Cargo tie-down points (example
:Cargo Van)
0005 Cargo tie-down rings
0006 Load rails
Secure loose loads with a tested lashing net
or a tarpaulin.
X Always fasten the lashing net or tarpaulin
to all available cargo tie-down points .Make
sure that the retaining hooks are secured
against accidental opening.
If your vehicle is equipped with loading
rails 0006in the floor, you can place lashing rods
directly in fron tofand behind the load .The
lashing rods directly absorb the potential
shifting forces.
Securing loads on the cargo compartment
floor by lashing them down is only
recommended for lightweight loads. Place
non-slip mats (anti-slip mats) under the load
to increase load security. Installing/removing cargo tie down
rings for the load rails
G
WARNING
If the cargo tie-down ring is not properly
installed, it may slip or become detached in
the event of abrupt changes in direction,
braking maneuvers or an accident. This may
cause objects, luggage or the load to slip, tip over or be tossed about, striking vehicle
occupants. There is a risk of injury.
Before using the cargo tie-down rings, always
make sure they are properly installed and
cannot be moved.
X
To install: slide the cargo tie-down ring
through a recess in the loading rail close to
the load until locking mechanism 0005
engages in the recess.
i When you pull locking mechanism 0005up
and out of the recess, the cargo tie-down
ring is able to move within the loading rail.
Make sure that locking mechanism 0005is
always engaged in a recess.
X Check the cargo tie-down ring for firm
seating.
X To remove: pull locking mechanism 0005up
and pull the cargo tie-down ring towards
the locking mechanism and out of the
loading rail through a recess. Carrier systems
G
WARNING
When you load the roof, the center of gravity
of the vehicle rises and the driving
characteristics change. If you exceed the
maximum roof load, the driving
characteristics, as well as steering and
braking, will be greatly impaired. There is a
risk of an accident.
Never exceed the maximum roof load and
adjust your driving style. 236
Carrier systemsTransporting loads
X
Secure the vehicle to prevent it from rolling
away.
X Pull release handle 0005on the hood.
The hood is released. X
Reach into the gap and push grip 0006on the
hood catch upwards. X
Swing the hood upwards unti lsuppor tstrut
0026 engages and the hood is supported.
Closing the hood G
WARNING
If the hood is unlatched, it could tip forward
during rapid deceleratio nofthe vehicle and
hit persons or objects within its path. There is
a risk of an accident and injury.
Therefore, always make sure that the hood is
closed and locked completely before driving
off. If the hood is not locked and you are already
driving at walking pace:
R
the yellow 0004indicator lamp in the
instrumentc luster goes on for vehicles
without steering-wheel buttons.
R the 0004 Hood open display appears for
vehicles with steering-wheel buttons.
! When you press the support strut back,
make sure that you do not press it against
the detent position and cause it to bend.
! Do not use your hands to push the hood
down. You could damage it otherwise.
X Lift the hood slightly.
X Press support strut 0026towards the back.
X Lower the hood and allow it to fall with
momentum fro maheight of approximately
1 ft (30 cm).
The hood locks audibly.
X Check that the hood is correctly locked.
If the hood can be raised slightly, it is not
properly engaged.
i If the hood is not correctly engaged, open
the hood again. Let the hood fall with a little
more momentum. Overview of the engine compartment
0005
Coolant expansion tank cap
(Ypage 244)
0006 Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) filler neck
cap 3
(Y page 143)
0026 Engine oil filler neck cap (Y page 242)
3 Only on Cargo Vans/Passenger Vans. Engine compartment
241Maintenance and care Z
Adding washer fluid
X
Mix the washe rfluid to the appropriate
mixing ratio in a container beforehand.
X Open the hood (Y page 240).
X Pull cap 0005on the washer fluid reservoir
upwards at the tab.
X Add the premixed washer fluid.
X Press cap 0005onto the filler neck until it
engages audibly.
X Close the hood. Fuel system
Draining the fuel filter G
WARNING
Fuel is highly flammable. Improper handing of
fuel creates a risk of fire and explosion.
Avoid fire, open flames ,smoking and creating
sparks under all circumstances. Switch off the
ignitio nand auxiliary heating before carrying
ou tw ork to the fuel system. Always wear
protective gloves. H
Environmental note
Dispose of the water-fuel mixture in an
environmentally responsible manner.
