2018 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER MY18 Operator’s Manual

XInsert oil dipstick:back into the guide tube
as far as it will go and remove it again.
If the level is between minimum mark =and
maximum mark ;, the oil level is correct.
XIf the oil level has dropped to or below mini-
mum mark=, open cap ?and add engine oil
(
Ypage 223).
The difference in quantity between marks ;
and =is approximately 2 qt (2 l).
XInsert the oil dipstick into the guide tube as far
as it will go.
XClose the hood (Ypage 220).
OM651 4-cylinder diesel engine:
At outside temperatures between 32 ‡ (–0 †)
and 86 ‡ (30 †), the oil level can be checked
when the engine is cold.
Measuring the engine oil when the engine is cold
is less precise than measuring when the engine
is at normal operating temperature.
When the appropriate warning is shown in the
display
XAdd engine oil (Ypage 223)
or
XHave engine oil siphoned off.
Add engine oil
GWARNING
If engine oil comes into contact with hot com- ponents in the engine compartment, it may
ignite. There is a risk of fire and injury.
Make sure that engine oil is not spilled next to
the filler neck. Let the engine cool down and
thoroughly clean the engine oil off the com-
ponents before starting the engine.
!The alternator is located below the engine
oil filler neck. If engine oil spills onto the alter-
nator, there is a danger of alternator damage.
Be very careful when adding engine oil.
HEnvironmental note
When adding oil, take care not to spill any. If
oil enters the soil or waterways, it is harmful to
the environment.
!Do not add too much oil. adding too much
engine oil can result in damage to the engine
or to the catalytic converter. Have excess
engine oil siphoned off.
!Do not use any additives in the engine oil.
This could damage the engine.
XOpen the hood (Ypage 219).
XUnscrew and remove cap ?.
XAdd engine oil.
XReplace cap?on the filler neck and tighten.
When doing so, make sure that the cap
engages correctly.
XCheck the oil level with the oil dipstick
(Ypage 222) or on the display (Ypage 221).
XClose the hood.
Coolant
GWARNING
The engine cooling system is pressurized, par-
ticularly when the engine is warm. When
opening the cap, you could be scalded by hot
coolant spraying out. There is a risk of injury.
Let the engine cool down before opening the
cap. Wear eye and hand protection when
opening the cap. Open the cap slowly half a
turn to allow pressure to escape.
Only check the coolant level and/or fill the cool-
ant if the vehicle is on a level surface and the
engine has cooled down. The coolant tempera-
ture must be below 122 ‡ (50 †).
!Check the engine cooling and heating sys-
tem regularly for leaks.
If a large quantity of coolant is lost, have the
cause traced and rectified at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
GWARNING
If antifreeze comes into contact with hot com- ponents in the engine compartment, it may
ignite. There is a risk of fire and injury.
Let the engine cool down before you add anti-
freeze. Make sure that antifreeze is not spilled
next to the filler neck. Thoroughly clean the
antifreeze from components before starting
the engine.
!Take care not to spill any coolant on painted
surfaces. You could otherwise damage the
paintwork.
Engine compartment223
Maintenance and care
Z

Example: cap and coolant expansion tank
Checking the coolant level
XStop your vehicle as far away from traffic as
possible on level ground.
XSwitch off the engine.
XSecure the vehicle to prevent it from rolling
away.
XOpen the hood (Ypage 219).
XSlowly turn cap:half a turn counter-clock-
wise to allow excess pressure to escape.
XTurn cap :further and remove it.
XCheck the coolant level.
If the coolant reaches the maximum mark on
coolant expansion tank ;, there is enough
coolant in coolant expansion tank ;.
Adding coolant
XIf the coolant drops under the minimum mark
on coolant expansion tank ;, add coolant to
the maximum mark.
Observe the information on coolant mixture
ratio and water quality in the "Technical data"
section (
Ypage 285). To prevent damage to
the engine cooling system, use only approved
corrosion inhibitor and antifreeze that com-
plies with the Mercedes-Benz Specifications
for Service Products.
