Removing the warning triangle
Warning triangles at the back of the driver's seat
base
X Lift warning triangle 0005up and out of the
bracket. First-aid kit
Removing the first-aid kit X
Turn the quick-release fasteners to position
0009.
The cove ris unlocked.
X Lift up the cover. X
Take first-aid kit 0026out of the retainer.
X Fold the cover up and turn the quick-
release fasteners to position 0008.
The cover is locked.
i Check the expiration date on the first-aid
kit at least once a year. Replace any expired
or missing contents. Fire extinguisher
Removing the fire extinguisher Fire extinguisher at the front of the base of the co-
driver's seat
X
Pull tabs 0006upwards.
X Take fire extinguisher 0005out of its holder.
i Please read the instructions on fire
extinguisher 0005carefully and familiarize
yourselfw ith its operation. Have fire
extinguisher 0005refilled after each use and
checked every one or two years. It may
otherwise fail in an emergency.
Observe the legal requirements for each
individual country. Flat tire
Information on breakdown assistance in the
case of a flat tire can be found in the chapter
"Wheels and tires" (Y page 295).266
Flat tireBreakdown assistance
Useful information
............................274
Important safety notes ....................274
Operation ........................................... 274
Operation in winter ...........................276
Tire pressure ..................................... 278
Loading the vehicle ..........................286
What you should know about
wheels and tires ............................... 289
Flat tire .............................................. 295
Changing wheels ............................... 302
Wheel and tire combination .............308
Spare wheel ....................................... 308 273Wheels and tires
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
Af lat tire severely impairs the driving,
steering and braking characteristics of the
vehicle. There is a risk of an accident.
do not drive with aflat tire. Immediately
replace the flat tire with your spare wheel, or
consult a qualified specialist workshop. G
WARNING
If wheels and tires of the wrong size are used,
the wheel brakes or suspension components
may be damaged. There is arisk of an
accident.
Always replace wheels and tires with those
that fulfill the specifications of the original
part.
When replacing wheels, make sure to use the
correct:
R designation
R model
When replacing tires, make sure to use the
correct:
R designation
R manufacturer
R model
Accessories that are not approved for your
vehicle or are not being used correctly can
impair operating safety. Before purchasing and using non-approved
accessories, visit a qualified specialist
workshop and inquire about:
R
suitability
R legal stipulations
R factory recommendations
Contact an authorized Sprinter dealer if you
require information on tested and
recommended wheels and tires for summer
and winter driving. Advice on purchasing and
caring for tires is also available there.
Informatio nontire and wheel dimensions and
types as well as the recommended tire
pressure for your vehicle can be found in the
"Tire pressure" section (Y page 285).
This data can also be foun donthe Tire and
Loading Information placard on the B-pillar.
Modifications to the brake system or wheels
are not permitted. The use of wheel spacers
or brake dust shields is not permitted. This
invalidates the general operating permit for
the vehicle.
i Further information on wheels and tires
can be obtained at any qualified specialist
workshop. Operation
Information for a journey
If the vehicle is heavily laden, check the tire
pressures, and correct them, if necessary.
While driving, pay attention to vibrations,
noises and unusual handling characteristics,
e.g. pulling to one side. This may indicate that
the wheels or tires are damaged. If you
suspect that a tire is defective, reduce your
speed immediately. Stop the vehicle as soon
as possible to check the wheels and tires for
damage. Hidden tire damage could also be
causing the unusual handling characteristics.
If you find no signs of damage, have the tires
and wheels checked at a qualified specialist
workshop. 274
OperationWheels and tires
When parking your vehicle, make sure that
the tires do not get deformed by the curb or
other obstacles. If it is necessary to drive over
curbs, speed humps or similar elevations, try
to do so slowly and not at a sharp angle.
Otherwise, the tires, particularly the
sidewalls, can get damaged. Regular wheel and tirec
hecksG
WARNING
Damaged tires can cause tire inflation
pressure loss .As a result, you could lose
control of your vehicle. There is a risk of
accident.
Check the tires regularly for signs of damage
and replace any damaged tires immediately.
Check the wheels and tires of your vehicle for
damage regularly, i.e. at least every two
weeks, as well as after driving off-road or on
rough roads. Damaged wheels can cause a
loss of tire pressure. Pay particular attention
to damage such as:
R cuts in the tires
R punctures
R tears in the tires
R bulges on tires
R deformation or severe corrosion on wheels
Regularly check the tire tread depth and the
condition of the tread across the whole width
of the tire (Y page 275). If necessary, turn
the front wheels to full lock in order to inspect
the inner side of the tire surface.
All wheels must have a valve cap to protect
the valve against dirt and moisture. Do not
install anything onto the valve other than the
standard valve cap or other valve caps
approved for your vehicle by dealers listed on
the inside of the front cover. Do not install any
other valve caps or systems, e.g. tire pressure
monitor systems.
Regularly check the pressure of all the tires,
particularly prior to long trips. Adjust the tire
pressure if necessary (Y page 278).The service life of tires depends on various
factors, including the following:
R
driving style
R tire pressure
R mileage Tire tread
G
WARNING
Insufficient tire tread will reduce tire traction.
