Problem Possible causes/consequences and
0050
0050Solutions The auxiliary heating
switches off automati-
cally and/or cannot be
switched on. The low-voltage protection system integrated in the control unit
switches off the auxiliary heating because the on-board voltage is
less than 10 V.
X
Have the alternator and battery checked. The auxiliary heating
switches off automati-
cally and/or cannot be
switched on. The fuse is blown.
X
Replace the fuse; see the "Fuse allocation" supplement.
X Have the cause of the blown fuse determined at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop. The auxiliary heating
switches off automati-
cally and/or cannot be
switched on. A malfunction has occurred.
X
Switch the ignition on and off twice.
If the auxiliary heating still cannot be switched on, the heating
device is faulty.
X Have the auxiliary heating checked at a qualified specialist
workshop. The auxiliary heating is
overheated. The coolant level is too low.
X
Check the coolant level and add more coolant if necessary
(Y page 255). Operating the cargo compartment air
vents If your vehicle is equipped with a roof venti-
lator, you can ventilate and extract air from
the cargo compartment. X
Turn the key to position 2in the ignition
lock.
X To activate and extract air: press the
upper section of the 00A8switch.
The roof ventilator removes used air from
the cargo compartment.
X To activate and ventilate: press the lower
section of the 00A7switch.
The roof ventilator feeds fresh air into the
cargo compartment.
X To switch off: set the switch to the middle
position. Operating the cargo compartment air vents
133Climate control Z
i
The screwdriver from the vehicle tool kit
could function as the implement, for
instance (Y page 276). Refueling
Important safety notes
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
engine and, if applicable, the auxiliary heating
before refueling. G
WARNING
Fuel is poisonous and hazardous to health.
There is a risk of injury.
You must make sure that fuel does not come
into contact with your skin, eyes or clothing
and that it is not swallowed. Do not inhale fuel
vapors. Keep fuel away from children.
If you or others come into contact with fuel,
observe the following:
R Wash away fuel from skin immediately
using soap and water.
R If fuel comes into contact with your eyes,
immediately rinse them thoroughly with
clean water. Seek medical assistance with-
out delay.
R If fuel is swallowed, seek medical assis-
tance without delay. Do not induce vomit-
ing.
R Immediately change out of clothing which
has come into contact with fuel. G
WARNING
If you mix diesel fuel with gasoline, the flash
point is lower than that of pure diesel fuel.
When the engine is running, exhaust system
components could overheat without being
noticed. There is a risk of fire.
Never refuel with gasoline. Never mix gasoline
with diesel fuel. H
Environmental note
If fuels are handled improperly, they pose a
danger to persons and the environment. Do
not allow fuels to run into the sewage system,
the surface waters, the ground water or into
the ground.
! Do not use gasoline to refuel vehicles with
a diesel engine. Even small amounts of gas-
oline will cause damage to the fuel system
and engine.
! Do not switch on the ignition if you acci-
dentally refuel with the wrong fuel. Other-
wise, the fuel will enter the fuel lines. Notify
a qualified specialist workshop and have
the fuel tank and fuel lines drained com-
pletely.
! Overfilling the fuel tank could damage the
fuel system.
! Take care not to spill any fuel on painted
surfaces. You could otherwise damage the
paintwork.
! Filter the fuel before transferring it to the
vehicle if you are refueling the vehicle from
barrels or containers.
This will prevent malfunctions in the fuel
system due to contaminated fuel.
Further information on fuel and on fuel grades
can be found in the "Technical data" section
(Y page 321). Refueling procedure148
RefuelingDriving and parking
The fuel filler flap is beside the front left-hand
door when viewed in the direction of travel. It
is only possible to open the fuel filler flap
when the front door is open.
X Remove the key from the ignition lock.
X Switch off the auxiliary heating system
(Y page 122).
X Open the front left-hand door first, and then
the fuel filler flap.
X Close all vehicle doors to prevent fuel
vapors from entering the vehicle.
X Turn fuel filler cap 0044counter-clockwise,
remove it and let it hang from strap 0043.
X Completely insert the filler neck of the fuel
pump nozzle into the tank and refuel.
X Only fill the tank until the pump nozzle
switches off. Fuel may otherwise leak out.
X Replace tank filler cap 0044and turn clock-
wise.
You will hear a click when the fuel filler cap
is closed fully.
X Open the front left-hand door first, and then
close the filler flap. Problems with the fuel and fuel tank
If your vehicle is losing fuel, the fuel lines or
the fuel tank are defective.
X Turn the key to position 0in the ignition
lock immediately and remove it.
X Do not restart the engine under any cir-
cumstances.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF)
Important safety notes H
Environmental note
Dispose of DEF in an environmentally respon-
sible manner.
! Only use DEF in accordance with
ISO 22241. Never mix DEF with additives or thin it with tap water. The exhaust gas
aftertreatment may otherwise be dam-
aged.
Observe the MB Specifications for Service
Products, Sheet 352.0.
Damage that results from the use of addi-
tives or tap water leads to the loss of the
New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
! If DEF comes into contact with a painted
or aluminum surface, wash the surface off
immediately with plenty of water.
! DEF is not a diesel additive and must not
be mixed with fuel in the tank. Even small
amounts of DEF can cause engine damage.
Damage that results from the blending of
DEF will not be covered by the New Vehicle
Limited Warranty.
