2012 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER tires

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

Roof ventilator in the cargo
compartment
The roof ventilator can be used to ventilate or
extract air from the cargo compartment.
X
Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.
X To extract air: press upper section 0046 of
the 00B4 switch.
The roof ventilator removes used air from
the cargo compartment.
X To ventilate: press lower section 0047 of the
00B3 switch.
The roof ventilator feeds fresh air into the
cargo compartment.
X To switch off: set the
switch to the middle
position. Driving and parking
Preparing for a journey
Visual check of the vehicle exterior X
In particular, check the following
components on the vehicle, and on the
trailer as necessary:
R
license plates, vehicle lighting, turn
signals, brake lamps

and wiper blades for
dirt and damage
R tires and wheels for firm seating, correct
tire pressure and general condition
R trailer tow hitch for play and security
i The towing device is one of the most
important components on the vehicle with regard to road safety. The separate
instructions issued by the manufacturer
pertaining to operation, care and
maintenance should be observed.
X Rectify any noticeable defects before
commencing the journey.
Checks in the vehicle Emergency equipment/first-aid kit
The equipment for first aid and breakdown
assistance is located in the storage
compartment in
the

driver's/co-driver's door
and behind the driver's seat.
X Check the equipment to make sure that it
is accessible, complete and ready for use.
Vehicle lighting
X Turn the key to position 2 in the ignition
lock.
X Check the lighting system with the aid of a
second person.
X Replace defective bulbs ( Y page 234). Before driving off
G
Warning
Free movement of the pedals must not be
impaired. This would

otherwise jeopardize the
operating and road safety of the vehicle.
Objects could get caught between the pedals
if you accelerate or brake suddenly. You will
then be unable to brake, declutch or
accelerate as intended. You could cause an
accident, thereby endangering yourself and
others.
R If you are using floormats and carpets,
make sure that they are properly secured
in the driver's footwell so that they do not108
Driving and parking
Controls

Driving in wet conditions
G
Warning
There is a danger of hydroplaning occurring,
even if you are driving slowly and your tires
have sufficient tread
depth, depending on the
depth of water on the road.
For this reason, avoid tire ruts and brake
carefully.
Driving on flooded roads If you have to drive on stretches of road on
which water has collected, the water level
must not rise above the bottom edge of the
bumper. The maximum speed at which you
may drive is walking speed.
!
Note that vehicles in front or oncoming
vehicles create waves. This could mean
that the maximum permitted water depth
is exceeded.
You must observe these notes. Otherwise,
damage may
occur

to the engine, electrics
or transmission.
Driving in winter Drive particularly carefully on slippery roads
in winter.
Avoid

sudden acceleration, steering
and braking maneuvers. G
Warning
Do not downshift for additional engine
braking on a

slippery road surface. This could
cause the drive wheels to lose their grip and
the vehicle could skid. You could lose control
of the vehicle and cause an accident.
If the vehicle threatens to skid or cannot be
stopped when moving at low speed, shift to
the neutral position N. Try to maintain control
of the vehicle using corrective steering
! Vehicles with automatic transmission
may roll only briefly in the neutral position
N. Prolonged rolling of the wheels, e.g.
when being towed, will result in
transmission damage. Road salt may adversely affect braking
performance.
Consequently, you

may need to
depress the brake pedal more forcefully in
order to achieve normal braking force. Apply
the brakes regularly when driving for longer
periods on gritted or salted roads. This will
restore the brakes to their normal level of
performance.
When stopping the vehicle after traveling on
roads that have been salted, make sure that
the brakes are fully functional before
proceeding further.
i Fit snow chains to the outside rear wheels
(driven axle) in good time for driving on
snow, slush or ice. Comply with the
manufacturer's fitting instructions.
You will find information about winter tires
and about driving with snow chains in the
"Operation" section .
Tire grip Whereas the vehicle can be fully controlled at
a certain speed on a dry road surface, you
must reduce your speed on a wet or icy
surface to maintain the same degree of
safety.
Pay particular attention to the road
conditions at temperatures around freezing
point. When ice forms on the road surface
(e.g. due to fog), applying the brakes can
cause a
thin

layer of water to form rapidly on
the ice and tire grip will be greatly reduced.
Drive with particular care in such weather
conditions. Stopping the vehicle and switching
off the engine
G
Warning
Always switch off the engine and apply the
parking brake before leaving the vehicle.
Otherwise, the vehicle could roll away if it is
not secured. Driving and parking
111
Controls
Z

