2012 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER MY12 Operator’s Manual

X
Remove implement 0047.
X Refit cover 0046. Jump starting, tow-starting and
towing away
Jump-starting
General notes If the vehicle battery is flat, the engine can be
started from another vehicle using jumper
cables. For this purpose, the vehicle has a
jump-starting connection point in the engine
compartment.
The additional battery in the engine
compartment is
not
suitable for jump-starting
operations. If your vehicle requires jump-
starting, or if you use it to jump-start another
vehicle, use the jump-starting connection
point in the engine compartment. G
Warning
Explosive oxyhydrogen is produced when
batteries are being

charged. When working on
batteries, always make sure that the work
area is well ventilated.
Keep flames and naked lights away from the
battery, and do not smoke.
Prevent the creation of sparks (e.g. when
disconnecting the batteries). Sparks can
ignite the oxyhydrogen gas and cause the
batteries to explode. You and others could be
seriously injured. G
Warning
Due to the gases which escape from batteries,
there is a risk of acid burns when jump-
starting a vehicle.

Do not lean over the battery
while the engine is being jump-started.
! Avoid repeated and lengthy starting
attempts.
Do not use a rapid-charging device to start
the engine. When jump-starting, observe the following
points:
R
jump-starting must only be performed
when the engine and catalytic converter
are cold.
R do not start the engine if the battery is
frozen. Let the battery thaw first.
R when jump-starting, use

only batteries with
the same nominal voltage and a similar
capacity.
R only use jump leads protected against
polarity reversal, with adequate cross-
section and with insulated battery terminal
clamps.
X Make sure that the two vehicles do not
touch.
X Apply the parking brake.
X Move the selector lever of the automatic
transmission to position P.
X Switch off all electrical consumers.
X Switch on the battery isolating switch
(Y page 87).
X Remove the key from the ignition lock.
X Open the hood (Y page 168).
Connecting the jumper cable Connection plan
X
Remove the cover from positive
terminal 0047 of the donor battery.
X First connect one of the positive terminal
clamps of the jumper cable to positive
terminal 0047 of the donor battery. Jump starting, tow-starting and towing away
247
Practical advice Z

Jump-starting connection point left of the air filter
X
Then, use other positive terminal
clamp 0046 of the jumper cable to turn the
red protective cap of the jump-starting
connection point clockwise and slide it
back and connect positive terminal
clamp 0046 to positive terminal 0086 of the
jump-starting connection point.
i Do not connect the jumper cable to the
additional battery in the engine
compartment. The
additional
battery is not
suitable for jump-starting operations.
X Run the donor vehicle's engine at idling
speed.
X First, connect the negative terminal clamps
of the jumper cable to negative terminal
008A of the donor battery and then to earth
contact 0088 of your own vehicle.
X Start the engine.
i You can
now

switch electrical consumers
back on but do not switch on the lights.
X First, disconnect the negative terminal
clamps of the jumper cable from earth
contact 0088 and then

from negative terminal
008A of the donor battery.
X First disconnect the positive terminal
clamps of the jumper cable from positive
terminal 0086 of the jump-starting
connection point and then from positive
terminal 0047 of the donor battery.
The red protective cap springs back to its
initial position when positive terminal
clamp 0046 is removed from the jump-
starting connection point. X
Place the cover on positive terminal 0047 of
the donor battery.
i You can now switch the lights on.
X Have the battery checked at a qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. an authorized
Sprinter Dealer. Tow-starting
You cannot tow-start

your vehicle as it has an
automatic transmission. Towing
General notes G
Warning
Tow the vehicle using a rigid towing bar if:
R the engine is not running.
R the voltage supply

or the vehicle's electrical
system is malfunctioning.
There is no power assistance for the steering
and braking when the engine is not running.
You must then use significantly greater force
to steer the vehicle and brake.
Do not tow the vehicle if the key cannot
be turned in the ignition lock. The steering is
then locked and it will not be possible to steer
the vehicle.
When towing another vehicle, its weight
should not be greater than the permissible
gross weight of your vehicle.
Comply with national regulations when
towing.
It is preferable to have the vehicle
transported on a transporter or trailer instead
of towing it. When towing the vehicle, use a
rigid towing bar.
! Only secure the tow cable or tow bar to
the towing eyes. You could otherwise
damage the vehicle.
i Before towing, deactivate the automatic
locking while driving function (Y page 55). 248
Jump starting, tow-starting and towing away
Practical advice

