wheel MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 2011 MY11 Operator’s Manual

Switch unit between the steering wheel and
ignition lock
Function Page
0045
0044
Switches the rear-
compartment convenience
lighting on/off
92 Switch units
29At a glance

For your safety, we strongly recommend
having the system checked by an authorized
Sprinter Dealer immediately. Otherwise SRS
may not be activated when it is needed in an
accident, which
could
result in serious or fatal
injury. SRS might also deploy unexpectedly
and unnecessarily which could also result in
injury.
In addition, improper work on SRS creates a
risk of rendering SRS inoperative or causing
unintended air bag deployment. Work on SRS
must therefore be performed by qualified
technicians. Contact an authorized Sprinter
Dealer.
If it is necessary to modify an air bag system
to accommodate a person with disabilities,
contact an authorized Sprinter Dealer for
details.
USA only: for detailed information, please
consult our Customer Assistance Center at
1-877-762-8267.
Safety guidelines for the seat belts, the
Emergency Tensioning Devices and the
air bags G
Warning
R Damaged seat belts

or seat belts that have
been subjected to stress in an accident
must be replaced and their anchoring
points must also be checked. Only use seat
belts which have been installed or supplied
by an authorized Sprinter Dealer.
R Air bags and pyrotechnic Emergency
Tensioning Devices (ETDs) contain
perchlorate material, which may require
special handling and regard for the
environment. Check with your local
government’s disposal guidelines.
California residents, see
www.dtsc.ca.gov/HazardousWaste/
Perchlorate/index.cfm.
R Air bags and ETDs are designed to function
on a one-time-only basis. An air bag or ETD
that has deployed must be replaced. R
Do not pass seat belts over sharp edges.
They could tear.
R Do not make any modification that could
change the effectiveness of the seat belts.
R Do
not bleach

or dye seat belts as this may
severely weaken them. In a crash they may
not be able to provide adequate protection.
R No modifications of any kind may be made
to any components or wiring of the SRS.
R Do not change or remove any component
or part of the SRS.
R Do not install additional paneling, seat
covers, badges etc. over the steering wheel
hub, co-driver's front air bag cover,
outboard sides of the seat backrests, door
trim panels, or door frame trims.
R Do not install additional electrical/
electronic equipment on or near SRS
components and wiring.
R Keep the area between air bags and
occupants free of objects (e.g. packages,
purses, umbrellas etc.).
R Do not hang items such as coat hangers
from the coat hooks or handles over the
door. These items may be thrown around in
the vehicle and cause head and other
injuries when the window curtain air bag is
deployed.
R Air bag system components will be hot after
an air bag has inflated. Do not touch them.
R Never place your feet on the instrument
panel or on the seat. Always keep both feet
on the floor in front of the seat.
R Improper repair work creates a risk of
rendering the SRS inoperative or causing
unintended air bag deployment. Work on
the SRS must therefore only be performed
by qualified technicians. Contact an
authorized Sprinter Dealer.
R For your protection and the protection of
others, when scrapping the air bag unit or
ETD, our safety instructions must be Occupant safety
37
Safety
Z

followed. These instructions are available
from any authorized Sprinter Dealer.
R Given the considerable
deployment speed,
required inflation volume, and the material
of the air bags, there is the possibility of
abrasions or other, potentially more serious
injuries resulting from air bag deployment.
If you sell your vehicle, we strongly
recommend that you inform the subsequent
owner that the vehicle is equipped with SRS.
Also refer them to the applicable section in
the Operator's Manual. Air bags
Important safety notes G
Warning
Air bags
are designed to reduce the incidence
of injuries and fatalities in certain situations:
R frontal impacts (driver's and front-
passenger front air bags)
R side impacts (side impact air bags and
window curtain air bags)
R rollover (window curtain air bags)
However, no system available today can
completely eliminate injuries and fatalities.
When the air bags are deployed, a small
amount of powder is released. The powder
generally does not

constitute a health hazard
and does not indicate that there is a fire in the
vehicle. In order to prevent potential
breathing difficulties, you should leave the
vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so. If you
have any breathing difficulty but cannot get
out of the vehicle after the airbag inflates,
then get fresh air by opening a window or
door. G
Warning
To reduce
the risk of injury when the front air
bags inflate, it

is very important for the driver
and co-driver to always be in a properly seated position and to wear their respective seat
belt.
For maximum protection in the event of a
collision always be in normal seated position
with your back against the seat backrest.
Fasten your seat belt and make sure it is
properly positioned on your body.
Since the air bag inflates with considerable
speed and force, a proper seating position
and correct positioning of the hands on the
steering wheel
will

