2012 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER ESP

!
Do not use fuel additives (with the
exception of flow improvers), since this
could lead to malfunctions or engine
damage. Damage caused by the use of
such additives is not covered by the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
! Do not add
gasoline or kerosene to diesel
fuel to improve its flow characteristics.
Gasoline or kerosene impairs the
lubricating properties of the diesel fuel.
This may cause damage to the injection
system, for example.
At outside temperatures below
14 ‡(–10 †) and with less cold-resistant
winter diesel fuel, add the amount of flow
improver appropriate to the outside
temperature.
Add this additive to the diesel in time, i.e.
before the flow properties of the diesel are
affected by paraffin separation. Malfunctions
caused by paraffin separation can only be
rectified by heating the entire fuel system,
e.g. by parking the vehicle in a heated garage. G
Warning
If you heat up the fuel system with a heat gun,
for example, you

may damage parts of the fuel
system. Fuel could escape, be ignited, and
cause a fire.
Never heat the fuel system with a heat gun or
with a naked flame. Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF)
DEF is the

reducing agent for the exhaust gas
aftertreatment. DEF is a nonflammable,
nontoxic, colorless, odorless and water-
soluble liquid.
! Only use DEF in accordance with
ISO 22241. The exhaust gas aftertreatment
may otherwise be damaged.
Observe the MB Specifications for Service
Products, Sheet No. 352.0.
Damage caused by the use of other
reducing agents will result in the loss of your New Vehicle Limited Warranty
entitlements.
! If DEF comes into contact with a painted
or aluminum surface, wash the surface off
immediately with plenty of water.
High ambient temperatures If DEF in the DEF reservoir heats up to
temperatures over 122 ‡(50 †) for a long
period of time (e.g. due to direct sunlight),
ammonia vapors form.
G
Warning
If you open the DEF reservoir cap at high
temperatures, ammonia vapors could be
released.
Ammonia vapors have

a pungent odor and are
particularly irritating for your skin, respiratory
organs and eyes. This may result in burning
eyes, nose and throat, as well as coughing and
watering eyes.
Do not inhale ammonia vapors.
Low ambient temperatures DEF freezes at a temperature of
approximately
12 ‡(–11 †
). The vehicle is
equipped

with a DEF preheating system at the
factory. This ensures that the vehicle can be
operated in winter, even at temperatures
below 12 ‡(–11 †).
Additives and tap water !
Do not mix
DEF with any additives and do
not dilute DEF with tap water. Otherwise,
the exhaust gas aftertreatment may be
damaged.
Observe the MB Specifications for Service
Products, Sheet No. 352.0.
Damage caused by the use of additives or
tap water is not covered by the New Vehicle
Limited Warranty. Service products
155
Operation Z

Storage
Only store DEF in containers made of high-
alloy Cr-Ni steel or Mo-Cr-Ni steel in
accordance with DIN EN 10 088-1/2/3 or
plastic containers made of polypropylene or
polyethylene.
!
Containers made of aluminum, copper,
copper alloys as well as unalloyed or
galvanized steel
are not suitable for storing
DEF. If stored in these types of containers,
DEF could cause constituents of these
metals to dissolve and cause irreparable
damage to the exhaust gas aftertreatment.
Damage caused by dissolved components
of the storage container will result in a loss
of your New Vehicle Limited Warranty
entitlements.
Disposal Observe country-specific laws and
regulations when disposing of DEF.
0040Environmental note
Dispose of DEF in an environmentally
responsible manner.
Purity
The purity of DEF is essential to prevent
malfunctions in the exhaust gas
aftertreatment.
If DEF is pumped out of the DEF tank, e.g.
during repair work, the same liquid must not
be used
to

refill the tank. Its purity is no longer
guaranteed.
! Impurities in DEF (e.g. caused by other
service products, cleaning agents, dust,
etc.) result in increased emissions,
malfunctions, catalytic converter damage
or engine damage. Engine oils
Use only approved engine oil that complies
with the MB Specifications for Service
Products.
! The bottles of

the various engine oil types
are marked with ACEA (Association des
Constructeurs Européens d'Automobiles)
and/or API (American Petroleum Institute)
classifications. Only use approved engine
oils that conform to the following MB
Specifications for Service Products and the
prescribed ACEA and/or API
classifications. Using engine oils of another
quality is not permitted and may lead to a
loss of your New Vehicle Limited Warranty
entitlements.
The use of other, non-approved engine oils
for diesel engines can cause damage to the
diesel particle filter (DPF).
The MB Specifications for Service Products
apply to your vehicle 1
R 228.51
R 229.51
These engine oils are of high quality and have
a beneficial effect on:
R engine wear
R fuel consumption
R emissions
Multi-grade engine oils of the prescribed SAE
class (viscosity) may be used all year round,
taking the outside temperatures into
account.
Oil change Oil change intervals depend on the vehicle's
operating conditions and the quality of the
engine oil used.
The on-board computer automatically shows
the date for the next oil change as an event
message in the display.
1 If the quality

level for diesel engines is not available, you may refill with engine oils that comply with the MB
Specifications for Service Products, Sheet No. 228.5, 229.3 and 229.5. The refill quantity is then limited to
a maximum of 1 qt (1 l). 156
Service products
Operation

