battery MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 2012 MY12 Operator’s Manual

On gradients steeper than 15%:
R
secure an unladen
vehicle at the front axle,
e.g. using a wheel chock or similar object.
R additionally, secure a laden vehicle at the
rear axle, e.g. using a wheel chock or similar
object. G
Warning
Make sure that the exhaust system does not
under any circumstances come into contact
with easily ignitable

material such as dry grass
or gasoline. Do not park the vehicle on dry
grassland or harvested grain fields.
Otherwise, the flammable material may ignite
and set the vehicle on fire. G
Warning
Only remove the key from the ignition lock
when the vehicle is stationary, since you
cannot steer the vehicle with the key
removed.
Never leave children unsupervised in the
vehicle. They could

release the parking brake.
This could lead to a serious or fatal accident.
! When the vehicle is parked, always
remove the key to prevent the battery from
becoming discharged.
On vehicles with a battery isolating switch,
switch off the power supply if the vehicle is
to be out of use for a longer period of time. G
Warning
You must use the parking lamps to enable
your vehicle to

be recognized on public roads
when it is dark. You can also use reflective
night parking signs in built-up areas.
Observe legal requirements.
X Stop the vehicle.
X Shift the automatic transmission to
position P.
X Apply the parking brake.
i On steep slopes, turn the front wheels
towards the curb. !
If the coolant temperature is very high,
e.g. after driving on mountain roads, leave
the engine running at idle speed for about
two minutes before turning it off.
This allows the coolant temperature to
return to normal.
X To switch off the engine: turn the key to
position 0 in the ignition lock and remove
it.
The immobilizer is activated.
X Switch on the parking lamps if necessary.
X On uphill or downhill gradients, secure the
vehicle additionally against rolling away at
the axle with

the heaviest load, e.g. by using
a wheel chock or similar object.
Use the wheel chock (Y page 183) for this
purpose. Brakes
Parking brake
G
Warning
Never leave children unsupervised in the
vehicle. They could

release the parking brake.
This could lead to a serious or fatal accident. i
Only apply the parking brake when the
vehicle is stationary. 112
Brakes
Controls

X
Place the beverage container in cup
holder 0086.
X Push clamping arm 0087 against the
container.
Cup holders in the rear X
Pull out cup holder 0046.G
Warning
Slide the cup holders back under the seats
before leaving the vehicle. You and others
could otherwise injure yourselves on the
protruding cup holders. Socket
The 12 V sockets for accessories are
R at the bottom of the center console
(12 V, 25 A)
R on the inside of the driver's seat frame
(12 V, 15 A)
R in the corner lining next to the rear doors
in the passenger compartment
(12 V, 15 A)
R in the cargo compartment next to the left
rear door (12 V, 15 A) Socket on the lower section of the center console
0046
12 V socket, 25 A
You can use the 12 V sockets (15 A) for
accessories with a maximum power
consumption of 180 W. You can connect
accessories with a maximum power
consumption of 300 W to the 12 V socket
(25 A) on the lower section of the center
console.
! Only use the 12 V socket (25 A) on the
center console for connecting the electric
air pump (premium tire sealant). You may
otherwise
damage the electrical systems of
the vehicle.
i The sockets are supplied with power even
when the key is removed from the ignition
lock. Please be aware that the battery may
become discharged if accessories, e.g. a
coolbox, remain connected while the
engine is not running. Communications
Electronic communications
equipment
G
Warning
Always pay attention to road and traffic
conditions.
Only operate electronic

equipment when road
and traffic conditions permit. Bear in mind
that at a speed of only 30 mph (approximately
50 km/h), your vehicle covers about 44 ft
(approximately 14 m) every second. Communications
133
Controls
Z

