2012 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER ESP

properly and use an appropriately sized
infant restraint, toddler restraint, or
booster seat
recommended
for the size and
weight of the child.
R Children twelve years old and under must
never travel on the co-driver's seat. They
will otherwise be struck by the co-driver's
front air bag when it inflates in a crash. This
could result in serious or fatal injury.
Failure to follow these instructions can result
in severe injuries to you or other occupants.
If you sell your vehicle, it is important that you
make the buyer aware of this safety
information. Be sure to give the buyer this
Operator’s Manual. G
Warning
Accident research
shows that the safest place
for children in

an automobile is in a rear seat.
A side impact air bag related injury may occur
if occupants, especially children, are not
properly seated or restrained when next to a
side impact air bag which needs to deploy
rapidly in a side impact in order to do its job.
To help avoid the possibility of injury, please
follow these guidelines:
(1) Occupants, especially children, should never place
their bodies or
lean their heads in the area of the
door where the side impact air bag
inflates. This could result in
serious injuries or death should
the side impact air bag be
deployed.
(2) Always sit as upright as possible and use the seat belts properly.
Make sure that children 12 years
old and under

use an appropriately
sized child restraint, infant
restraint, or booster seat
recommended for the size and
weight of the child.
(3) Always wear seat belts properly.
The air bags are only deployed if the air bag
control unit detects

the need for deployment. Only in the event of such a situation will they
provide their supplemental protection.
The driver and

passenger should always wear
their seat belts. Otherwise, it is not possible
for the air bags to provide their supplemental
protection.
In the event of other types of impacts and
impacts below air bag deployment
thresholds, air bags will not deploy. The driver
and passengers will then be protected to the
extent possible by a properly fastened seat
belt. A properly fastened seat belt is also
needed to provide the best possible
protection in a rollover.
Air bags provide supplemental protection, but
are not a substitute for the seat belts. All
vehicle occupants must fasten their seat
belts regardless of whether your vehicle is
equipped with air bags or not.
It is important for your safety and that of your
passengers to have deployed air bags
replaced and to have any malfunctioning air
bags repaired. This will help to make sure the
air bags continue to perform their protective
function for the vehicle occupants in the
event of a crash.
Front air bags G
Warning
Observe "Important safety notes"
(Y
page 38).
The front air bags increase the degree of
protection afforded to

the driver and co-driver
against head and chest injuries. Occupant safety
39
Safety Z

Driver's front air bag 0046 deploys in front of
the steering wheel; co-driver's front air
bag
0047 deploys in front of and above the glove
box. They are deployed:
R in the event of certain frontal impacts
R if the system determines that air bag
deployment can
offer additional protection
to that provided by the seat belt
R if the respective seat belt is fastened
R independently of other air bags in the
vehicle
If the event of a rollover, the front air bags are
generally not deployed unless the system
detects high vehicle deceleration in a
longitudinal direction.
The air bags will not deploy in impacts which
do not exceed the system's preset
deployment thresholds. You will then be
protected by the seat belt, provided that it is
fastened.
Side impact air bags G
Warning
Observe "Important safety notes"
(Y page 38). G
Warning
If you wish to use seat covers, we recommend
for safety reasons that you use only those
approved for Sprinter vehicles.
The seat covers must feature a special tear
seam for the side impact air bags. The side
impact air bag may otherwise not deploy
correctly and may fail to provide the intended
degree of protection in the event of a collision.
Suitable seat covers can be obtained from any
authorized Sprinter Dealer. G
Warning
The pressure sensors for side impact air bag
control are located in the doors. Do not
modify any components of the doors or door
trim panels including, for example, the
addition of door speakers. Improper repair work on the doors or the
modification or addition of components to the
doors creates a risk of rendering the side
impact air bags inoperative or causing
unintended air bag deployment. Work on the
doors must therefore only be performed by
qualified technicians. Contact an authorized
Sprinter Dealer.
G
Warning
Only use seat covers which have been tested
and approved for your vehicle type by the
distributor named on the inside of the front
cover. Using other seat covers may interfere
with or prevent the deployment of the front
side impact air bags. Contact an authorized
Sprinter Dealer for availability.
When deployed, the side impact air bags offer
additional protection for the thorax of the
vehicle occupants on the side of the vehicle
on which the impact occurs. However, they
do not protect the:
R head
R neck
R arms Side impact air bags
0046
deploy next to the
outer seat cushions.
Side impact air bags 0046 are deployed:
R on the side on which the impact occurs
R at the start of an accident with a high rate
of lateral vehicle deceleration or
acceleration, e.g. in a side impact
R whether or not the seat belt is fastened40
Occupant safety
Safety

