2017 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER air suspension

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 27).
Important safety notes
GWarning
A flat tire severely impairs the driving, steer-
ing and braking characteristics of the vehicle.
There is a risk of an accident.
do not drive with a flat tire. Immediately
replace the flat tire with your spare wheel, or
consult a qualified specialist workshop.
GWARNING
If wheels and tires of the wrong size are used, the wheel brakes or suspension components
may be damaged. There is a risk of an acci-
dent.
Always replace wheels and tires with those
that fulfill the specifications of the original
part.
When replacing wheels, make sure to use the
correct:
Rdesignation
Rmodel
When replacing tires, make sure to use the
correct:
Rdesignation
Rmanufacturer
Rmodel
Accessories that are not approved for your vehi-
cle by Mercedes-Benz or are not being used cor-
rectly can impair operating safety. Before purchasing and using non-approved
accessories, visit a qualified specialist work-
shop and inquire about:
Rsuitability
Rlegal stipulations
Rfactory recommendations
Contact an authorized Sprinter dealer if you
require information on tested and recommen-
ded wheels and tires for summer and winter
driving. Advice on purchasing and caring for
tires is also available there.
Information on tire and wheel dimensions and
types as well as the recommended tire pressure
for your vehicle can be found in the "Tire pres-
sure" section (
Ypage 252).
This data can also be found on the Tire and
Loading Information placard on the B-pillar.
Modifications to the brake system or wheels are
not permitted. The use of a spacer and brake
dust shields is not permitted. This invalidates
the general operating permit for the vehicle.
iFurther information on wheels and tires can
be obtained at any qualified specialist work-
shop.
Operation
Information for a journey
If the vehicle is heavily laden, check the tire
pressures, and correct them, if necessary
(
Ypage 246).
While driving, pay attention to vibrations, noises
and unusual handling characteristics, e.g. pull-
ing to one side. This may indicate that the
wheels or tires are damaged. If you suspect that
a tire is defective, reduce your speed immedi-
ately. Stop the vehicle as soon as possible to
check the wheels and tires for damage. Hidden
tire damage could also be causing the unusual
handling characteristics. If you find no signs of
damage, have the tires and wheels checked at a
qualified specialist workshop.
When parking your vehicle, make sure that the
tires do not get deformed by the curb or other
obstacles. If it is necessary to drive over curbs,
speed humps or similar elevations, try to do so
slowly and not at a sharp angle. Otherwise, the
tires, particularly the sidewalls, can get dam-
aged.
Operation243
Wheels and tires
Z

Once you have mounted the winter tires:
XCheck the tire pressure (Ypage 246).
XReactivate the tire pressure moni-
tor* (
Ypage 251).
Snow chains
GWARNING
If you drive too fast with snow chains moun-
ted, they may snap. As a result, you could
injure others and damage the vehicle. There is
a risk of an accident.
Observe the maximum permissible speed for
operation with snow chains.
When driving with snow chains installed, do not
exceed the maximum permissible speed of
30 mph (50 km/h). Observe the country-spe-
cific laws and regulations for operation with
snow chains.
!Check the snow chains for damage before
mounting them. Damaged or worn snow
chains may snap and damage the following
components:
Rwheel
Rwheel housing
Rwheel suspension
For this reason, you must use only snow
chains that are free of defects. Observe the
manufacturer's mounting instructions.
!Vehicles with steel wheels: if you mount
snow chains on steel wheels, you may dam-
age the hub caps. Remove the hub caps from
the relevant wheels before mounting the
snow chains.
Snow chains increase traction on roads in wintry
conditions.
For reasons of safety we only recommend using snow chains or traction aids that are approved
for the Sprinter. The snow chains or traction aids
must be of class U or meet the SAE type U
specification. Information on snow chains is
available at any qualified specialist workshop.
When mounting snow chains, please bear the
following points in mind:
RSnow chains cannot be mounted on all
wheel/tire combinations. When mounting the snow chains, note the permissible tire and
snow chain dimensions.
RMount snow chains only in pairs and only to
the rear wheels. On vehicles with twin tires,
mount the snow chains to the outer wheels.
Observe the manufacturer's mounting
instructions.
RVehicles with all-wheel-drive:
snow chains
are not permitted on the front axle. There is
not sufficient space for commercially-availa-
ble snow chains. Information about snow
chains for all-wheel-drive vehicles can be
obtained from an authorized Sprinter Dealer.
ROnly use snow chains when the road is cov-
ered by a layer of snow. Remove the snow
chains as soon as possible when you come to
a road that is not snow-covered.
RThe use of snow chains may be restricted by
local regulations. Observe the appropriate
regulations before mounting snow chains.
RActivate all-wheel drive before driving off with
snow chains (Ypage 145).
RWhen driving with snow chains installed, do
not exceed the maximum permissible speed
of 30 mph (50 km/h).
RCheck the tension of the chains after a dis-
tance of approximately 0.5 miles (1.0 km).
You can deactivate ASR (
Ypage 54) when pull-
ing away with snow chains mounted. This allows
the wheels to spin in a controlled manner, ach-
ieving an increased driving force (cutting
action).
Tire pressure
Tire pressure specifications
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Underinflated or overinflated tires pose the
following risks:
Rthe tires may burst, especially as the load
and vehicle speed increase.
Rthe tires may wear excessively and/or
unevenly, which may greatly impair tire
traction.
Rthe driving characteristics, as well as steer-
ing and braking, may be greatly impaired.
246Tire pressure
Wheels and tires
* optional

