Brake force distribution, elec-
tronicsee EBD (electronic brake force
distribution)
Brake lamps
Replacing bulbs ............................... 89
Brake lamps (Chassis Cab)
Replacing bulbs ............................... 90
Brake linings
Display message ............................ 182
Indicator lamp ................................ 198
Brake pads/linings
New ............................................... 136
Brake system
Malfunction .................................... 182
Warning lamp ................................. 195
Brakes
ABS .................................................. 53
Adaptive Brake Assist .................... 143
Applying the parking brake ............ 131
BAS .................................................. 54
Brake fluid (notes) ......................... 283
Checking brake fluid level .............. 223
Display messages .......................... 182
EBD .................................................. 54
Important safety notes .................. 135
Maintenance .................................. 195
New brake pads/linings ................ 136
Parking brake (notes) ..................... 136
Riding tips ...................................... 135
Breakdown
Fire extinguisher ............................ 242
First-aid kit .................................... 241
Jump-starting ................................. 242
Reflective safety jacket .................. 241
Vehicle tool kit ............................... 240
Warning lamp ................................. 241
Warning triangle ............................ 241
see Flat tire
see Towing away
Bulb
see Changing bulbs
Bulb failure indicator .......................... 79C
California
Important notice for retail cus-
tomers and lessees .......................... 22
Car
see Vehicle
Care
Access step in the bumper ............ 237
Car wash ........................................ 233
Display ........................................... 237
Exterior lights ................................ 236
Interior ........................................... 237
Notes ............................................. 233
Paint .............................................. 235
Plastic trim .................................... 238
Power washer ................................ 234
Rear view camera .......................... 236
Roof lining ...................................... 238
Seat belt ........................................ 238
Seat cover ..................................... 238
Selector lever ................................ 238
Sensors ......................................... 236
Sliding door ................................... 237
Steering wheel ............................... 238
Step (electrical) ............................. 237
Trim pieces .................................... 238
Washing by hand ........................... 234
Washing the engine ....................... 234
Wheels ........................................... 235
Windows ........................................ 235
Wiper blades .................................. 235
Cargo compartment
Activating/deactivating ventila-
tion ................................................ 117
Cargo compartment floor ................... 28
Cargo tie-down points and tie
downs
Important safety notes .................. 214
Cargo tie-down rings
Installing ........................................ 216
Permissible tensile load ................. 285
Carrier system
Ladder rack ................................... 217
CD player/CD changer ...................... 168
Cell phone
see Mobile phone
Center console overview .................... 35
Index5
ESP®(Electronic Stability Pro-
gram) ............................................... 54
Important safety information ........... 52
Overview .......................................... 52
Driving systems
Blind Spot Assist ............................ 144
Cruise control ................................ 140
Display message ............................ 190
Lane Keeping Assist ...................... 146
PARKTRONIC ................................. 151
Driving tips
Automatic transmission ................. 126
Brakes ........................................... 135
Break-in period .............................. 118
Downhill gradient ........................... 135
Drinking and driving ....................... 133
Driving abroad ............................... 134
Driving in winter ............................. 137
Driving on flooded roads ................ 136
Driving on wet roads ...................... 136
Exhaust check ............................... 134
Fuel ................................................ 133
General .......................................... 133
Hydroplaning ................................. 136
Icy road surfaces ........................... 137
Important safety notes .................. 118
Limited braking efficiency on sal-
ted roads ....................................... 136
New brake disks ............................ 136
New brake pads/linings ................ 136
Off-road driving .............................. 137
Overrun cut-off .............................. 133
Snow chains .................................. 249
Speed limitation ............................. 134
Towing a trailer .............................. 155
Transport by rail ............................. 135
Wet road surface ........................... 136
DSR (Downhill Speed Regulation) .... 149
E
EBD (electronic brake force distri-
bution)
