Problem Possible causes/consequences and
0050
0050Solutions 0075
The red warning
lamp does not
go out approx-
imately
4 seconds after
the ignition is
switched on, or
it lights up again. The restraint systems have malfunctioned.
G WARNING
If the restraint systems are 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. 003D
The red battery
indicator lamp is
lit while the
engine is run-
ning. 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. 003D
The red battery
indicator lamp is
lit while the
engine is run-
ning. 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. 0026
The yellow brake
pad wear indica-
tor 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. 00B2
The yellow
engine oil level
warning lamp is
lit after the
engine is started
or while the vehi-
cle 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: check the oil level and add engine oil
(Y page 253). Indicator and warning lamps in the instrument cluster
225On-board computer and displays Z
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
0050
0050Solutions 00B9
The yellow
Check Engine
indicator lamp is
lit while the
engine is run-
ning. The exhaust gas aftertreatment is malfunctioning or an emission
relevant malfunction has occurred. This malfunction or defect can
damage the exhaust gas aftertreatment.
After the first message and under normal operating conditions,
you can drive on for up to approximately 500 mi (800 km). Then
a warning tone sequence sounds and the engine can only be
started another 16 times.
X
Observe the messages in the display.
X Have the exhaust gas aftertreatment checked immediately at a
qualified specialist workshop.
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. 0028
If you turn the
key to posi-
tion2in the igni-
tion lock, the
yellow preglow
indicator lamp
remains lit for
approximately
1 minute. Or the
yellow preglow
indicator lamp
lights up for
approximately
1 minute while
the engine is
running. At extremely low temperatures, the engine may not start.
There is a malfunction in the preglow system.
X
Have any malfunction rectified at a qualified specialist work-
shop. 009F
The yellow air fil-
ter indicator
lamp is lit while
the engine is
running. The service limit for the air filter has been reached. The air filter
is dirty.
X
Have the air filter element replaced as soon as possible at a
qualified specialist workshop. 228
Indicator and warning lamps in the instrument clusterOn-board computer and displays
X
Turn the key to position 2in the ignition
lock.
X Open drain plug 0044immediately until the
water/fuel mixture flows out of drain
hose 0043.
X Screw in drain plug 0044as soon as approx-
imately 0.2 US qt (0.2 l) of the water/fuel
mixture have been collected.
i The electrical fuel pump halts the flow of
the water/fuel mixture after 30 seconds.
X After draining, turn the key back to posi-
tion 0in the ignition lock.
X Dispose of the collected water/fuel mix-
ture in an environmentally responsible
manner, e.g. at a qualified specialist work-
shop.
X Check drain plug 0044. The drain plug must
be closed.
When the engine is running and drain
hose 0044is open, fuel is lost through drain
hose 0043.
X Close the hood.
If the 00B8 indicator lamp does not go out
after draining:
X Drain the fuel filter again.
X If the 00B8 indicator lamp does not go out
after draining for the second time, have the
cause checked immediately at a qualified
specialist workshop. Vehicle interior
Air filter for the rear-compartment air
conditioning
! Regularly check the air filters for visible
dirt. Clean or replace a dirty filter mat. The
dirt may otherwise lead to damage to the
air-conditioning system. Filter magazine, located on the roof in the rear
compartment
An increased amount of sand or dust may
collect in the air filter of the rear-compart-
ment air conditioning when you drive on dusty
or sandy roads.
X
To remove the filter mat: carefully pry
cover 0043out of recesses 0044and remove.
X Remove the filter mat from the air duct.
X To clean the filter mat: wash the dirty fil-
ter mat with clear water.
X Leave the filter mat to dry.
i The filter mat must not be cleaned or dried
in a machine.
X To install the filter mat: insert the filter
mat in cover 0043.
X Replace and engage cover 0043. Maintenance
General notes
H
Environmental note
Observe measures to protect the environ-
ment when working on the vehicle. You must
observe the legal requirements when dispos-
ing of service products, e.g. engine oil. This
also includes all components, e.g. filters,
which have come into contact with service
products. Any qualified specialist workshop
can provide information about this.
