2012 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER belt

G
Warning
Do not carry heavy or hard objects in the
passenger compartment unless they are
firmly secured in place.
Unsecured or improperly positioned cargo
increases a child's risk of injury in the event
of:
R strong braking maneuvers
R sudden changes of direction
R an accident
Child restraint systems Important safety notes
G
Warning
Observe "Important safety notes"
(Y page 41).
We recommend all infants and children be
properly restrained using the child restraint
systems at all times while the vehicle is in
motion.
The use of

infant or child restraints is required
by law in all 50 states, the District of
Columbia, the U.S. territories and all
Canadian provinces.
Infants and small children should always be
seated in an infant or child seat restraint
system appropriate for the size and weight of
the child. They must be properly secured in
accordance with the manufacturer's
installation instructions for the infant or child
seat restraint system. All infant and child seat
restraint systems must comply with the US
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 213
and 225 and Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards 213 and 210.2.
A statement by the child restraint
manufacturer of compliance with these
standards can be found on the instruction
label on the child restraint system. You will
also find the statement in the instruction
manual provided with the child restraint
system. When using any infant restraint, child
restraint or booster seat, make sure to
carefully read and follow all manufacturer's
instructions for installation and use.
Please read the warning labels affixed to the
interior
of the

vehicle or to the infant restraint
system or child restraint system. G
Warning
Accident statistics show that children
secured in the rear seats are safer than
children secured in the co-driver's seat. For
this reason, we strongly advise that you
always secure children in the rear seats.
Regardless of the seat position, children
under 12 years must be secured correctly in
a suitable infant or child restraint system or
booster seat suitable for the size and weight
of the child.
The infant or child restraint must be properly
secured with the vehicle’s seat belt, the seat
belt and Top Tether strap, or lower anchors
and Top Tether

strap, fully in accordance with
the child seat manufacturer’s instructions.
Occupants, in particular children, must sit as
upright as possible, fasten the seat belt
correctly and use a suitable infant restraint
system, child restraint system or booster seat
suitable for the size and weight of the child.
Children can be seriously or even fatally
injured by an air bag deploying. Observe the
following important information if it is
absolutely necessary to carry a child on the
co-driver's seat:
R The co-driver's front air bag is not
deactivated.
R Never secure your child in a rearward-
facing child restraint system on the co-
driver's seat. Only install a rearward-facing
child restraint system on a suitable rear
seat.
R Where permitted by law, if you secure your
child in a forward-facing child restraint
system on the co-driver's seat, move the
co-driver's seat as far back to the rear as
possible.42
Occupant safety
Safety

R
Never place anything between the seat
cushion and child seat (e.g. pillow). The
bottom of the child seat must make full
contact with the vehicle seat cushion. An
incorrectly mounted child

seat could cause
injuries to the child in the event of an
accident, instead of protecting the child.
R Observe the manufacturer's instructions
when installing special child restraint
systems. G
Warning
Infants and
small children should never share
a seat belt with another occupant. During an
accident, they could

be crushed between the
occupant and seat belt.
A child's risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints
are not properly secured in the vehicle and/
or the child is not properly secured in the child
restraint.
Children too big for a toddler restraint must
ride in seats using regular seat belts. Position
the shoulder belt across the chest and
shoulder, not face or neck. A booster seat
may be necessary to achieve proper seat belt
positioning for children over 41 lb (18 kg) until
they reach a height where a lap/shoulder belt
fits properly without a booster.
When the child restraint is not in use, remove
it from the vehicle or secure it with the seat
belt to prevent the child restraint from
becoming a projectile in the event of an
accident.
Special seat belt retractor G
Warning
Observe "Important safety notes"
(Y
page 41).
All seat belts in the vehicle, except the
driver's seat belt,

are equipped with a special
seat belt retractor. When activated, the
special seat belt retractor ensures that the
seat belt cannot slacken once the child seat
is secured. Installing a child restraint system:
X
Always comply with the manufacturer's
installation instructions.
X Pull the seat belt smoothly from the inertia
reel.
X Engage the seat belt tongue in the belt
buckle.
Activating the special seat belt retractor:
X Pull the seat belt out fully and let the inertia
reel retract it again.
While the seat

belt is retracting, you should
hear a ratcheting sound. The special seat
belt retractor function is enabled.
X Push down on the child restraint system to
take up any slack.
Removing a child restraint system/
deactivating the special seat belt retractor:
X Always comply with the manufacturer's
installation instructions.
X Press the seat belt release button and
guide the belt tongue to the belt outlet.
The special seat belt retractor function is
deactivated. G
Warning
Never release the seat belt buckle while the
vehicle is in

motion, since the special seat belt
retractor will be deactivated.
LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child seat securing
system in the rear compartment G
Warning
Observe "Important safety notes"
(Y
page 41).
G
Warning
Children too big for a toddler restraint must
ride in seats