Select the SAE class (viscosity) of the engine
oil in accordance with the outside
temperature.
!
If the SAE
viscosity class of the engine oil
used does not cover the outside
temperature range in which you are
operating the vehicle, it must be changed
in good time, in particular before the cold
season commences. Using an engine oil
that does not have adequate temperature
characteristics can lead to engine damage.
The temperature range information of the
SAE classification always refers to that of
fresh oil. The temperature characteristics
of the engine oil may deteriorate
significantly due to aging in use, especially
at low outside temperatures.
For this reason, we recommend that the
engine oil be changed before the cold
season commences. Use an approved
engine oil of the specified SAE class. Engine oil SAE classification
i
Only by using

engine oil with a particularly
high quality grade, e.g. according to Sheet
Number 228.51 of the MB Specifications
for Service Products, can the maximum
interval for oil change be achieved.
We recommend that you only add engine oil
of the same quality grade and SAE class as
used when the engine oil was last changed.
You can obtain further information from any
authorized Sprinter Dealer.
! Do not add too much oil. Adding too much
oil can result in damage to the engine or the catalytic converter. Have excess oil
siphoned off.
Miscibility of engine oils If, in exceptional cases, oil of the type in the
engine is not available, top up using another
approved mineral or synthetic engine oil.
Engine oils are differentiated according to:
R
engine oil brand
R quality grade (sheet number)
R SAE class (viscosity)
Subsequently have the

engine oil changed at
the earliest possible opportunity.
! Mixing oils reduces the benefits of using
high grade engine oils.
i The sheet number (quality grade) and the
SAE classification (viscosity) can be found
on the designation on the oil bottle. Service products
157
Operation Z

Change intervals for brake fluid
Service product Maintenance
interval Product name/number MB
Sheet
No.
Brake fluid 2 years Intac B026E
R
Boiling point: 500 ‡(260 †)
R Wet boiling point:
356 ‡ (180 †) 331.0
Coolant
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.
Coolant is a mixture of water and antifreeze/
corrosion inhibitor.
In the coolant, the antifreeze/corrosion
inhibitor is responsible for:
R corrosion protection
R antifreeze protection
R raising the boiling point
The coolant must remain in the cooling
system all year round for corrosion protection
purposes and to increase the boiling point –
even in countries with hot climates.
At the factory, the vehicle is filled with a
coolant that ensures protection against frost
and corrosion and which can be mixed with
approved antifreeze/corrosion inhibitors.
! Use only approved antifreeze/corrosion
inhibitors that comply with the MB
Specification for Service Products, Sheet
No. 325. Using other, non-approved
antifreeze/corrosion inhibitors may cause damage to the coolant system and reduce
the engine's service life.
Check the antifreeze/corrosion inhibitor
concentration in the coolant every six
months.
When the coolant is being renewed, the
coolant must contain 50 % by volume of
anticorrosion/antifreeze

agent. This provides
antifreeze protection down to
–34.6 ‡(–37 †).
Do not exceed a proportion of
55 % by volume (antifreeze protection down
to approximately –49.0 ‡ (–45 †)),
otherwise heat dissipation is reduced.
If there is a loss of coolant, do not replenish
with water only, but also add an approved
corrosion inhibitor/antifreeze agent. The
water in the coolant must meet certain
requirements, which are often fulfilled by
drinking water. If the water quality is not
sufficient, you must treat the water.
Observe the MB Specifications for Service
Products, Sheet Number 325.
You can obtain further information from any
authorized Sprinter Dealer. 160
Service products
Operation

Change intervals for coolant
Service product Maintenance
interval Product name/number MB
Sheet
No.
Coolant, antifreeze/
corrosion inhibitor every sixth
maintenance
interval or
every 15 years EURO Peak Coolant/Antifreeze,
OLD WORLD INDUSTRIES 325.0
Zerex G05,
The Valvoline Company 325.0
Zerex G48,
The Valvoline Company 325.0
Glysantin G05, BASF AG 325.0
Refrigerant
The air-conditioning system
uses the refrigerant R-134a. This refrigerant does not damage the
ozone layer.
You can obtain further information from any authorized Sprinter Dealer. Service product Maintenance
interval Product name/number MB
Sheet
No.
Refrigerant — Refrigerant R-134a 361.0
Cleaning and care
General notes
Regular care serves to maintain the value of
your vehicle.
It is advisable to use care products from the
distributor named on the inside of the front
cover. They are designed specifically for
Sprinters and represent the state of the art.
These care products are available from any
authorized Sprinter Dealer.
Do not cover

the surface of the radiator or the
radiator grill, e.g. with a protective screen.
Doing so could cause the engine diagnostics
to record false or incorrect data. The
recording of specific engine diagnostic data
is legally prescribed and must therefore be
correct, clear and comprehensible at all
times. G
Warning
Always keep care products sealed and out of
the reach of children.
Always follow the instructions for use of the
care products.
Do not use fuel as a cleaning agent. Fuel is
highly flammable and constitutes a health
hazard.
0040Environmental note
Wash the vehicle only at a properly equipped
wash bay. Dispose of empty containers and
used cleaning materials in an
environmentally-responsible manner. Cleaning and care
161
Operation Z