XReplace cap :and turn it clockwise to
tighten.
XStart the engine.
XAfter approximately five minutes, switch off
the engine again and allow it to cool down.
XCheck the coolant level again and add coolant
if necessa ry.
XClose the hood.
Brake fluid
GWARNING
Service products may be poisonous and haz-
ardous to health. There is a risk of injury.
Comply with instructions on the use, storage
and disposal of service products on the labels
of the respective original containers. Always
store service products sealed in their original
containers. Always keep service products out
of the reach of children.
Brake fluid is hazardous to health. Also observe
the safety notes in the "Service products and
capacities" section (
Ypage 278).
GWARNING
The brake fluid constantly absorbs moisture
from the air. This lowers the boiling point of
the brake fluid. If the boiling point of the brake
fluid is too low, vapor pockets may form in the
brake system when the brakes are applied
hard. This would impair braking efficiency.
There is a risk of an accident.
You should have the brake fluid renewed at
the specified intervals.
!Brake fluid corrodes paint, plastic and rub-
ber. If paint, plastic or rubber has come into
contact with brake fluid, rinse with water
immediately.
Have the brake fluid renewed every two years at
a qualified specialist workshop. Observe the
information on brake fluid in the "Technical
data" section (
Ypage 284).
Check the brake fluid level regularly, e.g. weekly
or when refueling.
224Engine compartment
Maintenance and care

Checking the brake fluid level
XStop your vehicle as far away from traffic as
possible on level ground.
XSwitch off the engine.
XSecure the vehicle to prevent it from rolling
away.
XOpen the hood (Ypage 219).
XCheck the brake fluid level.
The brake fluid level is correct if the level is
between the MIN mark and MAX mark on
brake fluid reservoir:.
XClose the hood.
!If the brake fluid level in the brake fluid res-
ervoir has fallen to the MIN mark or below,
check the brake system immediately for
leaks. Also check the thickness of the brake
linings. Visit a qualified specialist workshop
immediately.
Do not add brake fluid. This does not correct
the malfunction.
Washer fluid
GWARNING
Windshield washer concentrate could ignite if it comes into contact with hot engine compo-
nents or the exhaust system. There is a risk of
fire and injury.
Make sure that no windshield washer con-
centrate is spilled next to the filler neck.
!Only use washer fluid that is suitable for
plastic lamp lenses, e.g. MB SummerFit or MB WinterFit. Unsuitable washer fluid could dam-
age the plastic lenses of the headlamps.
Example: washer fluid reservoir
Add windshield washer concentrate to the
washer fluid all year round. Observe the infor-
mation on washer fluid in the "Technical data"
section (
Ypage 286).
Adding washer fluid
XMix the washer fluid to the appropriate mixing ratio in a container beforehand.
XOpen the hood (Ypage 219).
XPull cap :on the washer fluid reservoir
upwards at the tab.
XAdd the premixed washer fluid.
XPress cap :onto the filler neck until it
engages audibly.
XClose the hood.
Fuel system
Draining the fuel filter
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
ignition and auxiliary heating before carrying
out work to the fuel system. Always wear pro-
tective gloves.
HEnvironmental note
Dispose of the water-fuel mixture in an envi-
ronmentally responsible manner.
!When the :indicator lamp lights up,
drain the fuel filter with water separator
immediately. Otherwise, the engine may be
damaged.
Engine compartment225
Maintenance and care
Z

If the: indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster goes on, drain the fuel filter with the
water separator immediately.
iWe recommend that you have this mainte-
nance work carried out at a qualified special-
ist workshop.
XPark the vehicle safely and secure it from roll-
ing away.
XSwitch off the auxiliary heating system .
XSwitch off the engine.
XOpen the hood (Ypage 219).
XPlace a suitable receptacle under drain
hose :.
XTurn the key to position 2in the ignition lock.
XOpen drain plug ;immediately until the
water/fuel mixture flows out of drain hose :.
XScrew in drain plug;as soon as approx-
imately 0.2 qt (0.2 l)of the water/fuel mixture
has been collected.
