2014 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER battery

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

If you do not unscrew the caps for cleaning,
there is a risk of short circuit.
The breathers in the caps and the cell ven-
tilation tubes must be open. Otherwise, gas
cannot escape.
X Only clean the battery casing with a com-
mercially available cleaning product. Care
Notes on care
G
WARNING
If you use openings in the bodywork or
detachable parts as steps, you could:
R slip and/or fall
R damage the vehicle and cause yourself to
fall.
There is a risk of injury.
Always use secure climbing aids, e.g. a suita-
ble ladder.
! For cleaning your vehicle, do not use any
of the following:
R dry, rough or hard cloths
R abrasive cleaning agents
R solvents
R cleaning agents containing solvents
Do not scrub.
Do not touch the surfaces or protective
films with hard objects, e.g. a ring or ice
scraper. You could otherwise scratch or
damage the surfaces and protective film.
! Do not park the vehicle for an extended
period straight after cleaning it, particularly
after having cleaned the wheels with wheel
cleaner. Wheel cleaners could cause
increased corrosion of the brake discs and
brake pads/linings. For this reason, you
should drive for a few minutes after clean-
ing. Braking heats the brake discs and the
brake pads/linings, thus drying them. The
vehicle can then be parked. H
Environmental note
Only clean your vehicle at specially designed
wash bays. Dispose of empty containers and
used cleaning products in an environmentally
responsible manner. H
Environmental note
Dispose of empty packaging and cleaning
cloths in an environmentally responsible man-
ner.
Regular care of your vehicle is a condition for
retaining the quality in the long term.
Use care products and cleaning agents rec-
ommended and approved for Sprinter vehi-
cles. Washing the vehicle and cleaning the
paintwork
Automatic car wash G
WARNING
Braking efficiency is reduced after washing
the vehicle. There is a risk of an accident.
After the vehicle has been washed, brake
carefully while paying attention to the traffic
conditions until full braking power is restored.
! Never clean your vehicle in a Touchless
Automatic Car Wash as these use special
cleaning agents. These cleaning agents can
damage the paintwork or plastic parts.
! Make sure that the automatic car wash is
suitable for the size of the vehicle.
Before washing the vehicle in an automatic
car wash, fold in the exterior mirrors and
remove any additional antennas. Other-
wise, the exterior mirror, antenna or the
vehicle itself could be damaged.
Make sure that the exterior mirrors are fully
folded out again and that any additional
antennas are re-installed when you leave
the automatic car wash. Care
267Maintenance and care Z

X
Take first-aid kit 0087out of the retainer.
X Fold the cover up and turn the quick-
release fasteners to position 0047.
The cover is locked.
i Check the expiration date on the first-aid
kit at least once a year. Replace any expired
or missing contents. Fire extinguisher
Removing the fire extinguisher Fire extinguisher at the front of the base of the co-
driver's seat
X Pull tabs 0044upwards.
X Take fire extinguisher 0043out of its holder.
i Please read the instructions on fire extin-
guisher 0043carefully and familiarize yourself
with its operation. Have fire extin-
guisher 0043refilled after each use and
checked every one or two years. It may
otherwise fail in an emergency.
Observe the legal requirements for each
individual country. Flat tire
Information on breakdown assistance in the
case of a flat tire can be found in the chapter
"Wheels and tires" (Y page 307). Jump-starting
Important safety notes
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.
Do not use a rapid charging device to start
the vehicle. If your vehicle's battery is dis-
charged, the engine can be jump-started from
another vehicle or from a donor battery using
jumper cables. For this purpose, the vehicle
has a jump-starting connection point in the
engine compartment.
The additional battery in the engine compart-
ment is not suitable for jump-starting opera-
tions. If your vehicle requires jump-starting,
or if you use it to jump-start another vehicle,
use the jump-starting connection point in the
engine compartment.
When jump-starting, observe the following
points:
R The battery is not accessible in all vehicles.
If the other vehicle's battery is not acces-
sible, jump-start the vehicle using a donor
battery or a jump-starting device.
R Do not start the engine if the battery is fro-
zen. Let the battery thaw first.
R Jump-starting may only be performed from
batteries with a nominal voltage of 12 V. 278
Jump-startingBreakdown assistance

R
Only use jumper cables that have a suffi-
cient cross-section and insulated terminal
clamps.
R If the battery is fully discharged, attach the
battery of another vehicle for a few minutes
before attempting to start. This charges the
empty battery a little.
R Make sure that the two vehicles do not
touch.
Make sure that:
R the jumper cables are not damaged.
R bare parts of the terminal clamps do not
come into contact with other metal parts
while the jumper cables are connected to
the battery.
R the jumper cables cannot come into con-
tact with parts such as the V-belt pulley or
the fan. These parts move when the engine
is started and while it is running.
i Jumper cables and further information
regarding jump starting can be obtained at
any qualified specialist workshop. Before connecting the jumper cables
On vehicles with a battery main switch, check
whether the battery main switch is switched
on (Y page 136).
X Apply the parking brake.
X Move the selector lever of the automatic
transmission to position P.
X Switch off all electrical consumers, e.g.
audio equipment, blower.
X Turn the key to position 0in the ignition
lock and remove it (Y page 137).
X Open the hood (Y page 250). Tow-starting and towing away
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Functions relevant to safety are restricted or
no longer available if:
R the engine is not running.
R the brake system or the power steering is
malfunctioning.
R there is a malfunction in the voltage supply
or the vehicle's electrical system.
If your vehicle is being towed, much more
force may be necessary to steer or brake.
There is a risk of an accident.
In such cases, use a tow bar. Before towing,
make sure that the steering moves freely. G
WARNING
You can no longer steer the vehicle if the
steering wheel lock has been engaged. There
is a risk of an accident.
Always switch off the ignition when towing the
vehicle with a tow cable or a tow bar. G
WARNING
If the weight of the vehicle to be towed or tow-
started is greater than the permissible gross
weight of your vehicle:
R the towing eye could detach itself
R the vehicle/trailer combination could roll-
over.
There is a risk of an accident.
When towing or tow-starting another vehicle,
its weight should not be greater than the per-
missible gross weight of your vehicle.
Information on your vehicle's gross vehicle
weight rating can be found on the vehicle
identification plate (Y page 319).
! Only secure the tow rope or tow bar at the
towing eyes. Otherwise, the vehicle could
be damaged. Tow-starting and towing away
279Breakdown assistance Z

