2014 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER steering

Air bags
Important safety notes G
WARNING
To reduce the risk of injury when the front air
bags inflate, it is very important for the driver
and co-driver to always be in a properly seated
position and to wear their respective seat
belt.
For maximum protection in the event of a col-
lision always be in normal seated position with
your back against the seat backrest. Fasten
your seat belt and make sure it is properly
positioned on your body.
Since the air bag inflates with considerable
speed and force, a proper seating position
and correct positioning of the hands on the
steering wheel will help to keep you at a safe
distance from the air bag. Occupants who are
not wearing their seat belt, are not seated
properly or are too close to the air bag can be
seriously injured or killed by an air bag as it
inflates with great force instantaneously:
R Sit with the seat belt properly fastened in a
position that is as upright as possible with
your back against the seat backrest.
R Move the driver's seat as far back as pos-
sible, still permitting proper operation of
vehicle controls. The distance from the
center of the driver's chest to the center of
the air bag cover on the steering wheel
must be at least 10 inches (25 cm) or more.
You should be able to accomplish this by
adjusting the seat and steering wheel. If
you have any difficulties, please contact a
qualified specialist workshop.
R Do not lean your head or chest close to the
steering wheel or instrument panel.
R Keep hands on the outside of the steering
wheel rim. Placing hands and arms inside
the rim can increase the risk and potential
severity of hand/arm injury when the driver
front air bag inflates. R
Move the co-driver's seat as far as possible
away from the instrument panel when the
seat is occupied.
R Occupants, especially children, should
never place their bodies or lean their heads
in the area of the door where the side
impact air bag inflates. This could result in
serious injuries or death should the side
impact air bag be deployed. Always sit as
upright as possible, wear the seat belt prop-
erly and use an appropriately sized infant
restraint, toddler restraint, or booster seat
recommended for the size and weight of the
child.
R Children twelve years old and under must
never travel on the co-driver's seat. They
will otherwise be struck by the co-driver's
front air bag when it inflates in a crash. This
could result in serious or fatal injury.
Failure to follow these instructions can result
in severe injuries to you or other occupants.
If you sell your vehicle, it is important that you
make the buyer aware of this safety informa-
tion. Be sure to give the buyer this Operator's
Manual. G
WARNING
The air bag parts are hot after the airbag has
been deployed. There is a risk of injury.
Do not touch the air bag parts. Have the
deployed air bags replaced at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop as soon as possible.
i If the vehicle is still in running condition,
have it towed to a qualified specialist work-
shop. G
WARNING
If you modify the air bag covers or affix objects
such as stickers to them, the air bags may not
function correctly. There is an increased risk
of injury.
Never modify the air bag covers or affix
objects to them. 44
Occupant safetySafety

The air bag installation locations are identi-
fied by the label SRS/AIRBAG or AIRBAG.
R Front air bags (Y page 45)
R Thoraxbags (Y page 45)
R Window curtain air bags (Y page 46)
The air bags are deployed if the air bag control
unit detects the need for deployment. Only in
the event of such a situation will they provide
their supplemental protection.
If the driver and co-driver do not wear their
seat belts, it is not possible for the air bags to
provide their supplemental protection.
In the event of other types of impacts and
impacts below air bag deployment thresh-
olds, the air bags will not deploy. The driver
and passengers will then be protected to the
extent possible by a properly fastened seat
belt. A properly fastened seat belt is also
needed to provide the best possible protec-
tion in a rollover.
Air bags provide additional protection, but are
not a substitute for the seat belts. All vehicle
occupants must fasten their seat belts
regardless of whether your vehicle is equip-
ped with air bags or not.
If an air bag is deployed, you will hear a bang
and a small amount of powder is released
briefly. Only in rare cases will the bang affect
your hearing. The powder emitted is not gen-
erally hazardous to health. The 007Ewarning
lamp lights up. If it is safe to do so:
X Exit the vehicle immediately.
If you are unable to leave the vehicle:
X Open a window.
