
properly secured in an appropriately sized
child restraint system or booster seat
recommended for the size and weight of the
child. For additional information, see the
"Children in the vehicle" section.
Ac hild's risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints
are not properly secured in the vehicle and/
or the child is not properly secured in the child
restraint.
! Make sure that the seat belt retracts fully.
The seat belt or belt buckle may otherwise
become trapped in the door or the seat
adjustment mechanism. This could
damage the door, door trim panels and the
seat belt. Damaged seat belts can no
longer fulfill their protective function and
must be replaced at a qualified specialist
workshop. X
To fasten the seat belt: adjust the seat
and move the backrest to an almost vertical
position (Y page 80).
X Pull the seat belt smoothly through belt
sash guide 0006.
X Without twisting it, guide the shoulder
section of the seat belt across the middle
of your shoulder and the lap section across
your hips. X
Engage belt tongue 0026in seat belt buckle
0023.
X The upper part of the seat belt must be
routed across the middle of your shoulder.
Adjust the seat belt to the appropriate
height as necessary.
X If necessary, pull upwards on the shoulder
section of the seat belt to tighten the belt
across your body.
X To raise the seat belt: slide belt sash
guide 0006upwards.
Belt sash guide 0006engages in various
positions.
X To lowert he seat belt: press and hold
release button 0005.
X Adjust bel tsash guide 0006to the
appropriate height.
X Let go of release button 0005and make sure
that belt sash guide 0006has engaged.
X To release the seat belt: press release
button 0025on seat belt buckle 0023.
X Guide seat belt to belt sash guide 0006.
All seat belts in the vehicle, excep tthe
driver's seat belt, are equipped with a special
seat belt retractor. This helps to secure the
child restraint system properly in the vehicle.
For further information on "Special seat belt
retractors", see (Y page 54).
Belt warning for drivers and co-drivers Regardless of whether the driver's and co-
driver's seat belts have already been
fastened, the
0014seat belt warning lamp
lights up for six seconds each time the engine
is started. It then goes out if the driver and
the co-driver have fastened their seat belts.
If the driver's seat belt is not fastened when
the engine is started, an additional warning
tone will sound. This warning tone switches
off after approximately six seconds or once
the driver's seat belt is fastened. Occupant safety
49Safety Z

Emergency Tensioning Devices, seat
belt force limiters
G
WARNING
Pyrotechnic ETDs that were activated must be
replaced.
For your safety, when disposing of the
pyrotechnic ETDs always follow our safety
instructions. These instructions are available
from any authorized Sprinter Dealer.
! If the front-passenger seat is not
occupied, do no tengage the sea tbelt
tongue in the buckle on the front-
passenger seat. Otherwise, the Emergency
Tensioning Device could be triggered in the
event of an accident.
X In order to ensure that the pyrotechnic
Emergency Tensioning Devices have not
been triggered, always have the seat belts
checked after an accident.
If the Emergency Tensioning Devices have
been triggered, they must be replaced.
If the vehicle is equipped with a driver's air
bag, the seat belts on the driver's and co-
driver's seats have Emergency Tensioning
Devices and seat belt force limiters.
ETDs tighten the seat belts in an accident,
pulling them close against the seat
occupant's body.
ETDs do not correct incorrect seat positions
or incorrectly fastened seat belts.
ETDs do not pull vehicle occupants back
towards the backrest.
When activated, the seat belt force limiters
reduce the force exerted by the seat belt on
the driver or co-driver.
The seat belt force limiters are synchronized
with the fron tair bags, which absorb part of
the deceleration force, resulting in the force
exerted on the occupant being distributed
over a greater area.
The ETDs can only be triggered if the ignition
is switched on and the restraint systems are
operational, see " 0008warning lamp"
(Y page 42). The Emergency Tensioning Devices are
triggered depending on the type and severity
of an accident:
R
in the event of a head-on or rear-end
collision if the vehicle decelerates or
accelerates rapidly in a longitudinal
direction during the initial stages of the
impact
R in the event of a side impact if the vehicle
decelerates or accelerates rapidly in a
lateral direction and the vehicle is equipped
with thorax side impac tair bags and/or
window curtain air bags
If the ETDs are triggered, you will hear a bang
and powder may also be released .Only in rare
cases will the bang affect your hearing .The
powder emitted is not generally hazardous to
health. The 0008warning lamp lights up. Child restraint systems
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If the child restraint system is not installed
correctly to a suitable seat, the child may not
be secured in the event of an accident or
sudden braking and may be seriously or even
fatally injured. Therefore, when installing a
child restraint system, you must observe the
manufacturer's installation instructions as
well as the notes on using the child restraint
system.
Child restraint systems should preferably be
installed to the rear seats. Children are
generally better protected there.
Never place objects, e.g. cushions, under the
child restraint system. The entire base of the
child restraint system must always rest on the
seat cushion.
A child restraint system must not be used
without the genuine cover designed for it.
Only replace damaged covers with genuine
covers. 50
Child restraint systemsSafety

