Function Page
000F
Fluid level too low in
windshield washer/
headlamp cleaning system
219
0004
Door or hood open 219
Electrically operated step
malfunction
219
0005
Brake pads/linings worn 214
0003
High-beam headlamps on 92
0003
Right-hand tur
nsignal 92
000A
ASR malfunction 58
BAS malfunction 210
0002
ESP
®
malfunction 57
0009
DE
Fs upply low or
contaminated/thinned 178
Exhaust gas aftertreatment
malfunction
213
0013
Dirt accumulation in air
filter
218
000A
Reserve fuel 177
Fuel fille
rcap open 216 Function Page
000E
Water in the fuel 218
0010
Battery charging
malfunction
214
0002
Bulb defective 219
0026
Tachometer with
warning and indicator
lamps
000B
Parking brake applied 151
0004
Low-beam headlamps on 90
0004
Working speed governor
(ADR) on
167
0003
High-beam headlamps on 92
0006
Reserve fuel 216
Fuel fille
rcap open 216
0002
ESP
®
malfunction 210
0014
Faste
nseat belts 219
i
Corresponding messages may also be
shown in the display (Y page 192). Instrument cluster
35At a glance
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). Breaking-in notes
The first 1,000 miles (1,500 km)
New or replaced brake pads and brake disks
only reach their optimum braking effec tafter
100 miles (a few hundred kilometers). Until
then, compensate for this by applying greater
force to the brake pedal.
For the service life and economy of your
vehicle it is crucial that you brea kinthe
engine with due care.
R Therefore, protect the engine for the first
1,000 miles (1,500 km) by driving at
varying vehicle and engine speeds.
R Avoid overstraining the vehicle and high
engine speeds during this period, e.g.
driving at full throttle. Do not exceed 0001of
the maximum speed for each gear.
R Do not change down a gear manually in
order to brake.
R Try to avoid depressing the accelerator
pedal beyond the point of resistance
(kickdown).
R The shift ranges 3,2or 1should only be
engaged when driving slowly, e.g. when
driving in mountainous terrain.
After 1,000 miles (1,500 km), you can
increase the engine speed gradually and
accelerate the vehicle up to full speed.
i You should also observe these notes on
breaking-in if the engine or parts of the drive train on your vehicle have been
replaced. Driving
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If you switch off the ignition while driving,
safety-relevant functions are only available
with limitations, or not at all. This could affect,
for example, the power steering and the brake
boosting effect.Y ou will require considerably
more effort to steer and brake. There is a risk
of an accident.
Do not switch off the ignition while driving. G
WARNING
If the parking brake has not been fully
released when driving, the parking brake can:
R overheat and cause a fire
R lose its hold function.
There is a risk of fire and an accident .Release
the parking brake fully before driving off. Battery isolating switch
Important safety notes !
Make sure that the key is in position 0in
the ignition lock and wait at least
20 seconds before disconnecting or
connecting the battery isolating switch.
You could otherwise damage electrical
system components.
You can use the battery isolating switch to
disconnect the power supply to all your
vehicle's consumers. This will prevent
uncontrolled battery discharge caused by off-
load curren tconsumption.
If your vehicle is equipped with an auxiliary
battery in the engine compartment, you will
need to disconnect both batteries. Only then
is the electrical system fully disconnected
from the power supply. 132
DrivingDriving and parking
cross the border, bu
tas close to it as
possible.
When you return from your journey, and as
close to the border as possible, you will need
to:
R remove the adhesive surfaces from your
halogen headlamps and clean the glass of
the headlamps if necessary
R have the Bi-Xenon headlamps reset to
asymmetrical low beam at aqualified
specialist workshop Transport by rail
Transporting your vehicle by rail may be
subject to certain restrictions or require
special measures to be taken in some
countries due to varying tunnel heights and
loading standards.
You can obtain further information from any
authorized Sprinte rdealer. Braking
Important safety 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 not shift down for additional engine
braking on a slippery road surface.
Downhill gradients !
Depressing the brake pedal constantly
results in excessive and premature wear to
the brake pads.
On long and steep downhill gradients, you
should change down to shift range 0009or0008
in good time. This should be observed in
particular when driving with a laden vehicle
and when towing a trailer. i
You must also change the shift range in
good time when cruise control is switched
on.
You thereby make use of the braking effec tof
the engine and do not have to brake as often
to maintain the speed. This relieves the load
on the service brake and prevents the brakes
fro mo verheating and wearing too quickly.
Heavy and light loads G
WARNING
If you rest yourf oot on the brake pedal while
driving, the braking system can overheat. This
increases the stopping distance and can even
cause the braking system to fail. There is a
risk of an accident.
Never use the brake pedal as a footrest .Never
depress the brake pedal and the accelerator
pedal at the same time.
! Depressing the brake pedal constantly
results in excessive and premature wear to
the brake pads.
If the brakes have been subjected to a heavy
load, do not stop the vehicle immediately.
Drive on for a short while. The brakes are
cooled down more quickly in the airflow.
Wet road surfaces If you have been driving for a long time in
heavy rain without braking
,there may be a
delayed response when you first apply the
brakes. This may also occur after driving
through a car wash or deep water.
You must depress the brake pedal more
firmly. Maintain a longer distance to the
vehicle in front.
While paying attention to the traffic
conditions, you should brake the vehicle
firmly after driving on a wet road surface or
through a car wash. This heats the brake
discs, so that they dry more quickly, which
protects them against corrosion. 150
Driving tipsDriving and parking
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
!
