heating MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 2012 MY12 Operator’s Manual

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

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

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

from the windshield and the wiper blades to
prevent smearing.
Smears
impair the driver's
view, and their effect is made worse in
conditions where visibility is poor (e.g. glare,
mist, darkness, snow). You may therefore fail
to recognize dangers, or not recognize them
in time, and thereby cause an accident.
! Make sure that the automatic car wash is
suitable for the size of the vehicle.
Before washing the vehicle in an automatic
car wash, fold in the exterior mirrors and
remove the radio/telephone antenna.
Otherwise, the exterior mirror, antenna or
the vehicle itself could be damaged.
Make sure that the antenna is installed and
that the exterior mirrors are fully folded out
again when you leave the automatic car
wash.
! Make sure that the side windows are
completely closed, that the ventilation/
heating is switched off and that the
windshield wiper switch is set to 0.
Otherwise, the rain/light sensor could be
activated, triggering unintended wiper
movements. This can cause damage to the
vehicle.
After putting the vehicle through an
automatic car wash, wipe off wax from:
R the rear-view camera lens ( Y page 163)
R the windshield and the wiper blades. This
prevents smears and reduces wiping noise
which can be caused by residue on the
windshield. Cleaning the engine
! Water must not

enter intake or ventilation
openings. When cleaning with high
pressure water or steam cleaners, the
spray must not be aimed directly at
electrical components or the terminals of
electrical lines. Preserve the engine after the engine has
been cleaned.
Protect

the belt drive system
from exposure to the preservative agent. Alloy wheels
Clean the alloy wheels regularly.
! Do not use

any acidic or alkaline cleaning
agents. They can cause corrosion on the
wheel bolts (wheel nuts) or the retainer
springs for the wheel-balancing weights. After driving off-road or on
construction sites
G
Warning
Dirt on the vehicle can affect road and
operating safety.
It can specifically result in the following
dangers:
Stone impact. Stones trapped between the
tires can be thrown out while driving. This
could injure other

road users or damage other
vehicles (especially windscreens).
Risk of skidding. Dirt and mud on the tires/
on the road reduce the grip of the tires on the
road. This especially applies when the surface
is wet. The vehicle could then start to skid.
Risk of injury. Dirt and mud on the steps and
entrance can make the steps unsafe. This
could cause you to slip off the steps and be
injured.
For this reason, you should always clean your
vehicle carefully after driving off-road or on
construction sites before driving on public
roads. Observe the corresponding safety
notices in this chapter if you use a power
washer or an automatic car wash to clean your
vehicle.
X Clean the vehicle, paying special attention
to the following:
R
Lighting system
R Windows and exterior mirrors
R Access steps and entrances Cleaning and care
165
Operation Z

Only open the coolant expansion tank when
the coolant temperature is below 122 ‡
(50 †).
G
Warning
Coolant contains glycol and is therefore toxic.
Do not swallow the coolant. See a doctor
immediately if you swallow coolant.
Make sure that coolant does not come into
contact with skin,

eyes or clothing. In case of
contact with eyes, rinse immediately with
plenty of clean water. Clean affected areas of
skin and clothing with soap and water
immediately. Change any affected clothing
immediately.
X Slowly turn cap 0046 counter-clockwise and
allow the excess pressure to escape.
X Turn cap 0046 further and remove it.
X Add coolant until it is at the MAX mark.
Observe the correct coolant mixture ratio
and the required water quality
(Y page 160).
X Replace cap 0046 and tighten
it until the stop.
! Check the cooling and heating system
regularly for leaks.
If a large quantity of coolant is lost, have
the cause traced

and rectified at a qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. an authorized
Sprinter Dealer. Clutch mechanism and brake system
G
Warning
Brake fluid is hazardous to health. Do not
swallow brake fluid.

See a doctor immediately
if you swallow brake fluid.
Make sure that brake fluid does not come into
contact with skin, clothing or eyes. Rinse
affected areas with plenty of clean water and
consult a doctor if necessary.
Always wear gloves and eye protection when
topping up brake fluid. Store brake fluid only in the original closed
container and keep it out of the reach of
children. Comply with safety regulations
when handling brake fluid.
G
Warning
If the
boiling point of the brake fluid is too low,
vapor pockets may form in the brake system
when the brakes

are subjected to a heavy load
(e.g. on long downhill stretches). This would
impair braking efficiency. The vehicle's
stopping distance may then be longer. This
increases the risk of an accident.
Have the brake fluid renewed every two years.
The brake fluid reservoir is located in the
engine compartment.
Check the brake fluid level:
R regularly, e.g. weekly or when refueling
R only with the vehicle standing on a level
surface and with the engine switched off
! Brake fluid corrodes paint, plastic and
rubber. If paint, plastic or rubber has come
into contact with brake fluid, rinse with
water immediately. 0046
Brake fluid reservoir cap
The brake fluid level must be between the
MIN and
MAX marks.
! If the brake fluid does not reach the
MIN mark, the vehicle's hydraulic system
could be faulty. Do not add brake fluid
under any circumstances. This will not
rectify the malfunction.
Do not drive any further. 170
Maintenance
Operation

