
!
In order to avoid consequential damage,
repair damage caused by loose chippings
and remove any dirt immediately, in
particular:
R insect remains
R bird droppings
R flash rust
R tree resin
R oils and grease
R fuels
R tar stains
R salt residue
Wash your vehicle
more frequently if it gets
dirty more often.
! Do not park the vehicle for an extended
period right after cleaning it, particularly
after having cleaned the wheels with wheel
cleaner. Wheel cleaners could cause
increased corrosion of the brake discs and
brake pads/linings. Generally, park the
vehicle at operating temperature after
cleaning.
PARKTRONIC sensors PARKTRONIC sensors (example: front bumper, left
side of vehicle)
0046
Sensors
Clean all the sensors in the front and rear
bumpers with water, shampoo and a soft
cloth.
! Do not
use
dry, coarse or hard cloths and
do not scrub. You will otherwise scratch or
damage the sensors. If you clean the sensors with a power
washer or steam cleaner, observe the
information provided by the manufacturer
regarding the distance to be maintained
between the vehicle and the nozzle of the
power washer.
Rear-view camera lens Rear-view camera in the middle of the roof above
the high-mounted brake lamp
0046
Rear-view camera lens
0047 Microphone openings
Make sure not to put any wax on the lens of
rear-view camera 0046 when waxing the
vehicle. If necessary, remove the wax using
water, shampoo and a soft cloth.
! Do not
use
dry, coarse or hard cloths and
do not scrub. You could otherwise scratch
or damage the lens of the rear-view
camera.
When cleaning the vehicle with a high-
pressure or steam cleaner, observe a
minimum distance of 1.6 ft (50 cm) to the
rear-view camera.
To avoid damaging the rear-view camera,
do not aim directly at the rear-view camera
or the microphone openings on the bottom
of the rear-view camera.
Outside of the windshield and wiper
blades G
Warning
Before cleaning the windshield or wiper
blades, turn the key to 0 in the ignition lock. Cleaning and care
163
Operation
Z

The windshield wipers may otherwise move
and injure you.
X Turn the key to position 0 in the ignition
lock or remove it.
! Do not fold the windshield wipers away
from the windshield unless the hood is
closed. Otherwise, you could damage the
hood.
X Fold the wiper arms away from the
windshield until you feel them engage.
X Clean the windshield and the wiper blades.
X Fold the windshield wipers back again
before switching on the ignition.
Headlamps Wipe the headlamp lenses with a wet sponge.
! Only use washer
fluid which is suitable for
plastic lamp lenses. Unsuitable washer
fluid could damage the plastic lamp lenses
of the headlamps.
Therefore, do not use:
R dry cloths
R abrasive products
R solvents
R cleaning products containing solvents
You could otherwise scratch or damage the
surface of the lenses.
Sliding door Clean the contact plates and the tips of the
contact pins around the sliding door with
water, shampoo and a soft cloth.
Do not oil or grease the contact plates and
contact pins.
Remove foreign objects. Power washers
! Maintain the following minimum
distances between the high-pressure
nozzle and the object being cleaned:
R approximately 2.2 ft (70 cm)
when using
round-jet nozzles
R approximately 1 ft (30 cm) when using
25° flat-spray jets and concentrated-
power jets
Keep the water jet moving while cleaning.
To avoid causing damage, do not point the
water jet directly at:
R door joints
R brake hoses
R electrical components
R plug connections
R seals
R the drive train, especially not at the
intermediate bearing of the propeller
shaft
R the rear-view camera or the microphone
opening on the bottom of the rear-view
camera. Keep a minimum distance of
1.6 ft (50 cm). G
Warning
Do not
use round-jet nozzles to clean the tires.
The pulsating water jet can cause damage to
the substructure of
the tires that is not visible
from the outside. This type of damage only
becomes noticeable at a much later stage and
can cause the tires to burst. This could cause
you to lose control of the vehicle, resulting in
an accident and injuring yourself or others.
Replace damaged tires immediately. Automatic car wash
If the vehicle is very dirty, prewash it before
you put it through an automatic car wash. G
Warning
If a wax preservative is applied after the
vehicle is washed,
you should remove the wax164
Cleaning and care
Operation