X
Move head restraint 0046 upwards.
X Install the "LATCH" child seat mount with
Top Tether. Comply with the
manufacturer's installation instructions
when doing so.
X Route Top Tether belt 0088 under head
restraint 0046 between both head restraint
bars.
X Hook Top Tether hook 008A of Top Tether
belt 0088 into Top Tether anchorage
0047.
Make sure that:
R Top Tether hook 008A is hooked into Top
Tether anchorage 0047

, as illustrated.
R Top Tether belt 0088 is not twisted.
X Tension Top Tether belt 0088

. Comply with
the manufacturer's installation
instructions when doing so.
X If necessary, push the head restraint back
down slightly. Make sure that the routing of
Top Tether belt 0088 is not impaired.
Child-proof locks for the rear doors G
Warning
Observe "Important safety notes"
(Y page 41). G
Warning
Children could open a rear door from inside
the vehicle. This could result in serious
injuries or an accident. Therefore, when
children ride in the rear always secure the rear
doors with the child-proof locks. You can use the child-proof locks in the doors
to secure the sliding door and the rear door
individually.
A door with an activated child-proof lock
cannot be opened from the inside. It can only
be opened from the outside if the vehicle is
unlocked.
Child-proof lock for the sliding door
Child-proof lock for the rear door
0046
Latch
0047 To activate
008A To deactivate
X To activate/deactivate: push latch 0046 in
the corresponding direction.
X Then, make sure that the child-proof locks
are working properly. Emergency exit
Emergency exit window
The vehicle may feature an emergency exit
window. The emergency exit window is
intended for use in an emergency only and Emergency exit
45
Safety Z

must not be opened unless the vehicle is
stationary.
In an emergency, or after an accident, the
vehicle occupants can exit the vehicle
through the emergency exit window.
The emergency exit window is the first
window behind the driver's seat on the
driver's side.
It
is marked by the "Emergency
Exit" label. G
Warning
Observe the following notes to make sure that
the emergency exit window can be used
safely in the event of an emergency:
R Before beginning a journey, inform the
vehicle occupants of the emergency exit
window and explain how to use it. Make
sure to explicitly point out the risks
described here.
R Only vehicle occupants who know how to
use the emergency exit window are
permitted to sit next to it.
R Access to the

emergency exit window must
remain unobstructed. Do not place any
large or heavy objects on or in front of the
seats next to the emergency exit window.
R The window handles must not be used as
hooks, e.g. to hang up light objects, bags
or items of clothing. G
Warning
To reduce the risk of accident or injury when
exiting the vehicle through the emergency
exit window, observe the following notes:
R Only open the emergency exit window
when the vehicle is stationary.
R Make sure that nobody becomes trapped,
both when closing and when opening the
emergency exit window. The emergency
exit window must be held open by one
person.
R Pay attention to the traffic conditions and
make sure that there is sufficient space
when exiting through the emergency exit
window.
R Pay attention to

the traffic conditions when
exiting the vehicle. Also pay attention to the
vehicle height and the local surroundings.
Be especially careful if there are children in
the vicinity. G
Warning
An open or unlocked emergency exit window
can be torn from its anchorages when the
vehicle is in

motion and can thereby cause an
accident.
For this reason, always check the lock and the
locking pins of the emergency exit window
before driving off.
Never open the emergency exit window while
the vehicle is in motion.
! Make sure there is sufficient clearance
when opening the emergency exit window.
Hold the open window in position. You
could otherwise damage the emergency
exit window.
X To open: turn both handles 0046
to a vertical
position. Locking pins 0047 will break in the
process.
The window is unlocked.
X Swing the window outwards by the handles
and hold
it

in this position. Make sure there
is sufficient clearance when doing so.
X To close: close the window.46
Emergency exit
Safety

