2012 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER traction control

X
Turn both handles 0046 to a horizontal
position. Make sure that locks 008A are in
front of the window frame on the inside.
The window is locked.
X Replace locking pins 0047 before
beginning a
new journey at the latest.
You may obtain information about this from
any authorized Sprinter Dealer. Driving safety systems
Important safety notes
G
Warning
The following factors increase the risk of
accidents:
R Excessive speed, especially in turns
R Wet and slippery road surfaces
R Following another vehicle too closely
The driving safety systems described in this
section cannot reduce these risks or prevent
the natural laws

of physics from acting on the
vehicle. They cannot increase braking or
steering efficiency beyond that afforded by
the condition of the vehicle brakes and tires
or the traction afforded.
Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver can
prevent accidents.
The capabilities of a vehicle equipped with the
driving safety systems described in this
section must never be exploited in a reckless
or dangerous manner which could jeopardize
the user's safety or the safety of others.
Always adjust your driving style to the
prevailing road and weather conditions and
keep a safe distance to other road users and
objects on the street.
If a driving system malfunctions, other driving
safety systems may also switch off. Observe
indicator and warning lamps that may come
on as well as messages in the multifunction
display that may appear.
i In wintry driving conditions, always use
winter tires (M+S tires) and if necessary, snow chains. Only in this way will the
driving safety systems described in this
section work as effectively as possible.
Overview
In this section,

you will find information about
the following driving safety systems:
R ABS ( Anti-lock Braking System)
R BAS ( Brake Assist System)
R ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Program)
R ASR (Acceleration Skid Control)
R EBD ( Electronic Brake force Distribution) ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Important safety notes G
Warning
Observe "Important safety notes"
(Y page 47). G
Warning!
Do not pump the brake pedal. Use firm, steady
brake pedal pressure instead. Pumping the
brake pedal reduces the braking effect.
ABS regulates brake pressure in such a way
that the wheels do not lock during braking.
This allows you

to maintain the ability to steer
your vehicle.
ABS works from a speed of about 3 mph
(5 km/h) upwards, regardless of road-surface
conditions. ABS works on slippery surfaces,
even when you only brake gently.
The 0031 warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when the ignition is switched
on. It goes out when the engine is running.
Braking If ABS intervenes when braking, you will feel
a pulsating in the brake pedal.
If the
0067 warning lamp flashes, this may
indicate dangerous road conditions and Driving safety systems
47
Safety Z

serves as a reminder to take extra care while
driving.
X
If ABS intervenes: continue to depress the
brake pedal with force until the braking
situation is over.
X To make a full brake application:
depress the brake pedal with full force. G
Warning
If the ABS malfunctions, other driving systems
such as the

BAS or the ESP ®
are also switched
off. Observe indicator and warning lamps that
may come on as well as messages in the
multifunction display that may appear.
If the ABS malfunctions, the wheels may lock
during hard braking, reducing the steering
capability and extending the braking distance. BAS (Brake Assist System)
G
Warning
Observe "Important safety notes"
(Y page 47).
BAS operates in emergency braking
situations. If you depress the brake pedal
quickly, BAS automatically

boosts the braking
force, potentially reducing the stopping
distance.
X Keep the brake pedal firmly depressed until
the emergency braking situation is over.
ABS prevents the wheels from locking.
The brakes will function as usual once you
release the brake pedal. BAS is deactivated. G
Warning
If the BAS malfunctions, the brake system still
functions, but without the additional brake
boost available that the BAS would normally
provide in an emergency braking maneuver.
Therefore, the braking

distance may increase. EBD (Electronic Brake force
Distribution)
G
Warning
Observe "Important safety notes"
(Y page 47).
EBD monitors and controls the brake
pressure on the rear wheels to improve
driving stability while braking. G
Warning
If the 009E, 003D, 0031 and 0065 indicator
lamps light up while the vehicle is in motion,
EBD may be defective.
If EBD malfunctions,

the brake system will still
function with full brake boost. However, the
rear wheels could lock up during emergency
braking situations, for example. You could
lose control of the vehicle and cause an
accident.
Adapt your driving style to the changed
driving characteristics. ASR (acceleration skid control)
Important safety notes G
Warning
Observe "Important safety notes"
(Y page 47).
ASR can significantly improve traction, i.e.
the transmission of power from the tires to
the road surface, and thus may increase the
vehicle's driving stability. ASR assists in
pulling away and

accelerating, particularly on
smooth and slippery surfaces.
ASR can brake individual wheels and limits
the engine torque to help prevent the drive
wheels from spinning.
If ASR intervenes, the 0067 warning lamp
flashes in the instrument cluster. 48
Driving safety systems
Safety