The exhaust gas aftertreatment requires a
reducing agent, Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF), in
order to function correctly.
When opening the DEF tank filler cap at high
outside temperatures, ammonia vapors may
escape.
Ammonia vapors have a pungent smell and
primarily cause irritation of the:
R skin
R mucous membranes
R eyes
You may experience a burning sensation in
your eyes, nose and throat, as well as cough-
ing and watering of the eyes.
Do not inhale ammonia vapors. Avoid contact
with DEF.
Do not allow DEF to come into direct contact
with your skin; it is hazardous to your health.
Rinse any affected areas off with plenty of
clean water. Consult a doctor if necessary.
i If the DEF level has dropped below the
reserve range, add at least 2.0 US gal
(7.6 l) of DEF at the latest after receiving
the second warning message
(Y page 184). Refueling
149Driving and parking Z
i
If you switch off the engine at a low out-
side temperature and add DEF, restart the
engine after refueling. If you leave the vehi-
cle parked without restarting the engine
and the DEF freezes in the DEF tank, the
on-board computer will only be able to reg-
ister the new fill level after a defrosting
period of up to 60 minutes. During this time
the engine may only be operated in neutral.
You will find further information on DEF in the
"Service products" section (Y page 321).
Refueling procedure DEF filler neck in the engine compartment
X
Remove the key from the ignition lock.
X Switch off the auxiliary heating system
(Y page 130).
X Open the hood.
X Close all vehicle doors so that no ammonia
vapors can enter the vehicle.
i Do not inhale any ammonia vapor which
may escape when you unscrew cap 0043.
Ammonia vapors have a pungent odor.
However, they are neither toxic nor hazard-
ous to health in this concentration.
X Turn blue cap 0043counter-clockwise and
remove it.
X Only fill up the DEF tank until the DEF level
is visible in the filler neck.
X Replace blue DEF filler neck cap 0043on the
filler neck and turn clockwise.
You will hear a click when cap 0043is fully
closed. DEF filler neck on the right-hand vehicle
side The DEF reservoir on the right-hand side of the
vehicle (example: Cab Chassis)
Fuel filler cap
X
Remove the key from the ignition lock.
X Switch off the auxiliary heating system
(Y page 130).
X Remove tool 0083for unlocking tank filler
cap 0044from the footwell on the co-driver's
side (Y page 276).
X Close all vehicle doors so that no ammonia
vapors can enter the vehicle.
X Pull cover 0085up, turn 90° and release.
X Insert tool 0083into hole 0087of tank filler
cap 0044.
i Do not inhale any ammonia vapor that
may escape when you unscrew tank filler
cap 0044. Ammonia vapors have a pungent
odor. However, they are neither toxic nor
hazardous to health in this concentration.
X Turn blue filler cap 0044counter-clockwise,
remove it and let it hang from strap 0043.150
RefuelingDriving and parking
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 a qualified spe-
cialist workshop Transport by rail
Transporting your vehicle by rail may be sub-
ject to certain restrictions or require special
measures to be taken in some countries due
to varying tunnel heights and loading stand-
ards.
You can obtain further information from any
authorized Sprinter dealer. 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 brak-
ing 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 0048or0047
in good time. This should be observed in par-
ticular 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 effect of
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
from overheating and wearing too quickly.
Heavy and light loads G
WARNING
If you rest your foot 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 vehi-
cle in front.
While paying attention to the traffic condi-
tions, 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.156
Driving tipsDriving and parking
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 in winter
General 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 brak-
ing on a slippery road surface. G
DANGER
If the exhaust pipe is blocked or adequate
ventilation is not possible, poisonous gases
such as carbon monoxide (CO) may enter the
vehicle. This is the case, e.g. if the vehicle
becomes trapped in snow. There is a risk of
fatal injury.
If you leave the engine or the auxiliary heating
running, make sure the exhaust pipe and area
around the vehicle are clear of snow. To
ensure an adequate supply of fresh air, open
a window on the side of the vehicle that is not
facing into the wind.
Have your vehicle winterproofed at a qualified
specialist workshop in good time at the onset
of winter.
i Do not cover the radiator, e.g. with a win-
ter cover. The measurements of the on-
board diagnostic system may otherwise
return inaccurate values. Some of these values are legally prescribed and must
therefore always be exact.
Observe the notes in the "Winter operation"
section (Y page 288).
Driving with summer tires Observe the notes in the "Winter operation"
section (Y
page 288).
Slippery road surfaces 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 brak-
ing on a slippery road surface. G
WARNING
The outside temperature indicator is not
designed to serve as an ice-warning device
and is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Indicated temperatures just above the freez-
ing point do not guarantee that the road sur-
face is free of ice. The road may still be icy,
especially in wooded areas or on bridges.
! Vehicles with automatic transmission
may roll only briefly in the neutral position
N. Prolonged rolling of the wheels, e.g.
when being towed, will result in transmis-
sion damage.
If the vehicle threatens to skid or cannot be
stopped when moving at low speed:
X Shift the transmission to neutral position
N.
X Try to maintain control of the vehicle using
corrective steering.
Drive particularly carefully on slippery roads.
Avoid sudden acceleration, steering and
braking maneuvers. Do not use cruise
control. 158
Driving tipsDriving and parking
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
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