Driving safet
ysystems Driving safety systems overview
In this section, you will find information about
the following driving safety systems:
R ABS ( Anti-lock BrakingSystem)
R BAS ( Brake Assist System)
R ASR (Acceleration SkidControl)
R ESP ®
(Electronic StabilityProgram)
R EBD ( Electronic Brake Force Distribution) Important safety notes
If you fail to adapt yourd riving style or if you
are inattentive, the driving safety systems can
neither reduce the risk of accident nor
override the laws of physics. Driving safety
systems are merely aids designed to assist
driving. You are responsible for the distance
to the vehicle in front, for vehicle speed and
for braking in good time. Always adapt your
driving style to the prevailing road and
weather conditions and maintai nasufficient,
safe distance from other road users. Drive
carefully.
The driving safety systems described can only
attain their maximum effectiveness when
there is optimum contact between the tires
and the road can. Therefore pay special
attention to the information on tires, the
recommended minimum tire tread, etc., in
the "Wheels and tires" section (Y page 274).
In wintry driving conditions, always use winter
tires (M+S tires) and if necessary, snow
chains. Only in this way will the driving safety
systems described in this section work as
effectively as possible. ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Important safety notes Note the section on 'Important safety notes'
(Y
page 56). G
WARNING
If ABS is faulty, the wheels could lock when
braking. The steerability and braking
characteristics may be severely impaired.
Additionally, further driving safety systems
are deactivated. There is an increased danger
of skidding and accidents.
Drive on carefully. Have ABS checked
immediately at a qualified specialist
workshop.
If ABS is malfunctioning, other systems will
also fail, including driving safety systems.
Observe the information relating to the 000E
(Y page 210) warning lamp.
ABS regulates brake pressure in such a way
that the wheels do not lock when you brake.
This allows you to continue steering the
vehicle when braking.
ABS acts from a speed of about 5 mph
(8 km/h) upwards, regardless of road surface
conditions. ABS works on slippery surfaces,
even when you only brake gently.
The yellow 000Ewarning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up when the ignition
is switched on. The lamp goes out when the
engine starts running.
Braking X
If ABS intervenes: continue to depress the
brake pedal with force until the braking
situation is over.
X To make a full brake application:
depress the brake pedal with full force.
If ABS intervenes when braking, you will feel
a pulsating in the brake pedal.
The pulsating brake pedal can be an
indication of hazardous road conditions and
functions as a reminder to take extra care
while driving. BAS (Brake AssistS
ystem)
Note the section on 'Important safety notes'
(Y page 56). 56
Driving safety systemsSafety
G
WARNING
If BAS is malfunctioning, the braking distance
in an emergency braking situation is
increased. There is a risk of an accident.
In an emergency braking situation, depress
the brake pedal with full force. ABS prevents
the wheels from locking.
Vehicles without steering wheel buttons: if
the BAS driving safety system is
malfunctioning, the 000Awarning lamp lights
up while the engine is running (Y page 210).
BAS operates in emergency braking
situations. If you depress the brake quickly,
BAS automatically increases the brake
pressure, thereby reducing the stopping
distance.
The brakes will function as usual once you
release the brake pedal. BAS is deactivated. EBD (electronic brake force
distribution)
Note the section on 'Important safety notes'
(Y page 56). G
WARNING
If EBD has malfunctioned, the rear wheels can
still lock, e.g. under full braking. This
increases the risk of skidding and an accident.
You should therefore adapt yourd riving style
to the different handling characteristics. Have
the brake system checked at a qualified
specialist workshop.
EBD monitors and controls the brake
pressure to the rear wheels. This enables EBD
to improve handling during braking.
Observe the information on warning and
indicator lamps (Y page 210). ESP
®
(Electronic Stability Program)
Note the section on 'Important safety notes'
(Y page 56). G
WARNING
If ESP ®
is malfunctioning it willn ot provide
any vehicle stabilization. There is an increased
risk of skidding or of an accident.
Exercise caution when continuing to drive.
Have ESP ®
checked at a qualified specialist
workshop.
! Only operate the vehicle briefly
(maximum of 10 seconds) on a brake
dynamometer. The key must be turned to
position 1in the ignition lock during this
time. You could otherwise damage the
drive train or the brake system.
! Do not run the vehicle on a roller
dynamometer (e.g. for performance tests).
If you must operate the vehicle on a roller
dynamometer, please consult a qualified
specialist workshop in advance. You could
otherwise damage the drive train or the
brake system.
