2017 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER MY17 Operator’s Manual

Method of operation
During the first stage of a collision, the restraint
system control unit evaluates important physi-
cal data relating to vehicle deceleration or accel-
eration, such as:
Rduration
Rdirection
Rintensity
Based on the evaluation of this data, the
restraint system control unit triggers the Emer-
gency Tensioning Devices during a frontal or
rear collision.
An Emergency Tensioning Device can only be
triggered, if:
Rthe ignition is switched on
Rthe components of the restraint system are
operational. You can find further information
under: "Restraint system warning lamp"
(
Ypage 40)
Rthe seat belt buckle tongue has engaged in
the belt buckle of the respective front seat
The Emergency Tensioning Device of the front-
passenger seat is triggered independently of the
lock status of the seat belt.
If the restraint system control unit detects a
more severe accident, further components of
the restraint system are activated independ-
ently of each other in certain frontal collision
situations:
RFront air bags
RWindow curtain air bag on the side on which
the impact occurs
The activation threshold of the Emergency Ten-
sioning Devices and the air bag are determined
by evaluating the rate of vehicle deceleration or
acceleration which occurs at various points in
the vehicle. This process is pre-emptive in
nature. Deployment should take place in good
time at the start of the collision.
The rate of vehicle deceleration or acceleration
and the direction of the force are essentially
determined by:
Rthe distribution of forces during the collision
Rthe collision angle
Rthe deformation characteristics of the vehicle
Rthe characteristics of the object with which
the vehicle has collided
Factors which can only be seen and measured
after a collision has occurred do not play a deci-
sive role in the deployment of an air bag . Nor dothey provide a
n indication of air bag deploy-
ment.
The vehicle can be deformed considerably, with-
out an air bag being deployed. This is the case if
only parts which are relatively easily deformed
are affected and the rate of deceleration is not
high. Conversely, air bags may be deployed even though the vehicle suffers only minor deforma-
tion. This is the case if, for example, very rigid
vehicle parts such as longitudinal body mem-
bers are hit, and sufficient deceleration occurs
as a result.
If the restraint system control unit detects a side
impact, the relevant restraint system compo-
nents are deployed independently of each other.
If the system determines a need for additional
protection for the vehicle occupants, the Emer-
gency Tensioning Devices are triggered.
RSide impact air bag on the side of impact,
independently of the Emergency Tensioning
Device and the use of the seat belt
RWindow curtain air bag on the side of impact,independently of the use of the seat belt and
independently of whether the front-
passenger seat is occupied
iNot all air bags are deployed in an accident.
The different air bag systems work independ-
ently of each other.
How the air bag system works is determined
by the severity of the accident detected,
especially the vehicle deceleration or accel-
eration and the apparent type of accident:
Rfrontal collision
Rside impact
Children in the vehicle
Important safety notes
Accident statistics show that children secured
in the rear seats are safer than children secured
in the front-passenger seat. For this reason, we
strongly advise that you install a child restraint
system on a rear seat. Children are generally
better protected there.
If a child younger than twelve years old and
under 5 ft (1.50 m) in height is traveling in the
vehicle:
Ralways secure the child in a child restraint
system suitable for this vehicle. The child
Children in the vehicle47
Safety
Z

restraint system must be appropriate to the
age, weight and size of the child
Rbe sure to observe the instructions and safety
notes in this section in addition to the child
restraint system manufacturer's installation
instructions
GWARNING
If you leave children unsupervised in the vehi-
cle, they could set it in motion by, for example:
Rrelease the parking brake.
Rshift the automatic transmission out of the
parking position P.
Rstart the engine.
In addition, they may operate vehicle equip-
ment and become trapped. There is a risk of
an accident and injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children unsupervised in the vehicle.
GWARNING
If persons, particularly children are subjected to prolonged exposure to extreme heat or
cold, there is a risk of injury, possibly even
fatal. Never leave children unattended in the
vehicle.
GWARNING
If the child restraint system is subjected to
direct sunlight, parts may get very hot. Chil-
dren may burn themselves on these parts,
particularly on the metal parts of the child
restraint system. There is a risk of injury.
If you leave the vehicle, taking the child with
you, always ensure that the child restraint
system is not exposed to direct sunlight. Pro- tect it with a blanket, for example. If the child
restraint system has been exposed to direct
sunlight, let it cool down before securing the
child in it. Never leave children unattended in
the vehicle.