On the rear seats, use only child restraint
systems that have been recommended for
use in the Sprinter. G
WARNING
Accident statistics show that children
secured in the rear seats are safer than
children secured in the co-driver's seat. For
this reason, we strongly advise that you
always secure children in the rear seats.
Regardless of the seat position, children
under 12 years must be secured correctly in
a suitable infant or child restraint system or
booster seat suitable for the size and weight
of the child.
Never place anything between the seat
cushion and child seat (e.g. pillow). The
bottom of the child seat must make full
contact with the vehicle seat cushion. An
incorrectly mounted child seat could cause
injuries to the child in the event of an
accident, instead of protecting the child.
The infant or child restraint must be properly
secured with the vehicle's seat belt, the seat
belt and Top Tether strap, or lower anchors
and Top Tether strap, fully in accordance with
the child seat manufacturer's instructions.
Always observe the manufacturer's
instructions when installing special child
restraint systems.
Occupants, in particular children, must sit as
upright as possible, fasten the seat belt
correctly and use a suitable infant restraint
system, child restraint system or booster seat
suitable for the size and weight of the child.
Children can be seriously or even fatally
injured by an air bag deploying. Observe the
following important information if it is
absolutely necessary to carry a child on the
co-driver's seat:
R The co-driver's front air bag is not
deactivated.
R Never secure your child in a rearward-
facing child restraint system on the co-
driver's seat. A child in a rearward-facing
child restraint system on the co-driver's seat can be seriously injured or even killed
if the co-driver's front air bag deploys. Only
install a rearward-facing child restraint
system on a suitable rear seat.
R Where permitted by state law, if you secure
your child in a forward-facing child restraint
system on the co-driver's seat, move the
co-driver's seat as far back to the rear as
possible.Y ou must then use an
appropriately sized child restraint system
recommended for the age, size and weight
of the child and secure it with the vehicle
seat belt in accordance with the child seat
manufacturer's instructions. G
WARNING
Infants and small children should never share
a seat belt with another occupant .Inthe event
of an accident, they could be crushed
between the occupant and seat belt.
Ac hild's risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints
are not properly secured in the vehicle and/
or the child is not properly secured in the child
restraint.
Children that are too large for a child restraint
must travel in seats using normal seat belts.
Position the shoulder belt across the chest
and shoulder, not the face or neck.Ab ooster
seat may be necessary to achieve proper seat
belt positioning for children over 41 lbs
(18 kg) until they reach a height where alap/
shoulder belt fits properly without a booster
seat.
When the child restraint is no tinuse, remove
it from the vehicle or secure it with the seat
belt to prevent the child restraint from
becoming a projectile in the event of an
accident. G
WARNING
When extending or retracting, parts of the
body could become trapped within the sweep
of the roller sunblind. There is a risk of injury.
When extending or retracting, make sure that
no one has any parts of the body within the Child restraint systems
51Safety
Z

sweep of the roller sunblind. If someone
becomes trapped, briefly press the button
again. The opening or closing procedure will
be stopped.
G
WARNING
If the child restraint system is installed
incorrectly or is not secured, it can come
loose in the event of an accident, heavy
braking or a sudden change in direction. The
child restraint system could be thrown about,
striking vehicle occupants. There is an
increased risk of injury, possibly even fatal.
Always install child restraint systems
properly, even if they are not being used.
Make sure that you observe the child restraint
system manufacturer's installation
instructions.
Further information on secure stowage of
loads can be found under "Loading
guidelines".
If an infant or child is traveling in the vehicle:
R secure the child with a child or infant seat
restraint system appropriate to the age and
weight of the child
R make sure that the infant or child is
properly secured at all times while the
vehicle is in motion.
We recommend that you always properly
secure all infants and children in an infant or
child restraint system for the journey.
The use of seat belts and infant and child
restraint systems is required by law in:
R all 50 states
R the U.S. territories
R the District of Columbia
R all Canadian provinces
Infants and children must always be seated in
an appropriate infant or child restraint system
recommended for the size and weight of the
child. This must be properly secured in
accordance with the manufacturer's
installation instructions for the infant or child
seat restraint system. All infant or child restraint systems must meet
the following standards:
R
U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards 213 and 225
R Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
213 and 210.2
A statement by the child restraint
manufacturer of compliance with these
standards can be found on the instruction
label on the child restraint system. You will
also find the statement in the instruction
manual provided with the child restraint
system.
When using any infant restraint, child
restraint or booster seat, make sure to
carefully read and follow all manufacturer's
instructions for installation and use.
Observe the warning labels in the vehicle
interior or on the infant or child restraint. LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child seat
securing system
G
WARNING
Children that are too large for a child restraint
must travel in seats using normal seat belts.
Position shoulderb elt across the chest and
shoulder, not face or neck.
Ab ooster seat may be necessary to achieve
proper seat belt positioning for children over
41 lb (18 kg) until they reach a height where
a lap/shoulder belt fits properly without a
booster.
Install the child restraint system in
accordance with the manufacturer's
instructions.
Attach the child restraint system to both
securing rings.
An incorrectly installed child restraint system
could come loose during an accident and
seriously or even fatally injure the child.
Child restraint systems or child seat securing
rings that are malfunctioning or damaged as
the result of a collision must be replaced. 52
Child restraint systemsSafety