X
Turn both handles 0046 to a horizontal
position. Make sure that locks 008A are in
front of the window frame on the inside.
The window is locked.
X Replace locking pins 0047 before
beginning a
new journey at the latest.
You may obtain information about this from
any authorized Sprinter Dealer. Driving safety systems
Important safety notes
G
Warning
The following factors increase the risk of
accidents:
R Excessive speed, especially in turns
R Wet and slippery road surfaces
R Following another vehicle too closely
The driving safety systems described in this
section cannot reduce these risks or prevent
the natural laws

of physics from acting on the
vehicle. They cannot increase braking or
steering efficiency beyond that afforded by
the condition of the vehicle brakes and tires
or the traction afforded.
Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver can
prevent accidents.
The capabilities of a vehicle equipped with the
driving safety systems described in this
section must never be exploited in a reckless
or dangerous manner which could jeopardize
the user's safety or the safety of others.
Always adjust your driving style to the
prevailing road and weather conditions and
keep a safe distance to other road users and
objects on the street.
If a driving system malfunctions, other driving
safety systems may also switch off. Observe
indicator and warning lamps that may come
on as well as messages in the multifunction
display that may appear.
i In wintry driving conditions, always use
winter tires (M+S tires) and if necessary, snow chains. Only in this way will the
driving safety systems described in this
section work as effectively as possible.
Overview
In this section,

you will find information about
the following driving safety systems:
R ABS ( Anti-lock Braking System)
R BAS ( Brake Assist System)
R ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Program)
R ASR (Acceleration Skid Control)
R EBD ( Electronic Brake force Distribution) ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Important safety notes G
Warning
Observe "Important safety notes"
(Y page 47). G
Warning!
Do not pump the brake pedal. Use firm, steady
brake pedal pressure instead. Pumping the
brake pedal reduces the braking effect.
ABS regulates brake pressure in such a way
that the wheels do not lock during braking.
This allows you

to maintain the ability to steer
your vehicle.
ABS works from a speed of about 3 mph
(5 km/h) upwards, regardless of road-surface
conditions. ABS works on slippery surfaces,
even when you only brake gently.
The 0031 warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when the ignition is switched
on. It goes out when the engine is running.
Braking If ABS intervenes when braking, you will feel
a pulsating in the brake pedal.
If the
0067 warning lamp flashes, this may
indicate dangerous road conditions and Driving safety systems
47
Safety Z

serves as a reminder to take extra care while
driving.
X
If ABS intervenes: continue to depress the
brake pedal with force until the braking
situation is over.
X To make a full brake application:
depress the brake pedal with full force. G
Warning
If the ABS malfunctions, other driving systems
such as the

BAS or the ESP ®
are also switched
off. Observe indicator and warning lamps that
may come on as well as messages in the
multifunction display that may appear.
If the ABS malfunctions, the wheels may lock
during hard braking, reducing the steering
capability and extending the braking distance. BAS (Brake Assist System)
G
Warning
Observe "Important safety notes"
(Y page 47).
BAS operates in emergency braking
situations. If you depress the brake pedal
quickly, BAS automatically

boosts the braking
force, potentially reducing the stopping
distance.
X Keep the brake pedal firmly depressed until
the emergency braking situation is over.
ABS prevents the wheels from locking.
The brakes will function as usual once you
release the brake pedal. BAS is deactivated. G
Warning
If the BAS malfunctions, the brake system still
functions, but without the additional brake
boost available that the BAS would normally
provide in an emergency braking maneuver.
Therefore, the braking

distance may increase. EBD (Electronic Brake force
Distribution)
G
Warning
Observe "Important safety notes"
(Y page 47).
EBD monitors and controls the brake
pressure on the rear wheels to improve
driving stability while braking. G
Warning
If the 009E, 003D, 0031 and 0065 indicator
lamps light up while the vehicle is in motion,
EBD may be defective.
If EBD malfunctions,