Depressing the brake pedal constantly
results in excessive and premature wear to
the brake pads.
Always observe the operating instructions
provided by the manufacturers of the trailer
coupling and the ball coupling.
Couple and decouple the trailer carefully.
When backing up the towing vehicle, make
sure nobody is standing between the vehicle
and the trailer.
At railer which is incorrectly coupled to the
towing vehicle could brea kaway. Acorrectly
coupled trailer must be positioned
horizontally behind the towing vehicle.
Ensure that the following weights are not
exceeded:
R the permissible noseweight
R the permissible trailer load
R the permissible rear axle load of the towing
vehicle
R the permissible gross weight of both the
towing vehicle and the trailer
R the permissible gross combination weight
The applicable permissible values that may
not be exceeded can be found:
R in your vehicle documents
R on the type plates for the trailer tow hitch
R on the type plates for the trailer
R on the vehicle identification plate
(Y page 315).
Where the values differ, the lowest is valid.
You will find values approved by the
manufacturer on the identification plates and
those for the towing vehicle in the
"Permissible trailer loads and trailer drawbar
noseweights" section (Y page 169).
Your vehicle behaves differently with a trailer
than without one.
The vehicle/trailer combination:
R is heavier
R is restricted in its acceleration and
gradient-climbing capability
R has an increased braking distance R
is more susceptible to strong crosswinds
R requires more sensitive steering
R has a larger turning circle
This may impair the handling characteristics.
When towing a trailer, always adjust your
speed to suit the road and weather
conditions. Drive carefully. Maintain a safe
distance.
If you require explanations for the information
in this Operator's Manual, contract an
authorized Sprinter Dealer.
General notes R
Observe the legally prescribed maximum
speed for vehicle/trailer combinations in
the relevant country, state or Canadian
province. Before setting off, check the
vehicle documents of the your trailer to find
out the permissible maximum speed.
This reduces the risk of accidents.
R Install only an approved trailer coupling on
your vehicle. Only use aball coupling that
is approved for your vehicle and Sprinter
trailer tow hitch. More information on the
availability, mounting and installatio nofthe
trailer electrics is available at any qualified
specialist workshop.
R The turn signals on the trailer are only
guaranteed to function when incandescent
bulbs are used. You can obtain more
information about installing the trailer
electrics at any qualified specialist
workshop.
R The trailer coupling is one of the most
important vehicle parts with regard to road
safety. The notes on operation, care and
maintenance issued by the manufacturer
should be observed.
R The bumpers of your vehicle are not
suitable for installing detachable trailer
couplings. Towing
atrailer
169Driving an d parking Z
Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
0004 Solutions
000A
Unavailable ASR and BA
Shave been deactivated due to undervoltage.
The battery may no tbe being charged.
G WARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
The braking distance can increase in emergency braking
situations. The driven wheels can spin when accelerating.
There is an increased risk of skidding and accidents.
X Drive on with care.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop immediately. 0005
Brake wear Visit
workshop The brake pads/linings have reached their wear limit.
X Have the brake pads/linings replaced as soon as possible at a
qualified specialist workshop. 0008
Brake fluid Visit
workshop There is insufficient brake fluid in the fluid reservoir.
G WARNING
Braking performance can be impaired.
There is a risk of an accident.
X Stop the vehicle as soon as possible, paying attention to road
and traffic conditions.
X Check the brake fluid level in the brake fluid reservoir
(Y page 245).
If the brake fluid is below the MIN mark:
X Do not continue driving under any circumstances.
X Do not add brake fluid. This does not solve the problem.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
If the brake fluid is above the MIN mark:
X Drive on with care.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop immediately. Display messages
199On-board computer and displays Z
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
0004 Solutions
0008
The red 0008
warning lamp
does not go out
approximately
4s econds after
the ignition is
switched on, or
it lights up again. The restraint systems have malfunctioned.
G WARNING
If SRS is malfunctioning, individual systems could be triggered
inadvertently or might not be triggered at all in the event of an
accident.
There is an increased risk of injury and accidents.
X Drive on with care.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop immediately. 0010
The red battery
indicator lamp is
lit while the
engine is
running. The battery is not being charged. Possible causes are a defective
alternator or a torn poly-V-belt.
X
Stop the vehicle as soon as possible, paying attention to road
and traffic conditions.
X Check the poly-V-belt.
X If the poly-V-belt is torn: do not continue driving. Consult the
nearest qualified specialist workshop.
X If the poly-V-belt is not damaged: have the vehicle checked as
soon as possible by a qualified specialist workshop. 0010
The red battery
indicator lamp is
lit while the
engine is
running. The battery is faulty.
X
Stop the vehicle as soon as possible, paying attention to road
and traffic conditions.
X Do not continue driving under any circumstances.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. 0005
The yellow brake
pad wear
indicator lamp is
lit after the
engine is started
or while the
vehicle is in
motion. The brake pads/linings have reached their wear limit.
G WARNING
Braking performance can be impaired.
There is a risk of an accident.
X Have the brake pads/linings replaced as soon as possible at a
qualified specialist workshop. 001D
The yellow
engine oil level
warning lamp is
lit after the
engine is started
or while the
vehicle is in
motion. The oil level has dropped to the minimum level.
X
Check the engine for oil loss.
X If oil loss is detected: consult a qualified specialist workshop
immediately.
X If no oil loss is detected: chec kthe oil level and add engine oil
(Y page 243). 214
Indicator and warning lamps in the instrument clusterOn-board computer and displays