X
To open: for the left-hand side of the
vehicle, tur nthumbwheel 0005or for the
right-hand side of the vehicle,
thumbwheel 0006of the air vents clockwise.
X To close: for the left-hand side of the
vehicle, turn thumbwheel 0005or for the
right-hand side of the vehicle,
thumbwheel 0006of the air vents counter-
clockwise. Adjusting the air vents in the roof duct
! Always leave at least one air vent open.
If the rear-compartment air conditioning is
switched on and all the air vents are closed,
the air-conditioning system may be
damaged. On vehicles with rear-compartment air
conditioning, adjustable air vents are
integrated into the roof duct.
X
To adjust the airflow: open or close the
air flap in air vents 0005as needed.
X To adjust the air distribution: turn air
vent 0005to the desired position. Operating the auxiliary heating
system
Important safety notes
G
DANGER
If the exhaust pipe is blocked or adequate
ventilation is not possible, poisonous gases such as carbon monoxide (CO) may enter the
vehicle. This is the case, for example in
enclosed spaces or if the vehicle gets stuck
in snow. There is a risk of fatal injury.
Switch the auxiliary heating off in enclosed
spaces without extraction systems, e.g. in
garages. If the vehicle is stuck in snow and
you have to leave the auxiliary heating
running, keep the exhaust pipe and the area
around the vehicle free of snow. To ensure an
adequate supply of fresh air, open a window
on the side of the vehicle that is not facing
into the wind. G
WARNING
When the auxiliary heating is switched on,
parts of the vehicle can become very hot, e.g.
the exhaust system. If flammable materials
such as leaves, grass or twigs remain in
contact with hot parts of the exhaust system
for a prolonged period, they could ignite.
There is a risk of fire.
When the auxiliary heating is switched on,
make sure that no flammable material can
come into contact with hot vehicle
components.
! Switch on the auxiliary heating system at
least once a month for approximately
10 minutes. The auxiliary heating could
otherwise be damaged.
! Make sure that the flow of hot air is not
blocked. The auxiliary heating will
otherwise overheat and switch off.
Your vehicle may be equipped with either an
auxiliary hot-water heater or an auxiliary
warm-air heater. Adjustment and operation of
the:
R hot-water auxiliary heater is done via the
on-board computer and with the auxiliary
heating button in the control panel
(Y page 119) or with the remote control
(Y page 121).
R auxiliary warm-air heater is done via the
timer above the overhead control panel
(Y page 122). 118
Operating the auxiliary heating systemClimate control
i
Only switch the vehicle to de-energized
using the battery main switch if:
R the vehicle is stationary for a lengthy
period
R it is absolutely necessary
After the power supply has been activated,
you will need to reset the side windows
(Y page 77).
Switching off the power supply !
When you clamp the connector under the
accelerator pedal, make sure that the
connector does not become damaged or
dirty. It may otherwise not be possible to
restore the electrical connection when the
parts are reassembled. Battery isolating switch in the driver's footwell, on
the right-hand side next to the accelerator pedal
X Remove the key from the ignition lock and
waitf or about 20 seconds.
X Press and hold button 0006and unplug
connector 0005from the earth pin.
X Clamp connector 0005under the accelerator
pedal so that it cannot make contact with
the earth pin.
All starter battery consumers are
disconnected from the power supply. Switching on the power supply X
Insert the key into the ignition lock.
X Press connector 0005onto earth pin 0006until
you feel it engage and the lock inhibitor is
released.
Connector 0005must be in full contact with
earth pin 0006.
All consumers are reconnected to the DC
power supply. Key positions
0011
To insert/remove the key, to lock the
steering wheel
0008 To unlock the steering wheel, power
supply for some consumers (e.g. the
radio)
0009 To switch on the ignition, power supply for
all consumers, preglow and drive position
000A To start the engine
On vehicles with a battery main switch, you
must first switch on the power supply
(Y page 132). Driving
133Driving and parking Z
Driving in winter
General notes G
WARNING
If you shift down on a slippery road surface in
an attempt to increase the engine's braking
effect, the drive wheels could lose their grip.