Display message ............................ 183
Function/notes ................................ 54
Indicator lamps .............................. 195
Electrical closing assist ...................... 66Electrical fuses
see Fuses
Electrical step
Cleaning ......................................... 237
Display message ............................ 192
Emergency release .......................... 67
Function ........................................... 67
Important safety notes .................... 66
Indicator lamp ................................ 203
Manual retraction ............................ 67
Obstacle detection ........................... 67
Electrical system
Battery main switch ....................... 118
Electronic brake force distribution
see EBD (electronic brake force
distribution)
Electronic Stability Program
see ESP
®(Electronic Stability Program)
Electronic Traction System
see 4ETS (Electronic Traction System)
Emergency exit .................................... 55
Emergency exit window ..................... 55
Emergency Tensioning Devices
Activation ......................................... 45
Emissions control
Service and warranty information .... 22
Engine
ADR (working speed governor) ...... 154
Changing the power output ............. 26
Check Engine warning lamp ........... 200
Cleaning instructions ..................... 234
Engine number ............................... 277
Engine speed setting (working
mode) ............................................ 155
Irregular running ............................ 123
Jump-starting ................................. 242
Operating safety .............................. 26
Starting .......................................... 120
Starting problems .......................... 123
Switching off .................................. 132
Tow-starting (vehicle) ..................... 246
Engine electronics
Notes ............................................. 275
Problem (malfunction) ................... 123
Engine oil
Adding ........................................... 222
Additives ........................................ 281
Index9
FunctionPage
¦Fluid level too low in wind-
shield washer/headlamp
cleaning system
202
åDEF supply low or contami-
nated/diluted162
Exhaust gas aftertreatment
malfunction197
ÄIndicator lamp, distance
warning143
·Warning lamp, distance
warning143
ÃWarning and indicator lamps,
Lane Keeping Assist147
1Door or hood open203
Electrically operated step
malfunction203
#Brake pads/linings worn198
+LOW RANGE active148
KHigh-beam headlamps on
(vehicle with steering wheel
buttons)
81
JRight-hand turn signal81
:ASR malfunction53
BAS malfunction195
hESP®malfunction194
ÈDirt accumulation in air filter201
6Reserve fuel162
Fuel filler cap open200
FunctionPage
:Water in the fuel202
mFuel filter dirty202
#Battery charging malfunction198
bBulb defective203
=Tachometer with warning
and indicator lamps
cParking brake applied136
LLow-beam headlamps on79
KWorking speed governor
(ADR) on154
ÐPower steering assistance
malfunction203
KHigh-beam headlamps on
(vehicle without steering
wheel buttons)
81
åDEF supply low or contami-
nated/diluted162
Exhaust gas aftertreatment
malfunction197
|Reserve fuel200
Fuel filler cap open200
\Diesel particle filter malfunc-
tion201
hESP®malfunction194
7Fasten seat belts203
iCorresponding messages may also be
shown in the display (Ypage 176).
34Instrument cluster
At a glance
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).
Breaking-in notes
The first 1000 miles (1500 km)
New or replaced brake pads and brake disks
only reach their optimum braking effect after a
few 100 miles (a few 100 kilometers). Until then,
compensate for this by applying greater force to
the brake pedal.
For the service life and economy of your vehicle
it is crucial that you break in the engine with due
care.
RTherefore, protect the engine for the first
1000 miles (1500 km) by driving at varying
vehicle and engine speeds.
RAvoid overstraining the vehicle and high
engine speeds during this period, e.g. driving
at full throttle. Do not exceed Øof the max-
imum speed for each gear.
RDo not change down a gear manually in order to brake.
RTry to avoid depressing the accelerator pedal
beyond the point of resistance (kickdown).
RThe shift ranges 3,2or 1should only be
engaged when driving slowly, e.g. when driv-
ing in mountainous terrain.
After 1000 miles (1500 km), you can increase
the engine speed gradually and accelerate the
vehicle to full speed.
iYou should also observe these notes on
breaking-in if the engine or parts of the drive
train on your vehicle have been replaced.
Driving
Important safety notes
GWARNING
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.
GWARNING
If the parking brake has not been fully
released when driving, the parking brake can:
Roverheat and cause a fire
Rlose its hold function.
There is a risk of fire and an accident. Release
the parking brake fully before driving off.
If you park the vehicle for more than
three weeks:
Rconnect the batteries to a trickle charger or
Rdisconnect the vehicle's starter battery or
Rswitch off the electrical system using the bat-
tery main switch (Ypage 118) and
Rdisconnect the vehicle's auxiliary battery
Otherwise, you need to check the battery's con-
dition of charge every three weeks, since
standby power consumption can drain the bat-
tery. If the battery voltage is lower than 12.2 V,
the battery must be charged. Otherwise, the
battery may be damaged by exhaustive dis-
charging.
