2016 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER service

Do not run the engine for longer than neces-
sary when the vehicle is stationary.
Before having maintenance and repairs per-
formed, it is essential to read the materials rela-
ted to the maintenance and repairs:
Rthe applicable sections of the technical doc-
umentation, e.g. the Operator's Manual and
workshop information.
Rregulations such as industrial safety regula-
tions and accident prevention regulations.
While working under the vehicle, you must
secure the vehicle on jack stands with sufficient load capacity.
Never use the jack as a substitute. The vehicle's
jack is intended only to raise the vehicle for a
short time when changing a wheel. It is not
suited for performing maintenance work under
the vehicle.
Please also refer to the notes about qualified
specialist workshops (
Ypage 26).
The scope and regularity of the inspection and
maintenance work primarily depend on the
often diverse operating conditions. Specialist
knowledge beyond the scope of this Operator's
Manual is required when carrying out testing
and maintenance work. This work should only be
carried out by trained staff.
The vehicle Maintenance Booklet describes the scope and fre que
ncy of maintenance work and
contains additional notes on the New Vehicle
Limited Warranty and on service products.
Maintenance services must be carried out in
accordance with the provisions and recommen-
dations in the Maintenance Booklet. Not doing
so could void the warranty claim and lead to
refusal of goodwill gestures after the manufac-
turer has submitted a damage report.
iObserve the notes on genuine Sprinter parts
(Ypage 28).
Service interval display
General notes
A service that is due is displayed in the service
interval display about 1 month in advance. A
message is then displayed while the vehicle is in
motion or when the ignition is switched on.
iThe service interval display does not provide
information about the engine oil level. The service interval display should therefore not
be confused with the
5engine oil level
display.
The service due date is displayed in days or
miles (kilometers), depending on the total dis-
tance driven.
The symbols or letters on the service display
show the type of service that is due.
¯ orA
for a minor service
° orB
for a major service
Service due date display
Vehicles with steering wheel buttons: the
following messages may be displayed.
R¯ Service A due in ... days
R¯Service A due in ... mi(km)
R¯ Service A Carry out now
Vehicles without steering wheel buttons:
the following messages may be displayed.
R¯for service A
R°for Service B
Additionally, you will see the remaining distance
in miles ( mi
) or kilometers ( km) or the remaining
time in days ( d).
Service due date has been exceeded
Vehicles with steering wheel buttons: if you
have missed the service due date, one of the
following messages appears in the display and
warning tone also sounds.
R¯ Service A overdue by ... days
R¯Service A overdue by ... km(km)
Vehicles without steering wheel buttons: if
you have missed the service due date, the ¯
or ° symbol for the service flashes for
10 seconds after the ignition is switched on. A
minus sign also appears in front of the service
due date.
Calling up the service due date
XTurn the key to position 2in the ignition lock.
The display is activated.
Vehicles without steering wheel buttons
XPress the 4menu button on the instrument
cluster repeatedly until the ¯or°
symbol for the service appears in the display.
226Maintenance
Maintenance and care