The electrical fuel pump automatically halts
the flow of the water/fuel mixture after
30 seconds.
XAfter draining, turn the key back to position 0
in the ignition lock.
XDispose of the collected water/fuel mixture
in an environmentally responsible manner,
e.g. at a qualified specialist workshop.
XCheck drain plug ;. The drain plug must be
closed.
When the engine is running and drain hose ;
is open, fuel is lost through drain hose :.
XClose the hood (Ypage 220).
If the : indicator lamp does not go out after
draining:
XDrain the fuel filter again.
XIf the : indicator lamp does not go out
after draining for the second time, have the
cause checked immediately at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
Vehicle interior
Air filter for the rear-compartment air
conditioning
!
Regularly check the air filters for visible dirt.
Clean or replace a dirty filter mat. The dirt may
otherwise lead to damage to the air-condi-
tioning system.
Filter magazine, located on the roof in the rear
compartment
An increased amount of sand or dust may collect in the air filter of the rear-compartment air con-
ditioning when you drive on dusty or sandy
roads.
XTo remove the filter mat: carefully pry
cover :out of recesses ;and remove.
XRemove the filter mat from the air duct.
XTo clean the filter mat: wash the dirty filter
mat with clear water.
XLeave the filter mat to dry.
iThe filter mat must not be cleaned or dried in
a machine.
XTo install the filter mat: insert the filter mat
into the air duct.
XReplace and engage cover :.
Maintenance
General notes
HEnvironmental note
Observe measures to protect the environ-
ment when working on the vehicle. You must
observe the legal requirements when dispos-
ing of service products, e.g. engine oil. This
also includes all components, e.g. filters,
which have come into contact with service
products. Any qualified specialist workshop
can provide information about this.
Dispose of empty containers, cleaning cloths
and care products in an environmentally
responsible manner. Comply with the instruc-
tions for use of the care products.
226Maintenance
Maintenance and care

Do not run the engine for longer than neces-
sary when the vehicle is stationary.
Before having maintenance and repairs per-
formed, it is essential to read the materials rela-
ted to the maintenance and repairs:
Rthe applicable sections of the technical doc-
umentation, e.g. the Operator's Manual and
workshop information.
Rregulations such as industrial safety regula-
tions and accident prevention regulations.
While working under the vehicle, you must
secure the vehicle on jack stands with sufficient load capacity.
Never use the jack as a substitute. The vehicle's
jack is intended only to raise the vehicle for a
short time when changing a wheel. It is not
suited for performing maintenance work under
the vehicle.
Please also refer to the notes about qualified
specialist workshops (
Ypage 27).
The scope and regularity of the inspection and
maintenance work primarily depend on the
often diverse operating conditions. Specialist
knowledge beyond the scope of this Operator's
Manual is required when carrying out testing
and maintenance work. This work should only be
carried out by trained staff.
The vehicle Maintenance Booklet describes the scope and fre que
ncy of maintenance work and
contains additional notes on the New Vehicle
Limited Warranty and on service products.
Maintenance services must be carried out in
accordance with the provisions and recommen-
dations in the Maintenance Booklet. Not doing
so could void the warranty claim and lead to
refusal of goodwill gestures after the manufac-
turer has submitted a damage report.
iObserve the notes on genuine Sprinter parts
(Ypage 29).
Service interval display
General notes
A service that is due is displayed in the service
interval display about one month in advance. A
message is then displayed while the vehicle is in
motion or when the ignition is switched on.
iThe service interval display does not provide
information about the engine oil level. The service interval display should therefore not
be confused with the
5engine oil level
display.
The service due date is displayed in days or
miles (kilometers), depending on the total dis-
tance driven.
The symbols or letters on the service display
show the type of service that is due.
¯ orA
for a minor service
° orB
for a major service
Service due date display
Vehicles with steering wheel buttons: the
following messages may be displayed.
R¯ Service A due in ... days
R¯Service A due in ... mi(km)
R¯ Service A Carry out now
Vehicles without steering wheel buttons:
the following messages may be displayed.