Be sure to observe the notes on disconnecting
and charging the batteries under "Battery"
(
Ypage 227). You can obtain information about
trickle chargers from a qualified specialist work-
shop.
Battery isolating switch
Important safety notes
!Make sure that the key is in position 0in the
ignition lock and wait at least 20 seconds
before disconnecting or connecting the bat-
118Driving
Dr iving an d parking
Low-beam headlamps
If you are traveling in countries where vehicles
are driven on the opposite side of the road to
that in which the vehicle is registered, you will
need to:
Rhave the halogen headlamps partially masked
Rhave the Bi-Xenon headlamps set to symmet-
rical low beam
This prevents glare to oncoming traffic and no
longer illuminates the edge of the road to the
same height and distance.
Have the headlamps masked or adjusted at a
qualified specialist workshop before you cross
the border, but as close to it as possible.
When you return from your journey, and as close
to the border as possible, you will need to:
Rremove the adhesive surfaces from your hal-
ogen headlamps and clean the glass of the
headlamps if necessary
Rhave the Bi-Xenon headlamps reset to asym-
metrical low beam at a qualified specialist
workshop
Transport by rail
Transporting your vehicle by rail may be subject
to certain restrictions or require special meas-
ures to be taken in some countries due to vary- ing tunnel heights and loading standards.
You can obtain further information from any
authorized Sprinter dealer.
Brakes
Important safety notes
GWARNING
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.
GWARNING
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 2or1 in
good time. This should be observed in particular
when driving with a laden vehicle and when tow-
ing a trailer.
iYou 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 often to
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
GWARNING
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.
Driving tips135
Driving and parking
Z
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.
You must depress the brake pedal more firmly.
Maintain a longer distance to the vehicle in
front.
While paying attention to the traffic conditions,
you should brake the vehicle firmly after driving
on a wet road surface or through a car wash. This
heats the brake discs, so that they dry more
quickly, which protects them against corrosion.
Limited braking performance on salt-
treated roads
When driving on salted roads, salt may start to
build up on the brake disks and brake pads. Thiscan increase braking distances considerably.
Maintain a greater distance to the vehicle in
front.
To remove any build-up of salt that may have
formed:
XApply the brakes at the start of the journey,
occasionally during journey and at the end of
the journey. Make sure that you do not endan-
ger other road users when doing so.
New brake discs and brake pads/
linings
New brake pads and brake discs only reach their
optimal braking effect after a few
100 kilometers. Until then, compensate for this by applying greater force to the brake pedal.
For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends only installing the following brake discs
and brake pads/linings:
Rbrake discs that have been approved by
Mercedes-Benz
Rbrake pads/linings that have been approved
by Mercedes-Benz or are of an equivalent
standard of quality
Other brake discs or brake pads/linings can
compromise the safety of your vehicle.
Always replace all brake discs and brake pads/
linings on an axle at the same time. Always
install new brake pads/linings when replacing
brake discs.
Parking brake
GWARNING
If you must brake the vehicle with the parking brake, the braking distance is considerably
longer and the wheels could lock. There is an
increased danger of skidding and accidents.
Only use the parking brake to brake the vehi-
cle when the service brake is faulty. Do not
apply the parking brake too firmly. If the
wheels lock, release the parking brake until
the wheels begin turning again.
When driving on wet roads or dirt-covered sur-
faces, road salt and/or dirt may get into the
parking brake. This causes corrosion and a
reduction of braking force.
In order to prevent this, drive with the parking
brake lightly applied from time to time. When
doing so, drive for a distance of approximately
110 yds (100 m) at a maximum speed of 12 mph
(20 km/h).
The brake lamps are not illuminated when you
brake the vehicle using the parking brake.
Driving in wet conditions
Hydroplaning
GWARNING
There is a danger of hydroplaning occurring,
even if you are driving slowly and your tires
have sufficient tread depth, depending on the
depth of water on the road. There is a risk of
an accident.
For this reason, avoid tire ruts and brake care-
fully.