Additionally, you will see the remaining dis-
tance in miles (mi) or kilometers ( km) or the
remaining time in days ( d).
Vehicles with steering wheel buttons
XPress the VorU button on the steering
wheel until the standard display (Ypage 167)
appears in the display.
XPress the &or* button on the steering
wheel repeatedly until the service message
appears in the display, for example:
R¯ Service A in ... days
R¯Service A in ... mi(km)
Battery
Important safety notes
Work on the battery, e.g. removing or installing,
requires specialist knowledge and the use of
special tools. Therefore, always have work on
the battery carried out at a qualified specialist
workshop.
GWARNING
Work carried out incorrectly on the battery
can lead, for example, to a short circuit and
thus damage the vehicle electronics. This can
lead to function restrictions applying to
safety-relevant systems, e.g. the lighting sys-
tem, ABS (anti-lock braking system) or ESP
®
(Electronic Stability Program). The operating
safety of your vehicle may be restricted. You
could lose control of the vehicle, for example:
Rbraking
Rin the event of abrupt steering maneuver
and/or when the vehicle's speed is not
adapted to the road conditions
There is a risk of an accident.
In the event of a short circuit or a similar inci- dent, contact a qualified specialist workshop
immediately. Do not drive any further. You
should have all work involving the battery car-
ried out at a qualified specialist workshop.
Further information can be found under "ABS"
(
Ypage 53) and under "ESP®" (Ypage 54).
GWARNING
Electrostatic build-up can lead to the creation of sparks, which could ignite the highly explo-
sive gases of a battery. There is a risk of an
explosion.
Before handling the battery, touch the vehicle
body to remove any existing electrostatic
build-up.
The flammable gas mix is produced when the
battery is charged or when the vehicle is jump-
started.
Always make sure that neither you nor the bat-
tery are electrostatically charged. Electrostatic
charging results, for example, from:
Rwearing synthetic clothing
Rfriction between clothing and the seat
Rdragging or pushing the battery across carpet flooring or any other synthetic materials
Rrubbing the battery with cloths or towels.
Comply with the following safety precautions
and take protective measures when handling
batteries.
Risk of explosion. Explosive oxyhy-
drogen is produced when batteries
are being charged. Only charge bat-
teries in well-ventilated areas.
Fire, open flames and smoking are
therefore prohibited when working
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 imme-
diately with soapy water or an acid
neutralizer, and then clean the affec-
ted areas with water. Consult a doc- tor 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 immedi-
ately.
Keep children at a safe distance.
Children are not able to assess the
Battery227
Maintenance and care
Z

dangers posed by batteries and
acid.
When handling batteries, observe
the safety precautions and special
protective measures contained in
this Operator's Manual.
HEnvironmental note
Batteries contain dangerous
substances. It is against the
law to dispose of them with
the household rubbish. They
must be collected separatelyand 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:
RRecharge the battery more frequently, if you:
-predominantly drive short distances
-predominantly drive at low outside temper-
atures
-park the vehicle longer than three weeks
In order for the batteries to achieve their max- imum possible service life, they must always
be sufficiently charged.
RWhen you park the vehicle, remove the key if
you do not require any electrical consumers.
The vehicle will then use very little energy,
thus conserving battery power.
RWhen replacing a battery, only use batteries
that are recommended for use in Sprinter
vehicles.
RHave the battery removed at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
RIf you leave your vehicle parked your vehicle
longer than three weeks:
-consult a qualified specialist workshop or
-switch off the power supply using the bat-
tery main switch (Ypage 118) or
-disconnect the batteries (Ypage 229).
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. Other-
wise, the battery may be damaged by exhaus-
tive discharging.
Be sure to observe the notes on charging the
batteries (
Ypage 232).
Installation locations
Your vehicle may be equipped with three bat-
teries, depending on the equipment version:
RStarter battery in the battery case in the left
footwell
RAdditional battery in the engine compartment
RAuxiliary battery under the left-hand front
seat
Have the auxiliary battery removed at a qualified
specialist workshop.
Installing/removing the floor cover-
ing (starter battery)
GWARNING
Objects in the driver's footwell can restrict the pedal travel or obstruct a depressed pedal.
The operating and road safety of the vehicle is
jeopardized. There is a risk of an accident.
Make sure that all objects in the vehicle are
stowed correctly, and that they cannot enter
the driver's footwell. Install the floormats
securely and as specified in order to ensure
sufficient clearance for the pedals. Do not use
loose floormats and do not place floormats on
top of one another.
228Battery
Maintenance and care