Engine oil consumption
! If the vehicle is predominantly used for
short-distance driving, this could lead to a
malfunction in the automatic cleaning
function for the diesel particle filter. As a
result, fuel may accumulate in the engine
oil and cause engine failure.
Therefore, if you mainly drive short
distances, you should
drive on a highway or
on rural roads for 20 minutes every
310 miles (500 km). This ensures sufficient
regeneration of the diesel particle filter.
Depending on the driving style, the vehicle
consumes a maximum of 1.0 US qt(1.0 l) of
oil over a distance of 620 miles (1000 km).
Engine oil consumption may be higher if:
R the vehicle is new.
R you mainly operate the vehicle under
arduous operating conditions.
R you frequently drive at high engine speeds.
Regular maintenance is one of the
preconditions for moderate rates of
consumption.
You can only estimate the engine oil
consumption after you have driven a
considerable distance.
Check the engine oil level on a regular basis,
e.g. weekly or each time you refuel
(Y page 171). Speed limiter
You can permanently limit the maximum
speed of your vehicle to 75 mph (120 km/h)

.
We recommend that you have the maximum
speed programmed at an authorized Sprinter
Dealer. This has the necessary specialist
knowledge and tools to carry out the required
work. G
Warning
Exceeding the permissible maximum speed
can cause tire damage, which could lead to
loss of control of the vehicle. As the driver, you must find out about the
maximum speed of the vehicle and the
resulting permissible maximum speed of the
tires (tire and tire pressure).
You must not exceed the speed limit for the
tires listed in the tire pressure tables.
i You will find information about tire
pressure in the "Technical data" section
(Y
page 280).
Reverse warning device
On vehicles with

a reverse warning feature, a
warning signal sounds when reverse gear is
engaged to alert other road users. The volume
of this warning signal can be reduced for
night-time driving. G
Warning
Other road users could fail to hear or could
ignore the reverse warning feature warning
signal. For this reason, the reverse warning
feature cannot guarantee that there are no
people or objects behind your vehicle.
The reverse warning feature is a system
designed to assist you in ensuring the safety
of other road users. It does not, however,
relieve you of

your responsibility to make sure
that there are no persons or objects behind
your vehicle while you are maneuvering.
For this reason, always observe the road and
traffic conditions with due caution. To avoid
damage and injury, make sure that there are
no persons or objects behind the vehicle while
you are maneuvering. Have a second person
assist you when maneuvering if necessary.
X To set the warning signal to quiet:
engage the reverse gear twice in brief
succession.
The volume of the warning signal is
reduced.
i The warning signal sounds at normal
volume by default and will need to be Driving tips
141
Operation Z

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

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

from the windshield and the wiper blades to
prevent smearing.
Smears
impair the driver's
view, and their effect is made worse in
conditions where visibility is poor (e.g. glare,
mist, darkness, snow). You may therefore fail
to recognize dangers, or not recognize them
in time, and thereby cause an accident.
! Make sure that the automatic car wash is
suitable for the size of the vehicle.
Before washing the vehicle in an automatic
car wash, fold in the exterior mirrors and
remove the radio/telephone antenna.
Otherwise, the exterior mirror, antenna or
the vehicle itself could be damaged.
Make sure that the antenna is installed and
that the exterior mirrors are fully folded out
again when you leave the automatic car
wash.
! Make sure that the side windows are
completely closed, that the ventilation/
heating is switched off and that the
windshield wiper switch is set to 0.
Otherwise, the rain/light sensor could be
activated, triggering unintended wiper
movements. This can cause damage to the
vehicle.
After putting the vehicle through an
automatic car wash, wipe off wax from:
R the rear-view camera lens ( Y page 163)
R the windshield and the wiper blades. This
prevents smears and reduces wiping noise
which can be caused by residue on the
windshield. Cleaning the engine
! Water must not

enter intake or ventilation
openings. When cleaning with high
pressure water or steam cleaners, the
spray must not be aimed directly at
electrical components or the terminals of
electrical lines. Preserve the engine after the engine has
been cleaned.
Protect

the belt drive system
from exposure to the preservative agent. Alloy wheels
Clean the alloy wheels regularly.
! Do not use

any acidic or alkaline cleaning
agents. They can cause corrosion on the
wheel bolts (wheel nuts) or the retainer
springs for the wheel-balancing weights. After driving off-road or on
construction sites
G
Warning
Dirt on the vehicle can affect road and
operating safety.
It can specifically result in the following
dangers:
Stone impact. Stones trapped between the
tires can be thrown out while driving. This
could injure other

road users or damage other
vehicles (especially windscreens).
Risk of skidding. Dirt and mud on the tires/
on the road reduce the grip of the tires on the
road. This especially applies when the surface
is wet. The vehicle could then start to skid.
Risk of injury. Dirt and mud on the steps and
entrance can make the steps unsafe. This
could cause you to slip off the steps and be
injured.
For this reason, you should always clean your
vehicle carefully after driving off-road or on
construction sites before driving on public
roads. Observe the corresponding safety
notices in this chapter if you use a power
washer or an automatic car wash to clean your
vehicle.
X Clean the vehicle, paying special attention
to the following:
R
Lighting system
R Windows and exterior mirrors
R Access steps and entrances Cleaning and care
165
Operation Z