service. You will also see a minus sign before
the service due date.
Calling up the service due date
X
Turn the key to position 2 in the ignition
lock.
The display is activated.
Vehicles with steering wheel buttons
X Press the 0059 or 0058 button on the
steering wheel repeatedly
until you see the
standard display (Y page 77).
X Press the 0029 or 002D button on the
steering wheel repeatedly
until you see the
following in the display, for example:
R 009B Service A in ... days
R 009B Service A in ... mi (km)
Vehicles without steering wheel buttons
X Press the 007B menu button on the
instrument cluster repeatedly until the
009B or 009C symbol for the service
appears.
Additionally you will see the remaining
distance in miles ( mi) or kilometers ( km) or
the remaining time in days ( d).Hood
Opening the hood G
Warning
Do not pull the release lever while the vehicle
is in motion.
If you do so, the hood may open
up and block your view. G
Warning!
There is a risk of injury if the hood is open,
even if the engine is not running.
Some engine components can become very
hot.
To avoid the risk of burns, only touch those
components described in the Operator's
Manual and observe
the relevant safety notes. G
Warning
The radiator fan between the radiator and the
engine can start
automatically, even if the key
has been removed from the ignition lock.
Keep away from the area of rotation of the fan
blades. You could otherwise be injured.
The electronic injector control operates at
high voltage. For this reason, you must never
touch injection system components while:
R the engine is running.
R the engine is being started.
R the ignition is switched on.
You could otherwise receive an electric shock
and be severely or fatally injured. Hood release lever in the driver's footwell
X
Pull release handle 0046.
The hood is released.
! Make sure
that
the windshield wipers are
not folded away from the windshield. You
could otherwise damage the windshield
wipers or the hood. 168
Maintenance
Operation

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

Have the system checked immediately at a
qualified specialist workshop, e.g. at an
authorized Sprinter Dealer.
i There is usually a notice in the engine
compartment to remind
you when the next
brake fluid change is due. Windshield washer system/
headlamp cleaning system
Add windshield washer concentrate to the
washer fluid all year round. G
Warning
Windshield washer concentrate is highly
flammable.
Fire, naked flames
and smoking are therefore
prohibited when you are handling windshield
washer concentrate.
! Only use washer fluid concentrate which
is suitable for plastic lenses. Unsuitable
washer fluid concentrate could damage the
plastic lenses of the headlamps.
Adapt the mixing ratio to the ambient
temperature. If the temperature is above
freezing, use Summerwash to prevent
smearing. If there is a risk of frost, use
Winterwash to prevent the water from
freezing on the windshield.
The washer fluid reservoir has a capacity of
approximately 6.3 US qt (6.0 l). X
Mix the washer fluid to the appropriate
mixing ratio in a container beforehand.
X Remove washer fluid reservoir cap 0046.X
Add washer fluid.
X Replace cap 0046. Engine oil level
You will find information about engine oil
consumption in the "Driving tips" section
(Y page 141).
Check the engine oil level on a regular basis,
e.g. weekly or each time you refuel.
Checking the engine oil level in the
display Depending on the vehicle's equipment, in
vehicles with a diesel engine, the engine oil
level is shown in the display.
Only check the engine oil level when the
engine is at operating temperature.
X
Park the vehicle on a level surface.
X Switch off the engine.
X Wait for five minutes.
X Turn the key to position 2 in the ignition
lock.
The display is activated.
i If at extremely low temperatures no
engine oil level is displayed after five
minutes, repeat the engine oil level check
after a further five minutes.
If an oil level reading is still not displayed,
check the engine
oil level with the dipstick.
Have the oil level display checked at a
qualified specialist workshop, e.g. at an
authorized Sprinter Dealer.
Vehicles without steering wheel buttons
X Press the 007B menu button on the
instrument cluster repeatedly until the
display shows the 00B1 symbol.
The --:-- display flashes
while the oil level
is being measured. Maintenance
171
Operation Z

The following messages may be displayed:
00B1
OK X
Do not add oil. – 1.0 qts X
Add the amount of oil
shown (Y page 173).
X Check the engine oil
level again after a few
minutes. – 1.5 qts
– 2.0 qts
HI X
Have excess oil
removed. The oil
level is
too high. Measurement units in the display:
R
qts USA only
R ltr Canada only
Vehicles with steering wheel buttons
X Press the 00A4 button on the instrument
cluster (Y page 70).
The following message is displayed for the
duration of the measurement process:
00B4Engine oil
level
Measuring in
progress
The following messages may be displayed: 00B1
Engine oil
level OK X
Do not add oil. Engine oil
Add 1.0
quart X
Add the amount of oil
shown (Y page 173).
X Check the engine oil
level again after a few
minutes. Engine oil
Add 1.5
quarts
Engine oil
Add 2.0
quarts Engine oil
level
Reduce oil
level X
Have excess oil
removed. The oil
level is
too high. Eng. oil
lev. Turn
ignition
on for
level X
Turn the key to position
2 in the ignition lock. Observe
wait.
period X
Repeat the
measurement after
about five minutes
if the
engine is at normal
operating temperature.
X Repeat the
measurement after
about 30 minutes if the
engine is not at normal
operating temperature. Engine oil
level Not
when eng.
running X
Switch off the engine
and wait for
approximately five
minutes, if the engine is
at normal operating
temperature, before
performing the
measurement. Measurement units in the display:
R
quart(s) USA only
R liter(s) Canada only
Checking the engine oil level using the
dipstick Vehicles with a red oil dipstick: only check the
oil level when the engine is at normal
operating temperature.
X
Park the vehicle on a level surface.
X Switch off the engine.
X Wait for five minutes.172
Maintenance
Operation