Always ensure that all vehicle occupants have
their seat belts fastened correctly and are sitting
properly. Particular attention must be paid to
children. Observe the safety notes on the seat belt
(
Ypage 41) and the notes on correct use of seat
belts (Ypage 42).
A booster seat may be necessary to achieve
proper seat belt positioning for children over
41 lbs (18 kg) until they reach a height where a
three-point seat belt can be properly fastened
without a booster seat.
Special seat belt retractor
GWARNING
If the seat belt is released while driving, the
child restraint system will no longer be
secured properly. The special seat belt retrac- tor is disabled and the inertia real draws in a
portion of the seat belt. The seat belt cannot
be immediately refastened. There is an
increased risk of injury, possibly even fatal.
Stop the vehicle immediately, paying atten-
tion to road and traffic conditions. Reactivate
the special seat belt retractor and secure the
child restraint system properly.
All seat belts in the vehicle, except the driver's
seat belt, are equipped with a special seat belt
retractor. When activated, the special seat belt
retractor ensures that the seat belt cannot
slacken once the child seat is secured.
Installing a child restraint system:
XMake sure you observe the child restraint
system manufacturer's installation instruc-
tions.
XPull the seat belt smoothly from the belt out-
let.
XEngage seat belt tongue in belt buckle.
Activating the special seat belt retractor:
XPull the seat belt out fully and let the inertia
reel retract it again.
While the seat belt is retracting, you should
hear a ratcheting sound. The special seat belt
retractor is enabled.
XPush the child restraint system down so that
the seat belt is tight and does not loosen.
48Children in the vehicle
Safety

Removingth echild restrain tsystem and deac -
tivating th especial seat belt retractor:
XMak esur eyou observ eth echild restrain t
system manufacturer' sinstallation instruc-
tions.
XPress th erelease butto nof th eseat belt
buckle and guide th eseat belt tongue bac k
towards th ebelt sash guide .
The special seat belt retracto ris deactivated.
Child restraint system
The use of seat belt sand infant and child
restrain tsystems is require dby law in:
Rall 50 state s
RtheU.S. territories
Rth eDistric tof Columbia
Rall Canadian province s
Further information about th ecorrec tchild
restrain tsystem is available from any authorize d
Sprinte rdealer.
GWARNIN G
If th echild restrain tsystem is installed incor-
rectl yon asuitable seat ,it canno tprotect as
intended. The child canno tthen be restrained
in th eevent of an accident, heav ybraking or
sudde nchanges of direction .There is an
increased ris kof injury, possibl yeve nfatal.
Mak esur ethat you observ eth echild restrain t
system manufacturer' sinstallation instruc-
tion sand th enote son use. Pleas eensure,
that th ebase of th echild restrain tsystem is
always resting completely on th eseat cush-
ion .Never plac eobjects ,e.g. cushions, under
or behind th echild restrain tsystem. Only use
child restrain tsystems wit hth eoriginal cover
designed for them. Only replace damaged
cover swit hgenuine covers.
GWARNIN G
If th echild restrain tsystem is installed incor-
rectl yor is no tsecured ,it can come loos ein
th eevent of an accident, heav ybraking or a
sudde nchang ein direction .The child
restrain tsystem could be throw nabout ,strik -
ing vehicl eoccupants. There is an increased
ris kof injury, possibl yeve nfatal.
Always instal lchild restrain tsystems prop-
erly, eve nif they are no tbein gused .Mak e
sur ethat you observ eth echild restrain tsys-
te m manufacturer' sinstallation instructions.
You will fin dfurther information on stowin g
objects ,luggag eand loads securel yunder
"Loading guidelines" (
Ypage 208).
GWARNING
Child restrain tsystems or their securin gsys-
tems whic hhav ebeen damaged or subjecte d
to aload in an acciden tcan no longer protect
as intended. The child canno tthen be
restrained in th eevent of an accident, heav y
braking or sudde nchanges of direction .There
is an increased ris kof injury, possibl yeve n
fatal.
Replac echild restrain tsystems whic hhav e
been damaged or subjecte dto aload in an
acciden tas soo nas possible. Hav eth esecur-
ing systems on th echild restrain tsystem
checke dat aqualified specialist workshop,
before you instal l achild restrain tsystem
again .