If you activate or deactivate ESP ®
in a vehicle
with engageable all-wheel drive, ESP ®
will be
deactivated for the duration of the
activation/deactivation process.
If ESP ®
is malfunctioning, the 0002indicator
lamp lights up while the engine is running and
the engine power may be reduced
(Y page 210).
ESP ®
monitors driving stability and detects a
tendency of the vehicle to understeer or
oversteer (skidding) in good time. If ESP ®
detects that the vehicle is deviating from the
direction desired by the driver, one or more
wheels are braked to stabilize the vehicle. The
engine output is also modified to keep the
vehicle on the desired course within physical
limits. ESP ®
greatly assists you when driving
on wet or slippery road surfaces. ESP ®
also
stabilizes the vehicle when braking.
The 000D warning lamp in the instrument
cluster flashes when ESP ®
is intervening. Driving safety systems
57Safety Z
If ESP
®
intervenes:
X Do not deactivate ASR under any
circumstances.
X When driving off, apply as little throttle as
possible.
X Adapt yours peed and driving style to the
prevailing road conditions.
i Only use wheels with the recommended
tire sizes. Only then will ESP ®
function
properly. ASR (acceleration skid control)
General notes Important safety notes
Note the section on 'Important safety notes'
(Y
page 56).
ASR can neither reduce the risk of an accident
nor suspend the laws of physics if the driver
does not pay attention when pulling away or
accelerating. ASR is only an aid. Always adapt
your driving style to suit the prevailing road
and weather conditions.
Vehicles without steering wheel buttons: if
ASR is malfunctioning, the 000Aindicator
lamp lights up while the engine is running and
the engine power may be reduced
(Y page 210).
ASR significantly improves traction, i.e. the
transmission of power from the tires to the
road surface, and thus increases the vehicle's
driving stability. If the driving wheels start to
spin, ASR brakes individual drive wheels and
limits the engine torque. ASR thus
significantly assists you when pulling away
and accelerating, especially on wet or
slippery roads.
If traction on the road surface is not sufficient,
even ASR will not allow you to pull away
without difficulty. The type of tires and total
weight of the vehicle as well as the gradient
of the road also play a crucial role. If ASR intervenes, the
000Dwarning lamp in
the instrument cluster flashes.
Activating/deactivating ASR G
WARNING
If deactivated, ASR will not attempt to
stabilize the vehicle during pulling away and
acceleration. There is an increased risk of
skidding and of an accident.
Only deactivate ASR in the situations
described in the following.
! If you deactivate ASR, ESP ®
will still
intervene to stabilize the vehicle. Frequent
braking automatically triggered by ESP ®
can damage the brake system.
For this reason, deactivate ASR only briefly
and when absolutely necessary. When ESP
®
is intervening and the 000D
warning lamp in the instrument cluster is
flashing, leave ASR on. In this case, only
depress the accelerator pedal as far as
required when pulling away.
X Press the 0006button.
If ASR is deactivated, the 000Dwarning
lamp in the instrument cluster lights up.
ASR is automatically activated when the
engine is started.
It may be best to deactivate ASR briefly in the
following situations:
R when using snow chains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel 58
Driving safet
ysystemsSafety
If you deactivate ASR:
R
engine torque is not limited and the drive
wheels are able to spin. The spinning
wheels will then achieve a cutting effect for
better traction.
R traction control remains active through
brake intervention. If a drive wheel attains
its tire traction limitb ecause one side of the
road is slippery, for example, that wheel is
braked. The traction is then increased in
this situation.
R active brake intervention by ESP ®
to
increase driving stability remains active.
The 000D warning lamp in the instrument
cluster flashes when ESP ®
is intervening. Emergency exit
Emergency exit window
G
WARNING
The emergency exit window cannot be locked
in place. You risk injury if you exit the vehicle
through the emergency exit window.
R Make sure that nobody becomes trapped,
both when closing and when opening the
emergency exit window.
R The opened emergency exit window must
be held in place by another person.
Pay attention to traffic conditions. G
WARNING
If the emergency exit window is unlocked
while driving, it could open and slam shut and
consequently fall down. There is a risk of an
accident and injury.
Before starting off, make sure that the
emergency exit window is locked and the
locking pins are undamaged.
! Make sure there is sufficien tclearance
when opening the emergency exit window.
Hold the open window in position. You
could otherwise damage the emergency
exit window. The emergency exit window is intended for
use in an emergency only and must not be
opened unless the vehicle is stationary. The
emergency exit window is the firs
twindow
behind the driver's seat on the driver's side.