Regular wheel and tire checks
GWARNING
Damaged tires can cause tire inflation pres-
sure loss. As a result, you could lose control of
your vehicle. There is a risk of accident.
Check the tires regularly for signs of damage
and replace any damaged tires immediately.
Check the wheels and tires of your vehicle for
damage regularly, i.e. at least every two weeks,
as well as after driving off-road or on rough
roads. Damaged wheels can cause a loss of tire
pressure. Pay particular attention to damage
such as:
Rcuts in the tires
Rpunctures
Rtears in the tires
Rbulges on tires
Rdeformation or severe corrosion on wheels
Regularly check the tire tread depth and the
condition of the tread across the whole width of
the tire (
Ypage 248). If necessary, turn the
front wheels to full lock in order to inspect the
inner side of the tire surface.
All wheels must have a valve cap to protect the valve against dirt and moisture. Do not install
anything onto the valve other than the standard
valve cap or other valve caps approved for your vehicle by dealers listed on the inside of the
front cover. Do not install any other valve caps
or systems, e.g. tire pressure monitor systems.
Regularly check the pressure of all the tires,
particularly prior to long trips. Adjust the tire
pressure if ne
cessary (Ypage 250).
The service life of tires depends on various fac-
tors, including the following:
Rdriving style
Rtire pressure
Rmileage
Tire tread
GWARNING
Insufficient tire tread will reduce tire traction.
The tire is no longer able to dissipate water.
This means that on wet road surfaces, the risk
of hydroplaning increases, in particular where
speed is not adapted to suit the driving con-
ditions. There is a risk of accident.
If the tire pressure is too high or too low, tires may exhibit different levels of wear at differ-
ent locations on the tire tread. Thus, you
should regularly check the tread depth and
the condition of the tread across the entire
width of all tires.
Minimum tire tread depth for:
RSummer tires: âin (3 mm)
RM+S tires: ãin (4 mm)
For safety reasons, replace the tires before
the legally prescribed limit for the minimum
tire tread depth is reached.
Bar marking :for tread wear is integrated into
the tire tread.
Tread wear indicators (TWIs) are required by
law. Six indicators are positioned over the tire
tread. They are visible once the tread depth is
approximately áin (1.6 mm). If this is the case,
the tire is so worn that it must be replaced.
Selecting, mounting and renewing
tires
ROnly mount tires and wheels of the same type
and make.
ROnly mount tires of the correct size onto the
wheels.
RBreak in new tires at moderate speeds for the first 65 miles (100 km).
248Operation
Wheels and tires

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 possi-
ble. 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 (
Ypage 26).
Vehicle electronics
Tampering with the engine electron-
ics
GWARNING
Always have work on the engine electronics
and related components carried out at a quali-
fied specialist workshop. Otherwise, the vehi-
cle's operating safety could be affected.
!Only have engine electronics and the corre-
sponding parts, such as control units, sensors or connector leads, serviced in a qualified
specialist workshop. Otherwise, the vehicle
parts may wear more quickly. This can lead to
loss of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Installing electrical or electronic
equipment
GWARNING
If you operate mobile communication equip-
ment while driving, you will be distracted from traffic conditions. You could also lose control
of the vehicle. There is a risk of an accident.
Only operate this equipment when the vehicle
is stationary.
You and others can suffer health-related dam-
age through electromagnetic radiation. By using an exterior antenna, a possible health risk
caused by electromagnetic fields, as discussed
in scientific circles, is taken into account. Only
have the exterior antenna installed by a qualified
specialist workshop. Electrical and electronic devices may have a
detrimental effect on both the comfort and the
operating safety of the vehicle. If equipment of
this kind is installed, its electromagnetic com-
patibility must be checked and verified.
If these devices are linked to functions associ-
ated with resistance to interference, they must
have type approval. This applies to the device or
its interfaces to the vehicle electronics, e.g.
charging brackets.
A telephone or two-way radio to be installed in
the vehicle must be approved. Further informa-
tion can be obtained from any Sprinter Dealer.
For operation of mobile phones and two-way
radios, Mercedes-Benz recommends connec-
tion to an approved exterior antenna. This is the
only way to ensure optimum reception quality
inside the vehicle and to minimize mutual inter-
ference between the vehicle electronics, mobile
phones and two-way radios.
The transmission output of the mobile phone or
two-way radio may not exceed the following
maximum transmission output (PEAK):
Frequency rangeMaximum trans-
mission output
(PEAK)
Shortwave
(f < 50 MHz)100 W
4 m waveband30 W
2 m waveband50 W
Trunked radio/Tetra35 W
70 cm waveband35 W
GSM/UMTS/LTE10 W
Vehicle electronics275
Technical data
Z