Securing systems for child restrain tsystems
include:
Rth eseat belt system
Rth eLATCH-type (ISOFIX) securin grings
RTop Tether anchorage
iIf it is absolutely necessar yto instal l achild
restrain tsystem on th efront-passenger seat ,
be sur eto observ eth enote son "Child
restrain tsystems on th efront-passenger
seat " (
Ypage 51) .
All child restrain tsystems mus tmee tth efol -
lowin gstandards :
RU.S. Federal Motor Vehicl eSafet yStandards
21 3and 22 5
RCanadian Motor Vehicl eSafet yStandards
21 3and 210. 2
A statemen tby th echild restrain tmanufacturer
of complianc ewit hthe
se standards can be
foun don th einstruction label on th echild
restrain tsystem. You will also fin dth estate -
men tin th einstruction manual provide dwit hth e
child restrain tsystem.
Children in the vehicle49
Safety
Z

Observe the warning labels in the vehicle inte-
rior and on the child restraint system.
LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child seat secur-
ing system
GWARNING
LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child restraint systems
do not offer sufficient protective effect for
children whose weight is greater than 48 lbs
(22 kg) who are secured using the safety belt integrated in the child restraint system. In the
event of an accident, a child might not be
restrained correctly. This poses an increased
risk of injury or even fatal injury.
If the child weighs more than 48 lbs (22 kg),
only use LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child restraint
systems with which the child is also secured
with the vehicle seat belt. Also secure the
child restraint system with the Top Tether
belt, if available.
Always comply with the manufacturer's instal-
lation and operating instructions for the child
restraint system used.
Before every trip, make sure that the LATCH-
type (ISOFIX) child restraint system is engaged
correctly in both LATCH-type (ISOFIX) securing
rings
!When installing the child restraint system,
make sure that the seat belt for the middle
seat does not get trapped. The seat belt could
otherwise be damaged.
XInstall the LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child restraint system on both LATCH-type (ISOFIX) securing
rings :. ISOFIX is a standardized securing system for
specially designed child restraint systems on
the rear seats. LATCH-type (ISOFIX) securing
rings
:for a LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child
restraint system are installed between the seat
cushion and the seat backrest:
Ron the outer left and right seat on rear bench
seats with 3 seats
Ron the outer left seat on rear bench seats with
2 seats
Non-LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child seats may also
be used and can be installed using the vehicle's
seat belt system. Install the child seat according
to the manufacturer's instructions.
Top Tether
Introduction
Top Tether provides an additional connection
between the LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child restraint system and the vehicle. This helps reduce the
risk of injury even further. If the child restraint
system has a Top Tether belt, this should be
used at all times.
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If the Top Tether belt has been incorrectly
secured, e.g. to an eyelet in the cargo com-
partment, the child restraint system is not
correctly kept in place. It therefore cannot
perform its intended protective function in the
event of an accident. There is an increased
risk of injury.
Only secure the Top Tether hook to the Top
Tether anchorage intended for this purpose.
50Children in the vehicle
Safety

Top Tether anchorage points
Example: rear bench seat with three seats
Top Tether anchorages;are on the bench seat
legs on the rear side of the respective rear bench
seat.
XSlide head restraint :up.
XInstall the LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child restraint
system with Top Tether. Make sure you
observe the child restraint system manufac-
turer's installation instructions.
XRoute the Top Tether belt ?under head
restraint :between the two head restraint
bars.
XHook Top Tether hook =into Top Tether
anchorage ;.
Make sure that:
RTop Tether hook =is hooked into Top
Tether anchorage ;, as shown
RTop Tether belt?is not twisted
XTighten Top Tether belt ?. Make sure you
observe the child restraint system manufac-
turer's installation instructions.
XIf necessary, push the head restraint back
down slightly (Ypage 76). Make sure that
you do not interfere with the correct routing of
Top Tether belt ?.
Child restraint system on the front-
passenger seat
General notes
Accident statistics show that children secured
in the rear seats are safer than children secured
in the front seats. For this reason, Mercedes-
Benz strongly advises that you install a child
restraint system on a rear seat.
Rearward-facing child restraint system
The front-passenger front air bag cannot be
deactivated. Always install a rearward-facing
child restraint system on a suitable rear seat.
Always comply with the manufacturer's instal-
lation and operating instructions for the child
restraint system.
