
Problems with the transmission
ProblemPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
The transmission mal-
functions when shifting
gear.The transmission is losing oil.
XHave the transmission checked immediately at a qualified specialist
workshop.
The acceleration charac-
teristics have deteriora-
ted noticeably.
The transmission does
not shift.The transmission is in emergency mode.
It is only possible to shift into second gear or reverse gear R.
XStop the vehicle.
XDepress the brake pedal.
XMove the selector lever to positionP.
XSwitch off the engine.
XWait at least 10 seconds before restarting the engine.
XDepress the brake pedal.
XMove the selector lever to positionDor R.
In position D, the transmission shifts into second gear; in position R,
the transmission shifts into reverse gear.
XHave the transmission checked immediately at a qualified specialist
workshop.
Releasing the parking lock manually
In the event of a malfunction, it is possible to
manually release the selector lever from the
lock in parking position P, e.g. to have the vehi-
cle towed away.
XApply the parking brake.
XRemove cover :.
XSlide implement ;as far as it will go into the
opening.
XPush the implement in and simultaneously
move the selector lever out of position P.
The selector lever lock is released. You can
now move the selector lever freely again until
it is returned to position P.
XRemove implement;.
XRe-install cover:.
iThe screwdriver from the vehicle tool kit
could function as the implement, for instance
(
Ypage 236).
Refueling
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
124Refueling
Driving and parking

and that it is not swallowed. Do not inhale fuelvapors. 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.
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.
HEnvironmental note
If fuels are handled improperly, they pose a
danger to persons and the environment. Do
not allow fuels to run into the sewage system,
the surface waters, the ground water or into
the ground.
!Do not use gasoline to refuel vehicles with a
diesel engine. Even small amounts of gasoline
will cause damage to the fuel system and
engine.
!Do not switch on the ignition if you acciden-
tally refuel with the wrong fuel. Otherwise, the
fuel will enter the fuel lines. Notify a qualified
specialist workshop and have the fuel tank
and fuel lines drained completely.
!Overfilling the fuel tank could damage the
fuel system.
!Take care not to spill any fuel on painted
surfaces. You could otherwise damage the
paintwork.
!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.
Further information on fuel and on fuel grades
can be found in the "Technical data" section
(
Ypage 273).
Refueling procedure
The fuel filler flap is beside the front left-hand
door when viewed in the direction of travel. It is
only possible to open the fuel filler flap when the front door is open.
XRemove the key from the ignition lock.
XSwitch off the auxiliary heating system
(Ypage 105).
XOpen the front left-hand door first, and then
the fuel filler flap.
XClose all vehicle doors to prevent fuel vaporsfrom entering the vehicle interior.
XTurn fuel filler cap ;counter-clockwise,
remove it and let it hang from strap :.
XCompletely insert the filler neck of the fuel
pump nozzle into the tank and refuel.
XOnly fill the tank until the pump nozzle
switches off. Fuel may otherwise leak out.
XReplace tank filler cap;on tank and turn
clockwise.
You will hear a click when the fuel filler cap is
closed fully.
XOpen the front left-hand door first, and then
close the filler flap.
Refueling125
Driving and parking
Z

Problems with the fuel and fuel tank
If your vehicle is losing fuel, the fuel lines or thefuel tank are defective.
XTurn the SmartKey immediately to position 0
in the ignition lock and remove it.
XDo not restart the engine under any circum-
stances.
XConsult a qualified specialist workshop.
If the fuel tank has been run dry, after refueling
carry out the following steps:
XBefore starting the engine: switch on the igni-
tion three or four times.
XTurn the SmartKey to position 2in the ignition
lock (Ypage 117).
The % preglow indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up briefly.
XOnce the %preglow indicator lamp goes
out, turn the SmartKey to position 3in the
ignition lock and release it as soon as the
engine is running.
You can start the diesel engine without preglow
when the engine is warm.
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF)
Important safety notes
!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 additives
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 Limi-
ted Warranty.
iIf the outside temperature is below 12 ‡
(Ò11 †) it may be difficult to top up. If the DEF
is frozen and there is an active warning indi- cator, topping up may not be possible. Park
the vehicle in a warm place, e.g. in a garage,
until the DEF has become liquid again. Top-
ping up is then possible again. Alternatively,
have the DEF tank refilled at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
iIf you add DEF at temperatures below 12 ‡
(Ò11 †) it is possible that the level is not
shown correctly due to the frozen DEF.
Drive for at least 20 minutes (heating phase in
the tank activated) and then stop the vehicle
for at least 30 seconds. The level is then
shown correctly.
You will find further information on DEF in the
"Service products" section (
Ypage 273).
Refueling procedure
DEF filler neck
Non-lockable DEF filler cap
Example: DEF filler cap in the engine compartment
XTo open: switch off the ignition.
XOpen the hood (Ypage 214).
XTurn filler cap :counter-clockwise and
remove it.
XTo close: replace cap :on the filler neck and
turn it clockwise.
You will hear a click when cap :is fully
closed.
XClose the hood (Ypage 215).
126Refueling
Driving and parking