iSuch data is vehicle-specific and may differ
from that shown. Always observe the specifi-
cations on your vehicle's identification plate.
Engine number
The engine number is stamped on the crank-
case. More information may be obtained at any
qualified specialist workshop.
Service products and capacities
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Service products may be poisonous and haz-
ardous to health. There is a risk of injury.
Comply with instructions on the use, storage
and disposal of service products on the labels
of the respective original containers. Always
store service products sealed in their original
containers. Always keep service products out
of the reach of children.
HEnvironmental note
Dispose of service products in an environ-
mentally responsible manner.
Service products include the following:
RFuels, e.g. diesel
RAdditives for the exhaust gas aftertreatment,
e.g. Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF)
RLubricants, e.g. engine oil, transmission oil
RCoolant
RBrake fluid
RWasher fluid
RClimate control system refrigerants
Approved service products comply with the
highest quality standards and are listed in the
MB Specifications for Service Products. Only
use service products approved for the vehicle.
This is an important condition for the warranty.
You will recognize the approved service prod-
ucts by the inscription on the container: MB
Approval (e.g. MB Approval 228.5)
Other identifications and recommendations
refer to quality level or a specification according to an MB Sheet Number (e.g. MB 228.5). They
are therefore not necessarily approved.
Further information can be obtained at any
qualified specialist workshop.
Additives for approved service products are nei-
ther required nor permitted. Approved fuel addi- tives are the exception. Additives can cause
engine damage and must therefore not be
added to the service products.
The use of additives is always the responsibility
of the vehicle operator. The use of additives may
result in the restriction or loss of yo ur Li
mited
Warranty entitlements.
Fuel
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Fuel is highly flammable. Improper handling of
fuel creates a risk of fire and explosion.
Avoid fire, open flames, smoking and creating
sparks under all circumstances. Switch off the
engine and, if applicable, the auxiliary heating
before refueling.
GWARNING
Fuel is poisonous and hazardous to health.
There is a risk of injury.
You must make sure that fuel does not come into contact with your skin, eyes or clothing
and that it is not swallowed. Do not inhale fuel
vapors. Keep fuel away from children.
If you or others come into contact with fuel,
observe the following:
RWash away fuel from skin immediately
using soap and water.
RIf fuel comes into contact with your eyes,
immediately rinse them thoroughly with
clean water. Seek medical assistance with-
out delay.
RIf fuel is swallowed, seek medical assis-
tance without delay. Do not induce vomit-
ing.
RImmediately change out of clothing which
has come into contact with fuel.
Service products and capacities277
Technical data
Z

When handling, storing and disposing of fuels,
please observe the relevant regulations.
Tank contents
Depending on equipment, the total capacity of
the fuel tank may vary.
Vehicle typeTotal capa-cityof which
reserve fuel
2500
3500Approx-imately
26.4 US gal (100 l)Approx-
imately
5.0 US gal
(19 l)
All-wheel-
drive vehicleApprox-
imately
24.6 US gal (93 l)
Diesel
Fuel grade
GWARNING
If you mix diesel fuel with gasoline, the flash
point is lower than that of pure diesel fuel.
When the engine is running, exhaust system
components could overheat without being
noticed. There is a risk of fire.
Never refuel with gasoline. Never mix gasoline with diesel fuel.
!Filter the fuel before transferring it to the
vehicle if you are refueling the vehicle from
barrels or containers.
This will prevent malfunctions in the fuel sys-
tem due to contaminated fuel.
!You will damage the diesel engine if you do
not refuel with ULSD or a diesel fuel with a
sulfur content of more than 15 ppm.
!Do not use the following:
RMarine diesel
RHeating oil
RBio-diesel
RVegetable oil
RGasoline
RParaffin
RKerosene Do not mix such fuels with diesel fuel and do
not use any special additives. This can other-
wise lead to engine damage. This does not
include flow improver additives. For further
information, see "Flow improvers".
You will generally find information about the fuel
grade on the filling pump. If there is no identifi-
cation on the filling pump, consult a gas station
attendant.
For more information ab out re
fueling
(Ypage 127).
Diesel at very low outside temperatures
GWARNING
If you heat fuel system components, e.g. with
a hot-air gun or open flame, these compo-
nents could be damaged. This can cause fuel
to escape and ignite. Depending on the type
of damage, fuel may also not escape until the
engine is running. There is a risk of fire and
explosion.
Never heat fuel system components. Contact
a qualified specialist workshop to rectify the
malfunction.
Refill only with commercially available ULTRA-
LOW SULFUR DIESEL (ULSD, maximum sulfur
content 15 ppm), which fulfills the ASTM D975
standard.
The flow properties of diesel may be inadequate
at low outside temperatures due to paraffin sep-
aration.
iMalfunctions resulting from paraffin sepa-
ration can only be rectified by heating the
entire fuel system. Park the vehicle in a
heated garage, for example.
To prevent operating problems, diesel with bet-
ter flow qualities is available during the winter
months. You can obtain information at the gas
station or from your fuel supplier.
Your vehicle is equipped with a fuel preheating
system. This improves the flow properties of the
diesel by approximately 46 ‡ (8 †). ULTRA-
LOW SULFUR DIESEL can be used without ris k
o