the brake system will still
function with full brake boost. However, the
rear wheels could lock up during emergency
braking situations, for example. You could
lose control of the vehicle and cause an
accident.
Adapt your driving style to the changed
driving characteristics. ASR (acceleration skid control)
Important safety notes G
Warning
Observe "Important safety notes"
(Y page 47).
ASR can significantly improve traction, i.e.
the transmission of power from the tires to
the road surface, and thus may increase the
vehicle's driving stability. ASR assists in
pulling away and

accelerating, particularly on
smooth and slippery surfaces.
ASR can brake individual wheels and limits
the engine torque to help prevent the drive
wheels from spinning.
If ASR intervenes, the 0067 warning lamp
flashes in the instrument cluster. 48
Driving safety systems
Safety

G
Warning
Never switch off ASR when you see the
0067 warning lamp
flashing in the instrument
cluster. In this case proceed as follows:
R when driving off, apply as little throttle as
possible.
R while driving, ease off the accelerator
pedal.
R adapt your speed and driving style to the
prevailing road conditions.
Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid. ESP ®
cannot
prevent accidents resulting from excessive
speed.
If, taking tires, cargo load and gradient into
consideration, the surface driven on still
provides insufficient traction, you may
experience difficulties in pulling away despite
ASR.
Vehicles without steering-wheel buttons:
the 003D indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when you switch on the
ignition. It goes out when the engine is
running.
Activating/deactivating ASR G
Warning
ASR should
not be switched off during normal
driving other than in the circumstances
described below. Deactivating

the system will
reduce vehicle stability in driving maneuvers.
Do not switch off ASR when a spare wheel is
mounted.
ASR is activated automatically when the
engine is running.
It may be best to deactivate ASR briefly in the
following situations:
R when using snow chains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel If you deactivate ASR:
R
the engine's torque

is no longer limited and
the drive wheels can spin. The spinning of
the wheels results in a cutting action, which
provides better grip.
R brake intervention will continue to improve
traction where a drive wheel begins to spin,
e.g. if only the side of the road is slippery.
The wheel will be braked to increase
traction under such circumstances.
R active brake intervention by ESP ®
to
increase driving stability remains active. G
Warning
Even with ASR deactivated, ESP ®
remains
active and continues to perform brake
interventions where this is necessary to
improve driving stability. The 0067 warning
lamp flashes.
With ASR deactivated, there is an increased
risk of your vehicle's brake system
overheating and suffering damage due to
prolonged application. A

hot brake system will
also result in increased stopping distance.
Therefore, only deactivate ASR when
absolutely necessary. X
Press button 0046
.
When ASR is

deactivated, the 0067 warning
lamp in the instrument cluster lights up. Driving safety systems
49
Safety Z

ESP
®
(Electronic Stability Program) G
Warning
Observe "Important safety notes"
(Y page 47).
If ESP ®
detects that the vehicle is deviating
from the direction desired by the driver, one
or more wheels are braked to help stabilize
the vehicle. If

necessary, the engine output is
also modified to help keep the vehicle on the
desired course within physical limits. ESP ®
assists the driver when pulling away on wet
or slippery roads. ESP ®
can also help stabilize
the vehicle during braking.
If ESP ®
intervenes, the 0067 warning lamp
flashes in the instrument cluster. G
Warning
If the 009E

indicator lamp remains lit, ESP ®
is
not available due to a malfunction. Vehicle
stability in standard driving maneuvers is
reduced.
Adapt your speed and driving style to the
prevailing road conditions and to the non-
operating status of ESP ®
.
If ESP ®
is malfunctioning, the engine output
may be reduced.
! Only operate the vehicle for a maximum
of ten seconds on a brake test
dynamometer. Switch off the ignition.
Application of the brakes by ESP ®
may
otherwise destroy the brake system.
! Do not operate the vehicle on a
dynamometer

(e.g. for a performance test).
If you would like to operate the vehicle on
a dynamometer, consult an authorized
Sprinter Dealer beforehand. The drive train
or brake system could otherwise be
damaged.
i Only use wheels with the recommended
tire sizes. Only then will ESP ®
function
properly. 50
Driving safety systems
Safety