i
To unlock the steering, move the steering
wheel slightly while turning the key to posi-
tion 1. Preparing for a journey
Visual check of the vehicle exterior X
In particular, check the following compo-
nents on the vehicle, and on the trailer as
necessary:
R license plates, vehicle lighting, turn sig-
nals, brake lamps and wiper blades for
dirt and damage
R tires and wheels for firm seating, correct
tire pressure and general condition
R trailer tow hitch for play and security
i The trailer coupling is one of the most
important vehicle parts with regard to road
safety. The separate instructions issued by
the manufacturer pertaining to operation,
care and maintenance should be observed.
X Rectify any noticeable defects before com-
mencing the journey.
Checks in the vehicle Emergency equipment/first-aid kit
X Check the equipment to make sure that it
is accessible, complete and ready for use.
The first aid and breakdown assistance equip-
ment is in the front door stowage compart-
ments and behind the driver's seat.
Vehicle lighting
X Turn the key to position 2in the ignition
lock.
X Check the lighting system with the aid of a
second person.
X Replace defective bulbs (Y page 100). Before driving off
G
WARNING
Objects in the driver's footwell may restrict
the clearance around the pedals or block a
depressed pedal. This jeopardizes the oper-
ating and road safety of the vehicle. There is
a risk of an accident.
Stow all objects securely in the vehicle so that
they do not get into the driver's footwell.
When using floormats or carpets, make sure
that they are properly secured so that they do
not slip or obstruct the pedals. Do not place
several floormats or carpets on top of one
another. G
WARNING
Unsuitable footwear can hinder correct usage
of the pedals, e.g.:
R shoes with thick soles
R shoes with high heels
R slippers
There is a risk of an accident.
Wear suitable footwear to ensure correct
usage of the pedals.
X Secure the load as per the loading guide-
lines (Y page 242).
X Make sure that the floormats and carpets
are properly secured so that they cannot
slip and obstruct the pedals.
X Close all doors. Starting the engine
G
WARNING
Combustion engines emit poisonous exhaust
gases such as carbon monoxide. Inhaling
these exhaust gases leads to poisoning. There
is a risk of fatal injury. Therefore never leave
the engine running in enclosed spaces with-
out sufficient ventilation.
! Do not depress the accelerator pedal
when starting the engine. 138
DrivingDriving and parking
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle covers
a distance of 44 feet (approximately 14 m)
every second. 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. You will require considerably
more effort to steer and brake. There is a risk
of an accident.
Do not switch off the ignition while driving.
! Always observe the ground clearance of
the vehicle and avoid obstacles. On vehi-
cles with a step, ground clearance is further
restricted. Obstacles can damage the vehi-
cle.
If you must drive over obstacles, drive espe-
cially slowly and carefully. If necessary,
have another person direct you.
Drive sensibly – save fuel In order to save fuel, observe the following
tips:
X
The tires should always be inflated to the
recommended tire pressure.
X Remove unnecessary loads.
X Remove roof carriers when they are not
needed.
X Warm up the engine at low engine speeds.
X Avoid frequent acceleration or braking.
X Have all maintenance work carried out as
indicated by the service intervals in the
Maintenance Booklet or by the service
interval display.
Fuel consumption also increases when driv-
ing in cold weather, in stop-start traffic and in
mountainous terrain. Overrun cutoff If you are in overrun mode and take your foot
off the accelerator pedal, the fuel supply is
cut off when the engine speed is out of the
idle speed control range.
Drinking and driving
G
WARNING
Drinking and driving and/or taking drugs and
driving are very dangerous combinations.
Even a small amount of alcohol or drugs can
affect your reflexes, perceptions and judg-
ment.
The possibility of a serious or even fatal acci-
dent are greatly increased when you drink or
take drugs and drive.
Do not drink or take drugs and drive or allow
anyone to drive who has been drinking or tak-
ing drugs.
Emission control G
WARNING
Combustion engines emit poisonous exhaust
gases such as carbon monoxide. Inhaling
these exhaust gases leads to poisoning. There
is a risk of fatal injury. Therefore never leave
the engine running in enclosed spaces with-
out sufficient ventilation.
Certain engine systems are designed to keep
the level of poisonous substances in exhaust
fumes within legal limits.
These systems only work optimally if they are
maintained exactly in accordance with the
manufacturer's specifications. Any work on
the engine should therefore be carried out by
qualified and authorized technicians at a
Sprinter dealer.
The engine settings must not be changed
under any circumstances. In addition, all spe-
cific maintenance work must be carried out
at regular intervals and in accordance with
the service requirements of the dealer listed 154
Driving tipsDriving and parking
here on the inside title page. Details can be
found in the Maintenance Booklet. Short journey
! If the vehicle is predominantly used for
short-distance driving, this could lead to a
malfunction in the automatic cleaning func-
tion for the diesel particle filter. As a result,
fuel may accumulate in the engine oil and
cause engine failure.