These include, for example:
R
Top Tether belt
R Seat belts
R LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child seat securing
system
! When installing the child restraint system,
make sure that the seat belt for the middle
seat does not get trapped. 0005
Securing rings
X Install the LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child
restraint system. Comply with the
manufacturer's instructions when
installing the LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child
restraint system.
ISOFIX is a standardized securing system for
special child restraint systems on the rear
seats. Securing rings 0005for the LATCH-type
(ISOFIX) child restraint systems are located
between the seat cushion and the seat
backrest:
R on the outer left and right-hand sides on a
narrow rear bench seat with three seats
R on the outer left side on a rear bench seat
with two seats
Secure child restraint systems without a
LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child seat securing
system using the seat belts in the vehicle.
When installing child restraint systems, you
must observe the manufacturer's installation
instructions. Top Tether
Top Tether anchorage points
Top Tether belt
Top Tether provides an additional connection
between the LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child
restraint system and the rear seat. This helps
reduce the risk of injury even further.
The Top Tether anchorage points
0006are
located on the rear side at the bases of the
rear bench seats.
X Slide head restraint 0005upwards.
X Install the LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child
restraint system with Top Tether. Comply
with the manufacturer's installation
instructions when doing so.
X Route the Top Tether belt 0025under head
restraint 0005between the two head restraint
bars.
X Hook Top Tether hook 0026into Top Tether
anchorage 0006. Child restraint systems
53Safety Z

Make sure that:
R
the Top Tether hook 0026is hooked into
Top Tether anchorage 0006, as shown
R the Top Tether belt 0025is not twisted
X Tighten Top Tether belt 0025.Comply with the
manufacturer's installation instructions
when doing so.
X If necessary, push the head restraint back
down slightly. Make sure that you do not
interfere with the correct routing of Top
Tether belt 0025. Special seat belt retractor
G
WARNING
If the seat belt is released while driving, the
child restraint system will no longer be
secured properly. The special seat belt
retractor is disabled and the inertia real draws
in a portion of the seat belt. The seat belt
cannot be immediately refastened. There is
an increased risk of injury, possibly even fatal.
Stop the vehicle immediately, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
Reactivate the special seat belt retractor and
secure the child restraint system properly.
All seat belts in the vehicle, except the
driver's seat belt, are equipped with a special
seat belt retractor. When activated, the
special seat belt retractor ensures that the
seat belt cannot slacken once the child seat
is secured.
X To activate the special seat belt
retractor: install the child restraint
system. Observe the child-seat
manufacturer's installation instructions
when doing so.
X Pull the seat belt smoothly from the inertia
reel.
X Engage the belt tongue in the seat belt
buckle. X
Extend the seat belt fully and then allow the
inertia reel to retract the belt.
Ar atcheting noise can be heard when the
belt is retracting; this indicates activation
of the special seat belt retractor.
X Press the child restraint system down
firmly into the seat to avoid any play.
X To disable the special seat belt
retractor: press the seat belt buckle
release butto nand allow the belt to retract
fully.
The sea tbelt can be used in the normal
manner again. Child-proof locks
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If the child restraint system is subjected to
direct sunlight, parts may get very hot.
Children may burn themselves on these parts,
particularly on the metal parts of the child
restraint system. There is a risk of injury.
If you leave the vehicle, taking the child with
you, always ensure that the child restraint
system is not exposed to direct sunlight.
Protect it with a blanket, for example. If the
child restraint system has been exposed to
direct sunlight, let it cool down before
securing the child in it. Never leave children
unattended in the vehicle.
You can activate the child-proof lock for the
sliding door ( Ypage 55) and for the rear
door (Y page 55). 54
Child-proof locksSafety