The windshield wipers may otherwise move
and injure you.
X Turn the key to position 0 in the ignition
lock or remove it.
! Do not fold the windshield wipers away
from the windshield unless the hood is
closed. Otherwise, you could damage the
hood.
X Fold the wiper arms away from the
windshield until you feel them engage.
X Clean the windshield and the wiper blades.
X Fold the windshield wipers back again
before switching on the ignition.
Headlamps Wipe the headlamp lenses with a wet sponge.
! Only use washer

fluid which is suitable for
plastic lamp lenses. Unsuitable washer
fluid could damage the plastic lamp lenses
of the headlamps.
Therefore, do not use:
R dry cloths
R abrasive products
R solvents
R cleaning products containing solvents
You could otherwise scratch or damage the
surface of the lenses.
Sliding door Clean the contact plates and the tips of the
contact pins around the sliding door with
water, shampoo and a soft cloth.
Do not oil or grease the contact plates and
contact pins.
Remove foreign objects. Power washers
! Maintain the following minimum
distances between the high-pressure
nozzle and the object being cleaned:
R approximately 2.2 ft (70 cm)

when using
round-jet nozzles
R approximately 1 ft (30 cm) when using
25° flat-spray jets and concentrated-
power jets
Keep the water jet moving while cleaning.
To avoid causing damage, do not point the
water jet directly at:
R door joints
R brake hoses
R electrical components
R plug connections
R seals
R the drive train, especially not at the
intermediate bearing of the propeller
shaft
R the rear-view camera or the microphone
opening on the bottom of the rear-view
camera. Keep a minimum distance of
1.6 ft (50 cm). G
Warning
Do not
use round-jet nozzles to clean the tires.
The pulsating water jet can cause damage to
the substructure of

the tires that is not visible
from the outside. This type of damage only
becomes noticeable at a much later stage and
can cause the tires to burst. This could cause
you to lose control of the vehicle, resulting in
an accident and injuring yourself or others.
Replace damaged tires immediately. Automatic car wash
If the vehicle is very dirty, prewash it before
you put it through an automatic car wash. G
Warning
If a wax preservative is applied after the
vehicle is washed,

you should remove the wax164
Cleaning and care
Operation

from the windshield and the wiper blades to
prevent smearing.
Smears
impair the driver's
view, and their effect is made worse in
conditions where visibility is poor (e.g. glare,
mist, darkness, snow). You may therefore fail
to recognize dangers, or not recognize them
in time, and thereby cause an accident.
! Make sure that the automatic car wash is
suitable for the size of the vehicle.
Before washing the vehicle in an automatic
car wash, fold in the exterior mirrors and
remove the radio/telephone antenna.
Otherwise, the exterior mirror, antenna or
the vehicle itself could be damaged.
Make sure that the antenna is installed and
that the exterior mirrors are fully folded out
again when you leave the automatic car
wash.
! Make sure that the side windows are
completely closed, that the ventilation/
heating is switched off and that the
windshield wiper switch is set to 0.
Otherwise, the rain/light sensor could be
activated, triggering unintended wiper
movements. This can cause damage to the
vehicle.
After putting the vehicle through an
automatic car wash, wipe off wax from:
R the rear-view camera lens ( Y page 163)
R the windshield and the wiper blades. This
prevents smears and reduces wiping noise
which can be caused by residue on the
windshield. Cleaning the engine
! Water must not

enter intake or ventilation
openings. When cleaning with high
pressure water or steam cleaners, the
spray must not be aimed directly at
electrical components or the terminals of
electrical lines. Preserve the engine after the engine has
been cleaned.
Protect

the belt drive system
from exposure to the preservative agent. Alloy wheels
Clean the alloy wheels regularly.
! Do not use

any acidic or alkaline cleaning
agents. They can cause corrosion on the
wheel bolts (wheel nuts) or the retainer
springs for the wheel-balancing weights. After driving off-road or on
construction sites
G
Warning
Dirt on the vehicle can affect road and
operating safety.
It can specifically result in the following
dangers:
Stone impact. Stones trapped between the
tires can be thrown out while driving. This
could injure other

road users or damage other
vehicles (especially windscreens).
Risk of skidding. Dirt and mud on the tires/
on the road reduce the grip of the tires on the
road. This especially applies when the surface
is wet. The vehicle could then start to skid.
Risk of injury. Dirt and mud on the steps and
entrance can make the steps unsafe. This
could cause you to slip off the steps and be
injured.
For this reason, you should always clean your
vehicle carefully after driving off-road or on
construction sites before driving on public
roads. Observe the corresponding safety
notices in this chapter if you use a power
washer or an automatic car wash to clean your
vehicle.
X Clean the vehicle, paying special attention
to the following:
R
Lighting system
R Windows and exterior mirrors
R Access steps and entrances Cleaning and care
165
Operation Z

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