
Selector lever positions
0045
Park position
This prevents the vehicle from
rolling away when stopped. Only
move the selector lever to
P when
the vehicle is stationary.
You can only
remove the key when
the selector lever is in position P.
The selector lever is locked in
position P when the key is
removed. 0046
Reverse gear
Only move the selector lever to R
when the vehicle is stationary. 0044
Neutral
No power is transmitted from the
engine to the drive wheels.
Releasing the
brakes
will allow you
to move the vehicle freely, e.g. by
pushing or towing.
Do not move the selector lever to
N while driving. The automatic
transmission could otherwise be
damaged.
If ASR is deactivated or ESP ®
has
malfunctioned: only move the
selector lever to N if the vehicle is
in danger of skidding, e.g. on icy
roads. 003A
Drive
The automatic transmission
changes gear
automatically.
All five
forward gears are available. Touchshift
When the selector lever is in position D
, you
can perform gearshifts yourself.
X To shift down: press the selector lever to
the left towards D–.
The automatic transmission shifts to the
next gear down, depending on the gear currently engaged. This will also restrict the
shift range. G
Warning
Do not change down for additional engine
braking on a
slippery road surface. This could
cause the drive wheels to lose their grip and
the vehicle could skid.
i The automatic transmission does not shift
down if you press the selector lever
towards D– while traveling at too high a
speed. The engine could otherwise overrev.
X To shift up:
briefly press
the selector lever
to the right towards D+.
The automatic transmission shifts to the
next gear up, depending on the current
gearshift program. This also extends the
shift range.
X To derestrict the shift range: press and
hold the selector lever towards D+ until D
is shown once more in the display.
The automatic transmission
shifts from the
current shift range directly to D.
X To select the optimum shift range: press
and hold the selector lever to the left
towards D–
.
The automatic transmission will shift to a
range which allows easy acceleration and
deceleration. To do this, the automatic
transmission will shift down one or more
gears. Shift ranges
When the selector lever is in position D
you
can restrict or derestrict the shift range for
the automatic transmission.
X Press the selector lever briefly to the right
towards D+ or left towards D–.
The set shift
range is shown in the display.
i If the maximum
engine speed for the shift
range is reached and you depress the
accelerator pedal, the automatic 114
Automatic transmission
Controls

vehicle. Otherwise, the vehicle could roll
away.
Driving the vehicle
Exhaust gas aftertreatment
The exhaust gas aftertreatment requires a
reducing agent, Diesel
Exhaust Fluid (DEF), in
order to function correctly. Filling up the DEF
tank is usually part of the service scope. DEF
consumption depends on operational and
driving conditions; the supply does not have
to suffice until the next scheduled service. For
this reason, refill the DEF tank regularly
during vehicle operation, or, at the latest,
after the first warning message has been
received from the on-board computer.
To conform with emission regulations, you
must operate the vehicle with DEF and refill
the supply regularly. If you try to operate the
vehicle without DEF, with diluted DEF, or with
a different reduction agent, the engine
management detects this and issues a
warning message, after which the engine
cannot be restarted.
If the DEF supply drops below
1.5 US gal (5.5 l), you receive the first warning
message and you hear a warning tone. After
the first message appears, the remaining DEF
supply suffices for approximately 1000 miles
(1600 km) in normal driving conditions.
Then, the reserve range of 0.8 US gal (3.0 l)
is reached. Once the reserve range has been
reached, you receive the next warning
message and you hear a series of warning
tones. After the first message appears, the
DEF reserve suffices for approximately
1200 miles (1900 km). You can, however,
only start the engine another 16 times.
You should now, at the latest, fill up with at
least 2.0 US gal (7.6 l) of DEF (Y page 143)
or have the DEF tank filled at a qualified
specialist workshop. When the number of remaining engine starts
is 0, the engine management prevents the
engine from being started.
If the
00BB
check engine indicator lamp lights
up, the exhaust gas aftertreatment is faulty or
an emission-relevant malfunction has
occurred (Y page 195). You can then drive a
maximum of 50 miles (80 km) before the
engine management limits the number of
remaining engine starts.
If the exhaust gas aftertreatment is faulty,
have it checked and repaired at a qualified
specialist workshop. We recommend that you
use an authorized Sprinter Dealer for this
purpose.
You will find further information on DEF in the
"Service products" section (Y page 155).
Level indicator You will find further information about DEF
consumption in the "Driving tips" section
(Y
page 140).
Vehicles without steering wheel buttons
If the DEF supply is less than
1.5 US gal (5.5 l), the 00E4 indicator lamp in
the instrument cluster lights up and the
009BdEF Chk message appears in the
display.
If the DEF supply drops below the reserve
level of 0.8 US gal (3.0 l), the 00E4 indicator
lamp in the instrument cluster lights up and
the 009BStArtS RE
xx
message is shown in
the display. xx refers to the number of
remaining engine starts (from 16 to 0).
Vehicles with steering wheel buttons
If the DEF supply is less than
1.5 US gal (5.5 l), the Check Diesel
Exhaust Fluid See Operator's Manual
message appears in the display.
If the DEF supply drops below the reserve
level of 0.8 US gal (3.0 l), the 00E4xx
starts remaining message appears in the
display. xx refers to the number of remaining
engine starts (from 16 to 0).116
Driving the vehicle
Controls