help to keep you at a safe
distance from the air bag. Occupants who are
not wearing their seat belt, are not seated
properly or are too close to the air bag can be
seriously injured or killed by an air bag as it
inflates with great force instantaneously:
R Sit with the seat belt properly fastened in a
position that is as upright as possible with
your back against the seat backrest.
R Move the driver’s seat as far back as
possible, still permitting proper operation
of vehicle controls. The distance from the
center of the driver’s chest to the center of
the air bag cover on the steering wheel
must be at least 10 inches (25 cm) or more.
You should be able to accomplish this by
adjusting the seat and steering wheel. If
you have any difficulties, please contact an
authorized Sprinter Dealer.
R Do not lean your head or chest close to the
steering wheel or instrument panel.
R Keep hands on the outside of the steering
wheel rim. Placing hands and arms inside
the rim can increase the risk and potential
severity of hand/arm injury when the driver
front air bag inflates.
R Move the co-driver's seat as far as possible
away from the instrument panel when the
seat is occupied.
R Occupants, especially children, should
never place their bodies or lean their heads
in the area of the door where the side
impact air bag inflates. This could result in
serious injuries or death should the side
impact air bag be deployed. Always sit as
upright as possible, wear the seat belt38
Occupant safety
Safety

Driver's front air bag 0046 deploys in front of
the steering wheel; co-driver's front air
bag
0047 deploys in front of and above the glove
box. They are deployed:
R in the event of certain frontal impacts
R if the system determines that air bag
deployment can
offer additional protection
to that provided by the seat belt
R if the respective seat belt is fastened
R independently of other air bags in the
vehicle
If the event of a rollover, the front air bags are
generally not deployed unless the system
detects high vehicle deceleration in a
longitudinal direction.
The air bags will not deploy in impacts which
do not exceed the system's preset
deployment thresholds. You will then be
protected by the seat belt, provided that it is
fastened.
Side impact air bags G
Warning
Observe "Important safety notes"
(Y page 38). G
Warning
If you wish to use seat covers, we recommend
for safety reasons that you use only those
approved for Sprinter vehicles.
The seat covers must feature a special tear
seam for the side impact air bags. The side
impact air bag may otherwise not deploy
correctly and may fail to provide the intended
degree of protection in the event of a collision.
Suitable seat covers can be obtained from any
authorized Sprinter Dealer. G
Warning
The pressure sensors for side impact air bag
control are located in the doors. Do not
modify any components of the doors or door
trim panels including, for example, the
addition of door speakers. Improper repair work on the doors or the
modification or addition of components to the
doors creates a risk of rendering the side
impact air bags inoperative or causing
unintended air bag deployment. Work on the
doors must therefore only be performed by
qualified technicians. Contact an authorized
Sprinter Dealer.
G
Warning
Only use seat covers which have been tested
and approved for your vehicle type by the
distributor named on the inside of the front
cover. Using other seat covers may interfere
with or prevent the deployment of the front
side impact air bags. Contact an authorized
Sprinter Dealer for availability.
When deployed, the side impact air bags offer
additional protection for the thorax of the
vehicle occupants on the side of the vehicle
on which the impact occurs. However, they
do not protect the:
R head
R neck
R arms Side impact air bags
0046
deploy next to the
outer seat cushions.
Side impact air bags 0046 are deployed:
R on the side on which the impact occurs
R at the start of an accident with a high rate
of lateral vehicle deceleration or
acceleration, e.g. in a side impact
R whether or not the seat belt is fastened40
Occupant safety
Safety

X
Turn both handles 0046 to a horizontal
position. Make sure that locks 008A are in
front of the window frame on the inside.
The window is locked.
X Replace locking pins 0047 before
beginning a
new journey at the latest.
You may obtain information about this from
any authorized Sprinter Dealer. Driving safety systems
Important safety notes
G
Warning
The following factors increase the risk of
accidents:
R Excessive speed, especially in turns
R Wet and slippery road surfaces
R Following another vehicle too closely
The driving safety systems described in this
section cannot reduce these risks or prevent
the natural laws

of physics from acting on the
vehicle. They cannot increase braking or
steering efficiency beyond that afforded by
the condition of the vehicle brakes and tires
or the traction afforded.
Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver can
prevent accidents.
The capabilities of a vehicle equipped with the
driving safety systems described in this
section must never be exploited in a reckless
or dangerous manner which could jeopardize
the user's safety or the safety of others.
Always adjust your driving style to the
prevailing road and weather conditions and
keep a safe distance to other road users and
objects on the street.
If a driving system malfunctions, other driving
safety systems may also switch off. Observe
indicator and warning lamps that may come
on as well as messages in the multifunction
display that may appear.
i In wintry driving conditions, always use
winter tires (M+S tires) and if necessary, snow chains. Only in this way will the
driving safety systems described in this
section work as effectively as possible.
Overview
In this section,