You will be able to breathe in fresh air and
avoid respiratory problems.
It is important for your safety and that of any
passengers to have deployed air bags
replaced and to have any malfunctioning air
bags repaired. This will help to make sure the
air bags continue to perform their protective
function for the vehicle occupants in the
event of a crash. Front air bags
Driver's air bag
0043inflates in front of the
steering wheel; co-driver's front air bag 0044
inflates in front of and above the glove box
and center console.
The front air bags increase the degree of pro-
tection afforded to the driver and co-driver
against head and chest injuries.
They are deployed:
R in certain frontal collision situations
R if the system determines that air bag
deployment can offer additional protection
to that provided by the seat belt
R if the respective seat belt is fastened
R independently of other air bags in the vehi-
cle
If the vehicle rolls over, the front air bags are
generally not deployed. The front air bags are
deployed if it is detected that the vehicle is
decelerating rapidly in the longitudinal direc-
tion.
In collision situations with low predicted
impact severity the front air bags are not
deployed. You will then be protected by the
seat belt, provided that it is fastened.
Thoraxbags G
WARNING
Only use seat covers which have been tested
and approved for your vehicle type by the dis-
tributor named on the inside of the front
cover. The use of seat covers or other seat
coverings may cause a malfunction when the Occupant safety
45Safety
Z

Pets in the vehicle
G
WARNING
If you leave animals unattended or unsecured
in the vehicle, they could press buttons or
switches, for example.
As a result, they could:
R activate vehicle equipment and become
trapped, for example
R activate or deactivate systems, thereby
endangering other road users
Unsecured animals could also be flung around
the vehicle in the event of an accident or sud-
den steering or braking, thereby injuring vehi-
cle occupants. There is a risk of an accident
and injury.
Never leave animals unattended in the vehi-
cle. Always secure animals properly during
the journey, e.g. use a suitable animal trans-
port box. Driving safety systems
Driving safety systems overview
In this section, you will find information about
the following driving safety systems:
R ABS (Anti-lock BrakingSystem)
R BAS (Brake AssistSystem)
R ASR (Acceleration SkidControl)
R ESP ®
(Electronic StabilityProgram)
R EBD ( Electronic Brake Force Distribution)
R Crosswind Assist
R COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST Important safety notes
If you fail to adapt your driving style or if you
are inattentive, the driving safety systems can
neither reduce the risk of accident nor over-
ride the laws of physics. Driving safety sys-
tems are merely aids designed to assist driv-
ing. You are responsible for the distance to
the vehicle in front, for vehicle speed and for braking in good time. Always adapt your driv-
ing style to the prevailing road and weather
conditions and maintain a sufficient, safe dis-
tance from other road users. Drive carefully.
The driving safety systems described can only
attain their maximum effectiveness when
there is optimum contact between the tires
and the road can. Therefore pay special atten-
tion to the information on tires, the recom-
mended minimum tire tread, etc., in the
"Wheels and tires" section (Y
page 286).
In wintry driving conditions, always use winter
tires (M+S tires) and if necessary, snow
chains. Only in this way will the driving safety
systems described in this section work as
effectively as possible. ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If ABS is faulty, the wheels could lock when
braking. The steerability and braking charac-
teristics may be severely impaired. Addition-
ally, further driving safety systems are deac-
tivated. There is an increased danger of skid-
ding and accidents.
Drive on carefully. Have ABS checked imme-
diately at a qualified specialist workshop.
If ABS is malfunctioning, other systems will
also fail, including driving safety systems.
Observe the information relating to
the 0025 warning lamp (Y page 221).
ABS regulates brake pressure in such a way
that the wheels do not lock when you brake.
This allows you to continue steering the vehi-
cle when braking.
ABS works from a speed of about 5 mph
(8 km/h), regardless of road-surface condi-
tions. ABS works on slippery surfaces, even
when you only brake gently.