!
Observe the following points when towing
with a tow rope:
R Secure the tow rope on the same side on
both vehicles.
R Ensure that the tow cable is not longer
than legally permitted. Mark the tow
cable in the middle, e.g. with a white
cloth (30 x 30 cm). This will make other
road users aware that the vehicle is being
towed.
R Only secure the tow cable to the towing
eye.
R Observe the brake lamps of the towing
vehicle while driving. Always maintain a
distance so that the tow rope does not
sag.
R Do not use steel cables or chains to tow
your vehicle. You could otherwise dam-
age the vehicle.
! Do not use the towing eye for recovery,
this could damage the vehicle. If in doubt,
recover the vehicle with a crane.
! When towing, pull away slowly and
smoothly. If the tractive power is too high,
the vehicles could be damaged.
Observe the legal requirements for the rele-
vant country when towing.
It is preferable to have the vehicle trans-
ported on a transporter or trailer instead of
towing it.
The automatic transmission selector lever
must be in the Nposition when towing the
vehicle.
The battery must be connected and charged.
Otherwise, you:
R cannot turn the key in the ignition lock to
position 2
R cannot move the selector lever to position
N on vehicles with automatic transmission.
i Switch off the automatic locking feature
before the vehicle is towed (Y page 71). You
could otherwise lock yourself out of the
vehicle when pushing or towing away the
vehicle. Installing/removing the towing eye
The fixture for the front towing eye is located in the
bumper.
Rear towing eye under the bumper, attached to the
chassis
Your vehicle may be equipped with rear tow-
ing eye 0044. If you tow or tow-start a vehicle,
attach the towing device to rear towing
eye 0044.
If your vehicle is equipped with a trailer tow
hitch, attach the towing device to the trailer
tow hitch (Y page 173).
Installing the front towing eye
X Take the towing eye and screwdriver from
the vehicle tool kit (Y page 276).
X Press cover 0043and remove cover 0043from
the opening.
You will see the fixture for the towing eye.
X Screw in the towing eye clockwise to the
stop.
X Insert screwdriver into the towing eye and
tighten it. 280
Tow-starting and towing awayBreakdown assistance

Removing the front towing eye
X
Remove the screwdriver from the vehicle
tool kit.
X Insert the screwdriver into the towing eye
and turn the screwdriver counter-clock-
wise.
X Unscrew the towing eye.
X Insert cover 0043with the lug at the bottom
and press it in at the top until it engages.
X Place the towing eye and screwdriver back
in the vehicle tool kit. Towing in the event of malfunctions
With transmission damage !
Always use new bolts when installing the
propeller shafts.
i Only have the propeller shafts fitted/
removed at a qualified specialist workshop.
If the vehicle has transmission damage, have
the propeller shaft removed before towing
away.
In the event of damage to the electrical
system If the battery is defective, the automatic
transmission will be locked in position P. In
order to be able to shift the automatic trans-
mission to position N, you must provide
power to the vehicle's 12 V electrical system
in the same way as when jump-starting
(Y page 278).
Have the vehicle transported on a transporter
or trailer. Towing with the front or rear axle
raised
General notes !
The ignition must be switched off if the
vehicle is being towed with the front or rear axle raised. Otherwise, ESP
®
may intervene
and damage the brake system.
! Always use new bolts when installing the
propeller shafts.
i Only have the propeller shafts fitted/
removed at a qualified specialist workshop.
Observe the following before towing a vehicle
with a raised front or rear axle:
R the information on towing in the event of
malfunctions (Y page 281) and
R the important safety notes (Y page 279).
If the front axle is damaged, raise the vehicle
at the front axle and if the rear axle is dam-
aged, raise the vehicle at the rear axle.
Towing If the front axle is raised, the vehicle may be
towed a maximum of 30 miles
(50 km). For a
towing distance of over 30 miles (50 km), you
must remove the propeller shafts to the
driven axles.
X Turn the key to position 2in the ignition
lock.
X Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X Shift the automatic transmission to posi-
tion N.
X Release the brake pedal.
X Release the parking brake.
X Turn the key to position 1in the ignition
lock and leave it in this position.
X Switch on the hazard warning lamps
(Y page 96).
X If the front axle is raised, do not exceed the
towing speed of 30 mph (50 km/h) and the
towing distance of 30 miles (50 km). Tow-starting and towing away
281Breakdown assistance Z

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