
X
To operate the high-beam flasher: turn
the key to position 1or 2in the ignition
lock.
X Pull the combinatio nswitch briefly in
directio nofarrow0006. Headlamp range adjustment
The headlamp range control is used to adapt
the downward angle of the headlamp beams
in accordance with the loadony our vehicle.
The cone of light from the headlamps changes
if seats are occupied or if the cargo
compartment is being loaded or unloaded.
This can impair visibility and cause glare to
oncoming traffic.
You can only adjust the headlamp range while
the engine is running.
X Turn headlamp range control 0005to the
corresponding position. The road ahead
should be lit up for 40 mto 100 mand the
low-bea mheadlamps should not cause
glare to oncoming traffic.
Select position 0011if the vehicle is unladen. Cornering light function (vehicles
with Bi-Xenon headlamps)
The cornering lamps improve the illumination
of the road over a wide angle in the direction
you are turning, enabling better visibility in
tight bends, for example. The cornering light function switches on
automatically, if:
R
you are traveling at a speed of less than
25 mph (40 km/h) and you switch on the
turn signals or turn the steering wheel.
R you are driving at speeds between
25mph (40 km/h) and43 mph (70 km/h)
and turn the steering wheel
The cornering lamp may remain lit for a short
time, but is automatically switched off after
no more than 3 minutes. Hazard warning lamps
G
WARNING
The rear exterior light will be covered if you:
R open the rear doors by 90°
R open the rear dropside.
The vehicle will then be difficult for other road
users to see or will not be seen by them at all,
particularly if it is dark or visibility is poor.
There is a risk of an accident.
You should therefore ensure in this and
similar situations that the vehicle is visible
from the rear in accordance with the relevant
national regulations, by using the warning
triangle, for instance. Hazard warning lamp switch
X
To switch on/off: press the0011hazard
warning lamp switch.
If you have indicated a turn while the hazard
warning lamps are switched on, only the turn Exterior lighting
93Lights and windshield wipers Z

Selector lever positions
0002
Park position
This prevents the vehicle from
rolling away when stopped. Only
move the selector lever to
Pif the
vehicle is stationary.
You can only remove the key when
the selector lever is in this position.
The selector lever is locked in
position Pif the key is removed.
The parking lock should not be
used as a brake when parking.
Always apply the parking brake as
well once you have parked the
vehicle. 0003
Reverse gear
Only move the selector lever to
R
when the vehicle is stationary. 0001
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 Nif the vehicle is
in danger of skidding, e.g. on icy
roads. 0007
Drive
The automatic transmission
changes gear itself. All forward
gears are available.
You can influence the gearshifts
and shift gears yourself or limit the
shift range. Changing gear
The 5-speed automatic transmission adapts
to your individual driving style by
continuously adjusting its shift points. These
shift point adjustments take into account the
current operating and driving conditions. If
the operating or driving conditions change,
the automatic transmission reacts by
adjusting the gearshift program.
When the selector lever is in position D, the
automatic transmission selects the individual
gears automatically. This depends on:
R any restriction in the shift range
(Y page 140)
R the position of the accelerator pedal
R the road speed 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. The shift range is also
restricted.
i The automatic transmission does not shift
down if you press the selector lever
towards D–while traveling at too high a
speed. This protects the engine from
overrevving.
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. Automatic transmission
139Driving and parking Z

