2018 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER MY18 Operator’s Manual

Load distribution
General notes
!
Excessive loads on individual points of the
cargo floor or on the load surface impair vehi-
cle handling characteristics and could cause
damage to the floor covering.
The overall center of gravity of the load should
always be as low as possible, centered and
between the axles near the rear axle.
On Cargo Vans and Passenger Vans:
XAlways transport loads in the cargo compart-
ment.
XAlways place the load against the backrests of the rear bench seat.
XMove large and heavy loads as far towards the
front of the vehicle as possible against the
rear bench seat. Stow the load flush with the
rear bench seat.
XAlways additionally secure the load with suit-
able load-securing aids or tie downs.
Observe the following notes:
RDo not stack loads higher than the upper edge
of the backrests.
RTransport loads behind seats that are not
occupied.
RIf the rear bench seat is not occupied, insert
the seat belts crosswise into the buckle of the
opposite seat belt.
Securing loads
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If you attach the tie-down incorrectly when
securing the load, the following may occur in
the event of abrupt changes in direction, brak- ing maneuvers or an accident:
Rthe cargo tie-down rings may become
detached or the tie-down may tear if the
permissible load is exceeded
Rthe load may not be restrained.
This may cause the load to slip, tip over or be
tossed about, striking vehicle occupants.
There is a risk of an accident and injury.
Always tension the tie-downs in the proper
manner and only between the described
cargo tie-down rings. Always use tie-downs
designed specifically for the loads.
!Observe the information on the maximum
loading capacity of the individual cargo tie-
down points.
If you use several cargo tie-down points to
secure a load, you must always take the max-
imum loading capacity of the weakest cargo
tie-down point into account.
If you brake hard, for example, the forces act- ing could be up to several times the weight
force of the load. Always use multiple cargo
tie-down points in order to distribute the force
absorption. Load the anchorages evenly.
Spread the load evenly between the cargo tie-
down points or tie-down rings.
Please also refer to the notes about qualified
specialist workshops (
Ypage 27).
Always observe the operating instructions or the
notes of the lashing strap manufacturer for the
operation of the lashing strap.
Information about the maximum loading capa-
city of the cargo tie-down points can be found in
the "Technical data" section (
Ypage 287).
As the driver, you are responsible for ensuring
that:
RThe load is secured against slipping, tipping,
rolling or falling off. This applies both in nor-
mal traffic conditions and if the vehicle must
swerve to avoid an obstacle, in the event of
full brake application and on poor road sur
fa-
ces.
RThe applicable requirements and guidelines
relating to load-securing practices must be
met.
If this is not the case, this may constitute a
punishable offense, depending on local legis-
lation and any ensuing consequences.
You should therefore observe the respective
legal requirements for the relevant country.
Make sure that the load is secure before every
journey and at regular intervals during a long
journey. Correct an incorrectly or inadequately
secured load if necessary.
You can obtain information about securing the
load correctly from the manufacturer of the load
securing aids or tie down for securing the load.
Securing loads215
Transporting loads
Z

XFill spaces between the load and the cargo
compartment walls or wheel housings (form-
locking). Use rigid load securing aids, such as
wedges, wooden fixings or padding.
XAttach secured and stabilized loads in all
directions. Use the cargo tie-down points or
cargo tie-down rings and the loading rails in
the cargo compartment or on the cargo area.
Only use tie downs, such as lashing rods or
lashing nets and lashing straps, that have
been tested in accordance with current
standards (e.g. DIN EN).
Always use the cargo tie-down rings closest to
the load to secure it and pad sharp edges for
protection.
Loads, and heavy loads in particular, should
preferably be secured using the cargo tie-
down rings.
iTie downs tested in accordance with current
standards (e.g. DIN EN) are available at any
qualified specialist workshop.
Cargo tie-down points (example: Passenger Van)
:
Cargo tie-down rings
Cargo tie-down point (example: Cargo Van without
loading rails)
:
Cargo tie-down rings
Cargo tie-down points (example: Cargo Van with
loading rails)
:
Cargo tie-down rings
;Load rails
Secure loose loads with a tested lashing net or a
tarpaulin.
XAlways fasten the lashing net or tarpaulin to
all available cargo tie-down points. Make sure
that the retaining hooks are secured against
accidental opening.
If your vehicle is equipped with loading rails ;
in the floor, you can place lashing rods directly in
front of and behind the load. The lashing rods
directly absorb the potential shifting forces.
Securing loads on the cargo compartment floor
by lashing them down is only recommended for
lightweight loads. Place non-slip mats (anti-slip
mats) under the load to increase load security.
216Securing loads
Transporting loads