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
0050 Solutions0055
Marker lamp A perimeter lamp is faulty
7
.
X Replace the bulb as soon as possible (Y page 233). 0055
Additional ind.
lamps An additional turn signal is faulty
7
.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop as soon as possible. Indicator and warning lamps in switches and buttons
G
Warning
The operating safety of your vehicle could be jeopardized if maintenance work is carried out
incorrectly. As a
result, you could lose control of the vehicle and cause an accident. In addition,
the safety systems may no longer be able to protect you or others as they are designed to do.
Always have maintenance work carried out at a qualified specialist workshop. The qualified
specialist workshop must have the necessary specialist knowledge and tools to carry out the
work required. We recommend visiting an authorized Sprinter Dealer. In particular, work relevant
to safety or on safety-related systems must be carried out at a qualified specialist workshop. Problem Possible causes/consequences and
0050 SolutionsOne or more indicator
lamps in the 0072
button for the seat
heating are flashing. Insufficient voltage is available because too many consumers are
switched on.
The seat heating has switched off automatically.
X
Switch off non-essential consumers, e.g. reading lamps, interior
lighting.
The seat heating will automatically switch back on as soon as
there is sufficient voltage. The indicator lamp in
the switch for the
windshield heating
0087 and/or the
switch for the rear
window defroster
0073 are flashing. Insufficient voltage is available because too many consumers are
switched on.
The windshield heating and/or rear window defroster have
switched off automatically.
X
Switch off non-essential consumers, e.g. reading lamps, interior
lighting.
If sufficient voltage is available again within 30 seconds, the
windshield heating and/or

rear window defroster automatically
switch on again. Otherwise, they remain switched off. 7
Depending on the equipment, the bulb-failure indicator may not be featured for any lamps other than the
turn signals. Troubleshooting
211
Practical advice Z

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
0050 SolutionsThe PARKTRONIC
warning displays
implausible distances.
For example, all the
segments may be lit
even though there
is no
obstacle present. The license plate or other parts attached near the sensors may
not be secured correctly.
X
Check the license plate and attachment parts near the sensors
for correct seating. The speed cannot be
set when cruise

control
is activated 9
. The display is showing a message of high priority and cannot
therefore show a change in speed.
X
Proceed as instructed by the message in the display.
X Deactivate cruise control White stripes appear on
the rear view camera's
monitor display or the
picture flickers. The rear view camera is exposed to very bright white light or
fluorescent light.
X
Check whether the rear view camera works at another location. The rear view camera is
functioning incorrectly
or not at all. R
The surrounding area is very dark.
R The outside temperature has changed rapidly or is very high.
R The camera lens is dirty or obstructed.
X Check the rear view camera and clean the camera lens if
necessary ( Y page 163).Auxiliary heating
G
Warning
The operating safety of the vehicle can be compromised if maintenance work is carried out
incorrectly. In particular, work that is carried out incorrectly on the heater jeopardizes its
operating safety. This

could cause you to lose control of the vehicle and cause an accident. The
safety systems may also not be able to protect you or others as they are designed to do.
Always have maintenance work carried out at a qualified specialist workshop. The qualified
specialist workshop must have 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.
9 Only on vehicles with steering wheel buttons.216
Troubleshooting
Practical advice

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
0050 SolutionsThe auxiliary heating
does not switch on. The outside temperature is above 39 ‡ (4 †).
The auxiliary heating
switches off automatically. The auxiliary heating
does not switch on. Lack of fuel
The tank is less than one quarter full. The auxiliary heating
switches off automatically.
X
Refuel at the nearest gas station.
X Then, start the auxiliary heating several times until the fuel lines
are full. The auxiliary heating
does not switch on. The undervoltage protection circuit integrated in the control unit
switches off the

auxiliary heating because the on-board voltage is
less than 10 V.
X Have the alternator and battery checked. The auxiliary heating
does not switch on. The fuse is blown.
X
Replace the fuse ( Y page 239).
X Have the cause of the blown fuse determined at a qualified
specialist workshop. The auxiliary heating
does not switch on. The heater is faulty.
X
Have the auxiliary heating checked at a qualified specialist
workshop. The auxiliary heating is
overheated. The coolant level is too low.
X
Check the coolant level and top up if necessary (Y page 169). Central locking system
G
Warning
The operating safety of your vehicle could be jeopardized if maintenance work is carried out
incorrectly. As a

result, you could lose control of the vehicle and cause an accident. In addition,
the safety systems may no longer be able to protect you or others as they are designed to do.
Always have maintenance work carried out at a qualified specialist workshop. The qualified
specialist workshop must have the necessary specialist knowledge and tools to carry out the
work required. We recommend visiting an authorized Sprinter Dealer. In particular, work relevant
to safety or on safety-related systems must be carried out at a qualified specialist workshop. Troubleshooting
217
Practical advice Z