Dispose of empty containers, cleaning cloths
and care products in an environmentally 258
MaintenanceMaintenance and care
responsible manner. Comply with the instruc-
tions for use of the care products.
Do not run the engine for longer than neces-
sary when the vehicle is stationary.
Before having maintenance and repairs per-
formed, it is essential to read the materials
related to the maintenance and repairs:
R the applicable sections of the technical
documentation, e.g. the Operator's Manual
and workshop information.
R regulations such as industrial safety regu-
lations and accident prevention regula-
tions.
While working under the vehicle, you must
secure the vehicle on jack stands with suffi-
cient load capacity.
Never use the jack as a substitute. the vehi-
cle's jack is intended only to raise the vehicle
for a short time when changing a wheel. It is
not suited for performing maintenance work
under the vehicle.
Please also refer to the notes about qualified
specialist workshops (Y page 26).
The scope and regularity of the inspection
and maintenance work primarily depend on
the often diverse operating conditions. Spe-
cialist knowledge beyond the scope of this
Operator's Manual is required when carrying
out testing and maintenance work. This work
should only be carried out by trained staff.
The vehicle's Maintenance Booklet describes
the extent and frequency of the maintenance
work and contains additional information on
the New Vehicle Limited Warranty and on the
service products.
i Maintenance services must be carried out
in accordance with the provisions and rec-
ommendations in the Maintenance Book-
let.
Not doing so could void the warranty claim
and lead to refusal of goodwill gestures
after the manufacturer has submitted a
damage report. i
Observe the information on Sprinter orig-
inal parts in the "Technical data" section
(Y page 318). Service interval display
General notes A service that is due is displayed in the service
interval display about 1 month in advance. A
message is then displayed while the vehicle
is in motion or when the ignition is switched
on.
i
The service interval display does not pro-
vide information about the oil level. The
service interval display should therefore
not be confused with the 00B3engine oil
level display.
The service due date is displayed in days or
miles (kilometers), depending on the total
distance driven.
The symbols or letters on the service display
show the type of service that is due.
0099 orA
A for a minor service
009A orB B for a major service
Service due date display Vehicles with steering wheel buttons:
the
following messages may be displayed.
R 0099 Service A due in ... days
Service A due in ... days
R 0099 Service A due in ... mi Service A due in ... mi (kmkm)
R 0099 Service A Carry out now
Service A Carry out now
Vehicles without steering wheel buttons:
the following messages may be displayed.
R 0099 for service A
R 009A for Service B
Additionally, you will see the remaining dis-
tance in miles (mi mi) or kilometers (km km) or the
remaining time in days (d d). Maintenance
259Maintenance and care Z
Always observe the maximum permissible
speed specified for the M+S tires you have
mounted.
If you mount M+S tires that have a lower max-
imum permissible speed than that of the vehi-
cle, affix a corresponding warning label in the
driver's field of vision. You can obtain this at
a qualified specialist workshop.
Once you have mounted the winter tires:
X Check the tire pressure (Y page 290).
X Reactivate the tire pressure moni-
tor*(Y page 295). Snow chains
G
WARNING
If you drive too fast with snow chains
mounted, they may snap. As a result, you
could injure others and damage the vehicle.
There is a risk of an accident.
Observe the maximum permissible speed for
operation with snow chains.
When driving with snow chains fitted, do not
exceed the maximum permissible speed of
30 mph (50 km/h). Observe the country-spe-
cific laws and regulations for operation with
snow chains.
! Check the snow chains for damage before
mounting them. Damaged or worn snow
chains may snap and damage the following
components:
R wheel
R wheel housing
R wheel suspension
For this reason, you must use only snow
chains that are free of defects. Observe the
manufacturer's mounting instructions.