Installing/removing cargo tie-down
rings for the load rails
GWARNING
If th ecargo tie-down rin gis no tproperly
installed, it may slip or become detached in
th eevent of abrup tchanges in direction ,brak -
ing maneuvers or an accident. This may caus e
objects ,luggag eor th eload to slip, ti pove ror
be tosse dabout ,striking vehicl eoccupants.
Ther eis aris kof injury.
Before usin gth ecargo tie-down rings, always
mak esur ethey are properly installed and
canno tbe moved.
XTo install: slide thecargo tie-down rin g
throug h arecess in th eloadin grail close to
th eload until lockin gmechanism :engage s
in th erecess .
iWhen you pull lockin gmechanism :up and
out of th erecess ,th ecargo tie-down rin gis
able to mov ewithin th eloadin grail. Mak e
sur ethat lockin gmechanism :is always
engage din arecess .
XCheckth ecargo tie-down rin gfor fir mseat -
ing .
XTo remove: pull lockingmechanism :up
and pull th ecargo tie-down rin gtowards th e
lockin gmechanism and out of th eloadin grail
throug h arecess .
Carrier systems
Roof carrier
GWARNIN G
When you load th eroof, th ecenter of gravit y
of th evehicl erises and th edriving character-
istics change. If you exceed th emaximum roo f
load, th edriving characteristics ,as well as
steering and braking ,will be greatl yimpaired.
Ther eis aris kof an accident.
Never exceed th emaximum roo fload and
adjust your driving style.
You can fin dinformation about th emaximum
roo fload in th e"Technical data" section
(
Ypage 287).
!Mak esur ethat:
Rth escrews for th eroo fcarrie rare tightened
in th esliding blocks to atorque of
6. 0 – 7.4lb-ft (8 –10 Nm)
Rth ebolts, when tightened, do no ttouch th e
rails .
Rtheslot nut sare no tlocate din th earea of
th eplastic caps.
Rth eslot nut shav eth eright cross-section .
Rthemounting rails in th einterior are free of
dirt .
Rthescrews are retightened evenly after
approximately 30 0mile s(50 0km).
We recommen dtha tyou only use roo fracks
tested and approve dby Sprinter. These help
avoid vehicl edamage.
!If you wan tto retrofit securin grails, hav eit
don eat aqualified specialist workshop .You
could otherwise damage th evehicle.
:Securin grail s
Carrier systems217
Transporting loads
Z

It is possible to install a roof carrier if your vehi-
cle is equipped with securing rails on the roof.
Special mountings (sliding blocks) are available
as accessories.
These mounting elements are available at any
authorized Sprinter Dealer.
Ladder carrier
Example: ladder rack on Chassis Cab
:
Front ladder rack
;Rear ladder rack
Pay attention to the important safety notes in
the "Loading guidelines" section (
Ypage 213).
You can find information about the maximum
ladder rack load in the "Technical data" section
(
Ypage 217).
You will find information about cleaning and
care in the "Notes on care" (
Ypage 234) and
"Power washers" (Ypage 235) sections.
218Carrier systems
Transporting loads

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).
Engine compartment
Hood
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If the hood is unlatched, it may open up when the vehicle is in motion and block your view.
There is a risk of an accident.
Never unlatch the hood while driving.
GWARNING
Opening the hood when the engine is over-
heated or when there is a fire in the engine
compartment could expose you to hot gases
or other service products. There is a risk of
injury.
Let an overheated engine cool down before
opening the hood. If there is a fire in the
engine compartment, keep the hood closed
and contact the fire department.
GWARNING
The engine compartment contains moving
components. Certain components, such as
the radiator fan, may continue to run or start
again suddenly when the ignition is off. There is a risk of injury.
If you need to do any work inside the engine
compartment:
Rswitch off the ignition
Rnever reach into the area where there is a
risk of danger from moving components,
such as the fan rotation area
Rremove jewelry and watches
Rkeep items of clothing and hair, for exam-
ple, away from moving parts
GWARNING
The fuel injection system operates with a high
voltage. If you touch the live components, you could receive an electric shock. There is a risk
of injury.
Never touch components of the fuel injection
system when the ignition is switched on.
The live components of the fuel injection system
are, for example, the injectors.
GWARNING
Certain components in the engine compart-
ment, such as the engine, radiator and parts
of the exhaust system, can become very hot.
Working in the engine compartment poses a
risk of injury.
Where possible, let the engine cool down and touch only the components described in the
following.
If you have to carry out work in the engine com-
partment, only touch the following components:
RHood
ROil dipstick
REngine oil filler neck cap
RWasher fluid reservoir cap
RCoolant expansion tank cap
Opening the hood
!Make sure that the windshield wipers are
not folded away from the windshield. You
could otherwise damage the windshield wip-
ers or the hood.
Engine compartment219
Maintenance and care
Z

