safety. The notes on operation, care and
maintenance issued by the manufacturer
should be observed.
R The bumpers of your vehicle are not suita-
ble for installing detachable trailer cou-
plings.
R Do not install rented trailer couplings or
other detachable trailer couplings to the
bumpers.
R Minimize the risk of damage to the ball cou-
pling. If you do not require the ball coupling,
remove it from the ball coupling recess.
Weight information can be found in the “Per-
missible trailer and drawbar noseweights”
section (Y page 178).
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-adjust-
able trailer drawbar.
Driving tips The maximum permissible 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 vehi-
cle/trailer combinations in the relevant coun-
try, state or Canadian province.
When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristics will be different in comparison
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 cruise control is acti-
vated.
This enables you to utilize the engine's brak-
ing effect and you do not need to brake so
heavily to keep the correct speed. which pro-
tects 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 author-
ized 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 capa-
bilities 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 cou-
pling
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 descri-
bed in the ball coupling manufacturer's instal-
lation 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 descri-
bed in the ball coupling installation instruc-
tions. Make sure that the ball coupling is Towing a trailer
175Driving and parking
Z
DEF gauge
Vehicles without steering wheel but-
tons If the supply of DEF is less than 1.5 US gal
(5.5 l), the 00E2indicator lamp lights up and
the 0099 dEF Chk
dEF Chk display message appears.
If the supply of DEF falls below the reserve
range of 0.8 US gal (3.0 l), the 00E2indicator
lamp lights up and the 0099StArtS RExx
StArtS RExx
display message appears. In the display, xx
xx
corresponds to the number of possible
remaining engine starts (16 16to0
0).
Further information on DEF consumption can
be found in the "Service products and filling
capacity" section (Y page 324).
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
Check Diesel Exhaust Fluid
See
See Operator's
Operator's Manual
Manualmessage is shown
in the display.
If the supply of DEF falls below the reserve
range of 0.8 US gal (3.0 l), the 00E2xx
xx
starts remaining starts remaining message is displayed. In
the display, xx
xxcorresponds to the number of
possible remaining engine starts ( 16
16to0
0).
Further information on DEF consumption can
be found in the "Service products and filling
capacity" section (Y page 324).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 infor-
mation and settings in the display. You can control the display and the settings
in the on-board computer using the adjust-
ment buttons on the instrument cluster.
Standard display
0043
Odometer
0044 Trip odometer
0087 Clock
0085 Outside temperature or digital speedom-
eter
0083 Fuel gage (Y page 183)
0084 Selector lever position or current shift
range with automatic transmission
(Ypage 144)
X To call up the standard display: turn the
key to position 2in the ignition lock.
X Press the 0079menu button for longer than
one second.
The information shown in the display
changes from the outside temperature to
the digital speedometer. Menus in the on-board computer
Overview If you wish to exit a menu and go to the stand-
ard display:
X
Press the 0079menu button for longer than
1 second.
Or
X Do not press any button for 10 seconds.
The display accepts the changed settings. 184
On-boa
rdcompu ter (vehicles without steering wheel buttons)On-board computer and displays
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
0050
0050Solutions 00AC
The red coolant
warning lamp is
lit while the
engine is run-
ning. The coolant temperature is too high.
X
Stop the vehicle as soon as possible, paying attention to road
and traffic conditions.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. 00AC
The red coolant
warning lamp is
lit while the
engine is run-
ning. The coolant temperature is too high.
If the vehicle is stopped after being subjected to extreme loads,
the coolant warning lamp may come on when the ignition is
switched on or the engine is restarted. Such loads can be, for
example, driving in mountainous terrain or driving with a trailer.
X
Run the engine for approximately 1 minute at idling speed.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop if the display message
continues to be shown. 00B5
0077
The yellow
reserve fuel
warning lamp is
on. At the same
time,
0 0, appears
in the fuel tank
content display
while the engine
is running,
although there is
fuel in the fuel
tank. The fuel filler cap is not closed.
X
Close the fuel filler cap.
You will hear a click when the fuel filler cap is closed fully.
X If the malfunction continues to be displayed, have it rectified
immediately at a qualified specialist workshop. 00B9
The yellow
engine diagnos-
tic indicator
lamp is lit up or
flashes while the
engine is run-
ning. You have used up all fuel in the tank.
The engine is running in emergency mode.
X
Refuel at the nearest gas station (Y page 148).
X Bleed the fuel system (Y page 143).
X Start the engine three to four times in succession after refueling.
Emergency running mode will be canceled. The vehicle does not
need to be checked. 00B9
The yellow
engine diagnos-
tic indicator
lamp is lit up or
flashes while the
engine is run-
ning. The injection control is malfunctioning.
The engine is running in emergency mode.
Engine power output may be reduced.
X
Have the vehicle checked at a qualified specialist workshop as
soon as possible.
In some states it is legally prescribed that after the check engine
indicator lamp lights up you must contact a qualified specialist
workshop immediately. Observe the legal requirements. Indicator and warning lamps in the instrument cluster
227On-board computer and displays Z
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 func-
tions. This also applies to systems and func-
tions relevant to safety.
