fuel MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 2011 MY11 Operator’s Manual

Vehicle equipment ............................
138
Driving tips ........................................ 138
Refueling ............................................ 142
Transporting loads with the vehicle 144 Operation in winter ...........................153
Service products ............................... 153
Cleaning and care ............................. 161
Maintenance ...................................... 166 137Operation

Vehicle equipment
i Diese Betriebsanleitung beschreibt alle
Modelle, Serien- und
Sonderausstattungen
Ihres Fahrzeugs, die zum Zeitpunkt des
Redaktionsschlusses dieser
Betriebsanleitung erhältlich waren.
Länderspezifische Abweichungen sind
möglich. Beachten Sie, dass Ihr Fahrzeug
nicht mit allen beschriebenen Funktionen
ausgestattet sein könnte. Dies betrifft auch
sicherheitsrelevante Systeme und
Funktionen. Driving tips
Breaking-in
It is of decisive importance for the operating
life, reliability and

economy of the vehicle that
the engine is not subjected to its full rated
load during the breaking-in period.
Up to 1000 miles (1500 km)
R Run the vehicle in carefully. Drive at varying
road and engine speeds.
R Avoid heavy loads (driving at full throttle)
and high engine speeds. Do not exceed ¾
of the maximum speed for each gear.
R Do not change down a gear manually in
order to brake.
R Avoid depressing the accelerator pedal
beyond the pressure point (kickdown) and
only engage gear 4, 3, 2 or 1 while driving
slowly.
After 1000 miles (1500 km)
R Gradually bring the vehicle up to full road
and engine speeds.
i These instructions must also be observed
if you have the engine, the transmission, or
the rear axle differential of your vehicle
replaced. Driving abroad
An extensive network of authorized Sprinter
Dealers is also

at your disposal when you are
traveling abroad. The respective workshop
directories are available from any authorized
Sprinter Dealer.
In some countries, only fuels with a lower
octane rating or a higher sulfur content are
available.
You will find information about fuel in the
"Service products" section (Y page 153).
If you are traveling in countries where
vehicles are driven on the opposite side of the
road to that in which the vehicle is registered,
you must have the headlamps:
R partially masked (halogen headlamps)
R switched over (Bi-Xenon headlamps) G
Warning
Masking the headlamps incorrectly can
impair your visibility when driving with the
headlamps switched on. You could also
impede other road users. Oncoming traffic
may be dazzled.
Always have the headlamps masked/
switched over at a qualified specialist
workshop which has

the necessary specialist
knowledge and tools to carry out the work
required.
For this we recommend an authorized
Sprinter Dealer. All work relevant to safety or
on safety-related systems must be carried out
at a qualified specialist workshop. Driving off-road
When driving the vehicle, particularly on
rough terrain, ensure that the driven wheels
always have sufficient traction.
Avoid letting the drive wheels spin. Spinning
drive wheels can damage the differential.
! Always observe the ground clearance of
the vehicle and avoid obstacles, e.g. deep
ruts. 138
Driving tips
Operation

Before driving off-road
X
If the surface demands it, temporarily
deactivate acceleration skid control (ASR)
when pulling away ( Y
page 49).
X Safely stow or secure any items of luggage
or loads ( Y page 144).
i We recommend that you additionally
carry a shovel and a recovery rope with
shackle in the vehicle.
After driving off-road G
Warning
Damage caused to the vehicle when driving
off-road may cause consequential damage,
the failure of mechanical assemblies as well
as accidents. Clean and inspect the vehicle
after any off-road use. Repair any damage
before using the vehicle again.
X Activate the acceleration skid control
system (ASR) ( Y page 49).
X Clean the vehicle (Y page 165).
X Check the vehicle for damage. Transport by rail
Transporting your vehicle by rail may be
subject to certain restrictions or require
special measures to be taken in some
countries due to varying tunnel heights and
loading standards.
You may obtain information about this from
any authorized Sprinter Dealer. Fuel consumption
Fuel consumption depends on:
R the vehicle version
R the style of driving
R the operating conditions
R the type or quality of the fuel used The vehicle will use more fuel than usual in
the following situations:
R
at very low temperatures
R in city traffic
R on short trips
R when towing a trailer
R in mountainous terrain
Observe the advice in the "Protection of the
environment" section to keep fuel
consumption low .
The following components of the different
vehicle versions influence fuel consumption:
R tire sizes, tire tread, tire pressure, tire
condition
R body
R drive unit gear ratios
R additional equipment (e.g. air-conditioning
system, auxiliary heating system).
Details concerning fuel consumption are
recorded in the on-board computer; use the
steering wheel buttons to call up the Trip
computer menu (Y page 85). DEF consumption
Depending on the vehicle version, the DEF
consumption of:
R a Cargo Van/Passenger Van is
approximately 2322 MPG
(0.10 l/100 km)
R a Chassis Cab

is approximately 1720 MPG
(0.14 l/100 km)
In each case, the stated consumption figure
is a mean value between urban and extra-
urban driving cycles. The consumption figure
does not refer to a specific vehicle, but is
provided for the purposes of comparison
between different vehicle types.
DEF consumption, like fuel consumption, is
very dependent on the driving style and the
operating conditions. This means that the real
consumption figures during operation of your
vehicle may deviate from those stated. 140
Driving tips
Operation

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

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