A navigation system does not supply
information on the load-bearing capacity of
bridges or the overhead clearance of
underpasses.
The driver remains responsible for the safety
of the vehicle at all times.
Observe legal requirements.
Telephones, two-way
radios
and fax machines
without an exterior antenna could interfere
with the vehicle electronics and thus
compromise the operational safety of the
vehicle. There is an increased risk of accident.
Do not use this equipment while the vehicle
is in motion.
Failure to observe the Sprinter installation
specifications can result in the invalidation of
your vehicle's operating permit.
You will find information on retrofitting
electrical or electronic equipment in the
"Technical data" section ( Y page 277).Telephone
G
Warning
A driver's attention to the road must always
be his/her primary focus when driving. For
your safety and the safety of others, we
recommend that you pull over to a safe
location and stop before placing or taking a
telephone call. If you choose to use the
telephone while driving,

please use the hands-
free device and only use the telephone when
weather, road and traffic conditions permit.
Some jurisdictions prohibit the driver from
using a mobile phone while driving a vehicle.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h ), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet (approximately
14 m) every second. G
Warning
Excessive electromagnetic radiation may
constitute a health hazard to yourself and
others. Use of an exterior antenna gives consideration to scientific discussion
surrounding the
possible

health risk posed by
electromagnetic fields.
The exterior antenna should only be installed
at a qualified specialist workshop which has
the necessary specialist knowledge and tools
to carry out the work required. We
recommend that you use an authorized
Sprinter Dealer for this purpose. In particular,
work relevant to safety or on safety-related
systems must be carried out at a qualified
specialist workshop.
We recommend the use of an approved
exterior antenna for operating the mobile
phone. Only in this way can optimal mobile
phone reception quality in the vehicle be
ensured and mutual interference between the
vehicle electronics and mobile phones
minimized.
Observe the legal requirements for each
individual country.
The mobile phone fitting includes a hands-
free system integrated into the vehicle. The
microphone for the hands-free system is
installed in the overhead control panel or in
the overhead stowage compartment together
with the front interior light.
In order to use the hands-free system, you will
need a special bracket. The Sprinter range of
accessories includes brackets for various
mobile phone models.
i Mobile phone brackets which are
available from various manufacturers on
the open market are not compatible with
the Sprinter telephone system. You can
recognize suitable phone brackets for your
mobile, by the printed star and the B6 in the
part number on the rear of the phone
bracket.
Detailed instructions for use can be found in
the operating instructions for the mobile
phone bracket and in the separate operating
instructions for the mobile phone fittings.
i The mobile phone battery is charged
depending on the condition of charge 134
Communications
Controls

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

authorized Sprinter Dealer. All work relevant
to safety or on safety-related systems must
be carried out at a qualified specialist
workshop.
Observe the notes on parts in the "Technical
data" section ( Y page 276).
0040 Environmental note
Observe measures to protect the
environment when working on the vehicle.
You must observe the legal requirements
when disposing 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, e.g. an
authorized Sprinter Dealer, can provide
information about this.
Dispose of empty containers, cleaning cloths
and care products in an environmentally-
responsible manner. Comply with the
instructions for use of the care products.
Do not run the engine for longer than
necessary when the vehicle is stationary. Active Service System (ASSYST)
The ASSYST service indicator informs you of
the next service due date.
A service that is due is displayed about a
month in advance. A message is then
displayed while the vehicle is in motion or
while the ignition is switched on.
i Periods when the

battery is disconnected
will not be recorded by ASSYST. To make
sure that you have the vehicle serviced at
the correct time, you should therefore
subtract periods when the battery is
disconnected from the days shown.
The service indicator does not provide
information about the oil level. The service
indicator should therefore not be confused
with the 00B5 engine oil level display. i
The service due date is displayed in days
or miles (kilometers), depending on the
total distance driven.
The symbols or

letters in the service indicator
show the service due.
009B or A for a minor service
009C or B for a major service
Service due date indicator Vehicles with steering wheel buttons
The following messages may be displayed:
R
009B
Service A in ... days
R 009B Service A in ... mi (km)
R 009B Service A due now
Vehicles without steering wheel buttons
The following messages may be displayed:
R 009B for service A
R 009C 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 exceeded A qualified specialist workshop, e.g. an
authorized Sprinter
Dealer,

resets the service
indicator when the service has been carried
out.
Vehicles with steering wheel buttons
If you have missed the service due date, one
of the following messages appears in the
display:
R 009B Service A overdue by ... days
R 009B Service A overdue by ... mi
(km)
Additionally a warning tone sounds.
Vehicles without steering wheel buttons
If the service due date has been exceeded,
ten seconds after switching on the ignition
the 009B or 009C symbol flashes for the Maintenance
167
Operation Z