Therefore, if you mainly drive short distan-
ces, you should drive on a highway or on
rural roads for 20 minutes every 310 miles
(500 km). This ensures sufficient regener-
ation of the diesel particle filter.
Therefore, if you mainly drive short distances,
drive on a freeway or an inter-urban road for
20 minutes every 300 miles (500 km). This
facilitates the diesel particle filter's burn-off
process. Speed limiter
G
WARNING
Exceeding the stated tire load-bearing capa-
city and the approved maximum speed could
lead to tire damage or the tire bursting. There
is a risk of accident.
Therefore, only use tire types and sizes
approved for your vehicle model. Observe the
tire load rating and speed rating required for
your vehicle.
As the driver, you must find out about the
maximum speed of the vehicle and the result-
ing permissible maximum speed of the tires
(tire and tire pressure). In particular, also
observe the tire approval regulations for each
country.
You must not exceed the speed limit for the
tires listed in the tire pressure tables. You can
find information on tire pressures in the
"Wheels and tires" section (Y page 290).You can permanently limit the maximum
speed of your vehicle to 75 mph (120 km/h).
We recommend that you use an authorized
Sprinter Dealer for the programming of the
maximum speed.
Before overtaking, take into consideration
that the engine speed limiter prevents the
speed increasing beyond the programmed
maximum speed. Travel abroad
Service An extensive network of authorized Sprinter
Dealers is also at your disposal when you are
traveling abroad. Nevertheless, please bear
in mind that service facilities or replacement
parts may not always be immediately availa-
ble. You can obtain a list of workshops at any
authorized Sprinter Dealer.
Fuel
In some countries, only fuels with a higher
sulfur content are available.
Unsuitable fuel can cause engine damage.
Information on fuel (Y
page 320).
Low-beam headlamps If you are traveling in countries where vehi-
cles are driven on the opposite side of the
road to that in which the vehicle is registered,
you will need to:
R
have the halogen headlamps partially
masked
R have the Bi-Xenon headlamps set to sym-
metrical low beam
This prevents glare to oncoming traffic and no
longer illuminates the edge of the road to the
same height and distance.
Have the headlamps masked or adjusted at a
qualified specialist workshop before you
cross the border, but as close to it as possi-
ble. Driving tips
155Driving and parking Z
When loading your vehicle for driving off-road
or on a construction site, keep the vehicle's
center of gravity as low as possible.
Checklist before driving off-road X
Check the fuel and DEF levels
(Y page 183) and top up (Y page 150).
X Engine: check the oil level (Y page 252)
and add oil (Y page 254).
Before driving up or down steep gradients,
fill the oil to the maximum level.
i If you drive up or down steep gradients,
the 00B2 symbol may appear in the display.
The engine operating safety is not put at
risk if you have filled the engine oil to the
maximum level before the journey.
X Vehicle tool kit: check that the jack is
working (Y page 276).
X Make sure that a wheel bolt wrench
(Y page 276), wooden underlay for the
jack, a robust tow cable and a folding spade
are carried in the vehicle.
X Wheels and tires: check the tire tread
depth (Y page 287) and tire pressure
(Y page 290).
Rules for driving off-road !
Always bear the vehicle's ground clear-
ance in mind and avoid obstacles, e.g. deep
ruts.
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 242).
R Before driving off-road, stop the vehicle and
shift to a low gear.
R If the surface demands it, temporarily deac-
tivate ASR when pulling away (Y page 60).
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 ter-
rain where you can only see for a short dis-
tance. As a precaution, get out of the vehi-
cle 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 crum-
ble 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 work-
shop.
Off-road driving places a higher demand on
your vehicle than normal road operation.
Check your vehicle after driving on rough ter-
rain. By doing so you will notice any damage
in good time and reduce the risk of an acci-
dent for yourself and other road users. Clean
your vehicle thoroughly before driving on pub-
lic roads.
Observe the following points after driving off-
road, on construction sites and before driving
on public roads:
X Activate ASR (Y page 60).
X Clean the headlamps and tail lamps and
check them for damage. 160
Driving tipsDriving and parking
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 charac-
teristics.
R Before driving, check:
-that the trailer tow hitch and ball cou-
pling 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 section of the
trailer.
R If the trailer has electronically controlled
brakes, pull the vehicle/trailer combina-
tion 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 244).
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 driv-
ing 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 dra-
matically while the air-conditioning system
is switched on, switch off the air-condition-
ing system.
Coolant heat can also be dissipated by
switching the airflow and the temperature
of the heater/air conditioning to the maxi-
mum 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 dis-
tance before you can return to your original
lane. Uncoupling a trailer
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 overrun brake
is engaged.
