Problems with the transmission
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
0004 Solutions
The transmission
malfunctions when
shifting gear. The transmission is losing oil.
X
Have the transmission checked immediately at a qualified
specialist workshop. The acceleration
characteristics have
deteriorated
noticeably.
The transmission does
not shift. The transmission is in emergency mode.
It is only possible to shift into second gear or reverse gear
R.
X Stop the vehicle.
X Depress the brake pedal.
X Move the selector lever to position P.
X Switch off the engine.
X Wait at least 10 seconds before restarting the engine.
X Depress the brake pedal.
X Move the selector lever to position Dor R.
In position D, the transmission shifts into second gear; in
position R, the transmission shifts into reverse gear.
X Have the transmission checked immediately at a qualified
specialist workshop. Releasing the parking lock manually
X
Apply the parking brake.
X Remove cover 0005. X
Slide implement 0006as far as it will go into
the opening.
X Push the implement in and simultaneously
move the selector lever out of position P.
The selector lever lock is released. You can
now move the selector lever freely again
until it is returned to position P.
X Remove implement 0006.
X Re-install cover 0005.
In the event of a malfunction, it is possible to
manually release the selector lever from the Automatic transmission
141Driving and parking Z
Limited braking performance on salt-
treated roads When driving on salted roads, salt may start
to build up on the brak edisks and brake pads.
This can increase braking distances
considerably.
Maintain a greater distanc eto the vehicle in
front.
To remove any build up of salt that may have
formed:
X Apply the brakes at the start of the journey,
occasionally during journey and at the end
of the journey. Make sure that you do not
endanger other road users when doing so.
Parking brake G
WARNING
If you must brake the vehicle with the parking
brake, the braking distance is considerably
longer and the wheels could lock. There is an
increased danger of skidding and accidents.
Only use the parking brake to brake the
vehicle when the service brake is faulty. Do
not apply the parking brake too firmly. If the
wheels lock, release the parking brake until
the wheels begin turning again.
When driving on wet roads or dirt-covered
surfaces, road salt and/or dirt may get into
the parking brake. This causes corrosion and
a reduction of braking force.
In order to prevent this, drive with the parking
brake lightly applied from time to time. When
doing so, drive for a distance of approximately
110 yds (100 m) at a maximum speed of
12 mph (20 km/h).
The brake lamps are not illuminated when you
brake the vehicle using the parking brake. Driving in wet conditions
Hydroplaning 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. There is a risk of
an accident.
For this reason, avoid tire ruts and brake
carefully.
Therefore, in heavy rain or other conditions in
which hydroplaning can occur, drive as
follows:
R reduce your speed
R avoid tire ruts
R apply the brakes with care
Driving on flooded roads !
Do not drive through flooded areas.
Check the depth of any water before driving
through it. Drive slowly through standing
water. Otherwise, water may enter the
vehicle interior or the engine compartment.
This can damage the electronic
components in the engine or the automatic
transmission. Water can also be drawn in
by the engine's air suction nozzles and this
can cause engine damage.
If you have to drive on stretches of road on
which water has collected, please bear in
mind that:
R the water level of standing water should not
be above the lower edge of the front
bumper
R do not drive faster than walking speed Driving tips
151Driving and parking Z
Obstacles may damage the following parts
of the vehicle:
R
the chassis
R the drive train
R the fuel and supply tanks
For this reason, you should always drive
slowly when driving off-road. If you have to
drive over obstacles, have the co-driver
direct you.
i We recommend that you additionally
carry a shovel and a recovery rope with
shackle in the vehicle.
R Ensure that loads and items of luggage are
securely stowed or lashed down
(Y page 232).
R Before driving off-road, stop the vehicle and
shift to a low gear.
R If the surface demands it, temporarily
deactivate ASR when pulling away
(Y page 58).
R Only drive off-road with the engine running
and a gear engaged.
R Drive slowly and smoothly. Walking pace is
necessary in many situations.
R Avoid spinning the drive wheels.
R Make sure that the wheels always remain
in contact with the ground.
R Drive with extreme care over unknown
terrain where you can only see for a short
distance. As a precaution, get out of the
vehicle to take a look at the route to be
taken in advance.