Flat tire
General notes
If your vehicleis equipped wit h aspar ewheel,
th espar ewhee lis under th erear of th evehicl e
(
Ypage 268).
Information about installin g awhee lcan be
foun din th e"Whee lchange" section
(
Ypage 263).
Changing wheels
Rotating the wheels
GWARNIN G
Interchangin gth efron tand rear wheels may
severely impair th edriving characteristics if
th ewheels or tires have different dimensions.
The whee lbrakes or suspension component s
may also be damaged. Ther eis aris kof acci-
dent.
Rotate fron tand rear wheels only if th ewheels
and tires are of th esam edimensions.
!On vehicles equipped wit h atire pressur e
monitor, electronic component sare locate d
in th ewheel.
Tire-mounting tools should no tbe used near
th evalve. This could damag eth eelectronic
components.
Only have tires changed at aqualified spe-
cialist workshop.
Always observ eth einstruction sand safet y
note sin th e"Mounting awheel" section
(
Ypage 263).
The wear pattern son th efron tand rear tires
differ, depending on th eoperating conditions.
Rotate th ewheels before aclear wear pattern
has formed on th etires .Fron ttires typically
wear mor eon th eshoulder sand th erear tires in
th ecenter.
If your vehicle's tire configuration allows ,you
can rotate th etires according to th eintervals in
th etire manufacturer' swarrant ybook in your
vehicl edocuments .If no warrant ybook is avail-
able, th etires should be rotate devery 3,000 to
6,000 mile
s(
5,00 0to 10,00 0km), or earlier if
tire wear requires. Do no tchang eth edirection
of rotation . Clean th
econtact surface sof th ewhee land th e
brak edisc thoroughly every time awhee lis rota-
ted.
Chec kth etire pressur eand reactivat eth etire
pressur emonitor if necessary.
Diagram showin gtir erotation for single and dual
tires
Single tires: if thetires are of identical dimen-
sions, you can rotate bot hwheels on bot hth e
fron tand rear axle sso that th etires 'original
direction of rotation is maintained. On unidirec -
tional tires ,an arrow on th esidewall shows th e
prescribe ddirection of rotation of th etire.
Twin rea rtires: if thetires are of identical
dimensions, you can rotate th ewheels on th e
fron taxle and th einner wheels on th erear axle
in pair ssuc hthat th eoriginal direction of tire
rotation is retained. Wit hunidirectional tires ,
you may rotate th eoutside wheels at th erear
axle from on eside to th eother .
Direction of rotation
Tires wit h aspecifie ddirection of rotation have
additional benefits ,e.g. if there is aris kof hydro-
planing .You will only gain these benefits if th e
correct direction of rotation is observed.
An arrow on th esidewall of th etire indicates it s
correct direction of rotation .
You may moun t aspar ewhee lagainst th edirec-
tion of rotation .Observ eth etime restriction on
use as well as th espee dlimitation specifie don
th espar ewheel.
Storing wheels
Store wheels that are no tbein gused in acool,
dry and preferably dark place. Protect th etires
from contact wit hoil, grease and fuel .
262Changing wheels
Wheels and tires