engine MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 2010 MY10 Operator’s Manual

Obstacles could damage the vehicle, for
example:
R
the axles
R the propeller shafts
and the transmission
R the tanks and supply reservoirs
For this reason, you should always drive
slowly when driving off-road. If you have to
drive over obstacles, have the co-driver
direct you. G
Warning
If you drive too fast off-road, you may not
recognize obstacles in good time or you may
underestimate the roughness of the ground.
When driving off-road, always drive slowly to
avoid damaging the vehicle.
The vehicle may slip to the side, tip and roll
over. Always drive along the line of fall when
you are on

a slope. Never drive across a slope.
Never turn the vehicle around on a slope. If
the vehicle cannot manage an uphill slope,
drive back down the slope in reverse gear.
You could lose control of the vehicle if you
shift the transmission to neutral or disengage
the clutch on an incline and then try to brake
the vehicle using only the service brake.
Never let the vehicle roll.
Overloading the vehicle will increase the risk
of the vehicle tipping over. Never exceed the
maximum permissible axle loads under any
circumstances. Keep the vehicle's center of
gravity as low as possible when the vehicle is
laden.
If the vehicle is frequently or mainly operated
in muddy or marshy terrain, substances that
impair braking efficiency, such as sand or oil
mixed with water, could get into the brake
system. This may lead to excessive wear and
a reduction in braking efficiency. In an
emergency, there is a risk that full braking
power may no longer be available.
After driving off-road, always carry out a short
brake test. If you detect a reduced braking
effect or hear grinding noises, have the brake
system checked at a qualified specialist workshop, for example at an authorized
Sprinter Dealer.
G
Warning
When driving off-road, your body is subject to
forces from all directions, due to the uneven
surface. There is a danger that you could be
thrown out of

your seat and be injured. Always
wear a seat belt, even when driving off-road.
Rules for driving off-road G
Warning
If you drive over obstacles or in ruts, the
steering wheel may jerk out of your grip and
you could injure the thumbs on both hands.
Always hold the steering wheel cross firmly
with both hands.

When driving over obstacles,
you must expect steering forces to increase
briefly and suddenly.
R Before driving off-road, stop the vehicle and
shift to a low gear.
R Only drive off-road with the engine running
and a gear engaged.
R Drive slowly and smoothly. Walking pace is
necessary in many situations.
R Make sure that the wheels always remain
in contact with the ground.
R Drive with extreme care over unknown
terrain where you can only see for a short
distance. As a precaution, get out of the
vehicle to take a look at the route to be
taken first.
R Check the water depth before fording.
R Watch out for obstacles (e.g. rocks, holes,
tree stumps and ruts).
R Avoid edges where the surface could
crumble or break away. Driving tips
139
Operation Z

Engine oil consumption
! If the vehicle is predominantly used for
short-distance driving, this could lead to a
malfunction in the automatic cleaning
function for the diesel particle filter. As a
result, fuel may accumulate in the engine
oil and cause engine failure.
Therefore, if you mainly drive short
distances, you should
drive on a highway or
on rural roads for 20 minutes every
310 miles (500 km). This ensures sufficient
regeneration of the diesel particle filter.
Depending on the driving style, the vehicle
consumes a maximum of 1.0 US qt(1.0 l) of
oil over a distance of 620 miles (1000 km).
Engine oil consumption may be higher if:
R the vehicle is new.
R you mainly operate the vehicle under
arduous operating conditions.
R you frequently drive at high engine speeds.
Regular maintenance is one of the
preconditions for moderate rates of
consumption.
You can only estimate the engine oil
consumption after you have driven a
considerable distance.
Check the engine oil level on a regular basis,
e.g. weekly or each time you refuel
(Y page 171). Speed limiter
You can permanently limit the maximum
speed of your vehicle to 75 mph (120 km/h)

