
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.
If you clean the wheels with a power washer,
observe the safety notes for the power
washer (Y page 266). You could otherwise
damage the tires.
Cleaning the wiper blades G
WARNING
You could become trapped by the windshield wipers if they start moving while cleaning the
windshield or wiper blades. There is a risk of
injury.
Always switch off the windshield wipers and
the ignition before cleaning the windshield or
wiper blades.
! Do not fold the windshield wipers away
from the windshield unless the hood is
closed. Otherwise, you could damage the
hood.
! Do not pull the wiper blade. Otherwise,
the wiper blade could be damaged.
! Do not clean wiper blades too often and
do not rub them too hard. Otherwise, the
graphite coating could be damaged. This
could cause wiper noise.
! Hold the wiper arm securely when folding
back. The windshield could be damaged if
the wiper arm smacks against it suddenly.
X Turn the key to position 0in the ignition
lock or remove it.
X Fold the windshield wiper arms away from
the windshield until you feel them engage.
X Carefully clean the wiper blades with a
damp cloth.
X Fold back the wiper arms before switching
on the ignition. Cleaning the exterior lighting !
Only use cleaning agents or cleaning
cloths which are suitable for plastic light
lenses. Unsuitable cleaning agents or
cleaning cloths could scratch or damage
the plastic light lenses.
X Clean the plastic covers of the exterior
lighting with a damp sponge and a mild
cleaning agent, e.g. car shampoo for
Sprinter vehicles, or with cleaning cloths.
Cleaning the mirror turn signal !
Only use cleaning agents or cleaning
cloths that are suitable for plastic lenses.
Unsuitable cleaning agents or cleaning
cloths could scratch or damage the plastic lenses of the mirror turn signals.
X Clean the plastic lenses of the mirror turn
signals in the exterior mirror housing using
a wet sponge and mild cleaning agent, e.g.
car shampoo or cleaning cloths.
Cleaning the sensors !
Do not use dry, coarse or hard cloths and
do not scrub. You will otherwise scratch or
damage the sensors.
If you clean the sensors with a power
washer or steam cleaner, observe the infor- mation provided by the manufacturer
regarding the distance to be maintained
between the vehicle and the nozzle of the
power washer. PARKTRONIC sensors (example: front bumper, left
side of vehicle) 268
CareMaintenance and care

X
Clean all sensors 0043in the front and rear
bumpers with water, shampoo and a soft
cloth.
Cleaning the rear view camera !
Do not use dry, coarse or hard cloths and
do not scrub. Otherwise, you will scratch or damage the lens of the rear-view camera.
If you clean the vehicle with a high-pressure or steam cleaner, maintain a distance of atleast 1.650 cm from the rear-view camera.
Do not aim directly at the rear-view camera
or at the microphone opening on the under- side of the rear-view camera. You could
otherwise damage the rear-view camera. Rear view camera in the middle of the roof above
the high-mounted brake lamp
0043 Camera lens
0044 Microphone openings
X Clean camera lens 0043with clean water and
a soft cloth.
Make sure that you do not apply any wax to
camera lens 0043when waxing the vehicle. If
necessary, remove the wax using water,
shampoo and a soft cloth.
Cleaning the sliding door X
Remove foreign objects from the vicinity of
the contact surfaces and contact pins of
the sliding door.
X Clean the contact surfaces and contact
pins with a mild cleaning agent and a soft
cloth. Do not oil or grease the contact plates and
contact pins.
Steps Cleaning the electrical step
Clean the electrical step at least once a
month. Make sure that no dirt accumulates in the housing or on the step.
X Extend the electrical step (Y page 73).
X Close the sliding door until the door lock
engages.
The electrical step remains extended for
cleaning.
X Clean the electrical step and the housing
with a power washer.
X After cleaning, spray the step guides on
each side with silicone spray when the
housing and electrical step are dry.
Do not use oil or grease as a lubricant.
X Retract the electrical step.
Access step in the bumper Example: access step in the bumper
Pay attention to the important safety notes inthe "Notes on care" (Y page 265) and "Power
washers" (Y page 266) sections.
Keep step in the bumper 0043free from dirt,
such as:
R mud
R clay
R snow
R ice Care
269Maintenance and care Z