Batteries
G
Warning Risk of explosion.
Explosive oxyhydrogen is
produced when batteries
are being charged. Only
charge batteries in well-
ventilated areas.
Risk of explosion. Avoid
creating sparks. Avoid
naked flames and do not
smoke in
the
vicinity of the
battery. Battery acid is caustic.
Wear acid-proof protective
gloves. If skin or clothes
are splashed with acid,
neutralize the splashes
immediately with soapy
water or an acid
neutralizer, and then clean
the affected areas with
water.
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
immediately. Keep children at a safe
distance. Children are not
able to assess the dangers
posed by batteries and
acid.
When handling batteries,
observe the safety
precautions and special
protective measures
contained in these
Operating Instructions. 0040Environmental note Batteries contain pollutants. It is
against the law to dispose of them
with the household garbage. They
must be collected separately and
recycled to protect the
environment.
Dispose of batteries in an
environmentally responsible
manner. Take discharged batteries
to a qualified specialist workshop,
e.g. an authorized Sprinter Dealer,
or to a special collection point for
old batteries.
In order for the batteries to achieve their
maximum possible service life, they must
always be sufficiently charged.
Have the battery charge checked more
frequently if you use the vehicle mainly for
short trips or if you leave it parked up for a
lengthy period.
If you intend to leave your vehicle parked up
for a long period, seek advice from an
authorized Sprinter Dealer or switch off the
electrical system using the battery isolating
switch (Y page 87).
Your vehicle may be equipped with two
batteries, depending on the equipment
version:
R a starter battery in the battery case in the
driver's footwell
R an additional battery in the engine
compartment
Have the batteries removed at a qualified
specialist workshop which

has the necessary
specialist knowledge and tools to carry out
the work required. We recommend that you
use an authorized Sprinter Dealer for this
purpose. Maintenance
175Operation Z

Disconnecting the battery
G
Warning
There is a risk of a short circuit if the positive
terminal of the
connected battery comes into
contact with any part of the vehicle. This could
cause the flammable gas mix to ignite. You
and others could be seriously injured.
R Do not place any metal objects or tools on
the batteries.
R When disconnecting the batteries, always
disconnect the negative terminal clamp
before the positive terminal clamp.
R When connecting the batteries, always
connect the positive terminal clamp before
the negative terminal clamp.
R Do not disconnect or connect the batteries
when the engine is running.
! Switch off the engine and remove the key
from the ignition lock before you loosen or
disconnect the terminal clamps. You may
otherwise destroy electronic components
such as the alternator.
Always disconnect the starter battery in the
battery case in the driver's footwell first.
! Always disconnect the battery in
the order described below. Never swap the
terminal clamps. You may otherwise
damage the vehicle electronics.
X Switch off all electrical consumers.
Disconnecting the starter battery
The starter battery is located in the battery
case in the driver's footwell. Removing/installing the floor covering in
the driver's footwell X
To remove: remove screws 008A
and take off
trim 0047.
X Remove floor covering 0046.
X To install: replace floor covering
0046 in the
driver's footwell. G
Warning
Free movement of the pedals must not be
impaired. This would

otherwise jeopardize the
operating and road safety of the vehicle.
Make sure that the floor covering is pushed
under the carrier of the accelerator pedal and
cannot slide between the carrier and the
accelerator pedal when you install it.
This would otherwise prevent you from
depressing the accelerator pedal completely,
thereby restricting your vehicle's
acceleration, e.g. during overtaking.
X Slide floor covering 0046 underneath the
carrier for the accelerator pedal and align
it at the

base of the driver's seat and at the
door sill.
Make sure that the floor covering does not
obstruct the accelerator pedal.
X Put trim 0047 in place and screw the screws
008A back in.176
Maintenance
Operation