ADR (working speed governor)
When activated, the working speed governor
(ADR) automatically increases the engine
speed to a preset or adjustable speed
(Y page 117).
i After a cold start, the idling speed of the
engine is increased automatically. If the
preset working speed is lower than the
increased idling speed, the working speed
is only reached once the engine has
completed the warm-up phase.
It is only possible to activate ADR with the
vehicle stationary and the parking brake
applied.
The selector lever must be in position P.
Activating/deactivating ADR X
To activate: press upper
section 0046 of the
0093 switch while the engine is running.
The indicator lamp in the switch comes on.
Vehicles without steering wheel buttons:
The 004E indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up.
Vehicles with steering wheel buttons:
The Operating speed governor
active message appears in the display.
X To deactivate: press lower section 0047 of
the 0093 switch while the engine is
running.
The indicator lamp in the switch goes out. i
ADR is automatically deactivated when:
R you release the parking brake.
R the brake pedal is depressed.
R the vehicle moves.
R the control unit detects a malfunction.
Setting the working speed X
Activate ADR (
Y page 117).
X To increase: press upper
section 0046 of the
0093 switch.
X To decrease: press lower
section 0047 of the
0094 switch.
i On vehicles with cruise control, you can
use the cruise control lever to increase or
decrease the engine
speed in the same way
as for the road speed. Set the speed using
the cruise control lever (Y page 119).
i After a cold start, the idling speed of the
engine is increased automatically.
You can only reduce the working speed to
the level of the current idling speed. Driving systems
Overview
The
following pages
describe driving systems
that may be a component in your vehicle:
R Cruise control ( Y page 118) which you can
use to control the speed of your vehicle
R PARKTRONIC ( Y page 119) and the rear
view camera (Y page 122) which assist you
with parking and maneuvering Driving systems
117
Controls Z

Cruise control
General notes Cruise control maintains the speed of the
vehicle for you.
Use cruise control if road and traffic
conditions make it appropriate to maintain a
steady speed
for
a prolonged period. You can
set any speed from 20 mph upwards in
increments of 1 mph.
i If you have set km/h as the unit for the
digital speedometer , you can set any speed
from 30 km/h upwards in increments of
1 km/h. G
Warning
Cruise control is unable to take account of
road and traffic conditions.
Always pay attention
to the traffic conditions,
even when cruise control is activated.
Cruise control is only an aid designed to assist
driving. You are always responsible for the
vehicle's speed and for braking in good time.
If there is a change of drivers, make sure that
you inform the new driver about the set cruise
speed. Otherwise, sudden acceleration or
braking could endanger you or others. G
Warning
Do not use cruise control:
R in road and traffic conditions which do not
allow you to
maintain a constant speed (e.g.
heavy traffic or winding roads). You could
otherwise cause an accident.
R on slippery roads. Braking or accelerating
could cause the drive wheels to lose
traction and the vehicle could then skid.
R when there is poor visibility, e.g. due to fog,
heavy rain or snow
i Cruise control may not be able to
maintain the stored speed on uphill or
downhill gradients. The stored speed is
resumed if the gradient evens out and the
vehicle's speed does not fall below 20 mph
(30 km/h). Cruise control lever The cruise control lever is the uppermost
lever on the left of the steering column.
0046
To store the current speed or a higher
speed
0047 To resume the last speed stored
008A To store the current speed or a lower
speed
0088 To deactivate cruise control
Storing the current speed X
Accelerate/decelerate the vehicle to the
speed desired above 20 mph
(30 km/h).
X Briefly push the cruise control lever up 0046
or down 008A
.
X Release the accelerator pedal.
Cruise control is activated. The current
speed is stored.
You cannot activate cruise control if:
R you are driving slower than 20 mph
(30 km/h).
R you depress the brake pedal.
R you apply the parking brake and the 0066
indicator lamp in the instrument cluster
lights up.
i Other drive and brake systems not
described in this Operator's Manual, such
as a
retarder,
may affect cruise control. You
can find information on this in the separate
operating instructions provided by the
body manufacturer. 118
Driving systems
Controls