Windows fogged up on the outside
Only use the following settings until the
windshield is clear again.
X
Switch on the windshield wipers
(Y page 94).
X Adjust air distribution to the footwell
(Y page 102).
X Close the air vents ( Y page 101).Switching air-recirculation mode on/
off
You can deactivate the intake of fresh air if
unpleasant odors enter the vehicle from
outside. The air
inside the vehicle will only be
circulated. G
Warning
At low outside temperatures, only switch over
to air-recirculation mode for brief periods.
Otherwise, the windows could fog up, thus
impairing visibility and endangering yourself
and others. This may prevent you from
observing the traffic conditions and thereby
cause an accident.
Heating/air-conditioning system X
Press the 008C button.
If the indicator

lamp in the button lights up,
air-recirculation mode is activated.
Air-recirculation mode switches off
automatically after about 10 to 30 minutes,
depending on the outside temperature.
Rear-compartment heating/rear-
compartment air conditioning If your vehicle is equipped with rear-
compartment heating
and

rear-compartment
air conditioning, you can activate/deactivate
the air-recirculation mode of the rear-
compartment climate control.
X To activate: set temperature
control of the
rear-compartment heating 008A(Y page 99)
or or temperature control of the rear- compartment air conditioning
0047
(Y page 100) to the center position.
Only one of the two climate control
systems in the rear compartment is
activated and is in air-recirculation mode.
X To deactivate: turn temperature

control of
the rear-compartment heating
008A(Y page 99) or temperature control of
the rear-compartment air conditioning 0047
(Y page 100) clockwise or
counterclockwise. Only change the
temperature in small increments. Auxiliary heating
Important safety notes G
Warning
Exhaust fumes are produced while the
auxiliary heating system

is in operation. If you
breathe in these exhaust fumes, you could be
poisoned. Therefore, always switch off the
auxiliary heating in enclosed spaces without
an extraction system, e.g. a garage. G
Warning
Parts of the vehicle can become very hot
during operation of the auxiliary heating.
Make sure that the exhaust system does not
under any circumstances come into contact
with highly flammable material such as dry
grass or fuels. Otherwise, the highly
flammable material could ignite and set the
vehicle alight.
Auxiliary heating operation is prohibited at
gas stations or when your vehicle is being
refueled. Therefore, the auxiliary heating
must be switched off at gas stations. G
Warning
When transporting hazardous materials,
always observe the relevant safety
regulations.
Spray canisters and gas cartridges or other
pressurized containers carried in the vehicle 104
Climate control
Controls

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

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

When you have mounted M+S tires:
X
Check the tire pressure (Y page 255).
X Restart the tire pressure monitor
(Y page 258). G
Warning
If you use your spare wheel when M+S tires
are fitted on the other wheels, be aware that
the difference in
tire characteristics may very
well impair turning stability and that overall
driving stability may be reduced. Adapt your
driving style accordingly.
Have the spare wheel replaced by a regular
road wheel with an M+S tire at the nearest
authorized Sprinter Dealer. Snow chains
Snow chains increase traction on roads in
wintry conditions.
We recommend, for safety reasons, that you
only use class