It is marked by the "Emergency Exit" label.
X To open: position both handles 0005
vertically. This will break locking pins 0006.
The window is unlocked.
X Swing the window outward by the handles
and hold it in this position. Make sure there
is sufficien tclearance when doing so.
X To close: close the window.
X Position both handles 0005horizontally.
Make sure that the locks 0026are inside in
front of the window frame.
The window is locked.
X Replace locking pins 0006at the lates tbefore
starting on a new journey.
You can obtain information on this at any
qualified specialist workshop.
In an emergency, or after an accident, the
vehicle occupants can exit the vehicle
through the emergency exit window.
Observe the following notes to make sure that
the emergency exit window can be used
safely in the event of an emergency:
R Before beginning a journey, inform the
vehicle occupants of the emergency exit
window and explain how to use it. Make Emergency exit
59Safety Z
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). Key
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Activate the child-proof door locks if children
are traveling in the vehicle. The children could
otherwise open the doors while the vehicle is
in motion, injuring themselves and others. G
WARNING
Do not leave children unsupervised in the
vehicle, even if they are secured in a child
restraint system .Children could otherwise
injure themselves on parts of the vehicle.
They could be severely or even fatally injured
by prolonged exposure to intense heat or
cold.
If children open a door, they could:
R injure other people
R get out of the vehicle and thereby injure
themselves or be injured by a passing
vehicle
R severely injure themselves by falling down,
in particular due to the vehicle height
Always take the key with you when leaving the
vehicle, even if you are only leaving for a short
time. G
WARNING
If you attach heavy or large objects to the
SmartKey, the SmartKey could be unintentionally turned in the ignition lock. This
could cause the engine to be switched off.
There is a risk of an accident.
Do not attach any heavy or large objects to
the SmartKey. Remove any bulky keyrings
before inserting the SmartKey into the
ignition lock.
Do not keep the key with remote control:
R with electronic devices, e.g. a mobile
phone or another key with remote control
R with metallic objects, e.g. coins or metal
foil
R in metallic objects, e.g. metal cases
This can affect the key's functionality. Key functions of the remote control
General notes The vehicle is equipped with either
2or
4 remote controls with a folding key, or 4
mechanical keys. In this Operator's Manual,
both the mechanical keys and the keys with
remote control are referred to as keys. The
remote control key has a range of up to
32 ft (10 m). Use the remote control of the
key only whe ninimmediate proximity of the
vehicle. This prevents theft.
Remote controls that are not included in the
scope of delivery for the vehicle must be
programmed before use. Further information
can be obtained at any authorized Sprinter
Dealer.
The key's remote control locks/unlocks the
driver's door and/or the following centrally if
the factory settings have not been changed:
R the driver's and the co-driver's door
R the sliding doors
R the rear doors
i If the driver's or co-driver's door is not
closed, the corresponding door is not
locked. If a sliding door or a rear door is not
closed properly, none of the rear doors are
locked. 64
KeyOpening and closing
Problems with the key/remote control
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
0004 Solutions
It is no longer possible
to lock the vehicle
using the remote
control.
The turn signals do not
flash when the vehicle
is locked. The doors are not closed properly.
X
Close the doors properly and lock the vehicle again. The central locking system has malfunctioned.
X
Lock the vehicle using the folding key (Y page 64).
X Have the central locking system checked as soon as possible
at a qualified specialist workshop. It is no longer possible
to lock or unlock the
vehicle using the
remote control. The key battery is weak or discharged.
X
Point the remote control at the driver's door handle from very
close range and press the 0009or0008 button.
If this does not work:
X Replace the key battery (Y page 66).
Or
X Lock the vehicle using the folding key (Y page 64). The remote control is faulty.
X
Lock the vehicle using the folding key (Y page 64).
X Have the key checked at a qualified specialist workshop. The key cannot be
turned in the ignition
lock. The steering lock has jammed mechanically.
X
Remove the key and insert it again into the ignition lock. Turn
the steering wheel from side to side while doing so. The engine cannot be
started using the key. The on-board voltage is too low.
X
Switch off all non-essential consumers, such as interior lighting,
and try to start the engine again.
If this does not work:
X Check the starter battery and charge it if necessary
(Y page 254).
Or
X Jump-start the vehicle (Y page 267).
Or
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. You have lost a key. X
Have the key deactivated at a qualified specialist workshop.
X Report the loss immediately to the vehicle insurers.
X If necessary, have the mechanical locks replaced. 68
KeyOpening and closing
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