! Vehicles with steel wheels: if you
mount snow chains on steel wheels, you
may damage the hub caps. Remove the hub
caps from the relevant wheels before
mounting the snow chains. Snow chains increase traction on roads in
wintry conditions.
For reasons of safety we only recommend
using snow chains or traction aids that are
approved for the Sprinter. The snow chains or
traction aids must be of class U or meet the
SAE type U specification. Information on
snow chains is available at any qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
When mounting snow chains, please bear the
following points in mind:
R Snow chains cannot be mounted on all
wheel/tire combinations. When mounting
the snow chains, note the permissible tire
and snow chain dimensions.
R Mount snow chains only in pairs and only
to the rear wheels. On vehicles with twin
tires, mount the snow chains to the outer
wheels. Observe the manufacturer's
mounting instructions.
R Only use snow chains when the road is cov-
ered by a layer of snow. Remove the snow
chains as soon as possible when you come
to a road that is not snow-covered.
R The use of snow chains may be restricted
by local regulations. Observe the appropri-
ate regulations before mounting snow
chains.
R When driving with snow chains fitted, do
not exceed the maximum permissible
speed of 30 mph (50 km/h).
R Check the tension of the chains after a dis-
tance of approximately 0.5 miles (1.0 km).
You can deactivate ASR (Y page 60) when
pulling away with snow chains mounted. This
allows the wheels to spin in a controlled man-
ner, achieving an increased driving force (cut-
ting action). Operation in winter
289Wheels and tires
* optional Z
Tire pressure
Tire pressure specifications
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Underinflated or overinflated tires pose the
following risks:
R the tires may burst, especially as the load
and vehicle speed increase.
R the tires may wear excessively and/or
unevenly, which may greatly impair tire
traction.
R the driving characteristics, as well as steer-
ing and braking, may be greatly impaired.
There is a risk of an accident.
Follow recommended tire inflation pressures
and check the pressure of all the tires includ-
ing the spare wheel:
R monthly, at least
R if the load changes
R before beginning a long journey
R under different operating conditions, e.g.
off-road driving
If necessary, correct the tire pressure.
i The specifications shown on the sample
Tire and Loading Information placard and
tire pressure table are examples. Tire pres-
sure data are vehicle-specific and may devi-
ate from the data illustrated here. The tire
pressure data applicable to your vehicle
can be found on the Tire & Loading Infor-
mation placard or tire pressure plate of
your vehicle. H
Environmental note
Check the tire pressure regularly, at least
every 14 days. General notes You will find information on tire pressure for
the vehicle's factory-mounted tires on the
plates described here.
You will find a table of recommended tire
pressure on the Tire and Loading Information
placard
5
or on the tire pressure table on the
B-pillar on the driver's side of the vehicle.
Further information on tire pressure can be
obtained at a qualified specialist workshop.
Tire and Loading Information placard Tire and Loading Information placard
5
The Tire and Loading Information placard is
on the B-pillar on the driver's side of the vehi-
cle (Y page 298).
The Tire and Loading Information placard con-
tains recommended tire pressures 0043for cold
tires. Recommended tire pressures 0043are
valid for the maximum permissible load and
up to the maximum permissible speed of the
vehicle.
5 Only for vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of less than 10,000 lbs (4,536 kg). 290
Tire pressureWheels and tires
is bar. 100 kilopascals (kPa) are the equiva-
lent of 1 bar.
Load index
In addition to the load bearing index, a load
index can be stamped onto the sidewall of the
tire. It specifies the load-bearing capacity of
the tire more precisely.
Curb weight
The weight of a vehicle with standard equip-
ment including the maximum filling capacity
of fuel, oil, and coolant. It also includes the
air-conditioning system and optional equip-
ment if these are installed on the vehicle, but
does not include passengers or luggage.
Maximum tire load
The maximum tire load in kilograms or
pounds is the maximum weight for which a
tire is approved.
Maximum permissible tire pressure
Maximum permissible tire pressure for one
tire.
Maximum load on one tire
Maximum load on one tire. This is calculated
by dividing the maximum axle load of one axle
by two.