using regular seat belts. Position
the shoulder belt across the chest and
shoulder, not face or neck.
In order to attain the correct seating position
for children weighing over 41 lb (18 kg), it may
be necessary to use a booster seat until they
reach a height where a normal lap/shoulder Occupant safety
43
Safety
Z

seat belt lies properly across their bodies
without the need for a booster seat.
Install the
child
restraint system according to
the manufacturer's instructions.
The child restraint system must be installed
firmly on both brackets.
An incorrectly installed child restraint system
can come loose in the event of an accident,
causing the child to be severely or fatally
injured.
Child restraint systems/child restraint
retaining brackets that are damaged or have
suffered damage due to an impact must be
replaced.
LATCH-type (ISOFIX) is a standardized
securing system for special child restraint
systems on the rear seats.
The securing rings for two LATCH-type
(ISOFIX) child restraint systems are located
between the seat cushions and the backrest:
R on the left and right outer sides on a narrow
rear bench seat with three seats
R on the outer left side on a rear bench seat
with two seats
Install child restraint systems without the
LATCH-type (ISOFIX) securing system using
the vehicle's seat belts. Follow the
manufacturer's instructions for installation of
child restraint systems.
! When installing the child restraint system,
make sure that the seat belt for the center
seat does not get trapped. Otherwise, the
seat belt could be damaged. 0046
Securing rings
X Install the LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child
restraint system. Comply with the
manufacturer's instructions when
installing the LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child
restraint system.
Top Tether G
Warning
Observe "Important safety notes"
(Y
page 41).
Top Tether provides

an additional attachment
point between the "LATCH" type child seat
mount (ISOFIX) child restraint system and the
rear seat. It helps reduce even further the risk
of injury.
The Top Tether anchorages are located on the
feet at the rear of the rear bench seats. 44
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

mirror or on the grab handles on the
headliner. This will prevent a false alarm.
Deactivating the interior
motion sensorDeactivate the interior motion sensor if
people or
animals

remain in the vehicle or you
are having the vehicle transported, e.g. by
ferry. This will prevent a false alarm. X
Turn the key to position 0 or 1
in the ignition
lock or remove the key.
X Press button 0046.
Indicator lamp 0047 lights up for
approximately five seconds after the
button is released.
X Lock the vehicle with the key.
The interior motion sensor remains
deactivated until
you

lock the vehicle again.Seats
Driver's and co-driver's seat
Standard/luxury/suspension seat G
Warning
If you adjust the driver's seat while the vehicle
is in motion, your attention will be distracted
from the traffic conditions. You could lose
control of the vehicle as a result of sudden
seat movements and, thereby, cause an
accident.
Therefore, only adjust the driver's seat when
the vehicle is

stationary and the parking brake
is applied. G
Warning
Make sure that nobody can become trapped
as you adjust the seat. Never place your
hands under the seat or in the vicinity of
moving parts.
Your seat must

be adjusted in such a way that
you can wear the seat belt correctly.
Observe the following points:
R Position the backrest in an almost vertical
position so that you are sitting virtually
upright.
R Avoid seat positions that prevent the seat
belt from being routed correctly. The
shoulder section of the belt must be routed
over the middle of your shoulder and be
pulled tight against your upper body. The
lap belt must always pass across your lap
as low down as possible, i.e. over your hip
joints. Do not drive or ride with the backrest
reclined too far back.
R Your arms should be slightly bent when you
are holding the steering wheel.
R The distance from the pedals should be
such that you can depress them fully.
R Adjust your head restraint so that its upper
edge is at the same level as the top of your
head.
R Make sure that you hear the seat engage.
Otherwise, the seat is not correctly locked
in place.
Failing to observe these instructions may lead
to injury. Seats
63
Controls Z

X
To fold the seat cushions forwards: lift
the seat cushion out of front
anchorage 0046.
X Pull the seat cushion forwards slightly and
out of rear anchorage 0047.
X Fold the rear edge of the seat cushion up.
i You can stow
various articles in the space
under the twin co-driver's seat.
X To fold the seat cushion back: fold down
the seat cushion by the rear edge.
X Slide the seat cushion under the seat
backrest into rear anchorage 0047

.
X Push down on the seat cushion at the front
until it engages in front anchorage 0046. Rear bench seat
G
Warning!
The unlocking levers at the foot of the rear
bench seat must lie parallel to the vehicle
floor. You may only install a rear bench seat
with two seats on the driver's side.
Information about this can be found at any
authorized Sprinter dealer.
The integral seat

belts can only protect you as
intended if you correctly install the prescribed
rear bench seats. For this reason, have a rear
bench seat with four seats installed only at a
qualified specialist workshop, e.g. an
authorized Sprinter dealer.
Keep the mounting shells of the bench seats
on the floor free from dirt and other objects.
The secure engaging of the locks is
guaranteed only in this way.
For safety reasons, have bench seat mounting
shells retrofitted only at an authorized
Sprinter dealer.
i Do not exceed the maximum permissible
number of seats for models registered as
passenger vehicles.
! For safety reasons, the rear bench seat
with four seats must be installed or
removed only at a qualified specialist workshop, e.g. an authorized Sprinter
dealer.
Removing two-seat or three-seat rear
benches The locking lever is located on the feet
underneath the bench seat.
0046
Lever
X Turn all levers 0046 for the bench seat fully
upwards.
The rear bench seat moves back into the
seat mounting recesses on the vehicle
floor.
X Lift the rear bench seat upwards out of the
seat mounting recesses.66
Seats
Controls

