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
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
!
Make sure that:
R the side windows and the roof are com-
pletely closed
R the climate control blower is switched off
R the windshield wiper switch is at position
0
The vehicle could otherwise be damaged.
You can wash the vehicle in an automatic car
wash from the very start.
Wash off excess dirt before cleaning the vehi-
cle in an automatic car wash.
After putting the vehicle through an auto-
matic car wash, wipe off wax from:
R the rear view camera lens (Y page 271)
R the windshield
R the windshield wiper blades
This will prevent smears and reduce wiping
noises caused by residue on the wind-
shield.
Washing by hand In some countries, washing by hand is only
allowed at specially equipped washing bays.
Observe the legal requirements for each indi-
vidual country.
X Do not use hot water and do not wash the
vehicle in direct sunlight.
X Use a soft car sponge.
X Use a mild cleaning agent, e.g. a car sham-
poo approved for use with Sprinter vehi-
cles.
X Thoroughly hose down the vehicle with a
gentle jet of water.
X Do not point the water jet directly towards
the air inlets.
X Use plenty of water and rinse out the
sponge frequently.
X Rinse the vehicle with clean water and dry
thoroughly with a chamois.
X Do not let the cleaning agents dry on the
paintwork. When using the vehicle in winter, remove all
traces of road salt deposits carefully and as
soon as possible.
High-pressure cleaning equipment G
WARNING
The water jet from a circular jet nozzle (dirt
blasters) can cause invisible exterior damage
to the tires or chassis components. Compo-
nents damaged in this way may fail unexpect-
edly. There is a risk of an accident.
Do not use power washers with circular jet
nozzles to clean the vehicle. Have damaged
tires or chassis components replaced imme-
diately.
! Under no circumstances use power wash-
ers in the vehicle interior. The pressurized
water and associated spray produced by
the power washer could cause extensive
damage to the vehicle.
! Observe the minimum distance to be
maintained between the nozzle of the
power washer and object to be cleaned, as
outlined below:
R approximately 2.2 ft(70 cm) when using
round-jet nozzles
R approximately 1 ft (30 cm) when using
25°flat-spray jets and dirt blasters
Keep the water jet moving while cleaning.
To avoid causing damage, do not point the
water jet directly at:
R door joints
R brake hoses
R electrical components
R electrical connections
R seals
R drive train, especially not at the inter-
mediate bearing of the propeller shaft
R rear view camera (camera lens and
microphone opening on the bottom)
Keep a minimum distance of
1.6 ft(50 cm). 268
CareMaintenance and care
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
Towing the vehicle with both axles on
the ground
Important safety notes 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.
! Do not exceed a towing speed of
31 mph (50 km/h). You could otherwise
damage the transmission.
! Always use new bolts when installing the
propeller shafts.
i Only have the propeller shafts fitted/
removed at a qualified specialist workshop.
Before towing the vehicle, observe the fol-
lowing:
R the information on towing in the event of
malfunctions (Y page 281) and
R the important safety notes (Y page 279).
Towing You may only tow the vehicle a maximum dis-
tance of 30 miles (50 km). For a towing dis-
tance 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 Leave the key in position 2in the ignition
lock. X
Switch on the hazard warning lamps
(Y page 96).
X Do not exceed the towing speed of
30 mph (50 km/h) and the towing distance
of 30 miles (50 km). Recovering a vehicle that is stuck
! When recovering a vehicle that has
become stuck, pull it as smoothly and
evenly as possible. Excessive tractive
power could damage the vehicles.
If the drive wheels get trapped on loose or
muddy ground, recover the vehicle with the
utmost care. This is especially the case if the
vehicle is laden.
Never attempt to recover a vehicle with a
trailer attached.
Pull out the vehicle backwards, if possible,
using the tracks it made when it became
stuck. Transporting the vehicle
! You may only secure the vehicle by the
wheels, not by parts of the vehicle such as
axle or steering components. Otherwise,
the vehicle could be damaged. Tow-starting (emergency engine
starting)
Vehicles with automatic transmission !
Vehicles with automatic transmission
must not be tow-started. You could other-
wise damage the automatic transmission.
Information on "Jump-starting" can be found
at the beginning of the "Breakdown assis-
tance" section ( Ypage 278). 282
Tow-starting and towing awayBreakdown assistance
case, the tire is so worn that it must be
replaced. Selecting, mounting and renewing
tires
R Only mount tires and wheels of the same
type and make.
R Only mount tires of the correct size onto
the wheels.
R Break in new tires at moderate speeds for
the first 65 miles (100 km).
R Do not drive with tires which have too little
tread depth, as this significantly reduces
the traction on wet roads (hydroplaning).
R Replace the tires after 6 years at the latest,
regardless of wear. This also applies to the
spare wheel. Operation in winter
General notes
Have your vehicle winterproofed at a qualified
specialist workshop at the onset of winter.
Prior to the onset of winter, ensure that snow
chains are stowed in the vehicle
(Y page 289).
Observe the notes in the "Changing a wheel"
section (Y page 307). Driving with summer tires
At temperatures below 45 ‡(+7 †), summer
tires lose elasticity and therefore traction and
braking power. Change the tires on your vehi-
cle to M+S tire. Using summer tires at very
cold temperatures could cause tears to form,
thereby damaging the tires permanently. We
cannot accept responsibility for this type of
damage. M+S tires
G
WARNING
Wheel and tire dimensions as well as the type
of tire can vary between the spare wheel and
the wheel to be replaced. When the spare
wheel is mounted, driving characteristics may
be severely affected. There is a risk of an acci-
dent.
In order to reduce risks:
R you should therefore adapt your driving
style and drive carefully.
R never mount more than one spare wheel
that differs from the wheel to be replaced.
R only use a spare wheel that differs from the
wheel to be replaced for a short time.
R do not deactivate ESP ®
.
R have a spare wheel that differs from the
wheel that has been changed replaced at
the nearest qualified specialist workshop.
You must observe the correct wheel and
tire dimensions as well as the wheel type. G
WARNING
M+S tires with a tire tread depth of less than
00CF in (4 mm) are not suitable for use in winter
and do not provide sufficient traction. There
is a risk of an accident.
M+S tires with a tread depth of less than 00CF
in (4 mm) must be replaced immediately.
At temperatures below 45 ‡(+7 †), use win-
ter tires or all-season tires. Both types of tire
are identified by the M+S marking.
Only winter tires bearing the 004Dsnowflake
symbol in addition to the M+S marking pro-
vide the best possible grip in wintry road con-
ditions.
Only these tires will allow driving safety sys-
tems such as ABS and ESP ®
to function opti-
mally in winter. These tires have been devel-
oped specifically for driving in snow.
For safe driving, use M+S tires of the same
make and tread pattern on all wheels. 288
Operation in winterWheels and tires
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