2012 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER MY12 Operator’s Manual

properly and use an appropriately sized
infant restraint, toddler restraint, or
booster seat
recommended
for the size and
weight of the child.
R Children twelve years old and under must
never travel on the co-driver's seat. They
will otherwise be struck by the co-driver's
front air bag when it inflates in a crash. This
could result in serious or fatal injury.
Failure to follow these instructions can result
in severe injuries to you or other occupants.
If you sell your vehicle, it is important that you
make the buyer aware of this safety
information. Be sure to give the buyer this
Operator’s Manual. G
Warning
Accident research
shows that the safest place
for children in

an automobile is in a rear seat.
A side impact air bag related injury may occur
if occupants, especially children, are not
properly seated or restrained when next to a
side impact air bag which needs to deploy
rapidly in a side impact in order to do its job.
To help avoid the possibility of injury, please
follow these guidelines:
(1) Occupants, especially children, should never place
their bodies or
lean their heads in the area of the
door where the side impact air bag
inflates. This could result in
serious injuries or death should
the side impact air bag be
deployed.
(2) Always sit as upright as possible and use the seat belts properly.
Make sure that children 12 years
old and under

use an appropriately
sized child restraint, infant
restraint, or booster seat
recommended for the size and
weight of the child.
(3) Always wear seat belts properly.
The air bags are only deployed if the air bag
control unit detects

the need for deployment. Only in the event of such a situation will they
provide their supplemental protection.
The driver and

passenger should always wear
their seat belts. Otherwise, it is not possible
for the air bags to provide their supplemental
protection.
In the event of other types of impacts and
impacts below air bag deployment
thresholds, air bags will not deploy. The driver
and passengers will then be protected to the
extent possible by a properly fastened seat
belt. A properly fastened seat belt is also
needed to provide the best possible
protection in a rollover.
Air bags provide supplemental protection, but
are not a substitute for the seat belts. All
vehicle occupants must fasten their seat
belts regardless of whether your vehicle is
equipped with air bags or not.
It is important for your safety and that of your
passengers to have deployed air bags
replaced and to have any malfunctioning air
bags repaired. This will help to make sure the
air bags continue to perform their protective
function for the vehicle occupants in the
event of a crash.
Front air bags G
Warning
Observe "Important safety notes"
(Y
page 38).
The front air bags increase the degree of
protection afforded to

the driver and co-driver
against head and chest injuries. Occupant safety
39
Safety Z

Driver's front air bag 0046 deploys in front of
the steering wheel; co-driver's front air
bag
0047 deploys in front of and above the glove
box. They are deployed:
R in the event of certain frontal impacts
R if the system determines that air bag
deployment can
offer additional protection
to that provided by the seat belt
R if the respective seat belt is fastened
R independently of other air bags in the
vehicle
If the event of a rollover, the front air bags are
generally not deployed unless the system
detects high vehicle deceleration in a
longitudinal direction.
The air bags will not deploy in impacts which
do not exceed the system's preset
deployment thresholds. You will then be
protected by the seat belt, provided that it is
fastened.
Side impact air bags G
Warning
Observe "Important safety notes"
(Y page 38). G
Warning
If you wish to use seat covers, we recommend
for safety reasons that you use only those
approved for Sprinter vehicles.
The seat covers must feature a special tear
seam for the side impact air bags. The side
impact air bag may otherwise not deploy
correctly and may fail to provide the intended
degree of protection in the event of a collision.
Suitable seat covers can be obtained from any
authorized Sprinter Dealer. G
Warning
The pressure sensors for side impact air bag
control are located in the doors. Do not
modify any components of the doors or door
trim panels including, for example, the
addition of door speakers. Improper repair work on the doors or the
modification or addition of components to the
doors creates a risk of rendering the side
impact air bags inoperative or causing
unintended air bag deployment. Work on the
doors must therefore only be performed by
qualified technicians. Contact an authorized
Sprinter Dealer.
G
Warning
Only use seat covers which have been tested
and approved for your vehicle type by the
distributor named on the inside of the front
cover. Using other seat covers may interfere
with or prevent the deployment of the front
side impact air bags. Contact an authorized
Sprinter Dealer for availability.
When deployed, the side impact air bags offer
additional protection for the thorax of the
vehicle occupants on the side of the vehicle
on which the impact occurs. However, they
do not protect the:
R head
R neck
R arms Side impact air bags
0046
deploy next to the
outer seat cushions.
Side impact air bags 0046 are deployed:
R on the side on which the impact occurs
R at the start of an accident with a high rate
of lateral vehicle deceleration or
acceleration, e.g. in a side impact
R whether or not the seat belt is fastened40
Occupant safety
Safety

