
Setting the preselection time
G
WARNING
The auxiliary heating must not be operated if
there are highly flammable substances
nearby or in enclosed spaces without an
extraction system. Make sure that the auxili-
ary heating is not switched on automatically
by the timer in such places. If this possibility
exists, deactivate the respective programmed time.
You can set three preselection times using
the timer.
Observe that when setting the preselection
time, this does not correspond to the switch- on time but to the switch-off or departure
time. The auxiliary heating system starts up
automatically and runs for the operating dura-
tion set prior to departure.
Example: For a planned departure time of
7:00 a.m., you should also set the preselec-
tion time to 7:00 a.m. If the operating dura-
tion is preset to 40 minutes, for example, the
auxiliary heating starts up at 6:20 a.m.
If an identical time (time and day) is set in the preselection memory, only the last time set is
saved.
After a malfunction or if the battery has been disconnected, you must set the preselection
times again. You can find further information
on malfunctions in the "Problems with the
auxiliary heating" section (Y page 132).
X Press the 00CFor00DB button until the
0045 symbol in the menu bar flashes.
X Press the 0070button.
In the program column, the 0059preselec-
tion memory numbers appear. The selected preselection memory flashes.
X Press the 00CFor00DB button to select the
desired preselection memory.
X Press the 0070button.
The preselection memory is selected. The
days are shown. X
Set the day and time as described in the
"Setting the day, time and operating dura-
tion" section (Y page 128).
The preselection time is stored. The pro-
gram column disappears. In the display
panel, the on
on message and the 0084sym-
bol appear.
X Press the 0070button.
The operating duration flashes.
X Press the 00CFor00DB button to set the
minute value (10 – 120).
X Press the 0070button.
The operating duration for the preselection time is saved. The time and number of the
selected preselection memory are shown.
i The preselection memory that will be acti-
vated next is underlined. Additionally, the
day that is set appears.
Deactivating the preselection time X
Carry out the steps as described in the
"Setting the preselection time" section.
If the 0084 symbol in the status bar is shown:
X Press the 00CFor00DB button until the off off
message in the display panel is shown.
X Press the 0070button.
The preselection time is deactivated. The
time is shown.
Setting the heating level You can set the heating level to a range
between 10 and 30.
The heating level corresponds to a preselec-
tion temperature for the vehicle interior. This
is a guide value and may, depending on the
outside temperature, differ from the actual
vehicle interior temperature.
X Press the 00CFor00DB button until the
00D1 symbol in the menu bar flashes.
X Press the 0070button.
The heating level display flashes. Operating the auxiliary heating system
129Climate control Z

Selector lever positions
0045 Park position
This prevents the vehicle from roll-
ing away when stopped. Only move
the selector lever to Pif the vehicle
is stationary.
You can only remove the key when the selector lever is in this position.
The selector lever is locked in posi- tion Pif the key is removed.
The parking lock should not be
used as a brake when parking.
Always apply the parking brake as
well once you have parked the vehi-
cle. 0046 Reverse gear
Only move the selector lever to
R
when the vehicle is stationary. 0044 Neutral
No power is transmitted from the
engine to the drive wheels. Releas-
ing the brakes will allow you to
move the vehicle freely, e.g. by
pushing.
Do not move the selector lever to N
while driving. The automatic trans-
mission could otherwise be dam-
aged.
If ASR is deactivated or ESP ®
has
malfunctioned: only move the
selector lever to Nif the vehicle is
in danger of skidding, e.g. on icy
roads. 003A Drive
The automatic transmission
changes gear itself. All forward
gears are available.
You can influence the gearshifts
and shift gears yourself or limit the
shift range. Changing gear
The 5-speed automatic transmission adapts
to your individual driving style by continu-
ously adjusting its shift points. These shift
point adjustments take into account the cur-
rent operating and driving conditions. If the
operating or driving conditions change, the
automatic transmission reacts by adjusting
the gearshift program.
When the selector lever is in position D, the
automatic transmission selects the individual gears automatically. This depends on:
R any restriction in the shift range
(Y page 144)
R the position of the accelerator pedal
R the road speed Touchshift
When the selector lever is in position D, you
can perform gearshifts yourself.
X To shift down: press the selector lever to
the left towards D–.
The automatic transmission shifts to the
next gear down, depending on the gear cur-
rently engaged. The shift range is also
restricted.
i The automatic transmission does not shift
down if you press the selector lever
towards D–while traveling at too high a
speed. This protects the engine from over-
revving.
X To shift up: briefly press the selector lever
to the right towards D+.
The automatic transmission shifts to the
next gear up, depending on the current
gearshift program. This also extends the
shift range. Automatic transmission
143Driving and parking Z