There is an increased danger of skidding and
accidents.
Do no tshift down for additional engine
braking on a slippery road surface. G
DANGER
If the exhaust pipe is blocked or adequate
ventilation is not possible, poisonous gases
such as carbon monoxide (CO) may enter the
vehicle. This is the case, e.g. if the vehicle
becomes trapped in snow. There is a risk of
fatal injury.
If you leave the engine or the auxiliary heating
running, make sure the exhaust pipe and area
around the vehicle are clear of snow. To
ensure an adequate supply of fresh air, open
a window on the side of the vehicle that is not
facing into the wind.
Have your vehicle winterproofed at a qualified
specialist workshop in good time at the onset
of winter.
i Do not cover the radiator, e.g. with a
winter cover. The measurements of the on-
board diagnostic system may otherwise
return inaccurate values. Some of these
values are legally prescribed and must
therefore always be exact.
Observe the notes in the "Winter operation"
section (Y page 276).
Driving with summer tires Observe the notes in the "Winter operation"
section (Y page 276). Slippery road surfaces G
WARNING
If you shift down on a slippery road surface in
an attempt to increase the engine's braking
effect, the drive wheels could lose their grip.
There is an increased danger of skidding and
accidents.
Do not shift down for additional engine
braking on a slippery road surface. G
WARNING
The outside temperature indicator is not
designed to serve as an ice-warning device
and is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Indicated temperatures just above the
freezing point do not guarantee that the road
surface is free of ice. The road may still be icy,
especially in wooded areas or on bridges.
! Vehicles with automatic transmission
may roll only briefly in the neutral position
N.P rolonged rolling of the wheels, e.g.
when being towed, will result in
transmission damage.
If the vehicle threatens to skid or cannot be
stopped when moving at low speed:
X Shift the transmission to neutral position
N.
X Try to maintai ncontrol of the vehicle using
corrective steering.
Drive particularly carefully on slippery roads.
Avoid sudden acceleration, steering and
braking maneuvers. Do not use cruise
control.
You can find further information on winter
tires and snow chains in the "Wheels and
tires" section (Y page 276).152
Driving tipsDriving and parking
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
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
Battery cover in the driver's footwell
X
Switch off all electrical consumers.
X Switch off the engine and remove the key
from the ignition lock.
X Remove the floor covering in the driver's
footwell (Y page 251).
X Loosen screws 0006and slide battery
cover 0005in the direction of the arrow.
The screws mus tprotrude beyond the
larger recesses.
X Remove battery cover 0005upwards. Starter battery in the driver's footwell
X
First loosen and remove the negative
terminal clamp so that it is no longer in
contact with the terminal.
X Remove the cover from the positive
terminal.
X Loosen the positive terminal clamp and fold
it up to the side together with the pre-fuse
box. Reconnecting the starter battery !
Always connect the battery in the order
described below. Never swap the terminal
clamps. You may otherwise damage the
vehicle electronics.
X Fold the positive terminal clamp with the
pre-fuse box downt o the terminal.
X Connect the positive terminal clamp.
X Attach the cover to the positive terminal.
X Connect the negative terminal clamp.
X Position battery cover 0005so that
screws 0006are positioned over the large
recesses.
X Slide battery cover 0005in the direction of
travel into the smaller recesses.
X Tighten screws 0006.
X Install the floor covering in the driver's
footwell (Y page 251).
Carry out the following work after connecting
the battery:
X Reset the side windows (Y page 77). Removing/installing the starter
battery
Removing the starter battery X
Disconnect the battery (Y page 251).
X Pull breather hose with connector
bracket 0006from connection 0005on the
degassing cover. 252
BatteryMaintenance and care
Additional battery in the engine compartment
X
Switch off all electrical consumers.
X Switch off the engine and remove the key
from the ignition lock.
X Ope nthe hood (Y page 240).
X First loosen and remove the negative
terminal clamp so that it is no longer in
contact with the terminal.
X Remove the cover from the positive
terminal.
