2012 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER winter tires

Troubleshooting
Automatic transmission .................214
Driving systems
............................. 215
Turn signals ......................................... 90
Changing bulbs .............. 235, 236, 237
Two-way radio
Installation ..................................... 277U
Unlocking With button ...................................... 55
With key ........................................... 52V
Vehicle Assemblies .................................... 174
Cleaning ......................................... 162
Dimensions .................................... 280
Electronics

..................................... 276
Individual settings (vehicles with
steering wheel buttons) ................... 78
Loading .......................................... 261
Towing ........................................... 248
Tow-starting ................................... 248
Transporting .................................. 250
Weights .......................................... 280
Vehicle identification number .......... 277
Vehicle identification plates ............277
Vehicle key Malfunction .................................... 217
Vehicle tool kit .................................. 182
Voltage supply Fuses ............................................. 239W
Warning and indicator lamp Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) ............. 190
Warning and indicator lamps .............24
PARKTRONIC ................................. 215
Seat belt ........................................ 196
Warning lamp .................................... 183
Warning tones ................................... 212
Warning triangle ................................ 183
Washer fluid Display message ............................ 208
Indicator lamp ................................

196Topping up .....................................
171
Wiping with ...................................... 95
Wheel
Changing ....................................... 229
Rim size ......................................... 280
Spare wheel ................................... 185
Wheel chock

...................................... 229
Wheel nuts/wheel bolts Retightening .................................. 233
Tightening torque ........................... 232
Wheels
Changing/replacing .......................271
Checking ........................................ 253
Storing ........................................... 273
Wheel size/tire size ....................... 280
Window curtain air bag ....................... 41
Windows
Cleaning ......................................... 162
Cleaning the windshield ................. 163
Washing system ....................... 95, 171
Windshield
Cleaning ......................................... 163
Windshield heater ............................... 95
windshield heating Malfunction .................................... 211
Windshield washer fluid
Indicator lamp ................................ 196
Windshield wipers ............................... 94
Malfunction .................................... 219
Rain/light sensor ............................. 94
Replacing the wiper blades ............ 174
Setting the sensitivity (vehicles
with steering wheel buttons and
rain/light sensor) ............................. 84
Winter diesel ..................................... 154
Winter operation ....................... 153, 254
Winter tires M+S tires ....................................... 254
Working speed governor (ADR) ........ 117 X
Xenon headlamps see Bi-Xenon headlamps

Index
15

Modifying the engine power output
Having the engine power output of your
vehicle increased by tampering with the
electronic engine management system will
invalidate the vehicle's general operating
permit and insurance coverage, as well as
your New Vehicle Limited Warranty and
warranty entitlement.
Modifications to the output of the engine
must be reported to the insurance provider
and require the vehicle to be recertified. The
tires, chassis, brake and cooling systems
must be adapted to the increased engine
power output.
Tampering with the electronic engine
management system modifies emission
values and it
will not be possible to guarantee
the operating safety of the engine in every
case. Increases in performance may lead to
malfunctions and consequential damage to
other assemblies.
If you sell the vehicle, failing to inform the
buyer of the modified engine power output
could constitute an offense punishable by
law, depending on the country concerned. Diesel particle filter
! If the vehicle is predominantly used for
short-distance driving, this could lead to a
malfunction in the automatic cleaning
function for the diesel particle filter. As a
result, fuel may accumulate in the engine
oil and cause engine failure.
Therefore, if you mainly drive short
distances, you should

drive on a highway or
on rural roads for 20 minutes every
310 miles (500 km). This ensures sufficient
regeneration of the diesel particle filter. Vehicle alterations
We recommend the use of genuine Sprinter
parts and conversion parts as well as accessories that have been expressly
approved for your vehicle model.
These parts have been subjected to special
tests in order to determine their safety,
reliability and suitability.
!
For safety reasons, have add-on
equipment prepared and installed
according to the

Sprinter body/equipment
mounting directives in force. These body/
equipment mounting directives guarantee
that the chassis and add-on equipment
form a cohesive whole and that the highest
possible level of operating and driving
safety is reached.
We recommend for safety reasons that:
R you carry out no other modifications to
the vehicle.
R you obtain the agreement of the
distributor named on the inside of the
front cover for any deviations from the
approved body/equipment mounting
directives.
Approval by official testing centers or
permission given by authorities do not
eliminate safety risks.
! The wooden or plastic cargo area floor
fitted at the factory is an integral
component of the vehicle structure. The
vehicle body could be damaged if you have
the load area floor removed. This then
affects the securing of loads and the
maximum loading capacity of the lashing
points is no longer guaranteed.
Therefore, do not have the load area floor
removed.
Even seemingly small changes to the vehicle,
such as attaching a radiator cover for winter
driving or as protection against insects, are
not allowed. These could cause the engine
diagnostics to register incorrect data. The
recording of engine diagnostic data is a legal
requirement, and must always be verifiable
and accurate. 18
Introduction

