As a result, they could:
R activate vehicle equipment and become
trapped, for example
R activate or deactivate systems, thereby
endangering other road users
Unsecured animals could also be flung around the vehicle in the event of an accident or sud-
den steering or braking, thereby injuring vehi- cle occupants. There is a risk of an accident
and injury.
Never leave animals unattended in the vehi-
cle. Always secure animals properly during
the journey, e.g. use a suitable animal trans-
port box. Driving safety systems
Overview
In this section, you will find information about the following driving safety systems:
R ABS ( Anti-lock BrakingSystem)
R ASR (A cceleration SkidControl)
R BAS (B rakeAssist System)
R EBD ( Electronic Brake Force Distribution)
R ESP ®
(E lectronic StabilityProgram) Important safety notes
If you fail to adapt your driving style or if you
are inattentive, the driving safety systems can
neither reduce the risk of accident nor over-
ride the laws of physics. Driving safety sys-
tems are merely aids designed to assist driv- ing. You are responsible for the distance to
the vehicle in front, for vehicle speed, braking in good time and for staying in your lane.
Always adapt your driving style to the prevail-
ing road and weather conditions and maintain a sufficient, safe distance from other road
users. Drive carefully.
The driving safety systems described can only
attain their maximum effectiveness when
there is optimum contact between the tires and the road can. Pay particular attention to
the information regarding tires, recommen-
ded minimum tire tread depth etc. under
"Wheels and tires" (Y page 284).
In wintry driving conditions, always use winter
tires (M+S tires) and if necessary, snow
chains. This is the only way to get the full
benefit from the driving safety systems
described. ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Important safety notes Observe the important safety guidelines for
the driving safety system (Y
page 57). G
WARNING
If ABS is faulty, the wheels could lock when
braking. The steerability and braking charac-
teristics may be severely impaired. Addition-
ally, further driving safety systems are deac-
tivated. There is an increased danger of skid- ding and accidents.
Drive on carefully. Have ABS checked imme-
diately at a qualified specialist workshop.
If ABS is malfunctioning, other systems will
also fail, including driving safety systems.
Observe the information relating to the 0025
warning lamp (Y page 218).
ABS regulates brake pressure in such a way
that the wheels do not lock when you brake.
This allows you to continue steering the vehi-
cle when braking.
ABS works from a speed of about 5 mph
(8 km/h), regardless of road-surface condi-
tions. ABS works on slippery surfaces, even
when you only brake gently.
The yellow 0025warning lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up when the ignition is
switched on. The lamp goes out when the
engine starts running. Driving safety systems
57Safety Z
Braking
If ABS intervenes when braking, you will feel a
pulsating in the brake pedal.
The pulsating brake pedal can be an indica-
tion of hazardous road conditions and func-
tions as a reminder to take extra care while
driving.
X If ABS intervenes: continue to depress the
brake pedal with force until the braking sit-
uation is over.
X To make a full brake application:
depress the brake pedal with full force. ASR (acceleration skid control)
General notes Important safety notes
Observe the important safety guidelines for
the driving safety system (Y
page 57).
ASR can neither reduce the risk of an accident nor suspend the laws of physics if the driver
does not pay attention when pulling away or
accelerating. ASR is only an aid. Always adapt
your driving style to suit the prevailing road
and weather conditions.
Vehicles without steering wheel buttons: if
ASR is malfunctioning, the 003Dindicator
lamp lights up while the engine is running and the engine power may be reduced
(Y page 218).
ASR significantly improves traction, i.e. the
transmission of power from the tires to the
road surface, and thus increases the vehicle's driving stability. If the driving wheels start to
spin, ASR brakes individual drive wheels and
limits the engine torque. ASR thus signifi-
cantly assists you when pulling away and
accelerating, especially on wet or slippery
roads.
If traction on the road surface is not sufficient,
even ASR will not allow you to pull away with- out difficulty. The type of tires and total
weight of the vehicle as well as the gradient of
the road also play a crucial role. If ASR intervenes, the
0072warning lamp in
the instrument cluster flashes.
Activating/deactivating ASR G
WARNING
If deactivated, ASR will not attempt to stabi-
lize the vehicle during pulling away and accel- eration. There is an increased risk of skiddingand of an accident.
Only deactivate ASR in the situations descri-
bed in the following.
! If you deactivate ASR, ESP ®
will still inter-
vene to stabilize the vehicle. Frequent brak-
ing automatically triggered by ESP ®
can
damage the brake system.