R¯for service A
R°for Service B
Additionally, you will see the remaining distance
in miles ( mi
) or kilometers ( km) or the remaining
time in days ( d).
Service due date has been exceeded
Vehicles with steering wheel buttons: if you
have missed the service due date, one of the
following messages appears in the display and
warning tone also sounds.
R¯ Service A overdue by ... days
R¯Service A overdue by ... km(km)
Vehicles without steering wheel buttons: if
you have missed the service due date, the ¯
or ° symbol for the service flashes for ten
seconds after the ignition is switched on. A
minus sign also appears in front of the service
due date.
Calling up the service due date
XTurn the key to position 2in the ignition lock.
The display is activated.
Vehicles without steering wheel buttons
XPress the 4menu button on the instrument
cluster repeatedly until the ¯or°
symbol for the service appears in the display.
Maintenance227
Maintenance and care
Z

Additionally, you will see the remaining dis-
tance in miles (mi) or kilometers ( km) or the
remaining time in days ( d).
Vehicles with steering wheel buttons
XPress the VorU button on the steering
wheel until the standard display (Ypage 166)
appears in the display.
XPress the &or* button on the steering
wheel repeatedly until the service message
appears in the display, for example:
R¯ Service A in ... days
R¯Service A in ... mi(km)
Battery
Important safety notes
Work on the battery, e.g. removing or installing,
requires specialist knowledge and the use of
special tools. Therefore, always have work on
the battery carried out at a qualified specialist
workshop.
GWARNING
Work carried out incorrectly on the battery
can lead, for example, to a short circuit and
thus damage the vehicle electronics. This can
lead to function restrictions applying to
safety-relevant systems, e.g. the lighting sys-
tem, the ABS (anti-lock braking system) or the
ESP
®(Electronic Stability Program). The oper-
ating safety of your vehicle may be restricted.
You could lose control of the vehicle, for
example:
Rwhen braking
Rin the event of abrupt steering maneuvers
and/or when the vehicle's speed is not
adapted to the road conditions
There is a risk of an accident.
In the event of a short circuit or a similar inci-
dent, contact a qualified specialist workshop
immediately. Do not drive any further. You
should have all work involving the battery car- ried out at a qualified specialist workshop.
Further information can be found under "ABS"
(
Ypage 54) and under "ESP®" (Ypage 56).
GWARNING
Electrostatic build-up can lead to the creation of sparks, which could ignite the highly explo-
sive gases of a battery. There is a risk of an
explosion.
Before handling the battery, touch the vehicle
body to remove any existing electrostatic
build-up.
The flammable gas mix is produced when the
battery is charged or when the vehicle is jump-
started.
Always make sure that neither you nor the bat-
tery are electro statically charged. Electrostatic
charging results, for example, from:
Rwearing synthetic clothing
Rfriction between clothing and the seat
Rdragging or pushing the battery across carpet
flooring or any other synthetic materials
Rrubbing the battery with cloths or towels.
Comply with the following safety precautions
and take protective measures when handling
batteries.
Risk of explosion. Explosive oxyhy-
drogen is produced when batteries
are being charged. Only charge bat-
teries in well-ventilated areas.
Fire, open flames and smoking are
therefore prohibited when working
on the battery. Avoid creating
sparks.
Battery acid is caustic. Avoid con-
tact with the skin, eyes or clothing.
Wear acid-proof protective gloves. If
skin or clothes are splashed with
acid, neutralize the splashes imme-
diately with soapy water or an acid
neutralizer, and then clean the affec-
ted areas with water. Consult a doc- tor if necessary.
Wear eye protection. When mixing
water and acid, the liquid can splash
into your eyes. Rinse acid splashes
to the eyes immediately with clean
water and contact a doctor immedi-
ately.
Keep children at a safe distance.
Children are not able to assess the
228Battery
Maintenance and care

dangers posed by batteries and
acid.
When handling batteries, observe
the safety precautions and special
protective measures contained in
this Operator's Manual.