R
independently of the front air bags
R independently of the Emergency
Tensioning Devices
The side impact air bags are generally not
deployed in the
event of a rollover, unless the
system detects high vehicle deceleration or
acceleration in a lateral direction and
determines that they can offer additional
protection to that provided by the seat belt.
The side impact air bags are not deployed in
side impacts which do not exceed the
system's deployment threshold.
Window curtain air bags G
Warning
Observe "Important safety notes"
(Y page 38).
The window curtain air bags enhance
protection for the head (but not the chest or
arms) of the

vehicle occupants on the side of
the vehicle on which the impact occurs.
The window curtain air bags are installed in
the side of the roof frame above the front
doors. Window curtain air bags
0046 are deployed:
R on the side on which the impact occurs
R at the start of an accident with a high rate
of lateral vehicle deceleration or
acceleration, e.g. in a side impact
R regardless of whether the co-driver's seat
is occupied
R whether or not the seat belt is fastened R
in the event
of a rollover where the system
determines that air bag deployment can
offer additional protection to that provided
by the seat belt
R independently of the front air bags
R independently of the Emergency
Tensioning Devices
The window curtain air bags will not deploy in
impacts which do not exceed the system's
preset thresholds. You will then be protected
by the seat belt, provided that it is fastened. Children in the vehicle
Important safety notes If an infant or child is traveling in the vehicle:
X
Secure the child using an infant or child
restraint system appropriate

to the age and
weight of the child.
X Make sure that the infant or child is
properly secured at all times while the
vehicle is in motion. G
Warning
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
key from the

ignition lock. Always take the key
with you and lock the vehicle. Do not leave
children unattended in the vehicle, even if
they are secured in a child restraint system,
or with access to an unlocked vehicle. A
child's unsupervised access to a vehicle could
result in an accident and/or serious personal
injury.
Children could injure themselves on parts of
the vehicle or could suffer severe or fatal
injury due to extreme heat or cold.
If children open a door, they could injure other
persons or get out of the vehicle and injure
themselves or be injured by following traffic.
Do not expose the child restraint system to
direct sunlight. This could cause, for example,
metal parts of the child restraint system to
become very hot. Touching these parts could
cause burns. Occupant safety
41
Safety Z

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

must not be opened unless the vehicle is
stationary.
In an emergency, or after an accident, the
vehicle occupants can exit the vehicle
through the emergency exit window.
The emergency exit window is the first
window behind the driver's seat on the
driver's side.
It
is marked by the "Emergency
Exit" label. G
Warning
Observe the following notes to make sure that
the emergency exit window can be used
safely in the event of an emergency:
R Before beginning a journey, inform the
vehicle occupants of the emergency exit
window and explain how to use it. Make
sure to explicitly point out the risks
described here.
R Only vehicle occupants who know how to
use the emergency exit window are
permitted to sit next to it.
R Access to the

emergency exit window must
remain unobstructed. Do not place any
large or heavy objects on or in front of the
seats next to the emergency exit window.
R The window handles must not be used as
hooks, e.g. to hang up light objects, bags
or items of clothing. G
Warning
To reduce the risk of accident or injury when
exiting the vehicle through the emergency
exit window, observe the following notes:
R Only open the emergency exit window
when the vehicle is stationary.
R Make sure that nobody becomes trapped,
both when closing and when opening the
emergency exit window. The emergency
exit window must be held open by one
person.
R Pay attention to the traffic conditions and
make sure that there is sufficient space
when exiting through the emergency exit
window.
R Pay attention to

the traffic conditions when
exiting the vehicle. Also pay attention to the
vehicle height and the local surroundings.
Be especially careful if there are children in
the vicinity. G
Warning
An open or unlocked emergency exit window
can be torn from its anchorages when the
vehicle is in

motion and can thereby cause an
accident.
For this reason, always check the lock and the
locking pins of the emergency exit window
before driving off.
Never open the emergency exit window while
the vehicle is in motion.
! Make sure there is sufficient clearance
when opening the emergency exit window.
Hold the open window in position. You
could otherwise damage the emergency
exit window.
X To open: turn both handles 0046
to a vertical
position. Locking pins 0047 will break in the
process.
The window is unlocked.
X Swing the window outwards by the handles
and hold
it

in this position. Make sure there
is sufficient clearance when doing so.
X To close: close the window.46
Emergency exit
Safety