Low-beam headlamps
When driving in countries in which traffic drives
on the opposite side of the road to the country
where the vehicle is registered, the halogen
headlamps must be partially masked. This pre-
vents glare to oncoming traffic and no longer
illuminates the edge of the road to the same
height and distance.
Have the halogen headlamps masked at a quali-fied specialist workshop before you cross the
border, but as close to it as possible.
When returning from your journey, remove the
adhesive surfaces from the halogen headlamps
as close to the border as possible. Clean the
glass of the headlamps if necessary.
It is not necessary to adjust Bi-Xenon head-
lamps. Legal requirements are fulfilled even
without adjustment.
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.
Braking
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.
132Driving tips
Driving and parking

Weight information can be found in the “Per-
missible trailer and drawbar noseweights” sec-
tion (
Ypage 156).
iThe height of the ball neck changes accord-
ing to the load on the vehicle. If this is case,
use a trailer with a height-adjustable trailer
drawbar.
Driving tips
The maximum permissible speed for vehicle/
trailer combination depends on the type of
trailer. Before setting off, check the vehicle
documents of the your trailer to find out the
permissible maximum speed. Observe the
legally prescribed maximum speed for vehicle/
trailer combinations in the relevant country,
state or Canadian province.
When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristics will be different in comparison to when driving without a trailer and it will con-
sume more fuel.
On long, steep downhill slopes you must select
shift range 3,2or 1in good time.
iThis also applies if cruise control is activa-
ted.
This enables you to utilize the engine's braking
effect and you do not need to brake so heavily to
keep the correct speed. which protects the
brake system and prevents the brakes from
overheating and wearing too quickly. If you need to brake additionally, to not depress the brake
pedal constantly, but periodically.
Driving tips
If the trailer begins to swing from side to side:
XDo not accelerate.
XDo not counter-steer.
XBrake if necessary.
iYou can reduce the risk of the trailer swing-
ing and rocking by retrofitting anti-roll bars or trailer stability programs. More information is
available from your authorized Sprinter
Dealer.
RMaintain a greater distance than you would
when driving without towing a trailer.
RAvoid sudden braking. Apply the brakes gen-
tly at first to allow the trailer brake to overrun.
Then, increase the brake force quickly.
RThe figures for the gradient climbing capabil-
ities from a standstill refer to sea level. When
driving in mountainous areas, note that the
power output of the engine, and with it its
gradient climbing capability, decrease with
increasing altitude.
Coupling up a trailer
Trailer coupled ready for use
XMake sure the selector lever of the automatic
transmission is in position P.
XApply the vehicle's parking brake.
XClose all doors.
XPosition the trailer horizontally behind your
vehicle.
iThe height of the ball neck changes accord-
ing to the load on the vehicle. In this case, use
a trailer with a height-adjustable trailer draw-
bar.
XCouple the trailer.
XEstablish all electrical and other connections to the trailer. When doing so, hook the break-
away cable of the trailer into eyelet :on the
ball coupling.
XRemove the objects that are preventing the
trailer from rolling, e.g. wheel chocks.
XRelease the trailer parking brake.
iThe subharness of the vehicle has a cable
connection to the brake lamp indicator lamp.
Observe the maximum permissible trailer
dimensions (width and length).
154Towing a trailer
Driving and parking

Using thef,g,4or9 adjustment buttons,
you can select the following functions:
RCalling up the service due date
(Ypage 222)
RChecking the oil level (Ypage 216)
RChecking the DEF supply (Ypage 159)
RPreselecting/setting the auxiliary heating
switch-on time (Ypage 107)
RTire pressure monitor(Ypage 249)
RSetting the time (Ypage 161)
RActivating/deactivating Highbeam Assist
(Ypage 168)
RSetting the daytime running lamps
(Ypage 80)
Setting the time
XTurn the SmartKey to position 2in the ignition
lock.
XPress the 4menu button repeatedly until the
hours figure flashes.
XPress the forg button to set the hour.
XPress the 9reset button.
The minute display flashes.
XPress the forg button to set the minute.
iIf you keep the forg button pressed, the
value will change continuously.
Activating/deactivating Highbeam
Assist
XTurn the SmartKey to position 2in the ignition
lock.
XPress the 4menu button repeatedly until the
_ indicator lamp flashes and the onorOFFmessage appears in the display.
XUse the forg button to switch Highbeam
Assist on/off.
Switching the daytime running lamps
on/off
If you switch the daytime running lamps on, the
daytime running lamps will automatically light
up when the engine is running.
For safety reasons, it is only possible to change
this setting when the vehicle is stationary. The
factory setting is on
in countries where daytime
running lamp mode or daytime running lamps
are mandatory.
XTurn the SmartKey to position 2in the ignition
lock.
XPress the 4menu button repeatedly until the
L indicator lamp flashes and the onorOFFmessage appears in the display.
XPress the forg button to activate or deac-
tivate the daytime running lamps.
iUSA only:
If you turn the light switch to TorL,
the corresponding light switches on. If you
turn the light switch to Ã, the daytime
running lamps remain switched on.
Canada only:
If you turn the light switch to L, the low-
beam headlamps switch on. If you turn the
light switch to TorÃ, the daytime run-
ning lamps remain switched on.
On-board computer (vehicles with
steering wheel buttons)
Operating the on-board computer
Overview
XTo activate the on-board computer: turn
the key to position 1in the ignition lock.
The on-board computer shows vehicle informa-
tion and settings in the display.
You can control the display and the settings in
the on-board computer with the buttons on the
steering wheel.
On-board computer (vehicles with steering wheel buttons)161
On-board computer and displays
Z