HEnvironmental note
Batteries contain dangerous
substances. It is against the
law to dispose of them with
the household rubbish. They
must be collected separatelyand recycled to protect the
environment.
Dispose of batteries in an
environmentally friendly
manner. Take discharged
batteries to a qualified spe-
cialist workshop or a special
collection point for used bat-
teries.
Observe the following notes:
RRecharge the battery more frequently, if you:
-predominantly drive short distances
-predominantly drive at low outside temper-
atures
-park the vehicle for longer than
three weeks.
In order for the batteries to achieve their max- imum possible service life, they must always
be sufficiently charged.
RWhen you park the vehicle, remove the key if
you do not require any electrical consumers.
The vehicle will then use very little energy,
thus conserving battery power.
RWhen replacing a battery, only use batteries
that are recommended for use in Sprinter
vehicles.
RHave the battery removed at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
RIf you leave the vehicle parked for longer than
three weeks:
-consult a qualified specialist workshop or
-switch off the power supply using the bat-
tery main switch (Ypage 118) or
-disconnect the batteries (Ypage 230). Otherwise, you need to check the battery's
condition of charge every three weeks, since
standby power consumption can drain the
battery. If the battery voltage is lower than
12.2 V, the battery must be charged. Other-
wise, the battery may be damaged by exhaus-
tive discharging.
Be sure to observe the notes on charging the
batteries (
Ypage 233).
Installation locations
Your vehicle may be equipped with three bat-
teries, depending on the equipment version:
RStarter battery in the battery case in the left
footwell
RAdditional battery in the engine compartment
RAuxiliary battery under the left-hand front
seat
Have the auxiliary battery removed at a qualified
specialist workshop.
Installing/removing the floor cover-
ing (starter battery)
GWARNING
Objects in the driver's footwell can restrict the pedal travel or obstruct a depressed pedal.
The operating and road safety of the vehicle is
jeopardized. There is a risk of an accident.
Make sure that all objects in the vehicle are
stowed correctly, and that they cannot enter
the driver's footwell. Install the floormats
securely and as specified in order to ensure
sufficient clearance for the pedals. Do not use
loose floormats and do not place floormats on
top of one another.
Battery229
Maintenance and care
Z

XSwitch off all electrical consumers.
XTo remove:remove screws =and take off
trim ;.
XRemove floor covering :.
XTo install:insert floor covering :and align
with the driver's seat base and the doorway.
XPut trim ;in place and screw screws =
back in.
Disconnecting/connecting the
starter battery
Important safety notes
GWARNING
During the charging process, a battery produ-
ces hydrogen gas. If a short circuit occurs or
sparks are created, the hydrogen gas can
ignite. There is a risk of an explosion.
RMake sure that the positive terminal of a
connected battery does not come into con- tact with vehicle parts.
RNever place metal objects or tools on a bat-
tery.
RIt is important that you observe the descri-
bed order of the battery terminals when
connecting and disconnecting a battery.
RWhen jump-starting, make sure that the
battery poles with identical polarity are
connected.
RIt is particularly important to observe the
described order when connecting and dis-
connecting the jumper cables.
RNever connect or disconnect the battery
terminals while the engine is running.
Disconnecting the starter battery
!Switch off the engine and remove the key
from the ignition lock. Firstly remove the bat-
tery terminals. Otherwise, you could destroy
electronic components such as the alterna-
tor.
Always disconnect the starter battery in the
battery case in the left-hand side footwell
first.
!Always disconnect the battery in the order
described below. Never swap the terminal
clamps. You may otherwise damage the vehi- cle electronics.
If the vehicle is expected to be parked or out of
use for over three weeks, disconnect the bat-
teries. This will prevent battery discharge
caused by off-load current consumption.
Battery cover in the left footwell
XSwitch off all electrical consumers.
XSwitch off the engine and remove the key
from the ignition lock.
XRemove the floor covering (Ypage 229).
XLoosen screws ;and slide battery cover :
in the direction of the arrow.
The screws must protrude beyond the larger
recesses.
XRemove battery cover :upwards.
230Battery
Maintenance and care