cross the border, bu
tas close to it as
possible.
When you return from your journey, and as
close to the border as possible, you will need
to:
R remove the adhesive surfaces from your
halogen headlamps and clean the glass of
the headlamps if necessary
R have the Bi-Xenon headlamps reset to
asymmetrical low beam at aqualified
specialist workshop 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 can obtain further information from any
authorized Sprinte rdealer. Braking
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If you shift down on a slippery road surface in
an attempt to increase the engine's braking
effect, the drive wheels could lose their grip.
There is an increased danger of skidding and
accidents.
Do not shift down for additional engine
braking on a slippery road surface.
Downhill gradients !
Depressing the brake pedal constantly
results in excessive and premature wear to
the brake pads.
On long and steep downhill gradients, you
should change down to shift range 0009or0008
in good time. This should be observed in
particular when driving with a laden vehicle
and when towing a trailer. i
You must also change the shift range in
good time when cruise control is switched
on.
You thereby make use of the braking effec tof
the engine and do not have to brake as often
to maintain the speed. This relieves the load
on the service brake and prevents the brakes
fro mo verheating and wearing too quickly.
Heavy and light loads G
WARNING
If you rest yourf oot on the brake pedal while
driving, the braking system can overheat. This
increases the stopping distance and can even
cause the braking system to fail. There is a
risk of an accident.
Never use the brake pedal as a footrest .Never
depress the brake pedal and the accelerator
pedal at the same time.
! Depressing the brake pedal constantly
results in excessive and premature wear to
the brake pads.
If the brakes have been subjected to a heavy
load, do not stop the vehicle immediately.
Drive on for a short while. The brakes are
cooled down more quickly in the airflow.
Wet road surfaces If you have been driving for a long time in
heavy rain without braking
,there may be a
delayed response when you first apply the
brakes. This may also occur after driving
through a car wash or deep water.
You must depress the brake pedal more
firmly. Maintain a longer distance to the
vehicle in front.
While paying attention to the traffic
conditions, you should brake the vehicle
firmly after driving on a wet road surface or
through a car wash. This heats the brake
discs, so that they dry more quickly, which
protects them against corrosion. 150
Driving tipsDriving and parking

Driving off-road
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If you drive on a steep incline at an angle or
turn when driving on an incline, the vehicle
could slip sideways, tip and rollover. There is
a risk of an accident.
Always drive on a steep incline in the line of
fall (straight up or down )and do not turn the
vehicle. G
WARNING
Whe ndriving off-road, yourb ody is subject to
forces from all directions, due to the uneven
surface. You could be thrown from your seat,
for instance. There is a risk of injury.
Always wear a seat belt, even when driving off-
road. G
WARNING
If you drive over obstacles or in ruts, the
steering wheel may jerk out of your grip,
causing injury to your hands.
Always hold the steering wheel firmly with
both hands. When driving over obstacles, you
must expect steering forces to increase
briefly and suddenly. G
WARNING
Flammable materials, e.g. leaves, grass or
branches, may ignite if they come into contact
with hot parts of the exhaust system for
extended periods. There is arisk of fire.
When driving off-road or on unpaved surfaces,
chec kthe underside of the vehicle at regular
intervals. In particular, remove any trapped
parts of plants or other flammable material. If
there is any damage, inform a qualified
specialist workshop.
! When driving off-road or on unpaved
surfaces, check the underside of the
vehicle and the wheels and tires at regular
intervals. In particular, remove any trapped
foreign objects, e.g. stones and branches. Such foreign objects may:
R
damage the chassis, the fuel tank or the
brake system
R cause imbalances and thus vibrations
R be flung out when you continue driving
If there is any damage, inform a qualified
specialist workshop.
When driving off-road and on construction
sites, sand, mud and water mixed with oil, for
example, may get into the brakes. This may
lead to a reduction in braking performance or
total brake failure, also as a result of
increased wear. The braking characteristics
will vary depending on the material that has
got into the system. Cleant he brakes after
driving off-road. If you then notice reduced
braking performance or hear scraping noises,
have the brake system checked at a qualified
specialist workshop. Adjust your driving style
to the changed braking characteristics.
Driving off-road or on construction sites
increases the possibility of vehicle damage
which may in turn lead to the failure of certain
assemblies and systems. Adapt your driving
style to the off-road driving conditions. Drive
carefully. Have any vehicle damage rectified
at a qualified specialist workshop as soon as
possible.
When driving on rough terrain, do not shift the
transmission into the neutral position. You
could lose control when attempting to brake
the vehicle with the service brake. If your
vehicle cannot manage an uphill slope, drive
back down the slope in reverse gear.
When loading your vehicle for driving off-road
or on a construction site, keep the vehicle's
center of gravity as low as possible.
Rules for driving off-road !
Always bear the vehicle's ground
clearance in mind and avoid obstacles, e.g.
deep ruts. Driving tips
153Driving and parking Z