you will find information about
the following driving safety systems:
R ABS ( Anti-lock Braking System)
R BAS ( Brake Assist System)
R ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Program)
R ASR (Acceleration Skid Control)
R EBD ( Electronic Brake force Distribution) ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Important safety notes G
Warning
Observe "Important safety notes"
(Y page 47). G
Warning!
Do not pump the brake pedal. Use firm, steady
brake pedal pressure instead. Pumping the
brake pedal reduces the braking effect.
ABS regulates brake pressure in such a way
that the wheels do not lock during braking.
This allows you

to maintain the ability to steer
your vehicle.
ABS works from a speed of about 3 mph
(5 km/h) upwards, regardless of road-surface
conditions. ABS works on slippery surfaces,
even when you only brake gently.
The 0031 warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when the ignition is switched
on. It goes out when the engine is running.
Braking If ABS intervenes when braking, you will feel
a pulsating in the brake pedal.
If the
0067 warning lamp flashes, this may
indicate dangerous road conditions and Driving safety systems
47
Safety Z

serves as a reminder to take extra care while
driving.
X
If ABS intervenes: continue to depress the
brake pedal with force until the braking
situation is over.
X To make a full brake application:
depress the brake pedal with full force. G
Warning
If the ABS malfunctions, other driving systems
such as the

BAS or the ESP ®
are also switched
off. Observe indicator and warning lamps that
may come on as well as messages in the
multifunction display that may appear.
If the ABS malfunctions, the wheels may lock
during hard braking, reducing the steering
capability and extending the braking distance. BAS (Brake Assist System)
G
Warning
Observe "Important safety notes"
(Y page 47).
BAS operates in emergency braking
situations. If you depress the brake pedal
quickly, BAS automatically

boosts the braking
force, potentially reducing the stopping
distance.
X Keep the brake pedal firmly depressed until
the emergency braking situation is over.
ABS prevents the wheels from locking.
The brakes will function as usual once you
release the brake pedal. BAS is deactivated. G
Warning
If the BAS malfunctions, the brake system still
functions, but without the additional brake
boost available that the BAS would normally
provide in an emergency braking maneuver.
Therefore, the braking

distance may increase. EBD (Electronic Brake force
Distribution)
G
Warning
Observe "Important safety notes"
(Y page 47).
EBD monitors and controls the brake
pressure on the rear wheels to improve
driving stability while braking. G
Warning
If the 009E, 003D, 0031 and 0065 indicator
lamps light up while the vehicle is in motion,
EBD may be defective.
If EBD malfunctions,

the brake system will still
function with full brake boost. However, the
rear wheels could lock up during emergency
braking situations, for example. You could
lose control of the vehicle and cause an
accident.
Adapt your driving style to the changed
driving characteristics. ASR (acceleration skid control)
Important safety notes G
Warning
Observe "Important safety notes"
(Y page 47).
ASR can significantly improve traction, i.e.
the transmission of power from the tires to
the road surface, and thus may increase the
vehicle's driving stability. ASR assists in
pulling away and

accelerating, particularly on
smooth and slippery surfaces.
ASR can brake individual wheels and limits
the engine torque to help prevent the drive
wheels from spinning.
If ASR intervenes, the 0067 warning lamp
flashes in the instrument cluster. 48
Driving safety systems
Safety

G
Warning
Never switch off ASR when you see the
0067 warning lamp
flashing in the instrument
cluster. In this case proceed as follows:
R when driving off, apply as little throttle as
possible.
R while driving, ease off the accelerator
pedal.
R adapt your speed and driving style to the
prevailing road conditions.
Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid. ESP ®
cannot
prevent accidents resulting from excessive
speed.
If, taking tires, cargo load and gradient into
consideration, the surface driven on still
provides insufficient traction, you may
experience difficulties in pulling away despite
ASR.
Vehicles without steering-wheel buttons:
the 003D indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when you switch on the
ignition. It goes out when the engine is
running.
Activating/deactivating ASR G
Warning
ASR should
not be switched off during normal
driving other than in the circumstances
described below. Deactivating

the system will
reduce vehicle stability in driving maneuvers.
Do not switch off ASR when a spare wheel is
mounted.
ASR is activated automatically when the
engine is running.
It may be best to deactivate ASR briefly in the
following situations:
R when using snow chains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel If you deactivate ASR:
R
the engine's torque