For this reason, deactivate ASR only briefly and when absolutely necessary. When ESP
®
is intervening and the 0072warn-
ing lamp in the instrument cluster is flashing,
leave ASR on. In this case, only depress the
accelerator pedal as far as required when
pulling away.
X Press the 00E3button.
If ASR is deactivated, the 0072warning
lamp in the instrument cluster lights up.
ASR is automatically activated when the
engine is started.
It may be best to deactivate ASR briefly in the
following situations:
R when using snow chains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel 58
Driving safety systemsSafety
If you deactivate ASR:
R engine torque is not limited and the drive
wheels are able to spin. The spinning
wheels will then achieve a cutting effect for
better traction.
R traction control remains active through
brake intervention. If a drive wheel attains
its tire traction limit because one side of the
road is slippery, for example, that wheel is
braked. The traction is then increased in
this situation.
R active brake intervention by ESP ®
to
increase driving stability remains active.
The 0072 warning lamp in the instrument
cluster flashes when ESP ®
is intervening. BAS (Brake Assist System)
G
WARNING
If BAS is malfunctioning, the braking distance
in an emergency braking situation is
increased. There is a risk of an accident.
In an emergency braking situation, depress
the brake pedal with full force. ABS prevents
the wheels from locking.
Vehicles without steering wheel buttons: if
the BAS driving safety system is malfunction-
ing, the 003Dwarning lamp lights up while the
engine is running (Y page 218).
BAS operates in emergency braking situa-
tions. If you depress the brake quickly, BAS
automatically increases the brake pressure,
thereby reducing the stopping distance.
The brakes will function as usual once you
release the brake pedal. BAS is deactivated. EBD (electronic brake force distribu-
tion) G
WARNING
If EBD is malfunctioning, the rear wheels can
lock, e.g. under full braking. This increases the risk of skidding and an accident. You should therefore adapt your driving style
to the different handling characteristics. Have
the brake system checked at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
EBD monitors and controls the brake pres-
sure to the rear wheels. This enables EBD to
improve handling during braking.
Observe the information on warning and indi- cator lamps (Y page 218). ESP
®
(Electronic Stability Program)
Important safety notes Observe the important safety guidelines for
the driving safety system (Y
page 57). G
WARNING
If ESP ®
is malfunctioning it will not provide
any vehicle stabilization. There is an increased
risk of skidding or of an accident.
Exercise caution when continuing to drive.
Have ESP ®
checked at a qualified specialist
workshop.
! Do not run the vehicle on a roller dyna-
mometer (e.g. for performance tests). If
you must operate the vehicle on a roller
dynamometer, please consult a qualified
specialist workshop in advance. You could
otherwise damage the drive train or the
brake system.
If ESP ®
is malfunctioning, the 0089warning
lamp lights up while the engine is running and
the engine power may be reduced
(Y page 218).
Only use wheels with the recommended tire
sizes. Only then will ESP ®
function properly.
Crosswind Assist Crosswind Assist does not work if ESP
®
is
deactivated or disabled because of a mal-
function. Driving safety systems
59Safety Z
X
Position both handles 0043horizontally.
Make sure that the locks 0087are inside in
front of the window frame.
The window is locked.
X Replace locking pins 0044at the latest before
starting on a new journey.
You can obtain information on this at any
qualified specialist workshop.
In an emergency, or after an accident, the
vehicle occupants can exit the vehicle
through the emergency exit window.
Observe the following notes to make sure that
the emergency exit window can be used
safely in the event of an emergency:
R Before beginning a journey, inform the vehi-
cle occupants of the emergency exit win-
dow and explain how to use it. Make sure to
explicitly point out the risks described here.
R Only vehicle occupants who know how to
use the emergency exit window are permit-
ted to sit next to it.
R Access to the emergency exit window must
remain unobstructed. Do not place any
large or heavy objects on or in front of the
seats next to the emergency exit window.
R The window handles must not be used as
hooks, e.g. to hang up light objects, bags or
items of clothing.
R When exiting the vehicle through the emer-
gency exit window, pay attention to the
vehicle height and the local conditions. Par- ticularly children and smaller adults may
require assistance when exiting the vehi-
cle. Theft deterrent locking system
Immobilizer
X To activate: remove the key from the igni-
tion lock.
X To deactivate: turn the key to position 2in
the ignition lock.
The immobilizer prevents your vehicle from
being started without the correct key. Always take the key with you and lock the
vehicle when leaving the vehicle. If you leave
the key in the vehicle, anyone can start the
engine.
i The immobilizer is always deactivated
when you start the engine.
