2014 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER engine

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

Limited braking performance on salt-
treated roads When driving on salted roads, salt may start
to build up on the brake disks and brake pads.
This can increase braking distances consid-
erably.
Maintain a greater distance to the vehicle in
front.
To remove any build up of salt that may have
formed:
X Apply the brakes at the start of the journey,
occasionally during journey and at the end
of the journey. Make sure that you do not
endanger other road users when doing so.
Parking brake G
WARNING
If you must brake the vehicle with the parking
brake, the braking distance is considerably
longer and the wheels could lock. There is an
increased danger of skidding and accidents.
Only use the parking brake to brake the vehi-
cle when the service brake is faulty. Do not
apply the parking brake too firmly. If the
wheels lock, release the parking brake until
the wheels begin turning again.
When driving on wet roads or dirt-covered
surfaces, road salt and/or dirt may get into
the parking brake. This causes corrosion and
a reduction of braking force.
In order to prevent this, drive with the parking
brake lightly applied from time to time. When
doing so, drive for a distance of approximately
110 yds (100 m) at a maximum speed of
12 mph (20 km/h).
The brake lamps are not illuminated when you
brake the vehicle using the parking brake. Driving in wet conditions
Braking on 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.
Hydroplaning G
WARNING
There is a danger of hydroplaning occurring,
even if you are driving slowly and your tires
have sufficient tread depth, depending on the
depth of water on the road. There is a risk of
an accident.
For this reason, avoid tire ruts and brake care-
fully.
Therefore, in heavy rain or other conditions in
which hydroplaning can occur, drive as fol-
lows:
R reduce your speed
R avoid tire ruts
R apply the brakes with care
Driving on flooded roads !
Do not drive through flooded areas.
Check the depth of any water before driving
through it. Drive slowly through standing
water. Otherwise, water may enter the
vehicle interior or the engine compartment.
This can damage the electronic compo-
nents in the engine or the automatic trans-
mission. Water can also be drawn in by the Driving tips
157Driving and parking Z

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

When loading your vehicle for driving off-road
or on a construction site, keep the vehicle's
center of gravity as low as possible.
Checklist before driving off-road X
Check the fuel and DEF levels
(Y page 183) and top up (Y page 150).
X Engine: check the oil level (Y page 252)
and add oil (Y page 254).
Before driving up or down steep gradients,
fill the oil to the maximum level.
i If you drive up or down steep gradients,
the 00B2 symbol may appear in the display.
The engine operating safety is not put at
risk if you have filled the engine oil to the
maximum level before the journey.
X Vehicle tool kit: check that the jack is
working (Y page 276).
X Make sure that a wheel bolt wrench
(Y page 276), wooden underlay for the
jack, a robust tow cable and a folding spade
are carried in the vehicle.
X Wheels and tires: check the tire tread
depth (Y page 287) and tire pressure
(Y page 290).
Rules for driving off-road !
Always bear the vehicle's ground clear-
ance in mind and avoid obstacles, e.g. deep
ruts.
Obstacles may damage the following parts
of the vehicle:
R the chassis
R the drive train
R the fuel and supply tanks
For this reason, you should always drive
slowly when driving off-road. If you have to
drive over obstacles, have the co-driver
direct you.
i We recommend that you additionally
carry a shovel and a recovery rope with
shackle in the vehicle. R
Ensure that loads and items of luggage are
securely stowed or lashed down
(Y page 242).
R Before driving off-road, stop the vehicle and
shift to a low gear.
R If the surface demands it, temporarily deac-
tivate ASR when pulling away (Y page 60).
R Only drive off-road with the engine running
and a gear engaged.
R Drive slowly and smoothly. Walking pace is
necessary in many situations.
R Avoid spinning the drive wheels.
R Make sure that the wheels always remain
in contact with the ground.
R Drive with extreme care over unknown ter-
rain where you can only see for a short dis-
tance. As a precaution, get out of the vehi-
cle to take a look at the route to be taken
in advance.
R Check the water depth before fording.
R Watch out for obstacles (e.g. rocks, holes,
tree stumps and ruts).
R Avoid edges where the surface could crum-
ble or break away.
Checklist after driving off-road !
If you detect damage to the vehicle after
driving off-road, have the vehicle checked
immediately at a qualified specialist work-
shop.
Off-road driving places a higher demand on
your vehicle than normal road operation.
Check your vehicle after driving on rough ter-
rain. By doing so you will notice any damage
in good time and reduce the risk of an acci-
dent for yourself and other road users. Clean
your vehicle thoroughly before driving on pub-
lic roads.
Observe the following points after driving off-
road, on construction sites and before driving
on public roads:
X Activate ASR (Y page 60).
X Clean the headlamps and tail lamps and
check them for damage. 160
Driving tipsDriving and parking

X
Briefly pull the cruise control lever towards
you 0044.
X Release the accelerator pedal.
Cruise control is activated and resumes the
vehicle's speed to the last speed stored.
i When you pull the cruise control level
towards you for the first time after starting
the engine, cruise control adopts the cur-
rent speed.
Setting the speed It may be a moment before the vehicle starts
to accelerate or brake to the set speed. Take
this delay into account when setting the
speed.
X Briefly push the cruise control lever
upwards 0043to increase the speed or down-
wards 0087to reduce the speed.
The last speed stored is increased/
reduced in increments of 1 mph (1 km/h).
Or
X Press and hold the cruise control lever
up 0043 or down 0087until the desired speed
has been reached.
X Release the cruise control lever.
The current speed is stored.
i Cruise control is not deactivated if you
depress the accelerator pedal. If you accel-
erate briefly to overtake, for example,
cruise control resumes the vehicle’s speed
to the last speed stored after you have fin-
ished overtaking.
Deactivating cruise control There are various ways to deactivate cruise
control:
X Briefly press the cruise control lever for-
wards 0085.
Or
X Apply the brakes.
The last speed set remains stored. The last
speed stored is deleted when you switch off
the engine. Cruise control is deactivated automatically
when:
R
you apply the brakes
R you apply the parking brake and the 0066
indicator lamp in the instrument cluster
lights up
R you are driving slower than 20 mph
(30 km/h)
R you shift the automatic transmission to
neutral position Nwhile the vehicle is in
motion
R ESP ®
or ASR intervenes
R there is a malfunction in the ESP ®
, ASR or
ABS system Driving systems
163Driving and parking Z