PSI (Pounds per square inch)
Standard unit of measurement for tire pres-
sure.
Aspect ratio
Relationship between tire height and width in
percent.
Tire pressure
Pressure inside the tire applying an outward
force to every square inch of the tire's sur-
face. Tire pressure is specified in pounds per
square inch (psi), in kilopascal (kPa) or in bar.
Tire pressure should only be corrected when
the tires are cold. Cold tire pressure
The tires are cold:
R
if the vehicle has been parked for at least
three hours without direct sunlight on the
tires, and
R if the vehicle has not been driven further
than 1 mile (1.6 km)
Tire tread
The part of the tire that comes into contact
with the road.
Tire bead
The tire bead ensures that the tire sits
securely on the wheel. There are several steel
wires in the bead to prevent the tire from
coming loose from the wheel rim.
Sidewall
The part of the tire between the tread and the
tire bead.
Weight of optional extras
The combined weight of those optional extras
that weigh more than the replaced standard
parts and more than 2.3 kg (5 lbs). These
optional extras, such as high-performance
brakes, level control, a roof rack or a high-
performance battery, are not included in the
curb weight and the weight of the accesso-
ries.
TIN (Tire Identification Number)
A unique identification number which can be
used by a tire manufacturer to identify tires,
for example for a product recall, and thus
identify the purchasers. The TIN is composed
of the manufacturer identification code, tire
size, tire model code and manufacturing date.
Load bearing index
The load bearing index (also load index) is a
code that contains the maximum load bearing
capacity of a tire. 306
What you should know about wheels and tiresWheels and tires
Traction
Traction is the result of friction between the
tires and the road surface.
TWR (permissible trailer drawbar load)
The TWR is the maximum permissible weight
that may act on the ball coupling of the trailer
tow hitch.
Wear indicator
Narrow bars (tread wear bars) that are dis-
tributed over the tire tread. If the tire tread is
level with the bars, the wear limit of 00CDin
(1.6 mm) has been reached.
Distribution of the vehicle occupants
The distribution of vehicle occupants over
designated seat positions in a vehicle.
Maximum permissible payload weight
Nominal load and goods/luggage load plus
68 kg (150 lbs) multiplied by the number of
seats in the vehicle. Flat tire
General notes
Your vehicle is equipped with a spare wheel.
The spare wheel is under the vehicle at the
rear (Y page 313).
Information about fitting a wheel can be found
in the "Wheel change" section (Y page 308).
When you replace a tire, we recommend that
you also replace the tire valve. Please observe
the safety-relevant information on tire valve
(Y page 292). Changing wheels
Rotating the wheels
G
WARNING
Interchanging the front and rear wheels may
severely impair the driving characteristics if
the wheels or tires have different dimensions.
The wheel brakes or suspension components may also be damaged. There is a risk of acci-
dent.
Rotate front and rear wheels only if the wheels
and tires are of the same dimensions.
! On vehicles equipped with a tire pressure
monitor, electronic components are
located in the wheel.
Tire-mounting tools should not be used
near the valve. This could damage the elec-
tronic components.
Only have tires changed at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
Always observe the instructions and safety
notes in the "Mounting a wheel" section
(Y page 308).
The wear patterns on the front and rear tires
differ, depending on the operating conditions.
Rotate the wheels before a clear wear pattern
has formed on the tires. Front tires typically
wear more on the shoulders and the rear tires
in the center.
If your vehicle's tire configuration allows, you
can rotate the wheels according to the inter-
vals in the tire manufacturer's warranty book
in your vehicle documents. If no warranty
book is available, the tires should be rotated
every 3,000 to 6,000 miles (5,000 to
10,000 km), or earlier if tire wear requires. Do
not change the direction of rotation.
Clean the contact surfaces of the wheel and
the brake disc thoroughly every time a wheel
is rotated. Check the tire pressure and reac-
tivate the tire pressure monitor if necessary. Changing wheels
307Wheels and tires Z