.
We recommend that you have the maximum
speed programmed at an authorized Sprinter
Dealer. This has the necessary specialist
knowledge and tools to carry out the required
work. G
Warning
Exceeding the permissible maximum speed
can cause tire damage, which could lead to
loss of control of the vehicle. As the driver, you must find out about the
maximum speed of the vehicle and the
resulting permissible maximum speed of the
tires (tire and tire pressure).
You must not exceed the speed limit for the
tires listed in the tire pressure tables.
i You will find information about tire
pressure in the "Technical data" section
(Y
page 280).
Reverse warning device
On vehicles with

a reverse warning feature, a
warning signal sounds when reverse gear is
engaged to alert other road users. The volume
of this warning signal can be reduced for
night-time driving. G
Warning
Other road users could fail to hear or could
ignore the reverse warning feature warning
signal. For this reason, the reverse warning
feature cannot guarantee that there are no
people or objects behind your vehicle.
The reverse warning feature is a system
designed to assist you in ensuring the safety
of other road users. It does not, however,
relieve you of

your responsibility to make sure
that there are no persons or objects behind
your vehicle while you are maneuvering.
For this reason, always observe the road and
traffic conditions with due caution. To avoid
damage and injury, make sure that there are
no persons or objects behind the vehicle while
you are maneuvering. Have a second person
assist you when maneuvering if necessary.
X To set the warning signal to quiet:
engage the reverse gear twice in brief
succession.
The volume of the warning signal is
reduced.
i The warning signal sounds at normal
volume by default and will need to be Driving tips
141
Operation Z

reduced in volume each time reverse gear
is engaged.
Refueling
G
Warning
Fuel is highly flammable. Fire, naked flames
and smoking as well as the use of auxiliary
heaters (sparks) are therefore prohibited
when handling fuel.
Switch off the
engine and the auxiliary heating
before refueling. G
Warning
Avoid any contact with fuels.
You can damage your health if your skin
comes into direct contact with fuel or if you
inhale fuel vapors.
0040Environmental 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.
! 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
system due to contaminated fuel. G
Warning
Do not use gasoline to refuel vehicles with a
diesel engine. Never

mix diesel with gasoline.
This causes damage to the fuel system and
engine and could result in the vehicle catching
fire.
! 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. Damage resulting from
adding gasoline is not covered by the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty. !
If the wrong fuel has been added by
mistake, do not switch on the ignition. If
you do, the fuel could enter the fuel lines.
The tank and the fuel lines must then be
drained. Inform a qualified specialist
workshop and have the tank and the fuel
lines drained completely.
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. X
Remove the key from the ignition lock.
X Switch off the auxiliary heating system
(Y page 104).
X Open the front left-hand door first, and then
the fuel filler flap.
X Close all vehicle doors to prevent fuel
vapors from entering the vehicle.
X Turn tank filler cap 0047 counter-clockwise,
remove it and let it hang from retaining
strap 0046.
X Only fill the tank until the pump nozzle
switches off.
X Replace tank filler cap 0047 and turn
clockwise.
You will
hear

a click when the fuel filler cap
is closed fully.
X Open the front left-hand door first, and then
close the filler flap.
You will find information about fuel in the
"Service products" section (Y page 153). 142
Refueling
Operation

Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF)
The exhaust gas aftertreatment requires a
reducing agent, Diesel
Exhaust Fluid (DEF), in
order to function correctly. G
Warning
If you open the DEF reservoir cap at high
temperatures, ammonia vapors could be
released.
Ammonia vapors have

a pungent odor and are
particularly irritating for your skin, respiratory
organs and eyes. This may result in burning
eyes, nose and throat, as well as coughing and
watering eyes.
Do not inhale ammonia vapors. G
Warning
Avoid contact with DEF.
DEF is hazardous

to health. Do not allow DEF
to come into contact with your skin. Rinse
affected areas with plenty of clean water and
consult a doctor if necessary.
0040Environmental note
Dispose of DEF in an environmentally
responsible manner.
! Only use DEF in accordance with
ISO 22241 .