! When the 000Eindicator lamp lights up,
drain the fuel filter with water separator
immediately. Otherwise, the engine may be
damaged. If the
000E indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster goes on, drain the fuel filter with water
separator 0026immediately.
i We recommend that you have this
maintenance work carried out at a qualified
specialist workshop.
X Park the vehicle safely and secure it from
rolling away.
X Switch off the auxiliary heating system .
X Switch off the engine.
X Open the hood (Y page 240).
X Place a suitable receptacle under drain
hose 0005.
X Turn the key to position 2in the ignition
lock.
X Open drain plug 0006immediately until the
water/fuel mixture flows out of drain
hose 0005.
X Screw in drain plug 0006as soon as
approximately 0.2 US qt (0.2 l) of the
water/fuel mixture have been collected.
i The electrical fuel pump halts the flow of
the water/fuel mixture after 30 seconds.
X After draining, turn the key back to
position 0in the ignition lock.
X Dispose of the collected water/fuel
mixture in an environmentally responsible
manner, e.g. at a qualified specialist
workshop.
X Check drain plug 0006.The drain plug must
be closed.
When the engine is running and drain
hose 0006is open, fuel is lost through drain
hose 0005.
X Close the hood.
If the 000E indicator lamp does not go out
after draining:
X Drain the fuel filter again.
X If the 000E indicator lamp does not go out
after draining for the second time, have the
cause checked immediately at a qualified
specialist workshop. Engine compartment
247Maintenance and care Z
X
Recharge the removed battery. Observe
the notes in the operating instructions for
your battery charger.
X Install the battery. Observe the notes on
reconnecting the battery.
i If batteries are no tbeing used, you should
charge them once a month.
It is also possible to charge the starter
battery using the jump-starting connection
point in the engine compartment
(Y page 267). Care
! Dirty battery clamps and battery surfaces
cause leak currents which lead to the
batteries discharging.
! Do not use cleaning agents containing
fuel. Cleaning agents containing fuel
corrode the battery housing.
! If dirt gets into the battery cell, battery
self-discharge will increase and the battery
may be damaged.
The following points on battery care must be
observed:
X Regularly chec kthe battery terminals and
the fastening of the negative cable to the
chassis to ensure that they are firmly
seated.
X Always keep the battery terminals and
battery surfaces clean and dry.
X Lightly grease the undersides of the battery
terminals with acid-resistant grease.
X Only clean the batteries when the caps are
screwed on.
Otherwise, dirt could get into the battery
cells.
X Unscrew the caps and clean blocked
breathers with a suitable tool such as a
piece of wire.
If you do not unscrew the caps for cleaning,
there is a risk of short circuit. The breathers in the caps and the cell
ventilation tubes must be open. Otherwise,
gas cannot escape.
X Only clean the battery casing with a
commercially available cleaning product. Care
Notes on care
G
WARNING
If you use openings in the bodywork or
detachable parts as steps, you could:
R slip and/or fall
R damage the vehicle and cause yourself to
fall.
There is a risk of injury.
Always use secure climbing aids, e.g. a
suitable ladder.
! For cleaning your vehicle, do not use any
of the following:
R dry, rough or hard cloths
R abrasive cleaning agents
R solvents
R cleaning agents containing solvents
Do not scrub.
Do not touch the surfaces or protective
films with hard objects, e.g. a ring or ice
scraper. You could otherwise scratch or
damage the surfaces and protective film.
! Do not park the vehicle for an extended
period straight after cleaning it, particularly
after having cleaned the wheels with wheel
cleaner. Wheel cleaners could cause
increased corrosion of the brake discs and
brake pads/linings. For this reason, you
should drive for a few minutes after
cleaning. Braking heats the brake discs and
the brake pads/linings, thus drying them.
The vehicle can then be parked. Care
255Maintenance and care Z
H
Environmental note
Only clean your vehicle at specially designed
wash bays. Dispose of empt ycontainers and
used cleaning products in an environmentally
responsible manner. H
Environmental note
Dispose of empty packaging and cleaning
cloths in an environmentally responsible
manner.
Regula rcare of your vehicle is a condition for
retaining the quality in the long term.
Use care products and cleaning agents
recommended and approved for Sprinter
vehicles. Washing the vehicle and cleaning the
paintwork
Automatic car wash G
WARNING
Braking efficiency is reduced after washing
the vehicle .There is a risk of an accident.