In the event that the engine cannot be star- ted when the starter battery is fully
charged, the immobilizer may be faulty.
Contact an authorized Sprinter dealer or
call 1-877-762-8267 (in USA) or
1-800-387-0100 (in Canada). ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system)
X To arm: close all doors.
X Lock the vehicle with the key.
The indicator lamp in the central locking
button (Y page 71) flashes.
X To deactivate: unlock the vehicle with the
key.
The indicator lamp in the central locking
button (Y page 71) goes out.
i Cargo Van and Passenger Van only:
Unless you open a door within 40 seconds
after unlocking the vehicle:
R the vehicle will be locked again
R the anti-theft alarm system will be armed
again
If the alarm system is armed, a visual and
audible alarm is triggered by the following:
R Unlocking the vehicle from inside
R Opening a door
R Opening the hood
i The alarm is not switched off, even if you
immediately close the open door that has
triggered it, for example.
X To stop the alarm: press the0036button
on the remote control.
or
X Insert the key into the ignition lock.
The alarm stops. Theft deterrent locking system
61Safety 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). Key
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Activate the child-proof door locks if children are traveling in the vehicle. The children could
otherwise open the doors while the vehicle is
in motion, injuring themselves and others. G
WARNING
Do not leave children unsupervised in the
vehicle, even if they are secured in a child
restraint system. Children could otherwise
injure themselves on parts of the vehicle.
They could be severely or even fatally injured by prolonged exposure to intense heat or
cold.
If children open a door, they could:
R injure other people
R get out of the vehicle and thereby injure
themselves or be injured by a passing vehi-
cle
R severely injure themselves by falling down,
in particular due to the vehicle height
Always take the key with you when leaving the
vehicle, even if you are only leaving for a short time. G
WARNING
If you attach heavy or large objects to the
SmartKey, the SmartKey could be uninten- tionally turned in the ignition lock. This could
cause the engine to be switched off. There is a risk of an accident.
Do not attach any heavy or large objects to the
SmartKey. Remove any bulky key rings before
inserting the SmartKey into the ignition lock.
Do not keep the key with remote control:
R with electronic devices, e.g. a mobile
phone or another key with remote control
R with metallic objects, e.g. coins or metal
foil
R in metallic objects, e.g. metal cases
This can affect the key's functionality. Key functions of the remote control
General notes The vehicle is equipped with either 2 or
4 remote controls with a folding key, or 4
mechanical keys. In this Operator's Manual,
both the mechanical keys and the keys with
remote control are referred to as keys. The
remote control key has a range of up to 32 ft (10 m). Use the remote control of the key only
when in immediate proximity of the vehicle.
This prevents theft.
Remote controls that are not included in the
scope of delivery for the vehicle must be pro- grammed before use. Further information can
be obtained at any authorized Sprinter
Dealer.
The key's remote control locks/unlocks the
driver's door and/or the following centrally if the factory settings have not been changed:
R the driver's and the co-driver's door
R the sliding doors
R the rear doors
i If the driver's or co-driver's door is not
closed, the corresponding door is not
locked. If a sliding door or a rear door is not
closed properly, none of the rear doors are
locked. 66
KeyOpening and closing
Problems with the key/remote control
Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
0050
0050Solutions It is no longer possible
to lock the vehicle
using the remote con-
trol.
The turn signals do not
flash when the vehicle
is locked. The doors are not closed properly.
X Close the doors properly and lock the vehicle again. The central locking system has malfunctioned.
X Lock the vehicle using the folding key (Y page 66).
X Have the central locking system checked as soon as possible at
a qualified specialist workshop. It is no longer possible
to lock or unlock the
vehicle using the
remote control. The key battery is weak or discharged.
X Point the remote control at the driver's door handle from very
close range and press the 0036or0037 button.
If this does not work:
X Replace the key battery (Y page 69).
or
X Lock the vehicle using the folding key (Y page 66). The remote control is faulty.
X Lock the vehicle using the folding key (Y page 66).
X Have the key checked at a qualified specialist workshop. The key cannot be
turned in the ignition
lock. The steering lock has jammed mechanically.
X Remove the key and insert it again into the ignition lock. Turn the
steering wheel from side to side while doing so. The engine cannot be
started using the key. The on-board voltage is too low.
X Switch off all non-essential consumers, such as interior lighting,
and try to start the engine again.