The exhaust gas aftertreatment
system may otherwise be damaged.
Observe the MB Specifications for Service
Products, Sheet No. 352.0.
Damage caused by the use of other
reducing agents will result in the loss of
your New Vehicle Limited Warranty
entitlements.
! 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 resulting from adding DEF is not
covered by the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty. i
If the DEF level drops below the reserve
level, the second warning message
(Y page 116) appears and at this point, at
the latest, you

must add at least 2.0 US gal
(7.6 l) of DEF.
You will find further information on DEF in the
"Service products" section (Y page 155).
DEF filler neck in the engine
compartment X
Remove the key from the ignition lock.
X Close all
vehicle doors so that no ammonia
vapors can enter the vehicle.
i Do not inhale

any ammonia vapors which
may escape when you unscrew the tank
filler cap. Ammonia vapors have a pungent
odor. However, they are neither toxic nor
hazardous to health in this concentration. X
Turn tank filler cap 0046
counter-clockwise
and remove it.
X Only fill the tank via the filler neck until the
DEF level can be seen in the filler neck.
X Replace DEF tank filler cap 0046 on the filler
neck and turn clockwise.
You will hear a click when tank filler
cap 0046 is closed fully.
DEF filler neck on the right-hand vehicle
side X
Remove the key from the ignition lock.
X Close all vehicle doors so that no ammonia
vapors can enter the vehicle. Refueling
143
Operation Z

During loading
X
Observe the gross axle weight rating and
permissible gross vehicle weight for your
vehicle.
! On passenger van versions with
maximum seating layout, the permissible
rear axle load
would be exceeded if the full
payload were to be loaded in the cargo
compartment.
i Bear in mind that the curb weight of the
vehicle is increased by installing optional
equipment and accessories.
X Observe the information about load
distribution ( Y page 146).
X Secure the load ( Y page 146). Always
observe the relevant national regulations.
Checks after loading X
Securing loads: check that the load is
secure before every

journey and at regular
intervals during a long journey, and correct
if necessary.
X Doors: close the sliding doors and rear
doors. G
Warning
Make sure that the sliding doors and rear
doors are always closed when the engine is
running.
Exhaust fumes could otherwise enter the
vehicle interior and poison you.
X Tire pressure: adjust the tire pressures
according to the vehicle load
(Y page 281).
X Driving style: adapt your driving style
according to the vehicle load. Load distribution
The overall center

of gravity of the load should
always be as low as possible, centered and
between the axles near the rear axle. !
Excessive loads on

individual points of the
cargo floor or on the load surface impair
vehicle handling characteristics and could
cause damage to the floor covering.
On crewbuses:
X Always transport loads in the cargo
compartment.
X Always place the load against the backrests
of the rear bench seat.
X Move 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.
X Always additionally secure the load with
suitable load securing aids or tie down.
i Observe the following notes:
R Do not stack

loads higher than the upper
edge of the backrests.
R Transport loads behind seats that are not
occupied.
R If the rear bench seat is not occupied,
insert the seat belts crosswise into the
buckle of the opposite seat belt. Securing loads
General notes As the driver, you are responsible for ensuring
that the cargo is secured against sliding,
tipping, rolling or falling. This applies to
general traffic situations as well as evasive
maneuvers or full brake application and on
poor stretches of road.
If your load

is not secured in accordance with
applicable requirements and guidelines
regarding the securing of loads, you may be
liable to prosecution, depending on the local
legislation and the consequences of
inadequately secured loads.
You should therefore observe the respective
legal requirements for the relevant country.
Check that the load is secure before every
journey and at regular intervals during a long 146
Transporting loads with the vehicle
Operation

X
Make sure that the automatic transmission
is set to position P.
X Engage the vehicle's parking brake.
X Close the rear doors.
X Couple the trailer.
X Establish all electrical connections. Trailer coupled ready for use
Towing a trailer
There are numerous legal requirements
concerning the
towing
of a trailer, e.g. speed
restrictions. Make sure that your vehicle/
trailer combination complies with the local
requirements not only in your area of
residence but also at any location to which
you are traveling. The police and local
authorities can provide reliable information.
Please observe the following when towing a
trailer:
R To acquaint yourself with driving with a
trailer and with the resulting changes to
handling, you should practice cornering,
stopping and reversing in a traffic-free
location.
R Before driving, check:
-trailer coupling
- safety switch for braked trailers
- safety chains
- electrical connection
- lights
- wheels R
Adjust the exterior mirrors to provide an
unobstructed view of