Releasehandle for th ehoo d
XStop your veh icleas far away fr omtraff icas
possible on level ground.
XSwitch off the engine.
XSecure the veh icleto prevent itfrom rolling
away.
XPull release handle :onthe hood.
The hoodis released.
XReach into the gap and push lever ;onthe
hoo d catch up.
XSwin g the hood up unt ilsupport strut =
engages and the hood issupported.
Closing the hood
GWARNIN G
If the hoodis unlatched, it could tip forward
during rapid decelerati on ofthe vehicle and
hit persons or objects within its path.Thereis
a risk ofan acc ident and injury.
Therefore, always make sure that the hoodis
closed and locked co mpletely before driv ing
off.
If the hood is not locked and you are alrea dy
driv ing at walking pace:
Rthe yellow 1indicat or lamp in theinstru-
ment cluster goes onfor vehicles without
steering -wheel butto ns.
Rthe 1 Hoodopendisplay appears for vehi-
cles with steering-wheel butto ns.
!When you press the support strut back,
make sure that you do not press it against the
detent position and cause itto bend.
!Do no t use your hands to push thehood
down .You could damage it otherwise.
XLift the hood slightly.
XPress support strut =towards the back.
XLowe r the hood and allow it to fallwith
mom entum fr oma height of approximat ely
1 ft (30 cm).
The hood locks audibly.
XChec k that the hood is correctly locke d.
If the hood can beraised slightly, it is not
properly engaged. Ifthe hood is not correctly
engaged, openthehood again. Let the hood
fall with a little moremom entum.
220Engine compartment
Maintenance and care

Overview of the engine compartment
Example: engine
:
Coolant expansion tank cap (Ypage 223)
;DEF filler neck cap (Ypage 128)
=Engine oil filler neck cap (Ypage 221)
?Brake fluid expansion tank cap
(Ypage 224)
AWasher fluid reservoir cap (Ypage 225)
Regularly check the fluid level and the assembly
for leaks. If you detect fluid loss, e.g. oil flecks on
the vehicle parking space, consult a qualified
specialist workshop immediately.
Engine oil
General notes
!Engine oil gets dirty in the course of opera-
tion and its quality and volume are gradually
diminished. Regularly check the oil level, and
top up or have it replaced as needed.
Observe the information on engine oils and oil
consumption in the "Technical data" section
(
Ypage 282).
You can check the oil level in the engine:
Ron the display of the on-board computer
Rwith the oil dipstick
Checking the oil level shown in the dis-
play
If at extremely low temperatures no engine oil
level is displayed after five minutes, repeat the
engine oil level check after another five minutes.
If an oil level reading is still not displayed, check
the engine oil level with the dipstick
(
Ypage 222). Have the engine oil level checked
at a qualified specialist workshop. Only check the oil level when the engine is at
normal operating temperature.
XPark the vehicle on a level surface.
XSwitch off the engine.
XWait 5 minutes.
XTurn the key to position
2in the ignition lock.
The display is activated.
XVehicles without steering wheel buttons:
press the 4menu button on the instrument
cluster (
Ypage 34) repeatedly until the dis-
play shows the 1symbol.
The --:--
display message appears in the
display while the engine oil level measure-
ment is running.
XVehicles with steering wheel buttons:
press the Ëservice button on the instrument
cluster (
Ypage 34).
The 4 Engine oil level Measuring
inprogressdisplay message appears in the
display while the engine oil level measure-
ment is in progress.
Display message for vehicles without steer-
ing-wheel buttons: the display may show the
following messages after the engine oil level
measurement.
1Action
OKXDo not add oil.
– 1.0 qtsXAdd the amount of oil
shown (Ypage 223).
XCheck the engine oil level
again after a few minutes.– 1.5 qts
– 2.0 qts
HIThe oil level is too high.
XHave excess oil removed.
Measurement units in the display:
RqtsUSA only
RltrCanada only
Display message for vehicles with steering- wheel buttons: the display may show the fol-
lowing messages after the engine oil level meas-
urement.
1Action
Engineoillevel OKXDo not add oil.
Engine compartment221
Maintenance and care
Z

EngineoilAdd1.0 quart
XAdd the amount of oil
shown (Ypage 223).
XCheck the engine oil level
again after a few minutes.
EngineoilAdd1.5quarts
EngineoilAdd2.0quarts
EngineoillevelReduceoillevel
The oil level is too high.
XHave excess oil removed.
Eng. oillev. Turnignitionon forlevel
XTurn the key to position2in
the ignition lock.
Observewait.period
XIf the engine is at normal
operating temperature,
repeat the engine oil meas-
urement after about five
minutes.
XRepeat the engine oil
measurement after about
30 minutes if the engine is
not at normal operating
temperature.
Engineoillevel Notwhen eng.running
XSwitch off the engine when it is at normal operating
temperature and wait
approximately 5 minutes
before measuring the
engine oil level.
Measurement units in the display:
RqtsUSA only
RltrCanada only
Checking the oil level using the oil dip-
stick
Example: 4-cylinder diesel engine
Example: 6-cylinder diesel engine
For vehicles with a red oil dipstick, only check
the oil level when the engine is at normal oper-
ating temperature:
XStop your vehicle as far away from traffic as
possible on level ground.
XSecure the vehicle to prevent it from rolling
away.
XSwitch off the engine.
XWait for five minutes.
For vehicles with a yellow oil dipstick, only check
the oil level when the engine is cold.
XStop your vehicle as far away from traffic as
possible on level ground.
XSecure the vehicle to prevent it from rolling
away.
XOpen the hood (Ypage 219).
XPull out oil dipstick :.
XWipe oil dipstick:using a lint-free cloth.
222Engine compartment
Maintenance and care