Useful information
This Operator's Manual describes all models
as well as standard and optional equipment of your vehicle that were available at the time of going to print. Country-specific variations are
possible. Note that your vehicle may not be
equipped with all of the described functions.
This also applies to systems and functions
relevant to safety.
Read the information on qualified specialist
workshops (Y page 25). Where will I find...?
Vehicle tool kit
General notes The vehicle tool kit is in the stowage com-
partment in the footwell on the co-driver's
side.
The vehicle tool kit consists of:
R a towing eye
R a screwdriver with Torx, Phillips and slotted
bits
If your vehicle is equipped with a spare wheel bracket and a jack, the vehicle tool kit addi-
tionally contains:
R a wheel wrench
R a spanner
R a pump lever rod
Stowage compartment in the co-driv-
er's footwell Unlocking and removing the cover
X Turn quick-release fastener 0043counter-
clockwise or clockwise 0048.
X Slightly raise and pull out the cover. Removing the vehicle tool kit and the jack
X Remove vehicle tool kit 0083.
X Pull up quick-release lever 0087and unhook
the retaining strap of jack 0085.
X Lift jack 0085upwards out of the holder.
i When stowing away the jack, place it in
the holder as shown in the illustration.
Make sure that the retaining strap of the
jack is hooked in and tensioned.
Inserting and engaging the cover
X Slide in the cover and fold it down.
X Press down quick-release fastener 0043until
it engages. 274
Where will I find...?Roadside Assistance

Warning triangle and warning lamp
Removing the warning lamp X
Turn the quick-release fasteners to position
0048.
The cover is unlocked.
X Lift up the cover.
X Take warning lamp 0087out of the retainer.
X Fold the cover up and turn the quick-
release fasteners to position 0047.
The cover is locked. Removing the warning triangle Warning triangles at the back of the driver's seat
base
X Lift warning triangle 0043up and out of the
bracket. First-aid kit
Removing the first-aid kit X
Turn the quick-release fasteners to position
0048.
The cover is unlocked.
X Lift up the cover. Where will I find...?
275Roadside Assistance

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.
Please read the instructions on fire extin-
guisher 0043carefully and familiarize yourself
with its operation. Have fire extinguisher 0043
refilled after each use and checked every one or two years. It may otherwise fail in an emer-
gency.
Observe the legal requirements for each indi- vidual 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 305). 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. 276
Jump-startingRoadside 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 137).
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 138).
X Open the hood (Y page 248). 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
When towing or tow-starting another vehicle
and its weight is greater than the permissible gross weight of your vehicle, the:
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 the gross vehicle weight can
be found on the vehicle identification plate
(Y page 316).
! Only secure the tow rope or tow bar at the
towing eyes. Otherwise, the vehicle could
be damaged. Tow-starting and towing away
277Roadside 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.
When towing away, you must observe the
legal requirements for the country in which
you are currently driving.
It is preferable to have the vehicle transpor-
ted on a transporter or trailer instead of tow-
ing 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
Before the vehicle is towed, switch off the
automatic locking feature (Y page 71). You
could otherwise lock yourself out of the vehi-
cle 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 274).
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. 278
Tow-starting and towing awayRoadside 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 away in the event of malfunc-
tions
With transmission damage !
Always use new bolts when installing the
propeller shafts.
i Only have the propeller shafts fitted/
removed by qualified, skilled personnel.
If the vehicle has transmission damage, have
the propeller shaft removed before towing
away. 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 by qualified, skilled personnel.
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 279) and
R the important safety notes (Y page 277).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), the propeller shafts to the driven axles must be
removed.
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 95).
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). 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. Tow-starting and towing away
279Roadside Assistance Z