You could otherwise become locked out
when pushing or towing the vehicle.
! Do not exceed the towing speed of
31 mph (50 km/h). You could otherwise
damage the transmission.
X Turn the key to position 2
in the ignition
lock.
X For a towing distance of up to 30 miles
(50 km), move the selector lever to
position N. G
Warning
A propeller shaft could fall off as it is being
removed and injure

you. Secure the propeller
shaft before removal to prevent it from falling
down, e.g. with the aid of another person or
by tying the propeller shaft up.
X For a towing distance greater than
30 miles(50 km), remove the propeller
shafts to the driven axles.
! Always use new bolts when installing the
propeller shafts.
Front towing eye The fixture for the front towing eye is located in the
bumper.
X
To install the towing eye: press on
cover 0046 in the direction of the arrow and
remove cover 0046.
You will see the fixture for the towing eye.
X Take the towing eye and lug wrench from
the vehicle tool kit (Y page 182). X
Screw in the towing eye clockwise to the
stop.
X Insert the lug wrench handle into the
towing eye and tighten.
X To remove the towing eye: take the lug
wrench from the vehicle tool kit.
X Insert the lug wrench handle into the
towing eye and turn the wrench counter-
clockwise.
X Unscrew the towing eye.
X Insert cover 0046 with the lug at the bottom
and press it in at the top until it engages.
X Place the towing eye and lug wrench back
in the vehicle tool kit.
Rear towing eye If your vehicle is equipped with a rear towing
eye, this
is

installed to the rear of the chassis
on the right-hand side when viewed in the
direction of travel.
i If your vehicle has a trailer coupling, use
this for towing.
Recovering a vehicle that is stuck If the drive wheels are dug in to loose or
muddy ground, tow the vehicle with extreme
care, particularly if it is laden.
Pull the
vehicle

smoothly and straight ahead.
There is otherwise a risk of damage to the
chassis.
Do not tow the vehicle out with a trailer
attached.
Tow the vehicle out backwards in the tracks
already made, if possible.
Towing the vehicle in the event of
particular malfunctions With transmission damage
G
Warning
A propeller shaft could fall off as it is being
removed and injure

you. Secure the propeller
shaft before removal to prevent it from falling Jump starting, tow-starting and towing away
249
Practical advice
Z

down, e.g. with the aid of another person or
by tying the propeller shaft up.
X Always remove the propeller shafts leading
to the driven axles.
! Always use new bolts when installing the
propeller shafts.
With front axle damage
X Turn the key to position 1 in the ignition
lock.
X Raise the front axle. G
Warning
A propeller shaft could fall off as it is being
removed and injure

you. Secure the propeller
shaft before removal to prevent it from falling
down, e.g. with the aid of another person or
by tying the propeller shaft up.
! The ignition must be switched off if the
vehicle is being towed with the front or rear
axle raised. Otherwise, ESP ®
may intervene
and damage the brake system.
With rear axle damage
X Turn the key to position 1 in the ignition
lock.
X Raise the rear axle.
Malfunction in the electrical system
If the battery is defective, the automatic
transmission will be locked in position P. To
shift the automatic transmission to
position N, you must provide power to the
vehicle's electrical system in the same way
as jump-starting ( Y page 247).
Have the vehicle

transported on a transporter
or trailer.
Transporting the vehicle The towing
eye can be used to pull the vehicle
onto a special transporter or trailer for
transportation.
! Only lash the

vehicle down by the wheels
or rims, not by vehicle parts such as axle or steering components. There is otherwise a
risk of damage to the vehicle.
X Move the selector lever of the automatic
transmission to position N.250
Jump starting, tow-starting and towing away
Practical advice