Forward-facing child restraint system
Always move the front-passenger seat as far
back as possible if the child must be secured on
the front-passenger seat in a forward-facing
child restraint system. The base of the child
restraint system must always rest on the seat
cushion of the front-passenger seat. As much as
possible of the backrest of the child restraint
system must be resting on the backrest of the
front-passenger seat. The child restraint system
may not be subjected to a load by the head
restraint. Adjust the head restraint position
accordingly. Always make sure the shoulder belt is correctly secured, running from the belt outlet
to the belt guide of the child restraint system.
The shoulder belt strap must be routed forward
and down from the vehicle belt outlet. Adjust the belt outlet and front-passenger seat as required.
Always comply with the manufacturer's instal-
lation and operating instructions for the child
restraint system.
Children in the vehicle51
Safety
Z

Override features/Child-proof locks
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If children are traveling in the vehicle, they
could:
Ropen doors, thus endangering other people
or road users
Rexit the vehicle and be caught by oncoming
traffic
Roperate vehicle equipment and become
trapped
There is a risk of an accident and injury.
Always activate the child-proof locks and
override feature if children are traveling in the vehicle. When leaving the vehicle, always take
the key with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children unattended in the vehicle.
Child-proof locks for rear doors (
Ypage 52).
GWARNING
If you leave children unsupervised in the vehi-
cle, they could set it in motion by, for example:
Rrelease the parking brake.
Rshift the automatic transmission out of the
parking position P.
Rstart the engine.
In addition, they may operate vehicle equip-
ment and become trapped. There is a risk of
an accident and injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children unsupervised in the vehicle.
GWARNING
If persons, particularly children are subjected to prolonged exposure to extreme heat or
cold, there is a risk of injury, possibly even
fatal. Never leave children unattended in the
vehicle.
GWARNING
If the child restraint system is subjected to
direct sunlight, parts may get very hot. Chil-
dren may burn themselves on these parts,
particularly on the metal parts of the child
restraint system. There is a risk of injury.
If you leave the vehicle, taking the child with
you, always ensure that the child restraint
system is not exposed to direct sunlight. Pro- tect it with a blanket, for example. If the child
restraint system has been exposed to direct
sunlight, let it cool down before securing the
child in it. Never leave children unattended in
the vehicle.
Child-proof locks for the rear door
Rear door
:
Child safety bolt
2Door secured – then make sure that the
child-proof locks are working properly.
3Door released
The child-proof lock on the doors enable you to
secure each door individually.
A door with an activated child-proof lock cannot
be opened from the inside. If the vehicle is
unlocked, the door can be opened from the out-
side.
Pets in the vehicle
GWARNING
If you leave animals unattended or unsecured
in the vehicle, they could press buttons or
switches, for example.
52Pets in the vehicle
Safety

As a result, they could:
Ractivate vehicle equipment and become
trapped, for example
Ractivate or deactivate systems, thereby
endangering other road users
Unsecured animals could also be flung around
the vehicle in the event of an accident or sud-
den steering or braking, thereby injuring vehi- cle occupants. There is a risk of an accident
and injury.
Never leave animals unattended in the vehi-
cle. Always secure animals properly during
the journey, e.g. use a suitable animal trans-
port box.
Driving safety systems
Overview
In this section, you will find information about
the following driving safety systems:
RABS ( Anti-lock Braking System)
RASR (Acceleration SkidControl)
RBAS ( Brake Assist System)
REBD ( Electronic Brake Force Distribution)
RESP®(E lectronic StabilityProgram)
Important safety notes
If you fail to adapt your driving style or if you are
inattentive, the driving safety systems can nei-
ther reduce the risk of accident nor override the
laws of physics. Driving safety systems are
merely aids designed to assist driving. You are
responsible for the distance to the vehicle in
front, for vehicle speed, braking in good time
and for staying in your lane. Always adapt your
driving style to the prevailing road and weather
conditions and maintain a sufficient, safe dis-
tance from other road users. Drive carefully.
Please note that the driving safety systems
described only work optimally when:
Rthere is adequate contact between the tires
and the road surface
Ryou use winter tires (M+S tires), with snow
chains if necessary, when the road conditions
are wintry Pay particular attention to the information
regarding tires, tire tread and winter operation
under "Wheels and tires" (
Ypage 243).
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Important safety notes
Observe the important safety guidelines for the
driving safety system (Ypage 53).
GWARNING
If ABS is faulty, the wheels could lock when
braking. The steerability and braking charac-
teristics may be severely impaired. Addition-
ally, further driving safety systems are deac-
tivated. There is an increased danger of skid-
ding and accidents.