The yellow 0025warning lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up when the ignition is 56
Driving safety systemsSafety

switched on. The lamp goes out when the
engine starts running.
Braking If ABS intervenes when braking, you will feel
a pulsating in the brake pedal.
The pulsating brake pedal can be an indica-
tion of hazardous road conditions and func-
tions as a reminder to take extra care while
driving.
X If ABS intervenes: continue to depress the
brake pedal with force until the braking sit-
uation is over.
X To make a full brake application:
depress the brake pedal with full force. BAS (Brake Assist System)
G
WARNING
If BAS is malfunctioning, the braking distance
in an emergency braking situation is
increased. There is a risk of an accident.
In an emergency braking situation, depress
the brake pedal with full force. ABS prevents
the wheels from locking.
Vehicles without steering wheel buttons: if
the BAS driving safety system is malfunction-
ing, the 003Dwarning lamp lights up while the
engine is running (Y page 221).
BAS operates in emergency braking situa-
tions. If you depress the brake quickly, BAS
automatically increases the brake pressure,
thereby reducing the stopping distance.
The brakes will function as usual once you
release the brake pedal. BAS is deactivated. EBD (electronic brake force distribu-
tion)
G
WARNING
If EBD has malfunctioned, the rear wheels can
still lock, e.g. under full braking. This
increases the risk of skidding and an accident. You should therefore adapt your driving style
to the different handling characteristics. Have
the brake system checked at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
EBD monitors and controls the brake pres-
sure to the rear wheels. This enables EBD to
improve handling during braking.
Observe the information on warning and indi-
cator lamps (Y page 221). ESP
®
(Electronic Stability Program)
Observe the important safety guidelines for
the driving safety system (Y page 56). G
WARNING
If ESP ®
is malfunctioning it will not provide
any vehicle stabilization. There is an increased
risk of skidding or of an accident.
Exercise caution when continuing to drive.
Have ESP ®
checked at a qualified specialist
workshop.
! Only operate the vehicle briefly (maxi-
mum of 10 seconds) on a brake dynamom-
eter. The key must be turned to position 1
in the ignition lock during this time. You
could otherwise damage the drive train or
the brake system.
! Do not run the vehicle on a roller dyna-
mometer (e.g. for performance tests). If
you must operate the vehicle on a roller
dynamometer, please consult a qualified
specialist workshop in advance. You could
otherwise damage the drive train or the
brake system.
If ESP ®
is malfunctioning, the 0089warning
lamp lights up while the engine is running and
the engine power may be reduced
(Y page 221).
Only use wheels with the recommended tire
sizes. Only then will ESP ®
function properly.
If you select the drive program S+on a vehicle
with an AGILITY SELECT switch, ESP ®
only
stabilizes the vehicle to a limited degree. Driving safety systems
57Safety Z

ESP
®
therefore permits the vehicle's over-
steering and understeering characteristics,
which facilitates an extremely sporty driving
style. This driving style requires an extremely
qualified and experienced driver. COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST
COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST General notes
COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST comprises
the distance warning function and adaptive
Brake Assist.
Distance warning function
Important safety notes
i Note the section on 'Important safety
notes' ( Ypage 56). G
WARNING
The distance warning function does not react:
R to people or animals
R to oncoming vehicles
R to crossing traffic
R when cornering
Thus, the distance warning function cannot
provide a warning in all critical situations.
There is a risk of an accident.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic sit-
uation and be ready to brake. G
WARNING
The distance warning function cannot always
clearly identify objects and complex traffic
situations.
In such cases, the distance warning function
may:
R give an unnecessary warning
R not give a warning
There is a risk of an accident.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic sit-
uation and do not rely solely on the distance
warning function. Operation
The distance warning function can help you
to minimize the risk of a front-end collision
with a vehicle ahead or reduce the effects of
such a collision. If the distance warning func-
tion detects that there is a risk of a collision,
you will be warned visually and acoustically.
Without your intervention, the distance warn-
ing function cannot prevent a collision.