Operating the CD player
:Current CD (with CD changer)
;Current track
Using the steering wheel buttons
XSwitch on the audio equipment and select the
CD player (see the separate operating instruc-
tions).
XPress the VorU button repeatedly
until the settings for the current CD appear in
the display.
XPress the 9or: button to select a CD
track.
Settings menu
Introduction
In the Settings menu, the following options and
submenus are available:
RResetting all settings
RResetting the functions of a submenu
RInstrument cluster (Ypage 166)
-Units and language settings
-Status bar settings
RTime(Ypage 168)
RLighting (Ypage 168)
-Switching surround lighting on/off
-Switching the daytime running lamps
on/off
-Setting the exterior lighting delayed switch-
off
-Activating/deactivating Highbeam Assist
RVehicle
-Setting the radio station selection
-Setting the windshield wiper sensitivity
RStationary heating or auxiliary heating
(Ypage 107)
RConvenience (Ypage 170)
-Key-dependent settings
iFor safety reasons, it is not possible to reset
all of the functions while the vehicle is in
motion. For example, in the Lighting
sub-
menu, the Daytime runn. lampsfunction
remains unchanged.
Resetting all settings
Settings menu
When the Settingsmessage is displayed, you
can reset all functions of the submenu to the
factory settings.
Using the steering wheel buttons
XPress the VorU button repeatedly
until the Settingsmenu appears in the dis-
play.
XPress and hold the 9reset button for approx-
imately 3 seconds.
You will see a message in the display prompt-
ing you to press the 9reset button again to
confirm.
XPress the 9reset button again.
The functions in all submenus are reset to the
factory settings.
iIf you want to retain the settings, do not
press the 9reset button a second time. The
Settings
menu appears again after approx-
imately 5 seconds.
Resetting the functions of a submenu
You can individually reset the functions of each
submenu to the factory settings.
Using the steering wheel buttons
XPress the VorU button repeatedly
until the Settingsmenu appears in the dis-
play.
XPress the 9button to switch to the sub-
menu selection.
XPress the WorX button to select a
submenu.
On-board computer (vehicles with steering wheel buttons)165
On-board computer and displays
Z

Vehicle submenu
Setting the windshield wiper sensitivity
You can use theWipe sensorfunction to set
the sensitivity of the rain/ light sensor.
Using the steering wheel buttons
XPress the VorU button repeatedly
until the Settingsmenu appears in the dis-
play.
XPress the 9button to switch to the sub-
menu selection.
XPress the WorX button to select the
Vehiclesubmenu.
XPress the 9button to select the Wipesensorfunction.
The selection marker is on the current setting.
XPress the WorX button to adjust the
sensitivity of the rain/light sensor.
The levels are graded as follows:
RLevel 1: high sensitivity – wiping begins even
in light rain
RLevel 2: moderate sensitivity
RLevel 3: low sensitivity – wiping only begins
in heavy rain
Activating/deactivating Blind Spot Assist
Using the steering wheel buttons
XPress the VorU button repeatedly
until the Settingsmenu appears in the dis-
play.
XPress the 9button to switch to the sub-
menu selection.
XPress the WorX button to select the
Vehiclesubmenu.
XPress the 9button to select the BlindSpot Assistfunction.
The selection marker is on the current setting.
XPress the WorX button to switch Blind
Spot Assist OnorOff.
For further information about Blind Spot Assist;
see (
Ypage 141).
Heating submenu
Selecting the switch-on time for the aux-
iliary heating
Using the steering wheel buttons
XPress the VorU button repeatedly
until the Settingsmenu appears in the dis-
play.
XPress the 9button to switch to the sub-
menu selection.
XPress the WorX button to select the
Heatingsubmenu.
XPress the 9button to switch to the Aux.heat.submenu selection (Ypage 107).
The selection marker is on the current setting.
XPress the WorX button to set the
desired switch-on time.
Use the Timer off
setting to deactivate
automatic switch-on.
XPress button V.
The switch-on time is selected.
Convenience submenu
The Keyfunction allows you to define whether
settings for some submenus are stored with a
key dependence.
170On-board computer (vehicles with steering wheel buttons)
On-board computer and displays