
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). Loading guidelines
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
As a result of improperly placed or unevenly
distributed loads, the center of gravity of the
load being transported may be too high or too far back. This can significantly impair handlingas well as steering and braking characteris-
tics. There is a risk of an accident.
Always make sure that the center of gravity of
the load is:
R between the axles
and
R as low as possible, near the rear axle. G
WARNING
When objects are unsecured or inadequately
secured, they can slip, turn over or be thrown about, striking vehicle occupants. This also
applies to:
R luggage or loads
R a rear bench seat which has been removed
and is being transported in the vehicle in an
exceptional case.
There is a risk of injury, particularly in the
event of braking maneuvers or abrupt
changes in direction.
Always stow objects in such a way that they
cannot be tossed about. Before traveling,
secure objects, luggage or loads to prevent them slipping or tipping over. If you remove a
rear bench seat, it is advisable to store it out- side the vehicle. G
WARNING
When the permissible wheel loads, axle loads and/or the maximum permissible gross vehi-
cle weight are exceeded, driving safety is
compromised. The handling as well as steer-
ing and braking characteristics may be signif- icantly impaired. Overloaded tires may over-
heat, causing them to burst. There is a risk ofan accident.
When transporting a load, always observe the
permissible wheel loads, axle loads and the
maximum permissible gross vehicle weight
for the vehicle (including occupants). G
WARNING
When you load the roof, the center of gravity
of the vehicle rises and the driving character- istics change. If you exceed the maximum roof
load, the driving characteristics, as well as
steering and braking, will be greatly impaired.There is a risk of an accident.
Never exceed the maximum roof load and
adjust your driving style.
! If you are using a roof carrier, observe the
maximum roof load and maximum roof car-
rier load.
You will find information about the maximum roof load in the "Technical data" section
(Y page 328) and information about roof car-
riers in the "Carrier systems" section
(Y page 245).
R Do not stack luggage or loads higher than
the backrests.
R Stow objects preferably in the cargo com-
partment.
R When transporting luggage, always use the
cargo tie-down rings and a parcel net, if
present.
R Use cargo tie-down rings and fasteners
which are suitable for the weight and size of the load. 240
Loading guidelinesTransporting loads

the locking mechanism and out of the load-
ing rail through a recess. Carrier systems
Roof carrier
G
WARNING
When you load the roof, the center of gravity
of the vehicle rises and the driving character- istics change. If you exceed the maximum roof
load, the driving characteristics, as well as
steering and braking, will be greatly impaired. There is a risk of an accident.
Never exceed the maximum roof load and
adjust your driving style.
You can find information about the maximum
roof load in the "Technical data" section
(Y page 328).
! Make sure that:
R the screws for the roof carrier are tight-
ened in the sliding blocks to a torque of
6.0 – 7.4 lb-ft (8 – 10 Nm)
R the bolts, when tightened, do not touch
the rails.
R the slot nuts are not located in the area of
the plastic caps.
R the slot nuts have the right cross-section.
R the mounting rails in the interior are free
of dirt.
R the screws are retightened evenly after
approximately 300 miles (500 km).
We recommend that you only use roof
racks tested and approved by Sprinter.
These help avoid vehicle damage.
! If you want to retrofit securing rails, have
it done at a qualified specialist workshop.
You could otherwise damage the vehicle. 0043
Securing rails
It is possible to install a roof carrier if your
vehicle is equipped with securing rails on the roof. Special mounting elements (grooved
plates) are available as accessories.
These mounting elements are available at any
authorized Sprinter Dealer. Ladder carrier
Example: ladder rack on Chassis Cab
0043
Front ladder rack
0044 Rear ladder rack
Pay attention to the important safety notes in the "Loading guidelines" section
(Y page 240).
You can find information about the maximum
ladder rack load in the "Technical data" sec-
tion (Y page 245).
You will find information about cleaning and
care in the "Notes on care" (Y page 265) and
"Power washers" (Y page 266) sections. Carrier systems
245Transporting loads Z

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 quarts(0.2 liters) of the
water/fuel mixture have been collected.
The electrical fuel pump automatically 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 (Y page 249).
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 into the air duct.
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 256
MaintenanceMaintenance and care

R
dragging or pushing the battery across car-
pet flooring or any other synthetic materi-
als
R rubbing the battery with cloths or towels.
Comply with the following safety precautions
and take protective measures when handling
batteries. Risk of explosion. Explosive oxy-
hydrogen is produced when bat-
teries are being charged. Only
charge batteries in well-ventilated
areas. Fire, open flames and smoking are
therefore prohibited when work-
ing on the battery. Avoid creating
sparks. Battery acid is caustic. Avoid con-
tact with the skin, eyes or clothing. Wear acid-proof protective gloves.
If skin or clothes are splashed with
acid, neutralize the splashes
immediately with soapy water or
an acid neutralizer, and then clean the affected areas with water.
Consult a doctor if necessary. Wear eye protection. When mixing
water and acid, the liquid can
splash into your eyes. Rinse acid
splashes to the eyes immediately
with clean water and contact a
doctor immediately. Keep children at a safe distance.
Children are not able to assess the
dangers posed by batteries and
acid. When handling batteries, observe
the safety precautions and special
protective measures contained in
this Operator's Manual. H
Environmental note Batteries contain dangerous
substances. It is against the
law to dispose of them with
the household rubbish. They
must be collected separately and recycled to protect the
environment.
Dispose of batteries in an
environmentally friendly
manner. Take discharged
batteries to a qualified spe-
cialist workshop or a special
collection point for used bat-
teries.
Observe the following notes:
R Recharge the battery more frequently, if
you:
- predominantly drive short distances
- predominantly drive at low outside tem-
peratures
- park the vehicle longer than
three weeks
In order for the batteries to achieve their
maximum possible service life, they must
always be sufficiently charged.
R When you park the vehicle, remove the key
if you do not require any electrical consum- ers. The vehicle will then use very little
energy, thus conserving battery power.
R When replacing a battery, only use batter-
ies that are recommended for use in
Sprinter vehicles.
R Have the battery removed at a qualified
specialist workshop.
R If you leave your vehicle parked your vehi-
cle longer than three weeks:
- consult a qualified specialist workshop
or
- switch off the power supply using the
battery main switch (Y page 137) or
- disconnect the batteries (Y page 260).
Otherwise, you need to check the battery's condition of charge every three weeks,
since standby power consumption can
drain the battery. If the battery voltage is
lower than 12.2 V, the battery must be
charged. Otherwise, the battery may be
damaged by exhaustive discharging. Battery
259Maintenance and care Z

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.
! 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 Care
265Maintenance and care Z

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

approximately
00CDin(1.6 mm). If th is is the
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 287).
Also observe the notes in the "Changing a
wheel" section (Y page 305). 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 00CFin
(4 mm) must be replaced immediately.
Use winter tires or all-season tires at temper-
atures below 45 ‡ (+7 †). 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. 286
Operation in winterWheels and tires

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 th at 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 (5lbs). These
optional extras, such as high-performance
brakes, a roof rack or a high-performance
battery, are not included in the curb weight
and the weight of the accessories.
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.
Traction
Traction is the result of friction between the
tires and the road surface. 304
What you should know about wheels and tiresWheels and tires