Read the information on qualified specialist
workshops (Y page 26). Engine compartment
Hood
Opening the hood G
WARNING
If the hood is unlatched, it may open up when
the vehicle is in motion and block your view.
There is a risk of an accident.
Never unlatch the hood while driving. G
WARNING
Opening the hood when the engine is over-
heated or when there is a fire in the engine
compartment could expose you to hot gases
or other service products. There is a risk of
injury.
Let an overheated engine cool down before
opening the hood. If there is a fire in the
engine compartment, keep the hood closed
and contact the fire department. G
WARNING
Certain components in the engine compart-
ment, such as the engine, radiator and parts
of the exhaust system, can become very hot.
Working in the engine compartment poses a
risk of injury.
Where possible, let the engine cool down and
touch only the components described in the
following. If you have to carry out work in the engine
compartment, only touch the following com-
ponents:
R
hood
R oil dipstick
R engine oil filler neck cap
R washer fluid reservoir cap G
WARNING
The engine compartment contains moving
components. Certain components, such as
the radiator fan, may continue to run or start
again suddenly when the ignition is off. There
is a risk of injury.
If you need to do any work inside the engine
compartment:
R switch off the ignition
R never reach into the area where there is a
risk of danger from moving components,
such as the fan rotation area
R remove jewelery and watches
R keep items of clothing and hair, for exam-
ple, away from moving parts G
WARNING
The fuel injection system operates with a high
voltage. If you touch the live components, you
could receive an electric shock. There is a risk
of injury.
Never touch components of the fuel injection
system when the ignition is switched on.
The live components of the fuel injection sys-
tem are, for example, the injectors.
! Make sure that the windshield wipers are
not folded away from the windshield. You
could otherwise damage the windshield
wipers or the hood. 250
Engine compartmentMaintenance and care
Adding coolant
X
If the coolant drops under the minimum
mark on coolant expansion tank 0044, add
coolant to the maximum mark.
Observe the information on coolant mix-
ture ratio and water quality in the "Techni-
cal data" section ( Ypage 329). To prevent
damage to the engine cooling system, use
only approved corrosion inhibitor/anti-
freeze that comply with the Mercedes-Benz
Specifications for Service Products.
X Replace cap 0043and turn it clockwise to
tighten.
X Start the engine.
X After approximately 5 minutes, switch off
the engine and allow it to cool down.
X Check the coolant level again and add cool-
ant if necessary.
X Close the hood. Brake fluid
G
WARNING
Service products may be poisonous and haz-
ardous to health. There is a risk of injury.
Comply with instructions on the use, storage
and disposal of service products on the labels
of the respective original containers. Always
store service products sealed in their original
containers. Always keep service products out
of the reach of children.
Brake fluid is hazardous to health. Also
observe the safety notes in the "Service prod-
ucts and capacities" section (Y page 320).G
WARNING
The brake fluid constantly absorbs moisture
from the air. This lowers the boiling point of
the brake fluid. If the boiling point of the brake
fluid is too low, vapor pockets may form in the
brake system when the brakes are applied
hard. This would impair braking efficiency.
There is a risk of an accident. You should have the brake fluid renewed at
the specified intervals.
! Brake fluid corrodes paint, plastic and
rubber. If paint, plastic or rubber has come
into contact with brake fluid, rinse with
water immediately.
Have the brake fluid renewed every 2 years
at a qualified specialist workshop. Observe
the information on brake fluid in the "Techni-
cal data" section ( Ypage 328). Check the brake fluid level regularly, e.g.
weekly or when refueling.
Checking the brake fluid level
X
Stop your vehicle as far away from traffic
as possible on level ground.
X Switch off the engine.
X Secure the vehicle to prevent it from rolling
away.
X Open the hood (Y page 250).
X Check the brake fluid level.
The brake fluid level is correct if the level is
between the MIN mark and MAX mark on
brake fluid reservoir 0043.
X Close the hood.
! If the brake fluid level in the brake fluid
reservoir has fallen to the MIN mark or
below, check the brake system immedi-
ately for leaks. Also check the thickness of
the brake linings. Visit a qualified specialist
workshop immediately.
Do not add brake fluid. This does not cor-
rect the malfunction. 256
Engine compartmentMaintenance and care
Washer fluid
G
WARNING
Windshield washer concentrate is highly flam-
mable. If it comes into contact with hot engine
components or the exhaust system it could
ignite. There is a risk of fire and injury.
Make sure that no windshield washer con-
centrate is spilled next to the filler neck.
! Only use washer fluid that is suitable for
plastic lamp lenses, e.g. MB SummerFit or
MB WinterFit. Unsuitable washer fluid
could damage the plastic lenses of the
headlamps. Example: washer fluid reservoir
Add windshield washer concentrate to the
washer fluid all year round. Observe the infor-
mation on washer fluid in the "Technical data"
section (Y
page 330).
Adding washer fluid
X Mix the washer fluid to the appropriate mix-
ing ratio in a container beforehand.
