2012 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER brake

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
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Swiveling front seats
G
Warning
Do not start the engine unless the driver's and
co-driver's seats are facing in the direction of
travel and are locked in position. Only adjust
the seats when the vehicle is stationary and
the parking brake is applied. You could
otherwise lose control of the vehicle as a
result of sudden seat movements and thereby
cause an accident.
The safety systems only work when the
driver's and co-driver's seats are facing in the
direction of travel.
The driver's seat and co-driver's seat can be
rotated through 180°.
The seats engage when facing in the direction
of travel as well as when facing in the opposite
direction and also engage at an angle of 50°
to the door.
! When rotating the seats, make sure that
there is sufficient space to do so.
Move the seat forward or back first. This
will help to avoid contact with other parts
of the interior.
Push the handbrake lever down to the stop.
The parking brake or handbrake lever could
otherwise be damaged.
i Always slide the co-driver's seat forwards
before rotating it (Y page 64).
X Make sure that the parking brake has been
engaged and that the handbrake lever has
been pushed down to the stop
(Y page 112).
X Adjust the steering wheel to provide the
necessary space to rotate and adjust the
driver's seat ( Y
page 69). G
Warning
When releasing and rotating the seats, make
sure that you do not trap yourself or others.
Never place your hands under the seat or in
the vicinity of moving parts. Seat release (example co-driver's seat)
X
To rotate the seat: push lever 0046 on the
rear of the seat towards the center of the
vehicle and
slightly rotate the seat inwards.
The swiveling mechanism is now released.
X Release lever 0046.
X Rotate the seat inwards to the desired
position. G
Warning
When the seat is facing in the opposite
direction to the direction of travel and has
been moved to the rearmost position, you
could knock against the exposed frame and
be injured.
Therefore, always move the seat to a central
position above the seat base when leaving it
unoccupied. Inform others traveling with you
of this risk.
Twin co-driver's seat Seats
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X
To indicate: press the combination switch
in desired direction 0046 or 0047, until it
engages.
The combination switch automatically
returns to its original position after large
steering movements.
X To indicate briefly: press the
combination
switch briefly in desired direction 0046
or 0047.
The corresponding turn signal flashes three
times. Cornering light function (vehicles
with Bi-Xenon headlamps)
When the low-beam

headlamps are switched
on, the cornering light function improves the
illumination of the road in the direction you
are turning.
The cornering light function switches on
automatically, if:
R you are traveling at a speed of less than
25 mph (40 km/h) and you switch on the
indicator lamp or turn the steering wheel.
R you are traveling at a speed of between
25 mph (40 km/h) and 43 mph
(70 km/h) and you turn the steering wheel.
The cornering light may continue to be lit for
a short time, but is deactivated automatically
after a maximum of three minutes. Hazard warning lamps
The hazard warning lamps work even when
the ignition is

switched off. They are activated
automatically when an air bag is deployed or
after heavy brake application from a speed of
more than 43 mph (70 km/h) that brings the
vehicle to a standstill. X
To switch on/off: press button 0046.
i If you have indicated a turn while the
hazard warning lamps

are switched on, only
the turn signal lamps on the side of the
vehicle selected will light up.
If the hazard warning lamps have been
switched on automatically, press the
hazard warning lamp switch to switch them
off. G
Warning
If you open the rear doors 90° (detent
position) or fold

down the platform tailgate on
vehicles with a platform, the rear lights are
covered.
The vehicle will then be unsafe as its rear
lights will not be visible for approaching
traffic. Other road users may not realize until
too late that it is an obstruction. This could
lead to an accident.
You should ensure that the vehicle is visible
from the rear in accordance with the relevant
national regulations, by using the warning
triangle for instance. Lighting
91
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lights on/off separately, depending on the
position of the central control switch.
Central control switch for the rear interior lighting
0046
To switch on the interior lighting
0047 Automatic control
008A To switch off the interior lighting
X To activate: press
upper section 0046 on the
switch.
The interior lights are switched on if the
switches on the interior lights (Y page 92)
have not been switched to off 0047.
X To deactivate: press lower section 008A of
the switch.
The interior lights are all switched off,
regardless of the position of the switch on
the interior light.
Automatic control
X To switch on: move the central control
switch for the rear interior lighting to
position 0047.
If the switches on the interior lights
(Y page 92) are set to automatic control
008A, the interior lights come on as soon as
you open a door or unlock the vehicle.
i The interior
lights

switch off automatically
after twenty minutes.
In order to switch the interior lights on
again, you must:
R open a door
R switch on the ignition again Cargo compartment motion detector The interior lighting is also switched on by the
motion detector
in

the cargo compartment on
cargo vans equipped with this feature. G
Warning
Motion detectors use the invisible infrared
radiation emitted by LEDs (light emitting
diodes).
Do not view invisible infrared radiation, laser
class 1M, directly using optical instruments,
such as eyeglasses.
Your eyes could be injured.
If

the motion detector detects a movement in
the cargo compartment when the vehicle is
stationary, the interior lighting switches on
for approximately two minutes.
The interior lighting can be switched on by the
motion detector within four seconds if:
R the interior light switch (Y page 92) is set
to "Automatic control"
R the vehicle is stationary, the parking brake
is applied and the brake pedal is not being
depressed
or
R the selector lever is in position P on
vehicles with automatic transmission and
the brake pedal is not being depressed and
R the vehicle has not been locked from the
outside using the key
The motion detector switches off
automatically if no change is detected in the
vehicle for several hours, e.g. door opened,
ignition key turned, etc. This prevents the
battery from becoming discharged. Lighting
93
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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

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
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Starting the engine
X
Turn the key to position 2 in the ignition
lock.
The 0028 preglow indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
X When the 0028 preglow indicator lamp
goes out, turn the key to position 3 in the
ignition lock and release it as soon as the
engine is running.
i You can start
the engine without preglow
when the engine is warm.
i Depending on the equipment installed,
the vehicle either automatically locks
centrally after switching on the ignition or
after pulling away. The locking knobs in the
doors drop down.
You can open the doors from the inside at
any time.
Automatic door locking can be deactivated
(Y page 55). Driving off
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.
i After pulling away or switching on the
ignition, the vehicle automatically locks
centrally. The locking knobs in the doors
drop down.
You can open the doors from the inside at
any time.
Automatic door locking can be deactivated
(Y page 55). X
Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
The selector lever lock is released.
X Release the parking brake ( Y page 112).
The 0066 indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out.
X Move the selector lever to position D or R.
i On vehicles with a reverse warning
feature, a warning signal sounds when
reverse gear is

engaged to alert other road
users.
! Only shift into reverse gear when the
vehicle is stationary. You could otherwise
damage the transmission.
X Release the brake pedal.
X Carefully depress the accelerator pedal. General driving tips
Steering G
Warning
Do not switch off the engine while the vehicle
is in motion.
There is no

power assistance for the steering
or the service brake when the engine is not
running.
Steering and braking require significantly
more effort and you could lose control of the
vehicle and cause an accident as a result.
! Do not hold the steering wheel at full
steering angle for a long time, e.g. when
turning or maneuvering.
The hydraulic pump could be damaged if
the hydraulic fluid temperature increases.
Overrun cut-off If you take your foot off the accelerator pedal,
the diesel fuel supply is cut off in overrun
mode when the

engine speed is out of the idle
speed control range. 110
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
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