Therefore, in heavy rain or other conditions in
which hydroplaning can occur, drive as follows:
Rreduce your speed
Ravoid tire ruts
Rapply the brakes with care
Driving on flooded roads
!Do not drive through flooded areas. Check
the depth of any water before driving through
it. Drive slowly through standing water. Oth-
136Driving tips
Driving and parking
Rules for driving off-road
!Always bear the vehicle's ground clearance
in mind and avoid obstacles, e.g. deep ruts.
Obstacles may damage the following parts of
the vehicle:
Rthe chassis
Rthe drive train
Rthe 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 front
passenger direct you.
iWe recommend that you additionally carry a
shovel and a recovery rope with shackle in the
vehicle.
REnsure that loads and items of luggage are
securely stowed or lashed down
(
Ypage 212).
RBefore driving off-road, stop the vehicle and
shift to a low gear.
RIf the surface demands it, temporarily deacti-
vate ASR when pulling away (Ypage 53).
ROnly drive off-road with the engine running
and a gear engaged.
RDrive slowly and smoothly. Walking pace is
necessary in many situations.
RAvoid spinning the drive wheels.
RMake sure that the wheels always remain in
contact with the ground.
RDrive with extreme care over unknown terrain
where you can only see for a short distance.
As a precaution, get out of the vehicle to take
a look at the route to be taken in advance.
RCheck the water depth before fording.
RWatch out for obstacles (e.g. rocks, holes,
tree stumps and ruts).
RAvoid edges where the surface could crumble
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 terrain. 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:
XVehicles with all-wheel drive:
deactivate
all-wheel drive (Ypage 148).
XActivate ASR (Ypage 53).
XClean the headlamps and tail lamps and
check them for damage.
XClean the front and rear license plates.
XClean the windshield, windows and exterior
mirrors.
XClean the steps, door sills and grab handles.
This increases safety of footing.
XClean the wheels and tires, wheel arches and
the underbody of the vehicle with a water jet.
This increases road grip, especially on wet
road surfaces.
XCheck the wheels and tires and wheel arches
for trapped foreign objects and remove them.
Trapped foreign objects can damage the
wheels and tires or may be fl
ung out from the
vehicle when you continue driving.
XCheck 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-
age to fuel lines, brake hoses and the rubber
bellows of axle joints and drive shafts.
XClean the brake disks, brake pads and axle
joints, particularly after operation in sand,
mud, grit and gravel, water or similarly dirty
conditions.
XCheck the entire floor assembly, the tires,
wheels, bodywork structure, brakes, steering,
chassis and exhaust system for any damage.
XCheck the service brake for operating safety,
e.g. carry out a brake test.
XIf you notice strong vibrations after driving off-
road, check the wheels and drive train for for-
eign objects again. Remove any foreign
objects which can lead to imbalances and
thus cause vibrations.
Driving tips139
Driving and parking
Z
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
:
Visit workshop
ASRhas been deactivated due to amalfunction .
The engin epowe routput may be reduced.
GWARNIN G
The driven wheels can spin when accelerating .
There is an increased ris kof skiddin gand accidents .
XDrive on withcare.
XVisit aqualified specialist workshop immediately.
:
Visit workshop
BA Shas been deactivated due to amalfunction .
GWARNING
The brak esystem continues to function normally, but without elec -
tronic support .
The braking distanc ecan increas ein emergenc ybraking situations.
There is aris kof an accident.
XDrive on wit hcare.
XVisit aqualified specialist workshop immediately.
:
Unavailable
AS Rand BA Shav ebeen deactivated due to undervoltage.
The battery may no tbe bein gcharged.
GWARNIN G
The brak esystem continues to function normally, but without th e
function slisted above. The wheels could therefor eloc kif you brak e
hard, for example.
The braking distanc ecan increas ein emergenc ybraking situations.
The driven wheels can spin when accelerating .
There is an increased ris kof skiddin gand accidents .
XDrive on withcare.
XVisit aqualified specialist workshop immediately.
#
Brake wea rVisitworkshop
The brak epads/linings hav ereached their wear limit.
XHav eth ebrak epads/linings replace das soo nas possibl eat a
qualified specialist workshop .
182Display messages
On-board computer and displays