steering, chassis and exhaust system for
any damage.
X Check the service brake for operating
safety, e.g. carry out a brake test.
X If you notice strong vibrations after driving
off-road, check the wheels and drive train
for foreign objects again. Remove any
foreign objects which can lead to
imbalances and thus cause vibrations. Driving systems
Cruise control
Important safety notes Observe the notes on braking in the "Driving
tips" section (Y
page 150).
If you fail to adapty our driving style or if you
are inattentive, cruise control can neither
reduce the risk of an accident nor override the
laws of physics. Cruise control cannot take
road, weather and traffic conditions into
account .Cruise control is only an aid.Y ou are
responsible for the distance to the vehicle in
front, for vehicle speed and for braking in
good time.
Do not use cruise control:
R in traffic conditions that are unsuitable for
driving at a constant speed, e.g. in heavy
traffic, on winding roads or off-road
R on slippery roads. Brakin goraccelerating
may cause the drive wheel sto lose traction
and the vehicle could then skid.
R when there is poor visibility, e.g. due to fog,
heavy rain or snow
If there is a change of drivers, make sure that
you inform the new driver about the set cruise
speed.
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.
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 (Y page 185), you can
set any speed from 30 km/h upwards in
increments of 1 km/h.
i Cruise control should not be activated
when driving off-road or on construction
sites.
Cruise control may not be able to maintain
the stored speed on uphill or downhill
gradients. If the gradient evens out and the
vehicle's speed does not fall below 20 mph
(30 km/h), the stored speed is resumed.
Cruise control lever 0005
To activate and store the current speed or
a higher speed
0006 To activate at the last stored speed
0026 To activate and store the current speed or
a lower speed
0025 To deactivate cruise control
The cruise control lever is the uppermost
lever on the left of the steering column. Driving systems
155Driving and parking Z

Deactivating cruise control
There are various ways to deactivate cruise
control:
X Briefly press the cruise control lever
forwards 0025.
Or
X Apply the brakes.
The last speed set remains stored. The last
speed stored is deleted when you switch off
the engine.
Cruise control is deactivated automatically
when:
R you apply the brakes
R you apply the parking brake and the 000B
indicator lamp in the instrument cluster
lights up
R you are driving slower than 20 mph
(30 km/h)
R you shift the automatic transmissio nto
neutral position Nwhile the vehicle is in
motion
R ESP ®
or ASR intervenes
R there is a malfunction in the ESP ®
, ASR or
ABS system
Problems with cruise control On vehicles with steering wheel buttons, the
speed canno
tbe set when cruise control is
activated.
The display is showing a message of high
priority and cannot therefore show a change
in speed.
X Proceed as instructed by the message in
the display.
X Deactivate cruise control PARKTRONIC
Important safety notes PARKTRONIC is only an aid. It cannot replace
your own awareness of the immediate
surroundings. You are responsible for safe maneuvering, parking and pulling away. When
maneuvering, parking and pulling away, make
sure that there are no persons, animals or
objects in the maneuverin
garea.
PARKTRONIC does not account for obstacles
that are:
R beneath its detection range, e.g. persons,
animals or objects
R above its detection range, e.g. overhanging
loads, overhangs or truck loading ramps
PARKTRONIC is an electronic parking aid with
ultrasonic sensors. It indicates the distance
between yourv ehicle and an objec tvisually
and audibly.
Your vehicle features two separate sound
emitters with different frequencies for the
warning tones. The warning ranges in front of
and behind the vehicle are indicated by
different warning tones.
PARKTRONIC is activated automatically when
you:
R tur nthe key to position 2in the ignition lock
R release the parking brake and
R move the selector lever to D,Nor R.
PARKTRONIC is deactivated at speeds above
11 mph (18 km/h). PARKTRONIC is
reactivated at speeds below 10 mph
(16 km/h).
PARKTRONIC monitors the area around your
vehicle with sensors in the front and rear
bumpers.
Range of the sensors !
Pay particular attention to obstacles
above or below the sensors when parking,
such as flower pots or trailer towbars.
PARKTRONIC does not recognize such
objects when they are in the immediate
vicinity of the vehicle. You could damage
the vehicle or objects. Driving systems
157Driving and parking Z