After the vehicle has been washed, brake
carefully while paying attention to the traffic
conditions until full braking power is restored.
! Never clean your vehicle in a Touchless
Automatic Car Wash as these use special
cleaning agents. These cleaning agents can
damage the paintwork or plastic parts.
! 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 any additional antennas.
Otherwise, the exterior mirror, antenna or
the vehicle itself could be damaged.
Make sure that the exterior mirrors are fully
folded out again and that any additional
antennas are re-installed when you leave
the automatic car wash. !
Make sure that:
R the side windows and the roof are
completely closed
R the climate control blower is switched off
R the windshield wiper switch is at position
0
The vehicle could otherwise be damaged.
You can wash the vehicle in an automatic car
wash from the very start.
Wash off excess dirt before cleaning the
vehicle in an automatic car wash.
After putting the vehicle through an
automatic car wash, wipe off wax from:
R the rear view camera lens (Y page 259)
R the windshield
R the windshield wiper blades
This will prevent smears and reduce wiping
noises caused by residue on the
windshield.
Washing by hand In some countries, washing by hand is only
allowed at specially equipped washing bays.
Observe the legal requirements for each
individual country.
X
Do not use hot water and do not wash the
vehicle in direct sunlight.
X Use a soft car sponge.
X Use a mild cleaning agent, e.g. a car
shampoo approved for use with Sprinter
vehicles.
X Thoroughly hose down the vehicle with a
gentle jet of water.
X Do not point the water jet directly towards
the air inlets.
X Use plenty of water and rinse out the
sponge frequently.
X Rinse the vehicle with clean water and dry
thoroughly with a chamois.
X Do not let the cleaning agents dry on the
paintwork. 256
CareMaintenance and care
When using the vehicle in winter, remove all
traces of road salt deposits carefully and as
soon as possible.
High-pressure cleaning equipment
G
WARNING
The water jet from a circular jet nozzle (dirt
blasters) can cause invisible exterior damage
to the tires or chassis components.
Components damaged in this way may fail
unexpectedly. There is a risk of an accident.
Do not use power washers with circular jet
nozzles to clean the vehicle. Have damaged
tires or chassis componentsr eplaced
immediately.
! Observe the minimum distance to be
maintained between the nozzle of the
power washer and objec ttobe cleaned, as
outlined below:
R approximately 2.2 ft(70 cm) when using
round-jet nozzles
R approximately 1ft(30 cm) whe nusing
25°flat-spray jets and dirt blasters
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 electrical connections
R seals
R drive train, especially not at the
intermediate bearing of the propeller
shaft
R rear view camera (camera lens and
microphone opening on the bottom)
Keep a minimum distance of
1.6 ft(50 cm).
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.
Also observe the information in the section
"Powerw asher" (Y page 257).
Cleaning the paintwork !
Do not affix:
R stickers
R films
R magnetic plates or similar items
to painted surfaces .You could otherwise
damage the paintwork.
Scratches, corrosive deposits, areas affected
by corrosion and damage caused by
inadequate care cannot always be completely
repaired. In such cases, visit a qualified
specialist workshop.
X Remove impurities immediately, where
possible, whilst avoiding rubbing too hard.
X Soak insect remains with insect remover
and rinse off the treated areas afterwards.
X Soak bird droppings with water and rinse
off the treated areas afterwards.
X Remove coolant, brake fluid, tree resin,
oils, fuels and greases by rubbing gently
with a cloth soaked in petroleum ether or
lighter fluid.
X Use tar remover to remove tar stains.
X Use silicone remover to remove wax.
Cleaning the windows G
WARNING
You could become trapped by the windshield
wipers if they start moving while cleaning the
windshield or wiper blades. There is a risk of
injury.
Always switch off the windshield wipers and
the ignition before cleaning the windshield or
wiper blades. Care
257Maintenance and care Z
!
Do not fold the windshield wipers away
from the windshield unless the hood is
closed. Otherwise, you could damage the
hood.
! Hold the wiper arm securely when folding
back. The windshield could be damaged if
the wiper arm smacks against it suddenly.
! Do not use dry cloths, abrasive products,
solvents or cleaning agents containing
solvents to clean the inside of the windows.
Do not touch the insides of the windows
with hard objects, e.g. an ice scraper or
ring. There is otherwise a risk of damaging
the windows.