X Loosen and remove the positive terminal
clamp.
Connecting the additional battery !
Always connect the battery in the order
described below. Never swap the terminal
clamps. You may otherwise damage the
vehicle electronics.
X Connect the positive terminal clamp.
X Attach the cover to the positive terminal.
X Connect the negative terminal clamp.
X Close the hood.
Carry out the following work after connecting
the battery:
X Reset the side windows (Y page 77). Removing/installing the auxiliary
battery
Removing the additional battery X
Disconnect the battery (Y page 253).
X Loosen the bolts holding the retainer that
prevents the battery from moving around.
X Remove the battery holder and take out the
battery.
Installing the additional battery X
Insert the battery into the battery case.
X Insert the battery holder.
X Tighten the bolts holding the retainer that
prevents the battery from moving around.
X Connect the battery (Y page 253). Charging
G
WARNING
During charging and jump-starting, explosive
gases can escape from the battery. There is a
risk of an explosion.
Particularly avoid fire, open flames, creating
sparks and smoking. Ensure there is sufficient
ventilation while charging and jump-starting.
Do not lean over a battery. G
WARNING
Battery acid is caustic. There is a risk of injury.
Avoid contact with the skin, eyes or clothing.
Do not inhale any battery gases. Do not lean
over the battery. Keep children away from
batteries. Wash battery acid immediately with
water and seek medical attention.
! Only charge the installed battery with a
battery charger that has been tested and
approved by the distributor named on the
inside of the front cover. This device allows
the battery to be charged when it is
installed in the vehicle. The vehicle's
electronics may otherwise be damaged. 254
BatteryMaintenance and care
H
Environmental note
Only clean your vehicle at specially designed
wash bays. Dispose of empt ycontainers and
used cleaning products in an environmentally
responsible manner. H
Environmental note
Dispose of empty packaging and cleaning
cloths in an environmentally responsible
manner.
Regula rcare of your vehicle is a condition for
retaining the quality in the long term.
Use care products and cleaning agents
recommended and approved for Sprinter
vehicles. Washing the vehicle and cleaning the
paintwork
Automatic car wash G
WARNING
Braking efficiency is reduced after washing
the vehicle .There is a risk of an accident.
After the vehicle has been washed, brake
carefully while paying attention to the traffic
conditions until full braking power is restored.
! Never clean your vehicle in a Touchless
Automatic Car Wash as these use special
cleaning agents. These cleaning agents can
damage the paintwork or plastic parts.
! Make sure that the automatic car wash is
suitable for the size of the vehicle.
Before washing the vehicle in an automatic
car wash, fold in the exterior mirrors and
remove any additional antennas.
Otherwise, the exterior mirror, antenna or
the vehicle itself could be damaged.
Make sure that the exterior mirrors are fully
folded out again and that any additional
antennas are re-installed when you leave
the automatic car wash. !
Make sure that:
R the side windows and the roof are
completely closed
R the climate control blower is switched off
R the windshield wiper switch is at position
0
The vehicle could otherwise be damaged.
You can wash the vehicle in an automatic car
wash from the very start.
Wash off excess dirt before cleaning the
vehicle in an automatic car wash.
After putting the vehicle through an
automatic car wash, wipe off wax from:
R the rear view camera lens (Y page 259)
R the windshield
R the windshield wiper blades
This will prevent smears and reduce wiping
noises caused by residue on the
windshield.
Washing by hand In some countries, washing by hand is only
allowed at specially equipped washing bays.
Observe the legal requirements for each
individual country.
X
Do not use hot water and do not wash the
vehicle in direct sunlight.
X Use a soft car sponge.
X Use a mild cleaning agent, e.g. a car
shampoo approved for use with Sprinter
vehicles.
X Thoroughly hose down the vehicle with a
gentle jet of water.
X Do not point the water jet directly towards
the air inlets.
X Use plenty of water and rinse out the
sponge frequently.
X Rinse the vehicle with clean water and dry
thoroughly with a chamois.
X Do not let the cleaning agents dry on the
paintwork. 256
CareMaintenance and care