The tire is no longer able to dissipate water.
This means that on wet road surfaces, the risk
of hydroplaning increases, in particular where
speed is not adapted to suit the driving
conditions. There is a risk of accident.
If the tire pressure is too high or too low, tires
may exhibit different levels of wear at
different locations on the tire tread. Thus, you
should regularly check the tread depth and
the condition of the tread across the entire
width of all tires.
Minimum tire tread depth for:
R Summer tires: 000Cin (3 mm)
R M+S tires: 000Din (4 mm)
For safety reasons, replace the tires before
the legally prescribed limit for the minimum
tire tread depth is reached. Bar marking
0005for tread wear is integrated
into the tire tread.
Tread wear indicators (TWIs) are required by
law. Six indicators are positioned over the tire
tread. They are visible once the tread depth
is approximately 000Bin (1.6 mm). If this is the Operation
275Wheels and tires Z
case, the tire is so worn that it mus
tbe
replaced. Selecting, mounting and renewing
tires
R Only mount tires and wheels of the same
type and make.
R Only mount tires of the correct size onto
the wheels.
R Break in new tires at moderate speeds for
the first 65 miles (100 km).
R Do not drive with tires which have too little
tread depth, as this significantly reduces
the traction on wet roads (hydroplaning).
R Replace the tires after 6years at the latest,
regardless of wear. This also applies to the
spare wheel. Operation in winter
General notes
Have your vehicle winterproofed at a qualified
specialist workshop at the onset of winter.
Prior to the onset of winter, ensure that snow
chains are stowed in the vehicle
(Y page 277).
Observe the notes in the "Changing a wheel"
section (Y page 302). Driving with summer tires
At temperatures below 45 ‡(+7 †), summer
tires lose elasticity and therefore traction and
braking power. Change the tires on your
vehicle to M+S tire. Using summer tires at
very cold temperatures could cause tears to
form, thereby damaging the tires
permanently. We cannot accept
responsibility for this type of damage. M+S tires
G
WARNING
Wheel and tire dimensions as well as the type
of tire can vary between the spare wheel and
the wheel to be replaced .When the spare
wheel is installed, driving characteristics may
be severely affected. There is a risk of an
accident.
In order to reduce risks:
R you should therefore adapt your driving
style and drive carefully.
R never install more than one spare wheel
that differs from the wheel to be replaced.
R only use a spare wheel that differs from the
wheel to be replaced for a short time.
R do not deactivate ESP ®
.
R have a spare wheel that differs from the
wheel that has been changed replaced at
the nearest qualified specialist workshop.
You must observe the correct wheel and
tire dimensions as well as the wheel type. G
WARNING
M+S tires with a tire tread depth of less than
000D in (4 mm) are not suitable for use in winter
and do not provide sufficient traction. There
is a risk of an accident.
M+S tires with a tread depth of less than 000D
in (4 mm) must be replaced immediately.
At temperatures below 45 ‡ (+7 †), use
winter tires or all-season tires. Both types of
tire are identified by the M+S marking.
Only winter tires bearing the 0003snowflake
symbol in addition to the M+S marking
provide the best possible grip in wintry road
conditions.
Only these tires will allow driving safety
systems such as ABS and ESP ®
to function
optimally in winter. These tires have been
developed specifically for driving in snow.
For safe driving, use M+S tires of the same
make and tread pattern on all wheels. 276
Operation in winterWheels and tires
Always observe the maximu
mpermissible
speed specified for the M+S tires you have
mounted.
If you mount M+S tires that have a lower
maximum permissible speed than that of the
vehicle, affix a corresponding warning label in
the driver's field of vision. You can obtain this
at a qualified specialist workshop.
Once you have mounted the winter tires:
X Check the tire pressure (Y page 278).
X Reactivate the tire pressure
monitor*(Y page 283). Snow chains
G
WARNING
If you drive too fast with snow chains
mounted, they may snap. As a result, you
could injure others and damage the vehicle.
There is a risk of an accident.
Observe the maximum permissible speed for
operation with snow chains.
When driving with snow chains mounted, do
not exceed the maximum permissible speed
of 30 mph (50 km/h). Observe the country-
specific laws and regulations for operation
with snow chains.
! Check the snow chains for damage before
mounting them. Damaged or worn snow
chains may snap and damage the following
components:
R wheel
R wheel housing
R wheel suspension
For this reason, you must use only snow
chains that are free of defects. Observe the
manufacturer's mounting instructions.
! Vehicles with steel wheels: if you
mount snow chains on steel wheels, you
may damage the hub caps. Remove the hub
caps from the relevant wheels before
mounting the snow chains. Snow chains increase traction on roads in
wintry conditions.
For reasons of safety we only recommend
using snow chains or traction aids that are
approved for the Sprinter. The snow chains or
traction aids must be of class U or meet the
SAE type U specification. Information on
snow chains is available at any qualified
specialist workshop.
When mounting snow chains, please bear the
following points in mind:
R
You may not mount snow chains on all
wheel/tire combinations. When mounting
the snow chains, note the permissible tire
and snow chain dimensions.
