warning lamp
lights up
repeatedly while
the vehicle is in
motion. There is a malfunction in the engine oil level display.
X
Have the vehicle checked immediately at a qualified specialist
workshop. 0041
The yellow
coolant level
warning lamp
lights up while
the engine is
running. The coolant level is too low.
Never run the engine if the coolant level is too low. The engine
could overheat and be damaged.
X
Stop the vehicle as soon as possible, paying attention to road
and traffic conditions.
X Switch off the engine and let it cool down.
X Add coolant and be sure to observe the warning notes
(Y page 169).
X If you need to add coolant frequently, have the cooling system
checked at a qualified specialist workshop. 00AE
The red coolant
warning lamp
lights up while
the engine is
running. The coolant temperature is too high.
X
Stop the vehicle as soon as possible, paying attention to road
and traffic conditions.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. 00AE
The red coolant
warning lamp
lights up while
the engine is
running. The coolant temperature is too high.
If the vehicle is stopped after being subjected to extreme loads
(e.g. driving in mountainous terrain, trailer towing), the coolant
warning lamp may
light up when the ignition is switched on or the
engine is restarted.
X Run the engine for approximately one minute at idling speed.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop if the coolant warning
lamp remains lit. 00B7
0080
The yellow
reserve fuel
warning lamp
lights up while
driving. The fuel level has fallen into the reserve range.
X
Refuel at the nearest gas station ( Y page 142). Troubleshooting
193
Practical advice Z

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
0050 Solutions0065
Brake force
distribution G
Warning!
EBD has been deactivated due to undervoltage.
The battery might not be charging.
The rear wheels
could lock sooner than expected when you apply
the brakes.
X Pull over immediately, paying attention to road and traffic
conditions.
X Do not continue driving.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 0065
Brake force
distribution Visit
workshop G
Warning!
EBD has malfunctioned.
The rear wheels
could lock sooner than expected when you apply
the brakes.
X Pull over immediately, paying attention to road and traffic
conditions.
X Do not continue driving.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. 0066
Parking brake
Release brake A warning tone also sounds.
You are driving with the parking brake applied.
X
Release the parking brake ( Y page 112).0082
Seatbelt sys.
Visit workshop G
Warning!
The belt system has malfunctioned.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop as soon as possible. 00AE
Coolant Stop,
turn
engine off The coolant temperature is too high.
X
Pull over immediately, paying attention to road and traffic
conditions.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. 00AE
Coolant Stop,
turn
engine off The coolant temperature is too high.
If the vehicle is stopped after being subjected to extreme loads
(e.g. driving in mountainous terrain, trailer towing, etc.), this
display message may be shown when the ignition is switched on
or the engine is restarted.
X
Run the engine for approximately one minute at idling speed.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop if the display message
continues to be shown.206
Troubleshooting
Practical advice

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
0050 SolutionsThe auxiliary heating
does not switch on. The outside temperature is above 39 ‡ (4 †).
The auxiliary heating
switches off automatically. The auxiliary heating
does not switch on. Lack of fuel
The tank is less than one quarter full. The auxiliary heating
switches off automatically.
X
Refuel at the nearest gas station.
X Then, start the auxiliary heating several times until the fuel lines
are full. The auxiliary heating
does not switch on. The undervoltage protection circuit integrated in the control unit
switches off the
auxiliary heating because the on-board voltage is
less than 10 V.
X Have the alternator and battery checked. The auxiliary heating
does not switch on. The fuse is blown.
X
Replace the fuse ( Y page 239).
X Have the cause of the blown fuse determined at a qualified
specialist workshop. The auxiliary heating
does not switch on. The heater is faulty.
X
Have the auxiliary heating checked at a qualified specialist
workshop. The auxiliary heating is
overheated. The coolant level is too low.
X
Check the coolant level and top up if necessary (Y page 169). Central locking system
G
Warning
The operating safety of your vehicle could be jeopardized if maintenance work is carried out
incorrectly. As a
result, you could lose control of the vehicle and cause an accident. In addition,
the safety systems may no longer be able to protect you or others as they are designed to do.
Always have maintenance work carried out at a qualified specialist workshop. The qualified
specialist workshop must have the necessary specialist knowledge and tools to carry out the
work required. We recommend visiting an authorized Sprinter Dealer. In particular, work relevant
to safety or on safety-related systems must be carried out at a qualified specialist workshop. Troubleshooting
217
Practical advice Z