Removing the battery cover in the driver's
footwell
X
Remove screws 0047 and slide cover 0046 in
the direction of the arrow.
The screws must protrude beyond the
recesses.
X Remove cover 0046 upwards. Starter battery in the driver's footwell
X
First loosen and remove the negative
terminal clamp so that it is no longer in
contact with the terminal.
X Remove the cover from the positive
terminal.
X Loosen the positive terminal clamp and fold
it up to the side together with the pre-fuse
box. Disconnecting the additional battery
Additional battery in the engine compartment
X
Remove the key from the ignition lock.
X Open the hood (Y page 168).
X First loosen and remove the negative
terminal clamp so that it is no longer in
contact with the terminal.
X Remove the cover from the positive
terminal.
X Loosen and remove the positive terminal
clamp.
Removing the battery Starter battery
X
Disconnect the battery ( Y page 176).
X Pull breather hose with connector
bracket 0047 from connection 0046 on the
degassing cover. Maintenance
177Operation Z

X
Loosen the bolts holding retainer 008A, which
prevents the battery from moving around. X
Pull retainer 008A upwards and slide the
battery out of
its anchorage in the direction
of travel.
X Fold the bar upwards and remove the
battery from the battery case.
Additional battery in the engine
compartment
X Disconnect the battery ( Y page 177).
X Loosen the bolts holding the retainer that
prevents the battery from moving around.
X Remove the battery holder and take out the
battery.
Charging the battery G
Warning
Only charge the battery in a well-ventilated
area. As the battery is being charged, gases
can escape and generate minor explosions,
which can injure

you and others or may cause damage to the paintwork or acid corrosion on
the vehicle.
There is a risk of acid burns during the
charging process due to the gases which
escape from the battery. Do not, therefore,
lean over the battery while it is being
recharged.
X Recharge the removed battery. Observe
the notes in the operating instructions for
your battery charger.
X Follow the above steps in the reverse order
to install the battery again.
! Only charge the installed battery with a
battery charger that has been tested and
approved by the distributor named on the
inside front cover. This device allows the
battery to be

charged when it is installed in
the vehicle. The vehicle's electronics
system may otherwise be damaged.
i It is also possible to charge the starter
battery using the jump-starting connection
point in the engine compartment
(Y page 247).
Reconnecting the battery !
Always connect the battery in the order
described below. Never

mix up the terminal
clamp disconnection/connection order
and never mix up the terminal clamps. You
may otherwise damage the vehicle
electronics.
X Switch off all electrical consumers.
X Connect the positive terminal clamp.
X Attach the cover to the positive terminal.
X Connect the negative terminal clamp.
i After the battery has been reconnected,
you must reset the side windows
(Y page 61). 178
Maintenance
Operation

Battery care
!
Please always observe the following
notes:
R dirty battery clamps
and battery surfaces
cause leak currents, which lead to the
batteries discharging. Always keep the
battery terminals and battery surfaces
clean and dry. Grease the battery
terminals, particularly the terminal
undersides, with a light coating of acid-
resistant grease.
R cleaning agents containing fuel corrode
the battery housing. Only clean the
battery housing with commercially
available cleaning agents.
R only clean the batteries when the caps
are screwed on. Dirt may otherwise enter
the battery cells and damage the battery.
R the breathers in the caps and the cell
ventilation tubes must be open.
Otherwise, gas cannot escape. Unscrew
blocked breathers and clean them with a
suitable tool such as a piece of wire. If
you do not unscrew the caps for cleaning,
there is a risk of short circuit.
R regularly check the battery terminals and
the fastening of the negative cable to the
chassis to ensure that they are firmly
seated.
R if batteries are not being used, you
should charge them once a month. Maintenance
179
Operation Z