If this does not work: X Check the starter battery and charge it if necessary
(Y page 263).
or
X Jump-start the vehicle (Y page 276).
or
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. You have lost a key. X
Have the key deactivated at a qualified specialist workshop.
X Report the loss immediately to the vehicle insurers.
X If necessary, have the mechanical locks replaced. 70
KeyOpening and closing
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). Seats
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
You could lose control of your vehicle if you do the following while driving:
R adjust the driver's seat, head restraint,
steering wheel or mirrors
R fasten the seat belt
There is a risk of an accident.
Adjust the driver's seat, head restraint, steer-
ing wheel and mirror and fasten your seat belt before starting the engine. G
WARNING
If the driver's seat is not engaged, it could
move unexpectedly while the vehicle is in
motion. This could cause you to lose control of the vehicle. There is a risk of an accident.
Always make sure that the driver's seat is
engaged before starting the engine. G
WARNING
When you adjust a seat, you or other vehicle
occupants could become trapped, e.g. on the seat guide rail. There is a risk of injury.
Make sure when adjusting a seat that no one
has any body parts in the sweep of the seat. G
WARNING
The seat belt does not offer the intended level of protection if you have not moved the back-
rest to an almost vertical position. When brak-
ing or in the event of an accident, you could
slide underneath the seat belt and sustain
abdomen or neck injuries, for example. This
poses an increased risk of injury or even fatal injury.
Adjust the seat properly before beginning
your journey. Always ensure that the backrest
is in an almost vertical position and that the
shoulder section of your seat belt is routed
across the center of your shoulder. G
WARNING
If head restraints are not installed and adjus-
ted correctly, they cannot provide protection
as intended. There is an increased risk of
injury in the head and neck area, e.g. in the
event of an accident or when braking.
Always drive with the head restraints instal-
led. Before driving off, make sure for every
vehicle occupant that the center of the head
restraint supports the back of the head at
about eye level.
Your seat must be adjusted in such a way that you can wear the seat belt correctly.
Observe the following points:
R Position the backrest in an almost vertical
position so that you are sitting virtually
upright. Do not drive with the backrest
reclined too far back.
R Your arms should be slightly bent when you
are holding the steering wheel.
R Avoid seat positions that prevent the seat
belt from being routed correctly. The shoul-
der section of the belt must be routed over the middle of your shoulder and be pulled
tight against your upper body. The lap belt
must always pass across your lap as low
down as possible, i.e. over your hip joints. 82
SeatsSeats, steering wheel and mirrors
The seat suspension must be adapted to your
body weight. Adjust the seat suspension only while the seat is unoccupied.
X To adjust the seat suspension: take your
weight off the seat.
X Using handwheel 0084, set your body weight
(40 to 120 kg) for optimum seat suspen-
sion.
The seat suspension will become more rigid the higher you set the weight. It will then
not move as far.
If the seat moves up and down frequently and
to a great extent, you can lock the seat in the lower range.
X To engage the seat suspension lock:
turn lever 006Bupwards.
When it next moves, the seat will lock in
position.
X To release the seat suspension lock:
turn lever 006Bto the right.
The seat can now move up and down again. Swiveling front seats
G
WARNING
If the driver's and co-driver's seats are not
engaged facing the direction of travel while
driving, the restraint systems may not be able to provide the intended protection. There is an
increased risk of injury, possibly even fatal.
Engage the driver's and co-driver's seats so
they are facing the direction of travel before
starting the engine.
! When rotating the seats, make sure that
there is sufficient space to do so.
Move the seat forward or back first. This
will help to avoid contact with other parts of
the interior.
Push the handbrake lever down to the stop.
The parking brake or handbrake lever could
otherwise be damaged. Seat release (example: co-driver's seat)
The driver's seat and co-driver's seat can be
rotated by 50° and 180°.
The seats engage when facing in the direction of travel as well as when facing in the oppositedirection and also engage at an angle of 50°
to the door.
X Make sure that the parking brake has been
engaged and that the handbrake lever has
been pushed down to the stop
(Y page 150).
X Adjust the steering wheel to provide the
necessary space to rotate and adjust the
driver's seat (Y page 88).
X Before rotating, push the co-driver's seat
forwards (Y page 83).
X 2To rotate the seat: push lever0043on the
rear of the seat towards the center of the
vehicle and rotate the seat slightly inwards. The rotation device is released.
X Release lever 0043.
X Turn the seat about 50° towards the out-
side or inside to the desired position. 84
SeatsSeats, steering wheel and mirrors