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. Driving tips
Breaking-in
It is of decisive importance for the operating
life, reliability and
economy of the vehicle that
the engine is not subjected to its full rated
load during the breaking-in period.
Up to 1000 miles (1500 km)
R Run the vehicle in carefully. Drive at varying
road and engine speeds.
R Avoid heavy loads (driving at full throttle)
and high engine speeds. Do not exceed ¾
of the maximum speed for each gear.
R Do not change down a gear manually in
order to brake.
R Avoid depressing the accelerator pedal
beyond the pressure point (kickdown) and
only engage gear 4, 3, 2 or 1 while driving
slowly.
After 1000 miles (1500 km)
R Gradually bring the vehicle up to full road
and engine speeds.
i These instructions must also be observed
if you have the engine, the transmission, or
the rear axle differential of your vehicle
replaced. Driving abroad
An extensive network of authorized Sprinter
Dealers is also
at your disposal when you are
traveling abroad. The respective workshop
directories are available from any authorized
Sprinter Dealer.
In some countries, only fuels with a lower
octane rating or a higher sulfur content are
available.
You will find information about fuel in the
"Service products" section (Y page 153).
If you are traveling in countries where
vehicles are driven on the opposite side of the
road to that in which the vehicle is registered,
you must have the headlamps:
R partially masked (halogen headlamps)
R switched over (Bi-Xenon headlamps) G
Warning
Masking the headlamps incorrectly can
impair your visibility when driving with the
headlamps switched on. You could also
impede other road users. Oncoming traffic
may be dazzled.
Always have the headlamps masked/
switched over at a qualified specialist
workshop which has
the necessary specialist
knowledge and tools to carry out the work
required.
For this we recommend an authorized
Sprinter Dealer. All work relevant to safety or
on safety-related systems must be carried out
at a qualified specialist workshop. Driving off-road
When driving the vehicle, particularly on
rough terrain, ensure that the driven wheels
always have sufficient traction.
Avoid letting the drive wheels spin. Spinning
drive wheels can damage the differential.
! Always observe the ground clearance of
the vehicle and avoid obstacles, e.g. deep
ruts. 138
Driving tips
Operation

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

Before driving off-road
X
If the surface demands it, temporarily
deactivate acceleration skid control (ASR)
when pulling away ( Y
page 49).
X Safely stow or secure any items of luggage
or loads ( Y page 144).
i We recommend that you additionally
carry a shovel and a recovery rope with
shackle in the vehicle.
After driving off-road G
Warning
Damage caused to the vehicle when driving
off-road may cause consequential damage,
the failure of mechanical assemblies as well
as accidents. Clean and inspect the vehicle
after any off-road use. Repair any damage
before using the vehicle again.
X Activate the acceleration skid control
system (ASR) ( Y page 49).
X Clean the vehicle (Y page 165).
X Check the vehicle for damage. Transport by rail
Transporting your vehicle by rail may be
subject to certain restrictions or require
special measures to be taken in some
countries due to varying tunnel heights and
loading standards.
You may obtain information about this from
any authorized Sprinter Dealer. Fuel consumption
Fuel consumption depends on:
R the vehicle version
R the style of driving
R the operating conditions
R the type or quality of the fuel used The vehicle will use more fuel than usual in
the following situations:
R
at very low temperatures
R in city traffic
R on short trips
R when towing a trailer
R in mountainous terrain
Observe the advice in the "Protection of the
environment" section to keep fuel
consumption low .
The following components of the different
vehicle versions influence fuel consumption:
R tire sizes, tire tread, tire pressure, tire
condition
R body
R drive unit gear ratios
R additional equipment (e.g. air-conditioning
system, auxiliary heating system).
Details concerning fuel consumption are
recorded in the on-board computer; use the
steering wheel buttons to call up the Trip
computer menu (Y page 85). DEF consumption
Depending on the vehicle version, the DEF
consumption of:
R a Cargo Van/Passenger Van is
approximately 2322 MPG
(0.10 l/100 km)
R a Chassis Cab
is approximately 1720 MPG
(0.14 l/100 km)
In each case, the stated consumption figure
is a mean value between urban and extra-
urban driving cycles. The consumption figure
does not refer to a specific vehicle, but is
provided for the purposes of comparison
between different vehicle types.
DEF consumption, like fuel consumption, is
very dependent on the driving style and the
operating conditions. This means that the real
consumption figures during operation of your
vehicle may deviate from those stated. 140
Driving tips
Operation

journey, and correct an incorrectly or
inadequately secured load if necessary.
i
You can obtain information about
securing the load correctly from the
manufacturer of the load securing aids or
tie down for securing the load.
X Fill spaces between the load and the cargo
compartment walls or wheel arches (form-
locking). Use rigid
load securing aids, such
as wedges, wooden fixings or padding.
X Attach secured and stabilized loads in all
directions to the cargo tie-down points,
cargo tie-down rings
and loading rails in the
cargo compartment or on the load surface,
depending on the equipment in the vehicle.
Only use tie downs, such as lashing rods or
lashing nets and lashing straps, that have
been tested in accordance with current
standards (e.g. DIN EN).
Always use the cargo tie-down rings closest
to the load to secure it and pad sharp edges
for protection.
i Tie-downs which have been tested in
accordance with current standards (e.g.
DIN EN) can be obtained from specialist
firms or an authorized Sprinter Dealer.
Loads, and
heavy loads in particular, should
preferably be secured using the cargo tie-
down rings. Cargo tie-down points (example: Passenger Van)
0046
Cargo tie-down rings Cargo tie-down points (example: Cargo Van)
0046
Cargo tie-down rings
0047 Load rails G
Warning
You may not transport anyone in the cargo
compartment or on the load surface. Never
let more people
ride in the vehicle than there
are seat belts available. Make sure everyone
riding in the vehicle is correctly restrained
with a separate seat belt. Never use a seat
belt for more than one person at a time. Transporting loads with the vehicle
147
Operation Z