You should always steer, brake or accelerate
yourself, in particular if warned by Lane Keep-
ing Assist.
Lane Keeping Assist may not work properly
or may not work at all if the vehicle is incor-
rectly loaded (Y page 242).
If you fail to adapt your driving style, Lane
Keeping Assist can neither reduce the risk of
accident nor override the laws of physics.
Lane Keeping Assist cannot take into account
road, weather or traffic conditions. Lane
Keeping Assist is only an aid. You are respon-
sible for the distance to the vehicle in front,
for vehicle speed, braking in good time and
for staying in your lane.
Lane Keeping Assist does not keep your vehi-
cle in its lane.
The system may be impaired or may not func-
tion if:
R there is poor visibility, e.g. due to insuffi-
cient illumination of the road, or due to
snow, rain, fog or spray
R there is glare, e.g. from oncoming traffic,
the sun or reflection from other vehicles
(e.g. if the road surface is wet)
R the windshield is dirty, fogged up, damaged
or covered, for instance by a sticker, in the
vicinity of the camera
R no, or several, unclear lane markings are
present for one lane, e.g. in a construction
area
R the lane markings are worn away, dark or
covered up, e.g. by dirt or snow
R the distance to the vehicle in front is too
small and the lane markings thus cannot be
detected
R the lane markings change quickly, e.g.
lanes branch off, cross one another or
merge
R the road is narrow and winding
R there are highly variable shade conditions
on the road
A warning may be given if a front wheel
passes over a lane marking. In addition, a warning tone sounds and the
00B0indicator
lamp in the instrument cluster lights up.
Activating/deactivating Lane Keeping
Assist
Lane Keeping Assist is automatically acti-
vated when you start the engine.
X To deactivate: press the button in
the center console (Y page 37).
On vehicles without steering wheel but-
tons:
OFF OFF flashes briefly in the display and the
00B0 indicator lamp in the instrument clus-
ter flashes and then lights up continuously.
On vehicles with steering wheel but-
tons:
The message: Lane Keeping Assist Lane Keeping Assist
deactivated
deactivated appears in the display and
the 00B0 indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster flashes and then lights up contin-
uously.
Lane Keeping Assist is deactivated.
X To activate: press the button in the
center console again (Y page 37).
On vehicles without steering wheel but-
tons:
ON ON flashes briefly in the display and the
00B0 indicator lamp in the instrument clus-
ter flashes and then goes out.
On vehicles with steering wheel but-
tons:
The message: Lane Keeping Assist Lane Keeping Assist
activated
activated appears in the display and the
00B0 indicator lamp in the instrument clus-
ter flashes and then goes out.
Lane Keeping Assist is activated.
A Lane Keeping Assist warning is suppressed
if:
R a driving safety system intervenes, such as
ABS, BAS or ESP ®
.
R you have set the turn signal and a lane
change is detected. In this case, the warn- Driving systems
167Driving and parking Z

The rear view camera is a visual parking aid.
Information on operation can be found in the
separate Audio 15 supplement.
The camera is in the middle of the roof above
the high-mounted brake lamp (Y page 271).
The rear view camera may show obstacles in
perspectival distortion, incorrectly or not at
all. The rear view camera cannot display all
objects located very near and/or under the
rear bumper. It does not warn you of a colli-
sion, persons or objects.
The area behind the vehicle is displayed in a
mirrored fashion, as in the rear-view mirror or
the exterior mirrors. The guide lines displayed
assist you in backing up.
The function of the rear view camera may be
partially or completely impaired in the follow-
ing circumstances:
R it is raining very heavily or snowing, or it is
foggy.
R the parking space is located in a very dark
place.
R the camera is exposed to very strong white
light. White stripes may appear on the dis-
play.
R the surrounding area is illuminated with flu-
orescent light. The display may flicker.
R if the temperature changes very quickly, for
example if you drive into a heated garage
in the winter.
R ambient temperatures are very high.
R the camera lens is dirty or obstructed.
R the rear of the vehicle is damaged. In this
case, have the position and setting
checked at a specialist workshop.
The rear view camera is switched on when
you engage reverse gear R.
You can find information on cleaning the cam-
era in the "Maintenance and care" section
(Y page 271). Working mode
ADR (working speed governor)
General notes When activated, ADR automatically increases
the engine speed to a preset speed or a speed
you have set.
i
After a cold start, the idling speed of the
engine is increased automatically. If the
preset working speed is lower than the
increased idling speed, the working speed
is only reached once the engine has com-
pleted the warm-up phase.
It is only possible to activate ADR with the
vehicle stationary and the parking brake
applied.
The selector lever of the automatic trans-
mission must be in position P.
Activating/deactivating ADR X
To activate: press upper section 0043of the
0091 switch while the engine is running.
The indicator lamp in the switch comes on.
The 004E indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up or the display shows the
following message: Operating speed Operating speed
governor active governor active.
X To deactivate: press lower section 0044of
the 0091 switch while the engine is run-
ning.
The indicator lamp in the switch goes out. 172
Working modeDriving 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