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

Driving in wet conditions
G
Warning
There is a danger of hydroplaning occurring,
even if you are driving slowly and your tires
have sufficient tread
depth, depending on the
depth of water on the road.
For this reason, avoid tire ruts and brake
carefully.
Driving on flooded roads If you have to drive on stretches of road on
which water has collected, the water level
must not rise above the bottom edge of the
bumper. The maximum speed at which you
may drive is walking speed.
!
Note that vehicles in front or oncoming
vehicles create waves. This could mean
that the maximum permitted water depth
is exceeded.
You must observe these notes. Otherwise,
damage may
occur

to the engine, electrics
or transmission.
Driving in winter Drive particularly carefully on slippery roads
in winter.
Avoid

sudden acceleration, steering
and braking maneuvers. G
Warning
Do not downshift for additional engine
braking on a

slippery road surface. This could
cause the drive wheels to lose their grip and
the vehicle could skid. You could lose control
of the vehicle and cause an accident.
If the vehicle threatens to skid or cannot be
stopped when moving at low speed, shift to
the neutral position N. Try to maintain control
of the vehicle using corrective steering
! Vehicles with automatic transmission
may roll only briefly in the neutral position
N. Prolonged rolling of the wheels, e.g.
when being towed, will result in
transmission damage. Road salt may adversely affect braking
performance.
Consequently, you

may need to
depress the brake pedal more forcefully in
order to achieve normal braking force. Apply
the brakes regularly when driving for longer
periods on gritted or salted roads. This will
restore the brakes to their normal level of
performance.
When stopping the vehicle after traveling on
roads that have been salted, make sure that
the brakes are fully functional before
proceeding further.
i Fit snow chains to the outside rear wheels
(driven axle) in good time for driving on
snow, slush or ice. Comply with the
manufacturer's fitting instructions.
You will find information about winter tires
and about driving with snow chains in the
"Operation" section .
Tire grip Whereas the vehicle can be fully controlled at
a certain speed on a dry road surface, you
must reduce your speed on a wet or icy
surface to maintain the same degree of
safety.
Pay particular attention to the road
conditions at temperatures around freezing
point. When ice forms on the road surface
(e.g. due to fog), applying the brakes can
cause a
thin

layer of water to form rapidly on
the ice and tire grip will be greatly reduced.
Drive with particular care in such weather
conditions. Stopping the vehicle and switching
off the engine
G
Warning
Always switch off the engine and apply the
parking brake before leaving the vehicle.
Otherwise, the vehicle could roll away if it is
not secured. Driving and parking
111
Controls
Z

Verify compliance with weight limitations on
a weighbridge.
Trailer power supply
Your vehicle may be equipped with various
electrical fittings for trailer towing.
Depending on your trailer, you may need an
adapter to allow your trailer to be connected
to the vehicle. Information about your
vehicle's electrical equipment is available
from any authorized Sprinter Dealer.
!
Faulty wiring of the connector plug could
in certain circumstances cause other
electronic systems to
malfunction. For this
reason, we recommend having the wiring
of the connector plug performed at an
authorized Sprinter Dealer. Operation in winter
General notes
Have your vehicle winterized at a qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. an authorized
Sprinter Dealer, at the onset of winter.
This service includes the following:
R oil change, if the engine oil currently used
does not have adequate low temperature
characteristics or if these are no longer
sufficient due to aging
R the antifreeze/anticorrosion
concentration in the coolant is checked.
R the addition of a concentrated cleaning
agent to the water in the windshield
washer/headlamp cleaning system
R battery check
R a tire change
Prior to the

onset of winter, ensure that snow
chains are available in the vehicle.
Do not cover the surface of the radiator or the
radiator grill, even in winter. Doing so could
cause the engine diagnostics to record false
or incorrect data. Recording of engine
diagnostic data is legally prescribed and must therefore be correct, clear and
comprehensible at all times.
You
will find

information about diesel fuel for
use at low outside temperatures in the
"Operation" section ( Y page 154).
Please also observe the information about
winter driving (Y page 111).
You will find information about winter tires
and about driving with snow chains in the
"Wheel and tires" section (Y page 153). Service products
Fuel
G
Warning
Fuel is highly flammable. Fire, naked flames
and smoking as well as the use of auxiliary
heaters (sparks) are therefore prohibited
when handling fuel.
Switch off the

engine and the auxiliary heating
before refueling. G
Warning
Avoid any contact with fuels.
You can damage your health if your skin
comes into direct contact with fuel or if you
inhale fuel vapors.
! Filter the fuel

before transferring it to the
vehicle if you are refueling the vehicle from
barrels or containers.
This will prevent malfunctions in the fuel
system due to contaminated fuel.
! Refuel only with commercially available
vehicle diesel fuel, ULTRA-LOW SULFUR
DIESEL with a sulfur content no greater
than 15 ppm. Fuels such as fatty acid
methyl ester FAME (bio-diesel fuels),
marine diesel, heating oil etc. may not be
used as a diesel fuel mixture.
Refuel with B5 bio-diesel only if it fulfills the
requirements listed under "Fuel quality". Service products
153
Operation Z

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