The distance warning function will issue a
warning at speeds of around 20 mph
(30 km/h) or more if:
R
you approach a vehicle ahead of you very
quickly. You will then hear an intermittent
warning tone and the 00C7warning lamp in
the instrument cluster flashes.
X Brake immediately in order to increase the
distance from the vehicle in front.
Or
X Take evasive action provided it is safe to do
so.
If you want the distance warning function to
assist you, the function must be activated and
operational.
Due to the nature of the system, particularly
complicated driving conditions may cause the
system to display an unnecessary warning.
With the help of the radar sensor system, the
distance warning function can detect obsta-
cles that are in the path of your vehicle for an
extended period of time.
From a speed of around 45 mph (70 km/h),
the distance warning function can also react
to stationary obstacles, such as stopped or
parked vehicles.
If you approach an obstacle and the distance
warning function detects a risk of a collision,
the system will alert you both visually and
acoustically.
In particular, the detection of obstacles can
be impaired in the case of:
R dirt on the sensors or anything else cover-
ing the sensors
R it is snowing or raining heavily 58
Driving safety systemsSafety

R
there is interference from other radar sour-
ces
R there are strong radar reflections, for
example in parking garages
R a narrow vehicle is traveling in front, e.g. a
motorbike
R a vehicle is traveling in front on a different
line
Following damage to the front end of the vehi-
cle, have the configuration and operation of
the radar sensor checked at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop. This also applies to colli-
sions at slow speeds where there is no visible
damage to the front of the vehicle.
Activating/deactivating the distance
warning function
When you switch on the engine, the distance
warning function switches on after a few sec-
onds.
X To deactivate: press the00D4button
(Y page 37).
Vehicles without steering wheel but-
tons: the00C7 warning lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up and the OFF
OFF message
flashes.
Vehicles with steering wheel buttons:
the 00C7 warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up and the message Dis‐ Dis‐
tance warning deactivated
tance warning deactivated appears.
X To activate: press the00D4button again
(Y page 37).
Vehicles without steering wheel but-
tons: the00C7 warning lamp in the instru-
ment cluster goes out and the ON
ON message
flashes.
Vehicles with steering wheel buttons:
the 00C7 warning lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out and the message Dis‐ Dis‐
tance
tance warning
warning activated
activated appears in the
multifunction display.
Adaptive Brake Assist
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion for driving safety systems
(Y page 56). G
WARNING
Adaptive Brake Assist cannot always clearly
identify objects and complex traffic situa-
tions.
In such cases, Adaptive Brake Assist may:
R intervene unnecessarily
R not intervene
There is a risk of an accident.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic sit-
uation and be ready to brake. Terminate the
intervention in a non-critical driving situation. G
WARNING
Adaptive Brake Assist does not react:
R to people or animals
R to oncoming vehicles
R to crossing traffic
R to stationary obstacles
R when cornering
As a result, Adaptive Brake Assist may not
intervene in all critical conditions. There is a
risk of an accident.
Always pay careful attention to the traffic sit-
uation and be ready to brake.
Adaptive Brake Assist aids you when braking
during hazardous situations at speeds above
20 mph (30 km/h). With the help of the radar
sensor system, adaptive Brake Assist can rec-
ognize obstacles that are in the path of your
vehicle for an extended period of time.
When you approach an obstacle and adaptive
Brake Assist detects that there is a risk of a
collision, adaptive Brake Assist calculates the
braking force necessary to avoid a collision.
Should you apply the brakes forcefully, adap-
tive Brake Assist will automatically increase
the braking force to the calculated level.
X Keep the brake pedal depressed until the
emergency braking situation is over.
ABS prevents the wheels from locking. Driving safety systems
59Safety Z

The brakes function as usual again if:
R you release the brake pedal
R there is no longer any danger of a collision
R no obstacle is detected in front of your
vehicle
Adaptive Brake Assist is then deactivated.