Vehicle equipment ............................
252
Important safety notes ....................252
Operation ........................................... 253
Operation in winter ...........................254
Tire pressure ..................................... 255
Loading the vehicle ..........................261
Maximum tire load ............................265
Tire labeling ....................................... 266
Definition for tires and loading ........268
Changing wheels ............................... 271 251Wheels and tires

Vehicle equipment
i Diese Betriebsanleitung beschreibt alle
Modelle, Serien- und
Sonderausstattungen
Ihres Fahrzeugs, die zum Zeitpunkt des
Redaktionsschlusses dieser
Betriebsanleitung erhältlich waren.
Länderspezifische Abweichungen sind
möglich. Beachten Sie, dass Ihr Fahrzeug
nicht mit allen beschriebenen Funktionen
ausgestattet sein könnte. Dies betrifft auch
sicherheitsrelevante Systeme und
Funktionen. Important safety notes
Contact an authorized Sprinter Dealer if you
require information on tested and
recommended tires and wheels for summer
and winter driving.

Advice on purchasing and
caring for tires is also available there. G
Warning
Replace rims or tires with the same
designation, manufacturer and

type as shown
on the original part. For further information,
contact an authorized Sprinter Dealer. If
incorrectly sized rims and tires are mounted,
the wheel brakes or suspension components
can be damaged. Also, the operating
clearance of the wheels and the tires may no
longer be correct. G
Warning!
Worn, old
tires can cause accidents. If the tire
tread is worn to minimum tread depth, or if
the tires have sustained damage, replace
them.
When replacing rims, only use genuine
Sprinter wheel bolts specified for the
particular rim type.

Failure to do so can result
in the bolts loosening and possibly an
accident.
Retreaded tires are not tested or
recommended by the dealer named on the
inside cover page, since previous damage cannot always
be recognized on retreads. The
operating safety of the vehicle cannot be
assured when such tires are used. G
Warning!
Only for vehicles without a tire pressure
monitor:
For safety reasons, we recommend that you
only use tire valves manufactured by
Schrader. These have been tested for use on
your vehicle.
Use only tire valves of type:
R TR 600 for the vehicle types 2500
R TR 418 for the vehicle types 3500
Using other tire inflation valves or valves
made by other manufacturers can result in
tire pressure loss and thereby impair the
operating safety of the vehicle.
! Do not screw additional weights (check
valves, etc.) onto the tire valves. The
electronic components could thus be
damaged. G
Warning
If you feel a sudden significant vibration or
ride disturbance, or

you suspect that possible
damage to your vehicle has occurred, you
should turn on the hazard warning lamps,
carefully slow down, and drive with caution to
an area which is a safe distance from the road.
Inspect the tires and the vehicle underbody
for possible damage. If the vehicle appears
unsafe, have the vehicle towed to the nearest
authorized Sprinter Dealer for repairs. G
Warning
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects
the ability to steer or brake the vehicle. You
might lose control of the vehicle. Continued
driving with a

flat tire or driving at high speed
with a flat tire will cause excessive heat build-
up and possibly a fire. 252
Important safety notes
Wheels and tires

Operation
Notes on driving
R If the vehicle
is heavily laden, check the tire
pressures, and correct them, if necessary.
R When parking your vehicle, make sure that
the tires do not get deformed by the curb
or other obstacles. If it is necessary to drive
over curbs, speed humps or similar
elevations, try to do so slowly and at an
obtuse angle. Otherwise, the tires,
particularly the sidewalls, can get
damaged. Notes on regularly inspecting wheels
and tires
G
Warning
Regularly check the tires for damage.
Damaged tires can cause tire inflation
pressure loss. As a result, you could lose
control of your vehicle.
Worn, old tires