the rear section of the
trailer.
R If the trailer has electronically controlled
brakes, pull away slowly, brake manually
using the brake controller and check that
the brakes are functional.
R Secure any objects on the trailer to prevent
the cargo from slipping when the vehicle is
in motion.
R If you couple up a trailer, regularly check
that the cargo is secure and make sure that
the trailer lamps and (if applicable) the
trailer brakes are functioning correctly.
R Bear in mind that the handling will be less
stable when towing a trailer than when
driving without one. Avoid sudden steering
movements.
R The vehicle/trailer combination is heavier,
accelerates more slowly and has a
decreased gradient climbing capability and
a longer braking distance.
It is more susceptible to crosswinds and
requires cautious steering.
R If possible, do not brake abruptly; apply the
brakes moderately to begin with to allow
the trailer to activate its brakes. Then
increase the pressure on the brake pedal.
R If the automatic transmission repeatedly
shifts between gears when driving on
inclines, restrict the shift range. Select shift
range 4, 3, 2 or 1.
Driving in a low gear and at a low speed
reduces the risk of damaging the engine.
R When driving on a downhill gradient, shift
to a low gear and take advantage of the
engine's braking effect.
Avoid continuous brake application as this
may overheat the vehicle brakes and, if
installed, the trailer brakes.
R If the coolant temperature increases
dramatically while the air-conditioning
system is switched on, switch off the air-
conditioning system. Transporting loads with the vehicle
151
Operation Z

Verify compliance with weight limitations on
a weighbridge.
Trailer power supply
Your vehicle may be equipped with various
electrical fittings for trailer towing.
Depending on your trailer, you may need an
adapter to allow your trailer to be connected
to the vehicle. Information about your
vehicle's electrical equipment is available
from any authorized Sprinter Dealer.
!
Faulty wiring of the connector plug could
in certain circumstances cause other
electronic systems to
malfunction. For this
reason, we recommend having the wiring
of the connector plug performed at an
authorized Sprinter Dealer. Operation in winter
General notes
Have your vehicle winterized at a qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. an authorized
Sprinter Dealer, at the onset of winter.
This service includes the following:
R oil change, if the engine oil currently used
does not have adequate low temperature
characteristics or if these are no longer
sufficient due to aging
R the antifreeze/anticorrosion
concentration in the coolant is checked.
R the addition of a concentrated cleaning
agent to the water in the windshield
washer/headlamp cleaning system
R battery check
R a tire change
Prior to the

onset of winter, ensure that snow
chains are available in the vehicle.
Do not cover the surface of the radiator or the
radiator grill, even in winter. Doing so could
cause the engine diagnostics to record false
or incorrect data. Recording of engine
diagnostic data is legally prescribed and must therefore be correct, clear and
comprehensible at all times.
You
will find

information about diesel fuel for
use at low outside temperatures in the
"Operation" section ( Y page 154).
Please also observe the information about
winter driving (Y page 111).
You will find information about winter tires
and about driving with snow chains in the
"Wheel and tires" section (Y page 153). Service products
Fuel
G
Warning
Fuel is highly flammable. Fire, naked flames
and smoking as well as the use of auxiliary
heaters (sparks) are therefore prohibited
when handling fuel.
Switch off the

engine and the auxiliary heating
before refueling. G
Warning
Avoid any contact with fuels.
You can damage your health if your skin
comes into direct contact with fuel or if you
inhale fuel vapors.
! 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
system due to contaminated fuel.
! Refuel only with commercially available
vehicle diesel fuel, ULTRA-LOW SULFUR
DIESEL with a sulfur content no greater
than 15 ppm. Fuels such as fatty acid
methyl ester FAME (bio-diesel fuels),
marine diesel, heating oil etc. may not be
used as a diesel fuel mixture.
Refuel with B5 bio-diesel only if it fulfills the
requirements listed under "Fuel quality". Service products
153
Operation Z