R Check the water depth before fording.
R Watch out for obstacles (e.g. rocks, holes,
tree stumps and ruts).
R Avoid edges where the surface could
crumble or break away.
Checklist after driving off-road !
If you detect damage to the vehicle after
driving off-road, have the vehicle checked
immediately at a qualified specialist
workshop. Off-road driving places a higher demand on
your vehicle than normal road operation.
Check your vehicle after driving on rough
terrain. By doing so you will notice any
damage in good time and reduce the risk of
an accident for yourselfa
nd otherroad users.
Clean your vehicle thoroughly before driving
on public roads.
Observe the following points after driving off-
road, on construction sites and before driving
on public roads:
X Activate ASR (Y page 58).
X Clean the headlamps and tail lamps and
check them for damage.
X Clean the front and rear license plates.
X Clean the windshield, windows and exterior
mirrors.
X Clean the steps, door sills and grab
handles.
This increases safety of footing.
X Clean the wheels/tires, wheel housings
and the underbody of the vehicle with a
water jet.
This increases road grip, especially on wet
road surfaces.
X Check the wheels/tires and wheel
housings for trapped foreign objects and
remove them.
Trapped foreign objects can damage the
wheels/tires and may be flung out from the
vehicle when you continue driving.
X Check the underbody for trapped branches
or other parts of plants and remove them.
Trapped branches or other parts of plants
increase the risk of fire and can cause
damage to fuel lines, brake hoses and the
rubber bellows of axle jointsa nd drive
shafts.
X Clea nthe brake disks, brake pads and axle
joints, particularly after operation in sand,
mud, grit/gravel, water or similarly dirty
conditions.
X Check the entire floor assembly, the tires,
wheels, bodywork structure, brakes, 154
Driving tipsDriving and parking
Problems with the rear view camera
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
0004 Solutions
After reverse gear is
selected, white lines
appear on the monitor
or the picture flickers. The rear view camera is exposed to very bright white light or
fluorescent light.
X
Check whether the rear view camera works at another location. The rear view camera is
functioning incorrectly
or not at all. R
The surrounding area is very dark.
R The outside temperature has changed rapidly or is very high.
R The camera lens is dirty or obstructed.
X Check the rear view camera and clean the camera lens if
necessary (Y page 259). Working mode
ADR (working speed governor)
General notes When activated, ADR automatically increases
the engine speed to a preset speed or a speed
you have set.
i After a cold start, the idling speed of the
engine is increased automatically. If the
preset working speed is lower than the
increased idling speed, the working speed
is only reached once the engine has
completed the warm-up phase.
It is only possible to activate ADR with the
vehicle stationary and the parking brake
applied.
The selector lever of the automatic
transmission must be in position P.Activating/deactivating ADR X
To activate: press the upper section of the
0023 switch while the engine is running.
The indicator lamp in the switch comes on.
The 0004 indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up or the display shows the
following message: Operating speed governor active .
X To deactivate: press lower section of the
0023 switch while the engine is running.
The indicator lamp in the switch goes out.
ADR is automatically deactivated if:
R you release the parking brake.
R the brake pedal is depressed.
R the vehicle moves.
R the control unit detects a malfunction. Working mode
167Driving and parking Z
R
Do not install rented trailer couplings or
other detachable trailer couplings to the
bumpers.
R Minimize the risk of damage to the ball
coupling .Ifyou do not require the ball
coupling, remove it from the ball coupling
recess.
Weight information can be found in the
“Permissible trailer and drawbar
noseweights” section (Y page 169).
Note that, when towing atrailer,
PARKTRONIC is only available with limitations
or not at all (Y page 160).
i The height of the ball neck changes
according to the load on the vehicle. If this
is case, use a trailer with a height-
adjustable trailer drawbar.
Driving tips The maximu
mpermissible speed for vehicle/
trailer combination depends on the type of
trailer. Before setting off, check the vehicle
documents of the your trailer to find out the
permissible maximum speed. Observe the
legally prescribed maximum speed for
vehicle/trailer combinations in the relevant
country, state or Canadian province.