R Mount snow chains only in pairs and only
to the rear wheels. On vehicles with twin
tires, mount the snow chains to the outer
wheels. Observe the manufacturer's
mounting instructions.
R Only use snow chains when the road is
covered by a layer of snow. Remove the
snow chains as soon as possible when you
come to a road that is not snow-covered.
R The use of snow chains may be restricted
by local regulations. Observe the
appropriate regulations before mounting
snow chains.
R When driving with snow chains mounted,
do not exceed the maximum permissible
speed of 30 mph (50 km/h).
R Check the tension of the chains after a
distance of approximately 0.5 miles
(1.0 km).
You can deactivate ASR (Y page 58) when
pulling away with snow chains mounted. This
allows the wheels to spin in a controlled
manner, achieving an increased driving force
(cutting action). Operation in winter
277Wheels and tires
*optional Z
Tire pressure
Tire pressure specifications
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Underinflated or overinflated tires pose the
following risks:
R the tires may burst, especially as the load
and vehicle speed increase.
R the tires may wear excessively and/or
unevenly, which may greatly impai rtire
traction.
R the driving characteristics, as well as
steering and braking, may be greatly
impaired.
There is a risk of an accident.
Follow recommended tire inflation pressures
and chec kthe pressure of all the tires
including the spare wheel:
R monthly, at least
R if the load changes
R before beginning a long journey
R under different operating conditions, e.g.
off-road driving
If necessary, correct the tire pressure.
i The specifications shown on the sample
Tire and Loading Information placard and
tire pressure table are examples. Tire
pressure data are vehicle-specific and may
deviate from the data illustrated here. The
tire pressure data applicable to your
vehicle can be found on the Tire &Loading
Information placard or tire pressure plate
of your vehicle. H
Environmental note
Check the tire pressure regularly, at least
every 14 days. General notes You will find information on tire pressure for
the vehicle's factory-mounted tires on the
plates described here.
You will find a table of recommended tire
pressures on the Tire and Loading
Information placard
5
or on the tire pressure
table on the B-pillar on the driver's side of the
vehicle.
Further information on tire pressure can be
obtained at a qualified specialist workshop.
Tire and Loading Information placard Tire and Loading Information placard
561011
The Tire and Loading Information placard is
on the B-pillar on the driver's side of the
vehicle (Y page 286).
The Tire and Loading Information placard
contains recommended tire pressures 0005for
cold tires. Recommended tire pressures 0005
are valid for the maximum permissible load
and up to the maximum permissible speed of
the vehicle.
5 Only for vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of less than 10,000 lbs(4,536 kg).
6 Only for vehicles with a gross weight of less than 10,000 lbs(4,536 kg).
10 Only for vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of less than 10,000 lbs(4,536 kg).
11 Only for vehicles with a gross weight of less than 10,000 lbs(4,536 kg). 278
Tire pressureWheels and tires
Tire pressure plate
Tire pressure plate
The tire pressure table is located on the
B-pillar on the driver's side of the vehicle
(Y page 286).
The tire pressure table contains
recommended tire pressures 0005for cold
tires. Recommended tire pressures 0005apply
to the maximum permissible load and up to
the maximum permissible speed of the
vehicle. Important notes on tire pressure
G
WARNING
If the tire pressure drops repeatedly, the
wheel, valve or tire ma ybe damaged. Tire
pressure that is too low may result in a tire
blow-out. There is a risk of an accident.
R Check the tire for foreign objects.
R Check whether the wheel is losing air or the
valve is leaking.
If you are unable to rectify the damage,
contact a qualified specialist workshop.
Use a suitable pressure gauge to chec kthe
tire pressure. The outer appearance of a tire
does not permit any reliable conclusion about
the tire pressure. On vehicles equipped with
the electronic tire pressure monitor, the tire
pressure can be checked using the on-board
computer. The tire temperature and pressure increase
when the vehicle is in motion. This is
dependent on the driving speed and the load.
Therefore, you should only correct tire
pressure when the tires are cold.
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 temperature changes depending on the
ambient temperature, driving speed and tire
load. If the tire temperature changes by
18 ‡(10 †), the tire pressure changes by
approximately 10 kPa (0. 1bar/1. 5psi). Take
this into account when checking the pressure
of warm tires. Only correct the tire pressure
if it is too low for the current operating
conditions. If you check the tire pressure
when the tires are warm, it results in a higher
value than when the tires are cold. This is
normal. Do not under any circumstances
release the air in order to adjust the pressure
to the prescribed value for cold tires. The tire
pressure would otherwise be too low.
Observe the recommended tire pressures for
cold tires:
R on the Tire and Loading Information
placard 6
on the B-pillar on the driver's side
or
R on the tire pressure table on the B-pillar on
the driver's side of the vehicle Underinflated or overinflated tires
Underinflated tires: G
WARNING
Tires with pressure that is too low can
overheat and burst as a consequence. In
addition, they also suffer from excessive and/
or irregularw ear, which can severely impair
6 Only for vehicles with a gross weight of less than 10,00 0lbs(4,536 kg). Tire pressure
279Wheels and tires
Z