Up to the maximum vehicle speed, adaptive
Brake Assist can react to moving obstacles
that have already been recognized as such at
least once over the period of observation.
Adaptive Brake Assist does not react to sta-
tionary obstacles.
In particular, the detection of obstacles can
be impaired if:
R dirt on the sensors or anything else cover-
ing the sensors
R it is snowing or raining heavily
R there is interference from other radar sour-
ces
R there are strong radar reflections, for
example in parking garages
R a narrow vehicle is traveling in front, e.g. a
motorbike
R a vehicle is traveling in front on a different
line
If adaptive Brake Assist is not available due
to a malfunction in the radar sensor system,
the full brake boosting effect with the help of
BAS remains available.
Following damage to the front end of the vehi-
cle, have the configuration and operation of
the radar sensor checked at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop. This also applies to colli-
sions at slow speeds where there is no visible
damage to the front of the vehicle. ASR (acceleration skid control)
General notes Important safety notes
ASR can neither reduce the risk of an accident
nor suspend the laws of physics if the driver
does not pay attention when pulling away or accelerating. ASR is only an aid. Always adapt
your driving style to suit the prevailing road
and weather conditions.
Vehicles without steering wheel buttons: if
ASR is malfunctioning, the
003Dindicator
lamp lights up while the engine is running and
the engine power may be reduced
(Y page 221).
ASR significantly improves traction, i.e. the
transmission of power from the tires to the
road surface, and thus increases the vehicle's
driving stability. If the driving wheels start to
spin, ASR brakes individual drive wheels and
limits the engine torque. ASR thus signifi-
cantly assists you when pulling away and
accelerating, especially on wet or slippery
roads.
If traction on the road surface is not sufficient,
even ASR will not allow you to pull away with-
out difficulty. The type of tires and total
weight of the vehicle as well as the gradient
of the road also play a crucial role.
If ASR intervenes, the 0072warning lamp in
the instrument cluster flashes.
Activating/deactivating ASR G
WARNING
If deactivated, ASR will not attempt to stabi-
lize the vehicle during pulling away and accel-
eration. There is an increased risk of skidding
and of an accident.
Only deactivate ASR in the situations descri-
bed in the following.
! If you deactivate ASR, ESP ®
will still inter-
vene to stabilize the vehicle. Frequent brak-
ing automatically triggered by ESP ®
can
damage the brake system.
For this reason, deactivate ASR only briefly
and when absolutely necessary. 60
Driving safety systemsSafety

Problems with the key/remote control
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
0050
0050Solutions It is no longer possible
to lock the vehicle
using the remote
control.
The turn signals do not
flash when the vehicle
is locked. The doors are not closed properly.
X
Close the doors properly and lock the vehicle again. The central locking system has malfunctioned.
X
Lock the vehicle using the folding key (Y page 66).
X Have the central locking system checked as soon as possible
at a qualified specialist workshop. It is no longer possible
to lock or unlock the
vehicle using the
remote control. The key battery is weak or discharged.
X
Point the remote control at the driver's door handle from very
close range and press the 0036or0037 button.
If this does not work:
X Replace the key battery (Y page 69).
Or
X Lock the vehicle using the folding key (Y page 66). The remote control is faulty.
X
Lock the vehicle using the folding key (Y page 66).
X Have the key checked at a qualified specialist workshop. The key cannot be
turned in the ignition
lock. The steering lock has jammed mechanically.
X
Remove the key and insert it again into the ignition lock. Turn
the steering wheel from side to side while doing so. The engine cannot be
started using the key. The on-board voltage is too low.
X Switch off all non-essential consumers, such as interior lighting,
and try to start the engine again.
If this does not work:
X Check the starter battery and charge it if necessary
(Y page 266).
Or
X Jump-start the vehicle (Y page 278).
Or
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. You have lost a key. X
Have the key deactivated at a qualified specialist workshop.
X Report the loss immediately to the vehicle insurers.
X If necessary, have the mechanical locks replaced. 70
KeyOpening and closing