When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristics will be differen tincomparison
to when driving without a trailer and it will
consume more fuel.
On long, steep downhill slopes you must
select shift range 3,2or 1in good time.
i This also applies if you have activated
cruise control.
This enables you to utilize the engine's
braking effect and you do not need to brake
so heavily to keep the correc tspeed. which
protects the brake system and prevents the
brakes from overheating and wearing too
quickly. If you need to brake additionally, to
not depress the brake pedal constantly, but
periodically. Driving tips If the trailer begins to swing from side to side:
X
Do not accelerate.
X Do not counter-steer.
X Brake if necessary.
i You can reduce the risk of the trailer
swinging and rocking by retrofitting anti-
roll bars or trailer stability programs .More
information is available from your
authorized Sprinter Dealer.
R Maintain a greater distance than you would
when driving without towing a trailer.
R Avoid sudden braking. Apply the brakes
gently at first to allow the trailer brake to
overrun. Then, increase the brake force
quickly.
R The figures for the gradient climbing
capabilities from a standstill refer to sea
level. When driving in mountainous areas,
note that the power output of the engine,
and with it its gradient climbing capability,
decrease with increasing altitude. Attaching and removing the ball
coupling
G
WARNING
If the ball coupling is not correctly installed
and secured, it could come loose while driving
and endanger other road users. There is a risk
of an accident and injury.
Install and secure the ball coupling as
described in the ball coupling manufacturer's
installation instructions. Make sure that the
ball coupling is correctly installed and
secured before every journey. G
WARNING
If the ball coupling is not installed and secured
correctly the trailer may come loose. There is
a risk of an accident.
Install and secure the ball coupling as
described in the ball coupling installation
instructions. Make sure that the ball coupling 170
Towing
atrailerDriving an d parking
available from the police and local
authorities.
Observe the following when towing a trailer:
R
Practice driving around bends, stopping
and backing up at a place where there is no
traffic. This enables you to gain experience
and get used to the new handling
characteristics.
R Before driving, check:
-that the trailer tow hitch and ball
coupling are secure
- that the safety switch for a braked trailer
is functioning properly
- that the safety chains are secure and not
damaged
- that the electrical connections are
secure
- that the lights are working
- that the wheels are in good order and the
tire pressure is correct
R Adjust the exterior mirrors to provide an
unobstructed view of the rear sectio nofthe
trailer.
R If the trailer has electronically controlled
brakes, pull the vehicle/trailer
combination away carefully. Brake
manually using the brake controller and
check that the brakes are working.
R Secure the load on the trailer according to
the applicable specifications and current
standards on securing loads
(Y page 234).
R When driving with a trailer, check at regular
intervals that the load is secured and that
the brakes and lights are working.
R Bear in mind that the handling will be less
stable when towing a trailer than when
driving without one. Avoid sudden steering
movements.
R The vehicle/trailer combination is heavier,
accelerates more slowly and has a
decreased gradient climbing capability and
a longer braking distance.
It is more susceptible to crosswinds and
requires cautious steering. R
If possible, do not brake suddenly, but
rather moderately at first so that the trailer
can activate its brakes. Then increase the
force on the brake pedal.
R If the automatic transmission repeatedly
shifts between gears when driving on
inclines, restrict the shift range. Select shift
range 4,3,2or 1.
Driving in a low gear and at a low speed
reduces the risk of damaging the engine.
R When driving on a downhill gradient, shift
to a low gear and take advantage of the
engine's braking effect.
Avoid continuous brake application as this
may overheat the vehicle brakes and, if
installed, the trailer brakes.
R If the coolant temperature increases
dramatically while the air-conditioning
system is switched on, switch off the air-
conditioning system.
Coolant heat can also be dissipated by
switching the airflow and the temperature
of the heater/air conditioning to the
maximum level. Open the windows if
necessary.
R When overtaking, pay particular attention
to the extended length of your vehicle/
trailer combination.
Due to the length of your vehicle/trailer
combination you need an additional
distance before you can return to your
original lane. Uncoupling
atrailer G
WARNING
If you uncouple a trailer with the overrun
brake engaged, you could trap your hand
between the vehicle and the trailer drawbar.