Drive on carefully. Have ABS checked imme-
diately at a qualified specialist workshop.
If ABS is malfunctioning, other systems will also
fail, including driving safety systems. Observe
the information relating to the !warning
lamp (
Ypage 191).
ABS regulates brake pressure in such a way that
the wheels do not lock when you brake. This
allows you to continue steering the vehicle when
braking.
ABS works from a speed of about 5 mph
(8 km/h), regardless of road-surface conditions. ABS works on slippery surfaces, even when you
only brake gently.
The yellow !warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when the ignition is switched
on. The lamp goes out when the engine starts
running.
Braking
If ABS intervenes when braking, you will feel a
pulsating in the brake pedal.
The pulsating brake pedal can be an indication
of hazardous road conditions and functions as a
reminder to take extra care while driving.
XIf ABS intervenes: continue to depress the
brake pedal with force until the braking sit-
uation is over.
XTo make a full brake application: depress
the brake pedal with full force.
Driving safety systems53
Safety
Z

ASR (accelerationskid control )
Gene ral notes
Important safety notes
Observ eth eimportant safet yguidelines for th e
drivin gsafet ysystem (Ypage 53).
AS Rcan neither reduce th eris kof an acciden t
no rsuspen dth elaws of physics if th edriver
does no tpay attention when pullin gaway or
accelerating .AS Ris only an aid. Always adapt
your drivin gstyle to suit th eprevailing road and
weather conditions.
If you activat eor deactivat eth eall-whee ldrive
in avehicl ewit hthis option ,AS Rwill be deacti -
vated for th eduration of th eactivation/deacti-
vation process.
Vehicles without steering whee lbuttons :if AS R
is malfunctioning ,th e: indicator lamp lights
up while th eengin eis runnin gand th eengin e
powe rmay be reduce d (
Ypage 191).
AS Rsignificantly improve straction ,i.e .th e
transmission of powe rfrom th etires to th eroad
surface, and thus increases th evehicle's drivin g
stability. If th edrivin gwheels start to spin ,AS R
brakes individual drive wheels and limits th e
engin etorque .AS Rthus significantly assist syou
when pullin gaway and accelerating ,especially
on wet or slipper yroads.
If traction on th eroad surfac eis no tsufficient,
eve nAS Rwill no tallow you to pull away without
difficulty. The typ eof tire
s and total weigh
tof th e
vehicl eas well as th egradien tof th eroad also
play acrucia lrole.
If AS Rintervenes, th ed warning lamp in th e
instrumen tcluste rflashes .
Activating/deactivating ASR
GWARNIN G
If deactivated, AS Rwill no tattemp tto stabi-
liz eth evehicl eduring pullin gaway and accel-
eration .There is an increased ris kof skiddin g
and of an accident.
Only deactivat eAS Rin th esituation sdescri-
bed in th efollowing.
!If you deactivat eASR, ES P®will still inter-
ven eto stabiliz eth evehicle. Frequen tbraking
automatically triggered by ES P
®can damage
th ebrak esystem. Fo
rthis reason ,deactivat eAS Ronly briefl y
and when absolutely necessary.
When ES P®is intervening and th ed warning
lamp in th einstrumen tcluste ris flashing, leav e
AS Ron .In this case, only depress th eacceler -
ato rpedal as far as require dwhen pullin gaway.
XPress th eà button.
If AS Ris deactivated, th ed warning lamp
in th einstrumen tcluste rlights up.
AS Ris automatically activated when th eengin e
is started.
It may be best to deactivat eAS Rbriefl yin th e
followin gsituations:
Rwhen usin gsnow chain s
Rin deep snow
Ron sandor gravel
If you deactivat eASR:
Rengin etorque is no tlimite dand th edrive
wheels are able to spin .The spinnin gwheels
will then achiev e acutting effec tfor bette r
traction .
Rtraction control remain sactive throug hbrak e
intervention .If adrive whee lattain sits tire
traction limi tbecause on eside of th eroad is
slippery, for example, that whee lis braked.
The traction is then increased in this situation .
Ractive brakeintervention by ES P®to increase
drivin gstabilit yremain sactive .The d
warning lamp in th einstrumen tcluste r
flashes when ES P
®is intervening.
BAS (Brake Assist System)
GWARNING
If BA Sis malfunctioning ,th ebraking distanc e
in an emergenc ybraking situation is
increased. There is aris kof an accident.
54Driving safety systems
Safety