Before cleaning the windshield
X Turn the key to position 0in the ignition
lock or remove it.
X Fold the windshield wiper arms away from
the windshield until you feel them engage.
Before switching the ignition on again, fold
the windshield wipers back into position.
Cleaning the windows
X Cleant he inside and outside of the
windows with a damp cloth and a cleaning
agent that is recommended and approved
for Sprinter vehicles. Exterior
Cleaning the wheels !
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.
! Do not park the vehicle for an extended
period straight after cleaning it, particularly
after having cleaned the wheels with wheel
cleaner. Wheel cleaners could cause
increased corrosion of the brake discs and
brake pads/linings. For this reason, you
should drive for a few minutes after
cleaning. Braking heats the brake discs and the brake pads/linings, thus drying them.
The vehicle can then be parked.
If you clean the wheels with a power washer,
observe the safety notes for the power
washer (Y page 257). You could otherwise
damage the tires.
Cleaning the wiper blades G
WARNING
You could become trapped by the windshield
wipers if they start moving while cleaning the
windshield or wiper blades. There is a risk of
injury.
Always switch off the windshield wipers and
the ignition before cleaning the windshield or
wiper blades.
! Do not fold the windshield wipers away
from the windshield unless the hood is
closed. Otherwise, you could damage the
hood.
! Do not pull the wiper blade. Otherwise,
the wiper blade could be damaged.
! Do not clean wiper blades too often and
do not rub them too hard. Otherwise, the
graphite coating could be damaged. This
could cause wiper noise.
! Hold the wiper arm securely when folding
back. The windshield could be damaged if
the wiper arm smacks against it suddenly.
X Turn the key to position 0in the ignition
lock or remove it.
X Fold the windshield wiper arms away from
the windshield until you feel them engage.
X Carefully clean the wiper blades with a
damp cloth.
X Fold back the wiper arms before switching
on the ignition.
Cleaning the exterior lighting !
Only use cleaning agents or cleaning
cloths which are suitable for plastic light
lenses. Unsuitable cleaning agents or 258
CareMaintenance and care
cleaning cloths could scratch or damage
the plastic light lenses.
X Clea nthe plastic covers of the exterior
lighting with a damp sponge and a mild
cleaning agent, e.g. car shampoo for
Sprinter vehicles, or with cleaning cloths.
Cleaning the mirror turns ignal!
Only use cleaning agents or cleaning
cloths that are suitable for plastic lenses.
Unsuitable cleaning agents or cleaning
cloths could scratch or damage the plastic
lenses of the mirror turn signals.
X Clean the plastic lenses of the mirror turn
signals in the exterior mirror housing using
a wet sponge and mild cleaning agent, e.g.
car shampoo or cleaning cloths.
Cleaning the sensors !
Do not use dry, coarse or hard cloths and
do not scrub. You will otherwise scratch or
damage the sensors.
If you clean the sensors with a power
washer or steam cleaner, observe the
information provided by the manufacturer
regarding the distance to be maintained
betwee nthe vehicle and the nozzle of the
power washer. PARKTRONIC sensors (example: front bumper, left
side of vehicle)
X Cleana ll sensors 0005in the front and rear
bumpers with water, shampoo and a soft
cloth. Cleaning the rea
rview camera !
Do not use dry, coarse or hard cloths and
do not scrub. Otherwise, you will scratch or
damage the lens of the rear-view camera.
If you clean the vehicle with a high-pressure
or steam cleaner, maintain a distance of at
least 1.650 cm from the rear-view camera.
Do not aim directly at the rear-view camera
or at the microphone opening on the
underside of the rear-view camera. You
could otherwise damage the rear-view
camera. Rear view camera in the middle of the roof above
the high-mounted brake lamp
0005
Camera lens
0006 Microphone openings
X Clean camera lens 0005with clear water and
a soft cloth.
Make sure that you do not apply any wax to
camera lens 0005when waxing the vehicle. If
necessary, remove the wax using water,
shampoo and a soft cloth.
Cleaning the sliding door X
Remove foreign objects from the vicinity of
the contact surfaces and contact pins of
the sliding door.
X Clean the contact surfaces and contact
pins with a mild cleaning agent and a soft
cloth.
Do not oil or grease the contac tplates and
contact pins. Care
259Maintenance and care Z