2013 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER height

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

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

0026
Maximum tire pressure (Y page 280)
0025 Manufacturer
0023 Tire material (Y page 292)
0024 Tire size designation, load-bearing
capacity and speed index (Y page 290)
0018 Tire name
The markings described above are on the tire
in addition to the tire name (sales
designation) and the manufacturer's name.
i Tire data is vehicle-specific and may
deviate from the data in the example.
Tire size designation, load bearing index
and speed index G
WARNING
Exceeding the stated tire load-bearing
capacity and the approved maximum speed
could lead to tire damage or the tire bursting.
There is a risk of accident.
Therefore, only use tire types and sizes
approved for your vehicle model. Observe the
tire load rating and speed rating required for
your vehicle. 0005
Design standard
0006 Tire width
0026 Nominal aspect ration in %
0025 Tire code
0023 Rim diameter
0024 Load bearing index
0018 Speed index General:
depending on the manufacturer's
standards, the size imprinted in the tire wall
may not contain any letters or may contain
one letter 0005that precedes the size
description
If "LT" precedes the size description (as
shown above): these are light truck tires
according to U.S. manufacturing standards.
If "C" precedes the size description: these are
commercial motor vehicle tires according to
European manufacturing standards.
Tire width: tire width0006shows the nominal
tire width in millimeters.
Aspect ratio: aspect ratio0026is the size ratio
between the tire height and tire width and is
shown in percent.T he aspect ratio is
calculated by dividing the tire width by the tire
height.
Tire code: tire code0025specifies the tire type.
"R" represents radial tires. "D" represents
diagonal tires, "B" represents diagonal radial
tires.
Rim diameter: rim diameter0023is 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 index0024
is a numerical code that specifies the
maximum load-bearing capacity of a tire.
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified load limit. The maximum
permissible load can be found on the
vehicle's Tire and Loading Information
placard on the B-pillar on the driver's side
(Y page 286).
Example:
The load-bearing index 120 indicates a
maximum load of 3,042 lb (1,380 kg) for the
tire. 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 291).290
What you should know about wheels and tiresWheels and tires

is bar. 100 kilopascals (kPa) are the
equivalen tof1bar.
Load index
In addition to the load bearing index, a load
index can be stamped onto the sidewall of the
tire. It specifies the load-bearing capacity of
the tire more precisely.
Curb weight
The weigh tofavehicle with standard
equipment including the maximu mfilling
capacity of fuel, oil, and coolant. It also
includes the air-conditionin gsystem and
optional equipmen tifthese are installed on
the vehicle, but does not include passengers
or luggage.
Maximum tire load
The maximum tire load in kilograms or
pounds is the maximum weight for which a
tire is approved.
Maximum permissible tire pressure
Maximum permissible tire pressure for one
tire.
Maximum load on one tire
Maximum load on one tire. This is calculated
by dividing the maximum axle load of one axle
by two.
PSI (Pounds per square inch)
Standard unit of measurement for tire
pressure.
Aspect ratio
Relationship between tire height and width in
percent.
Tire pressure
Pressure inside the tire applying an outward
force to every square inch of the tire's
surface. Tire pressure is specified in pounds
per square inch (psi), in kilopascal (kPa) or in
bar. Tire pressure should only be corrected
when the tires are cold. Cold tire pressure
The tires are cold:
R if the vehicle has been parked for at least
three hours without direct sunlight on the
tires, and
R if the vehicle has not been driven further
than 1 mile (1.6 km)
Tire tread
The part of the tire that comes into contact
with the road.
Tire bead
The tire bead ensures that the tire sits
securely on the wheel. There are several steel
wires in the bead to prevent the tire from
coming loose from the wheel rim.
Sidewall
The part of the tire between the tread and the
tire bead.
Weight of optional extras
The combined weight of those optional extras
that weigh more than the replaced standard
parts and more than 2.3 kg (5 lbs). These
optional extras, such as high-performance
brakes, level control, a roof rack or a high-
performance battery, are not included in the
curb weight and the weight of the
accessories.
TIN (Tire Identification Number)
Au nique identificatio nnumbe rwhich can be
used by a tire manufacturer to identify tires,
for example for a product recall, and thus
identify the purchasers. The TIN is composed
of the manufacturer identification code, tire
size, tire model code and manufacturing date.
Load bearing index
The load bearing index (also load index) is a
code that contains the maximum load bearing
capacity of a tire. 294
What you should know about wheels and tiresWheels and tires