Do not use any fuel additives, and use
approved flow improvers only when
necessary.
There is
otherwise
a risk of impaired engine
performance or engine and catalytic
converter damage. The use of fuel additives
is always the responsibility of the vehicle
operator and may result in the restriction
or loss of your New Vehicle Limited
Warranty entitlements.
Fuel grade i
You will generally find information about
the fuel grade on the filling pump.
Otherwise, ask the gas station attendant.
Refuel only with commercially available
ULTRA-LOW SULFUR DIESEL (ULSD,
maximum sulfur content of 15 ppm) that
conforms to the ASTM D975 standard.
We approve the use of

B5 bio-diesel (ULSD
with a maximum bio-diesel content of 5% by
volume ) for all Sprinter diesel engines with
Common-rail Direct Injection (CDI).
You may refuel with B5 bio-diesel if the bio-
diesel content is in accordance with the
ASTM standard D6751. It must also have the
necessary oxidation stability (at least 6 h in
accordance with the EN 14112 standard) to
avoid damage caused by deposits and/or
corrosion.
Pure bio-diesel and diesel fuels that have a
higher percentage of bio-diesel, such as B20,
may damage the fuel system and the engine
and are therefore not approved. Please
contact gas station personnel for more
information. The B5 bio-diesel marking on the
pump must state unequivocally that the ULSD
standard is fulfilled. If the marking does not
make this clear, do not refuel from that pump. !
You can damage the engine and diesel
particle filter (DPF) by refueling with the
following diesel fuels:
R LOW SULFUR DIESEL with a sulfur
content of maximum 500 ppm
R diesel fuel with a sulfur content greater
than 15 ppm
R diesel fuel with a bio-diesel content of
more than 5%
R diesel fuel

with a bio-diesel content up to
5% but that does not conform to the
requirements listed under "Fuel quality"
Damage caused by the use of such diesel
fuels is not covered by the New Vehicle
Limited Warranty.
Diesel at low temperatures Refuel only with commercially available
ULTRA-LOW SULFUR DIESEL (ULSD,
maximum sulfur content of 15 ppm) that
conforms to the ASTM D975
standard.
To prevent operating problems, diesel with
better flow qualities is available during the
winter

months. You can obtain information at
the gas station or from your fuel supplier.
At very low outside temperatures, paraffin
may separate from the diesel fuel and prevent
it from flowing freely.
Your vehicle is equipped with a fuel
preheating system. This system also
improves the flow characteristics of the
diesel fuel by about 46 ‡(8 †). ULTRA-LOW
SULFUR DIESEL can therefore be used at
outside temperatures of down to
14 ‡(–10 †) without any impairment.
Fuel additives
Flow improvers are fuel additives used to
improve the flow characteristics of diesel
fuels.
The effectiveness of flow improvers cannot be
guaranteed with all fuels. Observe the
manufacturer's recommendations.
Information about approved flow improvers is
available from any authorized Sprinter Dealer. 154
Service products
Operation

!
Do not use fuel additives (with the
exception of flow improvers), since this
could lead to malfunctions or engine
damage. Damage caused by the use of
such additives is not covered by the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
! Do not add
gasoline or kerosene to diesel
fuel to improve its flow characteristics.
Gasoline or kerosene impairs the
lubricating properties of the diesel fuel.
This may cause damage to the injection
system, for example.
At outside temperatures below
14 ‡(–10 †) and with less cold-resistant
winter diesel fuel, add the amount of flow
improver appropriate to the outside
temperature.
Add this additive to the diesel in time, i.e.
before the flow properties of the diesel are
affected by paraffin separation. Malfunctions
caused by paraffin separation can only be
rectified by heating the entire fuel system,
e.g. by parking the vehicle in a heated garage. G
Warning
If you heat up the fuel system with a heat gun,
for example, you

may damage parts of the fuel
system. Fuel could escape, be ignited, and
cause a fire.
Never heat the fuel system with a heat gun or
with a naked flame. Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF)
DEF is the