X
Turn fuel filler cap 0044counter-clockwise,
remove it and let it hang from strap 0043.
X Completely insert the filler neck of the fuel
pump nozzle into the tank and refuel.
X Only fill the tank until the pump nozzle
switches off. Fuel may otherwise leak out.
X Replace tank filler cap 0044on tank and turn
clockwise.
You will hear a click when the fuel filler cap
is closed fully.
X Open the front left-hand door first, and then
close the filler flap. Problems with the fuel and fuel tank
If your vehicle is losing fuel, the fuel lines or
the fuel tank are defective.
X Turn the key to position 0in the ignition
lock immediately and remove it.
X Do not restart the engine under any cir-
cumstances.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
If the fuel tank has been run dry, after refuel-
ing carry out the following steps:
X Before starting the engine: switch on the
ignition three or four times.
X Turn the key to position 2in the ignition
lock (Y page 138).
The 0028 preglow indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up briefly.
X Once the 0028preglow indicator lamp goes
out, turn the key to position 3in the ignition
lock and release it as soon as the engine is running.
You can start the diesel engine without pre-
glow when the engine is warm. Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF)
Important safety notes H
Environmental note
Dispose of DEF in an environmentally respon- sible manner.
! Only use DEF in accordance with
ISO 22241. Never mix DEF with additives or
thin it with tap water. The exhaust gas after- treatment may otherwise be damaged.
Observe the MB Specifications for Service
Products, Sheet 352.0.
Damage that results from the use of addi-
tives or tap water leads to the loss of the
New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
! If DEF comes into contact with a painted
or aluminum surface, wash the surface off
immediately with plenty of water.
! DEF is not a diesel additive and must not
be mixed with fuel in the tank. Even small
amounts of DEF can cause engine damage.
Damage that results from the blending of
DEF will not be covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
The exhaust gas aftertreatment requires a
reducing agent, Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF), in order to function correctly.
When opening the DEF tank filler cap at high
outside temperatures, ammonia vapors may
escape.
Ammonia vapors have a pungent smell and
primarily cause irritation of the:
R skin
R mucous membranes
R eyes
You may experience a burning sensation in
your eyes, nose and throat, as well as cough- ing and watering of the eyes.
Do not inhale ammonia vapors. Avoid contact
with DEF.
Do not allow DEF to come into direct contact with your skin; it is hazardous to your health. Refueling
147Driving and parking Z

call. If you choose to use the telephone while
driving, please use the hands-free device and
only use the telephone when road, weather
and traffic conditions permit.
Some jurisdictions prohibit the driver from
using a mobile phone while driving a vehicle.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle covers a distance of 44 feet (approximately 14 m)
every second. G
WARNING
If you switch off the ignition while driving,
safety-relevant functions are only available
with limitations, or not at all. This could affect, for example, the power steering and the brake
boosting effect. You will require considerably
more effort to steer and brake. There is a risk of an accident.
Do not switch off the ignition while driving.
! Always observe the ground clearance of
the vehicle and avoid obstacles. On vehi-
cles with a step, ground clearance is further
restricted. Obstacles can damage the vehi- cle.
If you must drive over obstacles, drive espe-
cially slowly and carefully. If necessary,
have another person direct you.
Drive sensibly – save fuel In order to save fuel, observe the following
tips:
X The tires should always be inflated to the
recommended tire pressure.
X Remove unnecessary loads.
X Remove roof carriers when they are not
needed.
X Warm up the engine at low engine speeds.
X Avoid frequent acceleration or braking.
X Have all maintenance work carried out as
indicated by the service intervals in the
Maintenance Booklet or by the service
interval display. Fuel consumption also increases when driv-
ing in cold weather, in stop-start traffic and in
mountainous terrain.
Overrun cutoff If you are in overrun mode and take your foot
off the accelerator pedal, the fuel supply is cut off when the engine speed is out of the idle
speed control range.
Drinking and driving G
WARNING
Drinking and driving and/or taking drugs and driving are very dangerous combinations.
Even a small amount of alcohol or drugs can
affect your reflexes, perceptions and judg-
ment.
The possibility of a serious or even fatal acci-
dent are greatly increased when you drink or
take drugs and drive.
Do not drink or take drugs and drive or allow
anyone to drive who has been drinking or tak-
ing drugs.
Emission control G
WARNING
Combustion engines emit poisonous exhaust
gases such as carbon monoxide. Inhaling
these exhaust gases leads to poisoning. There is a risk of fatal injury. Therefore never leave
the engine running in enclosed spaces with-
out sufficient ventilation.
Certain engine systems are designed to keep
the level of poisonous substances in exhaust fumes within legal limits.
These systems only work optimally if they are
maintained exactly in accordance with the
manufacturer's specifications. Any work on
the engine should therefore be carried out by qualified and authorized technicians at a
Sprinter dealer.
The engine settings must not be changed
under any circumstances. In addition, all spe- 152
Driving tipsDriving and parking