X
To install the air filter: insert the filter
mat.
X Put cover 0046 on. Vehicle assemblies
Check the assemblies regularly for leaks. If
fluid is being lost (e.g. there are oil stains
where the vehicle is parked), have the cause
found and rectified
immediately at a qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. an authorized
Sprinter Dealer.
0040Environmental note
When used improperly, service products are
harmful to the environment.
Do not allow service products to enter the
sewage system, surface
waters, ground water
or soil. Replacing the wiper blades
G
Warning
If the windshield wipers are set to intermittent
wipe or the rain/light sensor is active, the
windshield wipers could start moving at any
time and injure you or others.
Always remove the
key from the ignition lock
before replacing the wiper blades. G
Warning
Wiper blades are wear parts. Change the
wiper blades every six months, ideally in the
spring and fall.
Otherwise, the windshield and
rear window will not be wiped properly. This
may prevent you from observing the traffic
conditions, thereby causing an accident.
! Do not open the hood when a wiper arm
is folded away from the windshield.
Otherwise, you could damage the hood.
Do not fold the wiper arms back onto the
windshield without wiper blades fitted as
this could scratch the windshield. !
Only touch the windshield wiper where it
connects to the wiper arm. You could
otherwise damage the
wiper blade inserts.
Removing X
Apply the parking brake.
X On vehicles with automatic transmission,
move the selector lever to position P.
X Turn the key to position 1 in the ignition
lock. Front wiper arm with windshield wiper
X
Fold wiper arm 008A away from the
windshield.
X Set windshield wiper 0046 at right angles to
the wiper arm.
X Press two retaining clips 0047 together
in
the
direction of the arrow and swing windshield
wiper 0046 away from wiper arm 008A.
X Pull windshield wiper 0046 up and out of the
retainer on wiper arm 008A.
Installing X
Slide windshield wiper 0046 into the retainer
on wiper arm 008A.
X Press windshield wiper 0046 onto wiper arm
008A until you
hear retaining clips 0047 engage.
X Fold wiper arm 008A onto the windshield
again. 174
Maintenance
Operation

Disconnecting the battery
G
Warning
There is a risk of a short circuit if the positive
terminal of the
connected battery comes into
contact with any part of the vehicle. This could
cause the flammable gas mix to ignite. You
and others could be seriously injured.
R Do not place any metal objects or tools on
the batteries.
R When disconnecting the batteries, always
disconnect the negative terminal clamp
before the positive terminal clamp.
R When connecting the batteries, always
connect the positive terminal clamp before
the negative terminal clamp.
R Do not disconnect or connect the batteries
when the engine is running.
! Switch off the engine and remove the key
from the ignition lock before you loosen or
disconnect the terminal clamps. You may
otherwise destroy electronic components
such as the alternator.
Always disconnect the starter battery in the
battery case in the driver's footwell first.
! Always disconnect the battery in
the order described below. Never swap the
terminal clamps. You may otherwise
damage the vehicle electronics.
X Switch off all electrical consumers.
Disconnecting the starter battery
The starter battery is located in the battery
case in the driver's footwell. Removing/installing the floor covering in
the driver's footwell X
To remove: remove screws 008A
and take off
trim 0047.
X Remove floor covering 0046.
X To install: replace floor covering
0046 in the
driver's footwell. G
Warning
Free movement of the pedals must not be
impaired. This would
otherwise jeopardize the
operating and road safety of the vehicle.
Make sure that the floor covering is pushed
under the carrier of the accelerator pedal and
cannot slide between the carrier and the
accelerator pedal when you install it.
This would otherwise prevent you from
depressing the accelerator pedal completely,
thereby restricting your vehicle's
acceleration, e.g. during overtaking.
X Slide floor covering 0046 underneath the
carrier for the accelerator pedal and align
it at the
base of the driver's seat and at the
door sill.
Make sure that the floor covering does not
obstruct the accelerator pedal.
X Put trim 0047 in place and screw the screws
008A back in.176
Maintenance
Operation