U snow chains or traction aids
that conform to the SAE type U specification
and are approved for Sprinters. You can
obtain information about snow chains from
any authorized Sprinter Dealer.
R Only use snow chains when the road is
covered by a layer of snow. Do not exceed
the maximum permissible speed of 30 mph
(50 km/h). Remove the snow chains as
soon as possible once the road is no longer
covered with snow.
R The use of snow chains may be restricted
by local regulations. Observe the relevant
regulations when mounting snow chains.
! Check the snow chains for damage before
mounting them. Damaged or worn snow
chains may break, causing damage to
wheels, wheel arches or wheel suspension.
For this reason, you must use only snow
chains that are free of defects. Observe the
manufacturer's mounting instructions. If you intend to mount snow chains, please
bear the following points in mind:
R
You may not mount snow chains on all
wheel/tire combinations. When mounting
the snow chains, note the permissible tire
and snow chain dimensions.
R Mount snow chains only in pairs and only
to the rear wheels. Observe the
manufacturer's mounting instructions.
R Check the chain tension after driving
approximately 0.5 miles (1.0 km) .
i You can deactivate ASR when pulling
away with snow chains mounted.
(

Y page 49). This allows the wheels to spin
in a controlled manner, generating more
tractive force (friction effect). Tire pressure
Notes about tire pressure
G
Warning
Follow recommended tire inflation pressures.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires
wear excessively and/or unevenly, adversely
affect handling and fuel economy, and are
more likely to fail from being overheated.
Do not overinflate

tires. Overinflated tires can
adversely affect handling and ride comfort,
wear unevenly, increase stopping distance,
and result in sudden deflation (blowout)
because they are more likely to become
punctured or damaged by road debris,
potholes etc.
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified load limit as indicated on the Tire
and Loading Information placard on the
driver's door B-pillar. Overloading the tires
can overheat them, possibly causing a
blowout. Overloading the tires can also result
in handling or steering problems, or brake
failure. Tire pressure
255Wheels and tires Z

Tire code:
tire code 0088 specifies the tire type.
"R" represents radial tires. "D" represents
diagonal tires, "B" represents diagonal radial
tires.
Rim diameter: rim diameter 0086 is the
diameter of the bead seat, not the diameter
of the rim flange. The rim diameter is
specified in inches (in).
Load bearing index: load bearing index 0087
is a numerical code which specifies the
maximum load-bearing capacity of a tire. G
Warning
The tire load rating must always be at least
half of the GAWR of your vehicle. Otherwise,
sudden tire failure may be the result which
could cause an

accident and/or serious injury
to you or others.
Always replace rims and tires with rims and
tires having the same specifications
(designation, manufacturer and type) as
shown on the original part. G
Warning
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified load limit as indicated on the Tire
and Loading Information placard on the
driver's door B-pillar . Overloading the tires
can overheat them, possibly causing a
blowout. Overloading

the tires can also result
in handling or steering problems, or brake
failure.
Example:
The load bearing index 120 is equivalent to a
maximum load of 3042 lbs (1380 kg) that the
tire can carry. If two load-bearing capacity
indices are specified (as shown above), the
first number states the load-bearing capacity
for single tires, the second number the load-
bearing capacity for twin tires. For further
information on the maximum tire load in
kilograms and pounds, see ( Y page 265).
Speed index: speed index 006E specifies the
approved maximum speed of the tire. G
Warning
Even when permitted by law, never operate a
vehicle at speeds greater than the maximum
speed rating of the tires.
Exceeding the maximum

speed for which tires
are rated can lead to sudden tire failure,
causing loss of vehicle control and possibly
resulting in an accident and/or serious
personal injury and possible death, for you
and for others.
Regardless of the speed index always observe
the speed limits. Drive carefully and adapt
your driving style to the traffic conditions. Index Speed rating
F up to 50 mph (80 km/h)
G up to 56 mph (90 km/h)
J up to 62 mph (100 km/h)
K up to 68 mph (110 km/h)
L up to 74 mph (120 km/h)
M up to 80 mph (130 km/h)
N up to 87 mph (140 km/h)
P up to 93 mph (150 km/h)
Q up to 100 mph (160 km/h)
R above 106 mph (170 km/h)
i
Not all tires that have the M+S
identification offer the driving
characteristics of winter tires. Winter tires
have, in addition

to the M+S identification,
the 004D snow flake symbol on the tire
sidewall. Tires with this identification fulfill
the requirements of the Rubber
Manufacturers Association (RMA) and the
Rubber Association of Canada (RAC)
regarding the tire traction on snow and
have been especially developed for driving
on snow.
More information on reading the tire data can
be obtained at any qualified specialist Tire labeling
267
Wheels and tires Z