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. 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. 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 oftento 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. 154
Driving tipsDriving and parking

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 286).
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 con-
trol.
You can find further information on winter
tires and snow chains in the "Winter opera-
tion" section (Y page 286). Driving off-road
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If you drive on a steep incline at an angle or
turn when driving on an incline, the vehicle
could slip sideways, tip and rollover. There is a risk of an accident.
Always drive on a steep incline in the line of
fall (straight up or down) and do not turn the
vehicle. 156
Driving tipsDriving and pa
rking

cable and a folding spade are carried in the
vehicle.
X Wheels and tires: check the tire tread
depth (Y page 285) and tire pressure
(Y page 288).
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 240).
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 58).
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 accident for yourself and other road users. Clean your
vehicle thoroughly before driving on public
roads.
Observe the following points after driving off-
road, on construction sites and before driving on public roads:
X Activate ASR (Y page 58).
X Clean the headlamps and tail lamps and
check them for damage.
X Clean the front and rear license plates.
X Clean the windshield, windows and exterior
mirrors.
X Clean the steps, door sills and grab han-
dles.
This increases safety of footing.
X Clean the wheels/tires, wheel housings
and the underbody of the vehicle with a
water jet.
This increases road grip, especially on wet
road surfaces.
X Check the wheels/tires and wheel hous-
ings for trapped foreign objects and
remove them.
Trapped foreign objects can damage the
wheels/tires and may be flung out from the
vehicle when you continue driving.
X Check the underbody for trapped branches
or other parts of plants and remove them.
Trapped branches or other parts of plants
increase the risk of fire and can cause dam- 158
Driving tipsDriving and parking

age to fuel lines, brake hoses and the rub-
ber bellows of axle joints and drive shafts.
X Clean the brake disks, brake pads and axle
joints, particularly after operation in sand,
mud, grit/gravel, water or similarly dirty
conditions.
X Check the entire floor assembly, the tires,
wheels, bodywork structure, brakes, steer-
ing, chassis and exhaust system for any
damage.
X Check the service brake for operating
safety, e.g. carry out a brake test.
X If you notice strong vibrations after driving
off-road, check the wheels and drive train
for foreign objects again. Remove any for-
eign objects which can lead to imbalances
and thus cause vibrations. Driving systems
Cruise control
General notes Cruise control maintains the speed of the
vehicle for you.
Use cruise control if road and traffic condi-
tions make it appropriate to maintain a steady speed for a prolonged period. You can set any
speed from 20 mph upwards in increments of
1 mph.
i If you have set km/h as the unit for the
digital speedometer (Y page 190), you can
set any speed from 30 km/h upwards in
increments of 1 km/h.
Cruise control should not be activated when
driving off-road or on construction sites.
Cruise control may not be able to maintain the
stored speed on uphill or downhill gradients.
If the gradient evens out and the vehicle's
speed does not fall below 20 mph (30 km/h), the stored speed is resumed. Important safety notes Observe the notes on braking (Y
page 154).
If you fail to adapt your driving style or if you
are inattentive, cruise control can neither
reduce the risk of an accident nor override the laws of physics. Cruise control cannot take
road, weather and traffic conditions into
account. Cruise control is only an aid. You are responsible for the distance to the vehicle in
front, for vehicle speed, for braking in good
time and for staying in lane.
Do not use cruise control:
R in traffic conditions that are unsuitable for
driving at a constant speed, e.g. in heavy
traffic, on winding roads or off-road.
R on slippery roads. Braking or accelerating
may cause the drive wheels to lose traction
and the vehicle could then skid.
R when there is poor visibility, e.g. due to fog,
heavy rain or snow.
If there is a change of drivers, make sure that you inform the new driver about the set cruisespeed.
Cruise control lever 0043
To activate and store the current speed or
a higher speed
0044 To activate at the last stored speed
0087 To activate and store the current speed or
a lower speed
0085 To deactivate cruise control
The cruise control lever is the upper lever on
the left of the steering column. Driving systems
159Driving and parking Z