X Open the hood (Y page 250).
X Pull cap 0043on the washer fluid reservoir
upwards at the tab.
X Add the premixed washer fluid.
X Press cap 0043onto the filler neck until it
engages audibly.
X Close the hood. Fuel system
Draining the fuel filter G
WARNING
Fuel is highly flammable. Improper handling
of fuel creates a risk of fire and explosion.
Avoid fire, open flames, smoking and creating
sparks under all circumstances. Switch off the
ignition and auxiliary heating before carrying
out work to the fuel system. Always wear pro-
tective gloves. H
Environmental note
Dispose of the water-fuel mixture in an envi-
ronmentally responsible manner.
! When the 00B8indicator lamp lights up,
drain the fuel filter with water separator
immediately. Otherwise, the engine may be
damaged. If the
00B8 indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster goes on, drain the fuel filter with water
separator 0087immediately.
i We recommend that you have this main-
tenance work carried out at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
X Park the vehicle safely and secure it from
rolling away.
X Switch off the auxiliary heating system .
X Switch off the engine.
X Open the hood (Y page 250).
X Place a suitable receptacle under drain
hose 0043. Engine compartment
257Maintenance and care Z
Installing and removing the auxiliary
battery (base of the driver's seat)
Removing the auxiliary battery X
Disconnect the battery (Y page 265).
X Loosen the bolts holding the retainer that
prevents the battery from moving around in
the base of the driver's seat.
X Remove the battery holder and take out the
battery.
Installing the auxiliary 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 in
the base of the driver's seat.
X Connect the battery (Y page 265).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 instal- led in the vehicle. The vehicle's electronics
may otherwise be damaged.
X Recharge the removed battery. Observe
the notes in the operating instructions for
your battery charger.
X Install the battery. Observe the notes on
reconnecting the battery.
i If batteries are not being used, you should
charge them once a month.
It is also possible to charge the starter bat-
tery using the jump-starting connection
point in the engine compartment
(Y page 278). Care
! Dirty battery clamps and battery surfaces
cause leak currents which lead to the bat-
teries discharging.
! Do not use cleaning agents containing
fuel. Cleaning agents containing fuel cor-
rode the battery housing.
! If dirt gets into the battery cell, battery
self-discharge will increase and the battery
may be damaged.
The following points on battery care must be
observed:
X Regularly check the battery terminals and
the fastening of the negative cable to the
chassis to ensure that they are firmly
seated.
X Always keep the battery terminals and bat-
tery surfaces clean and dry.
X Lightly grease the undersides of the battery
terminals with acid-resistant grease.
X Only clean the batteries when the caps are
screwed on.
Otherwise, dirt could get into the battery
cells.
X Unscrew the caps and clean blocked
breathers with a suitable tool such as a
piece of wire. 266
BatteryMaintenance and care
ing properties and the driving characteristics.
There is a risk of an accident.
Avoid tire pressures that are too low in all the
tires, including the spare wheel.
Underinflated tires can:
R fail from being overheated
R adversely affect handling
R wear excessively and/or unevenly
R have an adverse effect on fuel consumption
Overinflated tires G
WARNING
Tires with excessively high pressure can burst
because they are damaged more easily by
road debris, potholes etc. In addition, they
also suffer from irregular wear, which can
severely impair the braking properties and the
driving characteristics. There is a risk of an
accident.
Avoid tire pressures that are too high in all the
tires, including the spare wheel.
Overinflated tires can:
R increase the braking distance
R adversely affect handling
R wear excessively and/or unevenly
R adversely affect ride comfort
R be more susceptible to damage
Maximum tire pressures 0043
Maximum permitted tire pressure (exam-
ple) Never exceed the maximum permissible tire
inflation pressure. When adjusting the tire
pressures always observe the recommended
tire pressure for your vehicle (Y
page 290).
i The actual values for tires are specific to
each vehicle and may deviate from the val-
ues in the illustration. Tire valve (snap-in valve)
G
WARNING
Tire valve that are not approved for your vehi-
cle by the distributor named on the inside
cover page may result in a loss of tire pres-
sure. This may affect road safety. There is a
risk of an accident.
Only use tire valve that are approved for your
vehicle by the distributor named on the inside
cover page. Always make sure you have the
correct tire valve type for the tires on your
vehicle.
! Do not screw additional weights (check
valves, etc.) onto the tire valves. The elec-
tronic components could thus be damaged.
Only for vehicles without a tire pressure mon-
itor:
For safety reasons, we recommend that you
only use tire valves that have been tested for
use on your vehicle, e.g. those manufactured
by Wonder:
R type TR 600 for the vehicle types 2500
R type TR 418 for the vehicle types 3500 Checking the tire pressure manually
In order to determine and adjust the tire pres-
sures, proceed as follows:
X Remove the valve cap of the tire you wish
to check.
X Press the tire pressure gauge securely onto
the valve.
X Read the tire pressure and compare it with
the recommended value on the loading 292
Tire pressureWheels and tires