is no longer limited and
the drive wheels can spin. The spinning of
the wheels results in a cutting action, which
provides better grip.
R brake intervention will continue to improve
traction where a drive wheel begins to spin,
e.g. if only the side of the road is slippery.
The wheel will be braked to increase
traction under such circumstances.
R active brake intervention by ESP ®
to
increase driving stability remains active. G
Warning
Even with ASR deactivated, ESP ®
remains
active and continues to perform brake
interventions where this is necessary to
improve driving stability. The 0067 warning
lamp flashes.
With ASR deactivated, there is an increased
risk of your vehicle's brake system
overheating and suffering damage due to
prolonged application. A

hot brake system will
also result in increased stopping distance.
Therefore, only deactivate ASR when
absolutely necessary. X
Press button 0046
.
When ASR is

deactivated, the 0067 warning
lamp in the instrument cluster lights up. Driving safety systems
49
Safety Z

ESP
®
(Electronic Stability Program) G
Warning
Observe "Important safety notes"
(Y page 47).
If ESP ®
detects that the vehicle is deviating
from the direction desired by the driver, one
or more wheels are braked to help stabilize
the vehicle. If

necessary, the engine output is
also modified to help keep the vehicle on the
desired course within physical limits. ESP ®
assists the driver when pulling away on wet
or slippery roads. ESP ®
can also help stabilize
the vehicle during braking.
If ESP ®
intervenes, the 0067 warning lamp
flashes in the instrument cluster. G
Warning
If the 009E

indicator lamp remains lit, ESP ®
is
not available due to a malfunction. Vehicle
stability in standard driving maneuvers is
reduced.
Adapt your speed and driving style to the
prevailing road conditions and to the non-
operating status of ESP ®
.
If ESP ®
is malfunctioning, the engine output
may be reduced.
! Only operate the vehicle for a maximum
of ten seconds on a brake test
dynamometer. Switch off the ignition.
Application of the brakes by ESP ®
may
otherwise destroy the brake system.
! Do not operate the vehicle on a
dynamometer

(e.g. for a performance test).
If you would like to operate the vehicle on
a dynamometer, consult an authorized
Sprinter Dealer beforehand. The drive train
or brake system could otherwise be
damaged.
i Only use wheels with the recommended
tire sizes. Only then will ESP ®
function
properly. 50
Driving safety systems
Safety

Vehicle equipment ..............................
52
Opening and closing ...........................52
Anti-theft systems .............................. 61
Seats .................................................... 63
Steering wheel .................................... 69
Mirrors ................................................. 69
Instrument cluster ..............................70
On-board computer without steer-
ing wheel buttons ............................... 72
On-board computer with steering
wheel buttons ..................................... 74
Power supply ....................................... 87
Lighting ................................................ 88
Good visibility ...................................... 94
Climate control .................................... 97
Driving and parking .......................... 108
Brakes ................................................ 112
Automatic transmission ................... 113
Driving the vehicle ............................116
Driving systems ................................ 117
Features ............................................. 128
Communications ............................... 133 51Controls

Deactivating automatic locking when
driving
X
Turn the key to position 1 or 2 in the ignition
lock when the doors are closed.
X For the entire vehicle: press upper
section 0046 of central locking button until
the indicator lamp in the button flashes
twice.
X For the sliding doors and rear doors
only:
press lower section 0047 of the central
locking button until the indicator lamp in
the button flashes twice. Ignition lock
005D
To insert/remove the key, to lock the
steering wheel
004A To unlock the steering wheel, power
supply for some consumers (e.g. the
radio)
004B To switch on the ignition, power supply for
all consumers preglow and drive position
004C To start the engine
i To unlock the steering wheel, move the
steering wheel slightly while turning the key
to position 1.
On vehicles with a battery isolating switch,
you must first switch on the electrical
system (Y page 87). Driver's door and co-driver's door
G
Warning
Make sure that nobody can become trapped
as you close and open the doors. Exercise
particular care, especially if children are near
the vehicle.
Only open the doors when road and traffic
conditions permit. Make sure that there is
sufficient clearance when opening the doors.
You could otherwise cause injury to yourself
and others.
You can open the driver's or co-driver's door
from the inside at any time, even if it is locked. X
Pull door handle 0046.
Locking knob 0047 pops up.
The door opens. Sliding door
General notes G
Warning
Make sure that nobody can become trapped
as you close and open the doors. Exercise
particular care, especially if children are near
the vehicle.
Only open the doors when road and traffic
conditions permit. Make sure that there is
sufficient clearance when opening the doors.
You could otherwise cause injury to yourself
and others. 56
Opening and closing
Controls