reducing agent for the exhaust gas
aftertreatment. DEF is a nonflammable,
nontoxic, colorless, odorless and water-
soluble liquid.
! Only use DEF in accordance with
ISO 22241. The exhaust gas aftertreatment
may otherwise be damaged.
Observe the MB Specifications for Service
Products, Sheet No. 352.0.
Damage caused by the use of other
reducing agents will result in the loss of your New Vehicle Limited Warranty
entitlements.
! If DEF comes into contact with a painted
or aluminum surface, wash the surface off
immediately with plenty of water.
High ambient temperatures If DEF in the DEF reservoir heats up to
temperatures over 122 ‡(50 †) for a long
period of time (e.g. due to direct sunlight),
ammonia vapors form.
G
Warning
If you open the DEF reservoir cap at high
temperatures, ammonia vapors could be
released.
Ammonia vapors have

a pungent odor and are
particularly irritating for your skin, respiratory
organs and eyes. This may result in burning
eyes, nose and throat, as well as coughing and
watering eyes.
Do not inhale ammonia vapors.
Low ambient temperatures DEF freezes at a temperature of
approximately
12 ‡(–11 †
). The vehicle is
equipped

with a DEF preheating system at the
factory. This ensures that the vehicle can be
operated in winter, even at temperatures
below 12 ‡(–11 †).
Additives and tap water !
Do not mix
DEF with any additives and do
not dilute DEF with tap water. Otherwise,
the exhaust gas aftertreatment may be
damaged.
Observe the MB Specifications for Service
Products, Sheet No. 352.0.
Damage caused by the use of additives or
tap water is not covered by the New Vehicle
Limited Warranty. Service products
155
Operation Z

Storage
Only store DEF in containers made of high-
alloy Cr-Ni steel or Mo-Cr-Ni steel in
accordance with DIN EN 10 088-1/2/3 or
plastic containers made of polypropylene or
polyethylene.
!
Containers made of aluminum, copper,
copper alloys as well as unalloyed or
galvanized steel
are not suitable for storing
DEF. If stored in these types of containers,
DEF could cause constituents of these
metals to dissolve and cause irreparable
damage to the exhaust gas aftertreatment.
Damage caused by dissolved components
of the storage container will result in a loss
of your New Vehicle Limited Warranty
entitlements.
Disposal Observe country-specific laws and
regulations when disposing of DEF.
0040Environmental note
Dispose of DEF in an environmentally
responsible manner.
Purity
The purity of DEF is essential to prevent
malfunctions in the exhaust gas
aftertreatment.
If DEF is pumped out of the DEF tank, e.g.
during repair work, the same liquid must not
be used
to

refill the tank. Its purity is no longer
guaranteed.
! Impurities in DEF (e.g. caused by other
service products, cleaning agents, dust,
etc.) result in increased emissions,
malfunctions, catalytic converter damage
or engine damage. Engine oils
Use only approved engine oil that complies
with the MB Specifications for Service
Products.
! The bottles of

the various engine oil types
are marked with ACEA (Association des
Constructeurs Européens d'Automobiles)
and/or API (American Petroleum Institute)
classifications. Only use approved engine
oils that conform to the following MB
Specifications for Service Products and the
prescribed ACEA and/or API
classifications. Using engine oils of another
quality is not permitted and may lead to a
loss of your New Vehicle Limited Warranty
entitlements.
The use of other, non-approved engine oils
for diesel engines can cause damage to the
diesel particle filter (DPF).
The MB Specifications for Service Products
apply to your vehicle 1
R 228.51
R 229.51
These engine oils are of high quality and have
a beneficial effect on:
R engine wear
R fuel consumption
R emissions
Multi-grade engine oils of the prescribed SAE
class (viscosity) may be used all year round,
taking the outside temperatures into
account.
Oil change Oil change intervals depend on the vehicle's
operating conditions and the quality of the
engine oil used.
The on-board computer automatically shows
the date for the next oil change as an event
message in the display.
1 If the quality

level for diesel engines is not available, you may refill with engine oils that comply with the MB
Specifications for Service Products, Sheet No. 228.5, 229.3 and 229.5. The refill quantity is then limited to
a maximum of 1 qt (1 l). 156
Service products
Operation