There is a risk of injury.
Do not uncouple a trailer if the overru nbrake
is engaged.
! Do not disconnect a trailer with an
engaged overru nbrake. Otherwise, your 172
Towing
atrailerDriving an d parking
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). Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If you are driving and reach through the
steering wheel to operate the adjustment
knob, you could lose control of the vehicle.
There is a risk of an accident and injury.
Only operate the adjustment knobs when the
vehicle is stationary. Do not reach through the
steering wheel when driving. G
WARNING
If you operate information systems and
communication equipment integrated in the
vehicle while driving, you will be distracted
from traffic conditions. You could also lose
control of the vehicle. There is a risk of an
accident.
Only operate the equipment when the traffic
situatio npermits .Ifyou are not sure that this
is possible, park the vehicle paying attention
to traffic conditions and operate the
equipment when the vehicle is stationary. G
WARNING
If the instrument cluster has failed or
malfunctioned, you may not recognize
function restrictions in systems relevant to
safety. The operating safety of your vehicle
may be impaired. There is a risk of an
accident. Drive on carefully. Have the vehicle checked
at a qualified specialist workshop
immediately.
If uncertainties regarding the operating safety
of the vehicle arise when continuing the
journey, stop the vehicle, paying attention to
road and traffic conditions.
You must observe the legal requirements for
the country in which you are currently driving
when operating COMAND. Instrument cluster
Overview
0005
Instrument cluster on vehicles without
steering wheel buttons
0006 Instrument cluster in vehicles with
steering-wheel buttons
0026 000E/000F adjustment button, 0004menu
button, 0007reset button, 0012service button
(engine oil level check)
You will find a full overview of the instrument
cluster in the "At a glance" section
(Y page 33).
The display in the instrument cluster is
activated when you:
R open the driver's door
R turn the key to position 2in the ignition lock 176
Instrument clusterOn-board computer and displays
0026
Fuel fille rflap location indicator 000F: the
fuel filler flap is on the left-hand side. Fuel
filler flap location indicator 001E:the fuel
filler flap is on the right-hand side
0025 Reserve fuel warning lamp (Y page 216)DEF gauge
Vehicles without steering wheel
buttons If the supply of DEF is less than 1.5 US gal
(5.5 l), the 0009indicator lamp lights up and
the 0002dEF Chk display message appears.
If the supply of DEF falls below the reserve
range of 0.8 US gal (3.0 l), the 0009indicator
lamp lights up and the 0002StArtS RExxdisplay message appears. In the display,
xxcorresponds to the number of possible
remaining engine starts (16
to
0 ).
Further information on DEF consumption can
be found in the "Service products and filling
capacity" section (Y page 320).
Vehicles with steering wheel buttons If the supply of DEF is less than 1.5 US gal
(5.5 l), the Check Diesel Exhaust Fluid See Operator's Manual message is shown
in the display.
If the supply of DEF falls below the reserve
range of 0.8 US gal (3.0 l), the 0009xxstarts remaining message is displayed. In
the display, xx corresponds to the number of
possible remaining engine starts (16 to
0 ).
Further information on DEF consumption can
be found in the "Service products and filling
capacity" section (Y page 320). On-board computer (vehicles without
steering wheel buttons)
Operating the on-board computer
General notes The on-board computer is activated as soon
as you turn the key to position
1in the ignition
lock.
The on-board computer shows vehicle
information and settings in the display.
You can control the displaya nd the settings
in the on-board compute rusing the
adjustment buttons on the instrument
cluster.
Standard display 0005
Odometer
0006 Trip odometer
0026 Clock
0025 Outside temperature or digital
speedometer
0023 Fuel gage (Y page 177)
0024 Selector lever position or current shift
range with automatic transmission
(Ypage 138)
X To call up the standard display: turn the
key to position 2in the ignition lock.
X Press the 0004menu button for longer than
one second.
The information shown in the display
changes from the outside temperature to
the digital speedometer. 178
On-board computer (vehicles without steering wheel buttons)On-board computer and displays