can cause accidents. If the tire
tread is worn to minimum tread depth, or if
the tires have sustained damage, replace
them.
R Regularly check the wheels and tires of
your vehicle for damage (e.g. cuts,
punctures, tears, bulges on tires and
deformation or severe corrosion on
wheels), at least once a month, as well as
after driving off-road or on rough roads.
Damaged wheels can cause a loss of tire
pressure.
R Regularly check the tire tread depth and
the condition of the tread across the whole
width of the tire (Y page 253). If necessary,
turn the front wheels to full lock in order to
inspect the inner side of the tire surface.
R All wheels must have a valve cap to protect
the valve against dirt and moisture. Do not
install anything onto the valve (such as tire
pressure monitoring systems) other than the standard valve cap or other valve caps
approved for your vehicle.
R Regularly check the

pressure of all the tires
including the spare wheel, particularly prior
to long trips, and correct the pressure
(Y page 255). Tire tread
G
Warning
Although the
applicable federal motor vehicle
safety laws consider a tire to be worn when
the tread wear indicators (TWI) become
visible at approximately 1
/ 16 in (1.6 mm), we
recommend that you do not allow your tires
to wear down to that level. As tread depth
approaches 1
/ 8 in (3 mm), the adhesion
properties on a

wet road are sharply reduced.
Depending upon the weather and/or road
surface (conditions), the tire traction varies
widely.
Replace tires before they become excessively
worn, as the tire traction on wet road surfaces
decreases significantly when the tread depth
is less than ⅛ in (3 mm).
Tread wear indicators (TWIs) are required by
law. Six indicators are positioned over the tire
tread. They are visible once the tread depth
is approximately 1
/ 16 in (1.6 mm). If this is the
case, the tire is so worn that it must be
replaced.
The recommended tread depth for summer
tires is at least ⅛ in (3 mm). The
recommended tread depth for winter tires is
at least 1/6
in (4 mm). Operation
253
Wheels and tires Z

Bar marking 0046 for tread wear is integrated
into the tire tread.
Notes on selecting, mounting and
replacing tires
R Only mount tires and wheels of the same
type and make.
R Only mount tires of the correct size onto
the wheels.
R After mounting new tires, run them in at
moderate speeds for the first 60 miles
(100 km) as they only reach their full
performance after this distance.
R Do not use tires that are excessively worn
as the tire traction on wet road surfaces
decreases significantly when the tread
depth is less than ⅛ in (3 mm).
R Replace the tires after six years at the
latest, regardless of
wear. This also applies
to the spare wheel.
The service life of tires depends, among other
things, on the following factors:
R driving style
R tire pressure
R mileage
Permissible wheel/tire combinations and
instructions for tires can be found under
"Tires and wheels" in the "Technical data"
section ( Y page 280). Operation in winter
Please bear the following in mind
Have your vehicle

winterproofed at a qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. at an authorized
Sprinter Dealer, at the onset of winter.
Observe the notes under "Winter driving" in
the "Operation" section (Y page 271). Driving with summer tires
At temperatures below

45 ‡(+7 †), summer
tires lose a lot of their elasticity, and thus also
lose grip and braking effect – equip your
vehicle with M+S tires. Summer tires may
develop cracks leading to permanent damage
if they are used at very low temperatures. We
cannot accept responsibility for this type of
damage. M+S tires
At temperatures below 45 ‡(+7 †), use
winter tires or all-season tires — both are
marked M+S.
In wintry road conditions, only winter tires
with the snowflake symbol 004D in addition
to the M+S marking offer the best possible
grip. Only these tires allow driving safety
systems such as ABS and ESP ®
to continue
to work optimally in winter, as these tires
have been

designed specifically for driving on
snow.
For safe driving, use M+S tires of the same
make and tread pattern on all wheels. G
Warning
M+S tires with a tread depth of less than 1
/ 6
inch (4 mm) must be replaced. They are no
longer suitable for winter operation.
Always observe the maximum permissible
speed specified for the M+S tires you have
mounted. 254
Operation in winter
Wheels and tires