is installed and secured correctly before every
journey.
If your vehicle is equipped with a Sprinter
trailer tow hitch, you need a ball coupling that
is approved for the trailer tow hitch.
When mounting and removin gthe approved
ball coupling, observe the relevant
information in the operating instructions of
the ball coupling manufacturer.
If you cannot mount the ball coupling
correctly, remove it. In this case, the ball
coupling may not be used for towing a trailer.
Notes on the permissible dimensions and
weights can also be found on the
identification plate of the trailer tow hitch.
You can obtain advice from a qualified
specialist workshop. Coupling up a trailer
! Do not connect the trailer's brake system
(if featured) to the hydraulic brake system
of the towing vehicle, as the latter is
equipped with an anti-lock brake system.
Doing so will result in a loss of function of
the brake systems of both the vehicle and
the trailer. Trailer coupled ready for use
X
Make sure the selector lever of the
automatic transmission is in position P.
X Apply the parking brake of the vehicle.
X Close all doors. X
Position the trailer horizontally behind your
vehicle.
i The height of the ball neck changes
according to the load on the vehicle. In this
case, use a trailer with aheight-adjustable
trailer drawbar.
X Couple the trailer.
X Establish all electrical and other
connections to the trailer.
X Remove the objects that are preventing the
trailer from rolling, e.g. wheel chocks.
X Release the trailer parking brake.
i The subharness of the vehicle has a cable
connection to the brake lamp indicator
lamp.
Observe the maximum permissible trailer
dimensions (width and length).
Most federal states and all Canadian
provinces require by law:
R safety chains between the towing vehicle
and the trailer. The chains should be cross-
wound under the trailer drawbar. They must
be fastened to the vehicle's trailer
coupling, not to the bumper or the axle.
Leave enough slack in the chains. This
allows you to drive round tight corners.
R a separate brake system for certain types
of trailer.
R a safety switch for braked trailers. Find out
the specific requirements according to the
applicable laws.
If the trailer detaches from the towing
vehicle, the safety switch applies the
trailer's brakes. Towing
atrailer
There are numerous legal requirements
concerning the towing of a trailer, e.g .speed
restrictions. Make sure your vehicle/trailer
combination complies with local laws. This
not only means where you live, but also
anywhere you are driving to. Information is Towing
atrailer
171Driving an d parking Z

R
press the 0007reset button
R switch on the lights
The display switches off automatically after
approximately 30 seconds if:
R the vehicle lighting is not switched on.
R the key is in position 0in the ignition lock. Instrument lighting
When the lights are switched on, you can
adjust the brightness of the instrument
cluster lighting using the 000Eand 000Fbuttons.
X To brighten: press the000Ebutton.
X To dim: press the 000Fbutton.
i Vehicles with automatic headlamp mode:
the instrument lighting also adapts to
automatic headlamp mode. Tachometer
! Do not drive in the overrevving range, as
this could damage the engine. H
Environmental note
Avoid driving at high engine speeds. This
unnecessarily increases the fuel consumption
of your vehicle and harms the environmen tas
a result of increased emissions.
The red band in the tachometer indicates the
engine's overrevving range.
To protect the engine, the fuel supply is
interrupted when the red band is reached. Outside temperature
You should pay special attention to road
conditions when temperatures are around
the freezing point.
On vehicles without steering wheel buttons
(Y page 178) and on vehicles with steering
wheel buttons (Y page 182), the outside
temperature display is in the display. Changes in the outside temperature are
displayed after a shor
tdelay. Speedometer
The speed can also be shown in the display.
You can find information on the digital
speedometer for vehicles without steering
wheel buttons under (Y page 178) and for
vehicles with steering wheel buttons under
(Y page 182).
i In some countries, a warning sounds
when the vehicle reaches the maximum
speed limit, e.g. at 75 mph ( 120 km/h). Trip odometer
X To reset: make sure that the display is
showing the trip odometer if you have a
vehicle with steering wheel buttons
(Y page 182).
X Press and hold the 0007reset button until the
trip odometer is reset to 0.0 .
Fuel gage
0005
Fuel gage on vehicles without steering
wheel buttons
0006 Fuel gage on vehicles with steering wheel
buttons Instrument cluster
177On-board computer and displays Z