! Do not disconnect a trailer with an
engaged overrun brake. Otherwise, your
vehicle could be damaged by the rebound-
ing of the overrun brake. Towing a trailer
177Driving and parking Z
Using the
0074,0075,0079or0045 adjustment but-
tons, you can select the following functions:
R Calling up the service due date
(Y page 260)
R Checking the oil level (Y page 252)
R Checking the DEF supply (Y page 184)
R Preselecting/setting the auxiliary heating
switch-on time (Y page 124)
R Tire pressure monitor (Y page 293)
R Setting the time (Y page 185)
R Activating/deactivating Highbeam Assist
(Y page 194)
R Setting the daytime running lamps
(Y page 185)
Setting the time X
Turn the key to position 2in the ignition
lock.
X Press the 0079menu button repeatedly until
the hours figure flashes.
X Press the 0074or0075 button to set the hour.
X Press the 0045reset button.
The minute display flashes.
X Press the 0074or0075 button to set the minute.
i If you keep the 0074or0075 button pressed,
the value will change continuously.
Activating/deactivating Highbeam
Assist X
Turn the key to position 2in the ignition
lock.
X Press the 0079menu button repeatedly until
the 00CE indicator lamp flashes and the
on
on orOFF
OFF message appears in the display.
X Use the 0074or0075 button to switch High-
beam Assist on/off.
Switching the daytime running lamps
on/off If you switch the daytime running lights
ON ON,
the daytime running lights will automatically
light up when the engine is running. For safety reasons, it is only possible to
change this setting when the vehicle is sta-
tionary. The factory setting is
ON ONin countries
in which constant headlamp mode or daytime
running lights are mandatory.
X Turn the key to position 2in the ignition
lock.
X Press the 0079menu button repeatedly until
the 0058 indicator lamp flashes and the
on on orOFF
OFF message appears in the display.
X Press the 0074or0075 button to activate or
deactivate the daytime running lamps.
i USA only:
If you turn the light switch to 0060or
0058, the corresponding light switches on.
If you turn the light switch to 0058, the
daytime running lamps remain switched
on.
Canada only:
If you turn the light switch to 0058, the low-
beam headlamps switch on. If you turn the
light switch to 0060or0058, the daytime
running lamps remain switched on. On-board computer (vehicles without steering wheel buttons)
185On-board computer and displays Z
Menu Overview
Diagrams This is what the displays look like when you scroll through the menus.
Generic terms The illustration shows the menus on a vehicle
with Audio 15.
On Sound 5/Audio 20, the on-board com-
puter always shows the AUDIOandTEL (tele-
phone) menus in English. This is the case even
if a different language is selected for the dis-
play. Operation
0043
Operation menu (Y
page 188)
R Standard display
R Calling up the service due date
(Y page 260)
R Tire pressure monitor
(Y page 293)
R Checking the engine oil level
(Y page 252) 0044
Audio menu (Y
page 189) 0087
Message memory menu
(Y
page 200) Operation
0085
Settings menu (Y
page 190) 0083
Trip computer menu (Y
page 197) 0084
Telephone menu (Y
page 198) i
The generic terms in the tabular overview
should make orientation easier for you.
However, they are not always shown on the
display. Operation menu
Overview You can select the following functions in the
Operation
menu by pressing the 0041or
0068 buttons on the steering wheel: 188
On-board computer (vehicles with steering wheel buttons)On-board computer and displays
R
Displaying the trip odometer and odometer
(standard display) (Y page 189)
R Displaying the coolant temperature
(Y page 189)
R Calling up the service due date
(Y page 260)
R Tire pressure monitor (Y page 293)
R Checking the oil level (Y page 252)
Standard display 0043
Odometer
0044 Trip odometer
0087 Outside temperature or digital speedom-
eter
0085 Clock
0083 Selector lever position or current shift
range (Y page 144)
In the basic setting, the odometer and the trip
odometer are shown in the upper part of the
display. This is referred to as the standard
display.
Using the steering wheel buttons
X Press the 0080or007F button repeatedly
until the standard display is shown .
Displaying the coolant temperature Using the steering wheel buttons
X
Press the 0080or007F button repeatedly
until the standard display is shown .
X Press the 0041or0068 button to select the
coolant temperature.
The temperature displayed may climb to
250 ‡ (120 †) when the vehicle is being
driven in normal conditions and if the coolant
contains the correct concentration of corro-
sion inhibitor and antifreeze. At high outside
temperatures and when driving in mountain-
ous terrain, the coolant temperature may rise
to the end of the scale. Audio menu
General notes Use the functions in the
Audiomenu to oper-
ate the audio equipment when switched on.
The settings in the AUDIOmenu, as well as
the audio equipment control system via the
steering wheel buttons, only function as
described if Sprinter audio equipment has
been installed. If you are using audio equip-
ment from another manufacturer, the descri-
bed functions may be restricted or not avail-
able at all.
If no audio equipment is switched on, you will
see the message AUDIO off AUDIO off.
Selecting a radio station 0043
Reception frequency
0044 Waveband or waveband with memory pre-
set number On-board computer (vehicles
with steering wheel buttons)
189On-board computer and displays Z