2012 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER MY12 Operator’s Manual

authorized Sprinter Dealer. All work relevant
to safety or on safety-related systems must
be carried out at a qualified specialist
workshop.
Observe the notes on parts in the "Technical
data" section ( Y page 276).
0040 Environmental note
Observe measures to protect the
environment when working on the vehicle.
You must observe the legal requirements
when disposing of service products, e.g.
engine oil. This

also includes all components,
e.g. filters, which have come into contact with
service products.
Any qualified specialist workshop, e.g. an
authorized Sprinter Dealer, can provide
information about this.
Dispose of empty containers, cleaning cloths
and care products in an environmentally-
responsible manner. Comply with the
instructions for use of the care products.
Do not run the engine for longer than
necessary when the vehicle is stationary. Active Service System (ASSYST)
The ASSYST service indicator informs you of
the next service due date.
A service that is due is displayed about a
month in advance. A message is then
displayed while the vehicle is in motion or
while the ignition is switched on.
i Periods when the

battery is disconnected
will not be recorded by ASSYST. To make
sure that you have the vehicle serviced at
the correct time, you should therefore
subtract periods when the battery is
disconnected from the days shown.
The service indicator does not provide
information about the oil level. The service
indicator should therefore not be confused
with the 00B5 engine oil level display. i
The service due date is displayed in days
or miles (kilometers), depending on the
total distance driven.
The symbols or

letters in the service indicator
show the service due.
009B or A for a minor service
009C or B for a major service
Service due date indicator Vehicles with steering wheel buttons
The following messages may be displayed:
R
009B
Service A in ... days
R 009B Service A in ... mi (km)
R 009B Service A due now
Vehicles without steering wheel buttons
The following messages may be displayed:
R 009B for service A
R 009C for service B
Additionally you will see the remaining
distance in
miles

(mi) or kilometers ( km) or the
remaining time in days ( d).
Service due date exceeded A qualified specialist workshop, e.g. an
authorized Sprinter
Dealer,

resets the service
indicator when the service has been carried
out.
Vehicles with steering wheel buttons
If you have missed the service due date, one
of the following messages appears in the
display:
R 009B Service A overdue by ... days
R 009B Service A overdue by ... mi
(km)
Additionally a warning tone sounds.
Vehicles without steering wheel buttons
If the service due date has been exceeded,
ten seconds after switching on the ignition
the 009B or 009C symbol flashes for the Maintenance
167
Operation Z

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

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

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

Vehicles with a yellow oil dipstick: only check
the oil level when the engine is cold.
X
Park the vehicle on a level surface. X
Pull out oil dipstick 0046.
X Wipe oil dipstick 0046 using a lint-free cloth.
X Reinsert oil dipstick 0046 into the dipstick
tube to the stop and remove it again.
X Check the oil level on oil dipstick 0046.
The oil level must be between MIN mark
008A and MAX mark 0047.
The difference in quantity between
marks 0047 and 008A is approximately
2 US quarts (2 l).
X Add engine oil if necessary.
Adding engine oil You will find information about approved
engine oils in the "Service products" section
(Y page 156).
X
Unscrew cap 0088 of the filler neck and
remove it.
! The alternator
is
located below the engine
oil filler neck. If engine oil spills onto the
alternator, there is a danger of alternator
damage. Be very careful when adding
engine oil.
X Add the amount of oil required.
! Do not add
too much oil. If the oil level is
above the MAX mark on the dipstick, too
much oil has been added. This can lead to engine damage or catalytic converter
damage. Have excess oil siphoned off.
0040Environmental note
When adding oil, take care not to spill any. If
oil enters the soil or waterways, it is harmful
to the environment.
X Place cap 0088 on the
filler neck and tighten. Air filter for the rear-compartment air
conditioning
An increased amount of sand or dust may
collect in the

air filter when you drive on dusty
or sandy roads. Air filter in the roof in the rear compartment
!
If the air filter is visibly dirty, it must be
cleaned or replaced.

The dirt can otherwise
damage the air-conditioning system. Such
damage is not covered by the New Vehicle
Limited Warranty.
For this reason, check the air filter regularly
for visible dirt.
X To remove the air filter: carefully prize
cover 0046 out of recesses 0047 and remove.
X Remove the filter mat.
X To clean the filter mat:
wash the
filter mat
with clear water.
X Leave the filter mat to dry.
i The filter mat
must not be cleaned or dried
in a machine. Maintenance
173
Operation Z

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