sure to explicitly point out the risks
described here.
R Only vehicle occupants who know how to
use the emergency exit window are
permitted to sit next to it.
R Access to the emergency exit window must
remain unobstructed. Do not place any
large or heavy objects on or in front of the
seats next to the emergency exit window.
R The window handles must not be used as
hooks, e.g. to hang up light objects, bags
or items of clothing.
R When exiting the vehicle through the
emergency exit window, pay attention to
the vehicle height and the local conditions.
Particularly children and smaller adults
may require assistance when exiting the
vehicle. Theft deterrent locking system
Immobilizer
X To activate: remove the key from the
ignition lock.
X To deactivate: turn the key to position 2
in the ignition lock.
The immobilizer prevents your vehicle from
being started without the correct key.
Always take the key with you and lock the
vehicle when leaving the vehicle. If you leave
the key in the vehicle, anyone can start the
engine.
i The immobilizer is always deactivated
when you start the engine.
In the event that the engine cannot be
started when the starter battery is fully
charged, the immobilizer may be faulty.
Contact an authorized Sprinter dealeror
call 1-877-762-8267 (in USA) or
1-800-387-0100 (in Canada). ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
X To arm: close all doors.
X Lock the vehicle with the key.
The indicator lamp in the central locking
button (Y page 69) flashes.
X To deactivate: unlock the vehicle with the
key.
The indicator lamp in the central locking
button (Y page 69) goes out.
i Cargo Van and Crew Van only:
Unless you ope nadoor or the tailgate
within 40 seconds after unlocking the
vehicle:
R the vehicle will be locked again
R the anti-thef talarm system will be armed
again
If the alarm system is armed, a visual and
audible alarm is triggered by the following:
R Unlocking the vehicle fro minside
R Opening a door
R Opening the hood
i The alar mis not switched off, even if you
immediately close the open door that has
triggered it, for example.
X To stop the alarm: press the0009button
on the remote control.
Or
X Insert the key into the ignition lock.
The alarm stops. Tow-away alarm
Operation Av
isual and audible alarm is triggered if the
inclination of the vehicle changes when the
tow-away alarm is armed. This can be the
case if the vehicle is raised on one side, for
example. 60
Theft deterrent locking systemSafety

Useful information
This Operator's Manual describes all models
as well as standard and optional equipment
of your vehicle that were available at the time
of going to print. Country-specific variations
are possible. Note that your vehicle may not
be equipped with all of the described
functions. This also applies to systems and
functions relevant to safety.
Read the information on qualified specialist
workshops (Y page 26). Seats
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If the driver's seat is not engaged, it could
move unexpectedly while the vehicle is in
motion. This could cause you to lose control
of the vehicle. There is a risk of an accident.
Always make sure that the driver's seat is
engaged before starting the engine. G
WARNING
When you adjust a seat, you or other vehicle
occupants could become trapped, e.g. on the
seat guide rail. There is arisk of injury.
Make sure when adjusting aseat that no one
has any body parts in the sweep of the seat. G
WARNING
If head restraints are not installed and
adjusted correctly, they cannot provide
protection as intended. There is an increased
risk of injury in the head and neck area, e.g.
in the event of an accident or when braking.
Always drive with the head restraints
installed. Before driving off, make sure for
every vehicle occupant that the center of the
head restraint supports the back of the head
at about eye level. Observe also the safety notes in the sections
on "Air bags" (Y
page 44) and "Children in the
vehicle" ( Ypage 50).
Do not change over the head restraints for the
fron tand rea rseats. Otherwise, it will not be
possible to correctly adjust the height and
angle of the head restraints.
Use the head restraint pad to adjust the head
restraint so that it is as close as possible to
the back of your head.
Before the journey, make sure the head
restraints have been correctly set for each of
the vehicle's passengers (Y page 84). Driver's and co-driver's seat
0005
Seat fore-and-aft adjustment
0006 Lumbar support adjustment
0026 Seat backrest adjustment
0025 Seat height adjustment
0023 Seat cushion angle adjustment
0024 Seat suspension adjustment
0018 Seat suspension lock
i Depending on the seat model, some
adjustments may not be available.
You can find information on rotating the
fron tseats under "Swiveling fron tseats"
(Y page 81). 80
SeatsSeats, steering wheel and mirrors