slip or obstruct the pedals. Do not place
floormats on top of one another.
R Do not put any objects in the driver's
footwell.
R Stow and secure
all loose objects in such a
way that they cannot get into the driver's
footwell while the vehicle is in motion. G
Warning
If they are not properly closed, the doors
could open while

the vehicle is in motion. This
may, for example, cause you to lose your load
and injure passengers or endanger other road
users.
For this reason, please make sure that all the
doors are properly closed and can be locked
before starting your journey.
X Close all doors.
X Secure the load according to the loading
guidelines ( Y page 144).
X Make sure that the floormats and carpets
are properly secured so that they cannot
slip and obstruct the pedals. Starting the engine
G
Warning
Do not place any objects in the driver's
footwell. If you

use a floormat or carpet in the
driver's footwell, make sure that it is correctly
secured and that there is sufficient clearance
for the pedals.
Do not place several floormats on top of one
another.
Loose objects or the floormats could
otherwise get caught between the pedals if
you accelerate or brake suddenly. You will
then not be able to brake or accelerate as
intended. This could lead to accidents and
injury. G
Warning
Never leave the engine running in enclosed
spaces. The exhaust gases contain toxic carbon monoxide.
Breathing in exhaust fumes
is a health hazard and can lead to
unconsciousness or death.
! Do not depress the accelerator pedal
when starting the engine.
i If you depress the brake pedal when
starting the engine,

the pedal travel is short
and the pedal resistance is high.
Pedal travel and resistance return to
normal when you depress the brake pedal
again.
X Before starting the engine, make sure that:
R
all the doors are closed.
R all the vehicle occupants are wearing
their seat belts correctly.
R the parking brake is applied.
R the selector lever is in position P.
i You can also start the engine in neutral
N. Automatic transmission gearshift pattern
0060
Park position with selector lever lock
0061 Reverse gear
005F Neutral
005E Drive Driving and parking
109
Controls Z

Obstacles could damage the vehicle, for
example:
R
the axles
R the propeller shafts
and the transmission
R the tanks and supply reservoirs
For this reason, you should always drive
slowly when driving off-road. If you have to
drive over obstacles, have the co-driver
direct you. G
Warning
If you drive too fast off-road, you may not
recognize obstacles in good time or you may
underestimate the roughness of the ground.
When driving off-road, always drive slowly to
avoid damaging the vehicle.
The vehicle may slip to the side, tip and roll
over. Always drive along the line of fall when
you are on

a slope. Never drive across a slope.
Never turn the vehicle around on a slope. If
the vehicle cannot manage an uphill slope,
drive back down the slope in reverse gear.
You could lose control of the vehicle if you
shift the transmission to neutral or disengage
the clutch on an incline and then try to brake
the vehicle using only the service brake.
Never let the vehicle roll.
Overloading the vehicle will increase the risk
of the vehicle tipping over. Never exceed the
maximum permissible axle loads under any
circumstances. Keep the vehicle's center of
gravity as low as possible when the vehicle is
laden.
If the vehicle is frequently or mainly operated
in muddy or marshy terrain, substances that
impair braking efficiency, such as sand or oil
mixed with water, could get into the brake
system. This may lead to excessive wear and
a reduction in braking efficiency. In an
emergency, there is a risk that full braking
power may no longer be available.
After driving off-road, always carry out a short
brake test. If you detect a reduced braking
effect or hear grinding noises, have the brake
system checked at a qualified specialist workshop, for example at an authorized
Sprinter Dealer.
G
Warning
When driving off-road, your body is subject to
forces from all directions, due to the uneven
surface. There is a danger that you could be
thrown out of

your seat and be injured. Always
wear a seat belt, even when driving off-road.
Rules for driving off-road G
Warning
If you drive over obstacles or in ruts, the
steering wheel may jerk out of your grip and
you could injure the thumbs on both hands.
Always hold the steering wheel cross firmly
with both hands.

When driving over obstacles,
you must expect steering forces to increase
briefly and suddenly.
R Before driving off-road, stop the vehicle and
shift to a low gear.
R Only drive off-road with the engine running
and a gear engaged.
R Drive slowly and smoothly. Walking pace is
necessary in many situations.
R Make sure that the wheels always remain
in contact with the ground.
R Drive with extreme care over unknown
terrain where you can only see for a short
distance. As a precaution, get out of the
vehicle to take a look at the route to be
taken first.
R Check the water depth before fording.
R Watch out for obstacles (e.g. rocks, holes,
tree stumps and ruts).
R Avoid edges where the surface could
crumble or break away. Driving tips
139
Operation Z