f malfunction down to an outside temperature
of approximately 14 ‡ ( Ò10 †).
278Service products and capacities
Technical data

Fuel additives
!Do not add gasoline or kerosene todiesel
fuel to improve its flow characteristics. Gas-
olin e or kerosene impairs the lubricating
properties of the diesel fuel. This can result in
damage to the fuel injection system, for
example.
Information on fuel consumption
HEnvironmental note
CO
2(carbon dioxide) is the gaswhich scien-
tists believe to be prin cipally responsible for
global warming (the greenhouse effect). Your veh icle'sCO
2emissions are directly related to
fuel consumption and therefore depend on:
Reff icie nt use of the fuel bythe engine
Rdriv ing style
Rother non-technical factors, such as envi-
ronmental influences, road conditions or
traff icflow
You can min imize your veh icle'sCO
2emis-
sions by driv ing carefully and having itserv-
iced regularly.
Fuel consumption depends on:
Rthe vehicleversion
Rthe style of driving
Rthe operating conditions
Rthe type or quality of the fuel used
The veh icle will use more fuel than usual inthe
fol lowin g situations:
Rat very low outside temperatures
Rincity traff ic
Rduring short journeys
Ron mountainous terrain
Rwhen to winga trailer
To keep fuel consumption low,observe the
advice inthe "Protection of the environment"
section (
Ypage 24).
The fol lowing components of the different veh i-
cle versions influence fuel consumption:
Rtire sizes, tire tread, tire pressure, tire cond i-
tion
Rbody
Rtransmission ratios for the drive assemblies
Radditional equipment (e.g. air-conditioning
system, auxil iary heating system)
For these reasons, the actual consumption fig-
ures for your vehicle may deviate from the con-
sumption figures determined according to EU
Directive 80 /1268/EE C.
Data concerning fuel consumption are recorded
in the on-board computer; use the steering
wheel buttons to call up the Trip computer
menu (
Ypage 174).
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF)
General notes
HEnvironmental note
Dispose of DEF in an environmentally respon-
sible manner.
When opening the DEF tank filler cap at high
outside temperatures, ammonia vapors may
escape.
Ammonia vapors have a pungent smell and pri-
marily cause irritation of the:
Rskin
Rmucous membranes
Reyes
You may experience a burning sensation in your
eyes, nose and throat, as well as coughing 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.
Rinse any affected areas off with plenty of clean water. Consult a doctor if necessary.
If DEF heats up, e.g. in direct sunlight, in the DEF
supply reservoir for some time to over 122 ‡
(50 †), ammonia vapor will develop.
To conform to emission regulations, you must
operate the vehicle with DEF and refill the supply
regularly. The engine management recognizes
attempts to operate the vehicle without DEF,
with thinned DEF or with another reducing
agent. After previous warning messages, the
engine management then prevents a further
engine start.
When the number of remaining engine starts is 0
the engine management prevents the vehicle
from being driven at a speed exceeding 5 mph
Service products and capacities279
Technical data
Z