MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 2013 MY13 Operator’s Manual

Selector lever positions
0002
Park position
This prevents the vehicle from
rolling away when stopped. Only
move the selector lever to
Pif the
vehicle is stationary.
You can only remove the key when
the selector lever is in this position.
The selector lever is locked in
position Pif the key is removed.
The parking lock should not be
used as a brake when parking.
Always apply the parking brake as
well once you have parked the
vehicle. 0003
Reverse gear
Only move the selector lever to
R
when the vehicle is stationary. 0001
Neutral
No power is transmitted from the
engine to the drive wheels.
Releasing the brakes will allow you
to move the vehicle freely, e.g. by
pushing or towing.
Do not move the selector lever to
N
while driving. The automatic
transmission could otherwise be
damaged.
If ASR is deactivated or ESP ®
has
malfunctioned: only move the
selector lever to Nif the vehicle is
in danger of skidding, e.g. on icy
roads. 0007
Drive
The automatic transmission
changes gear itself. All forward
gears are available.
You can influence the gearshifts
and shift gears yourself or limit the
shift range. Changing gear
The 5-speed automatic transmission adapts
to your individual driving style by
continuously adjusting its shift points. These
shift point adjustments take into account the
current operating and driving conditions. If
the operating or driving conditions change,
the automatic transmission reacts by
adjusting the gearshift program.
When the selector lever is in position D, the
automatic transmission selects the individual
gears automatically. This depends on:
R any restriction in the shift range
(Y page 140)
R the position of the accelerator pedal
R the road speed Touchshift
When the selector lever is in position D, you
can perform gearshifts yourself.
X To shift down: press the selector lever to
the left towards D–.
The automatic transmission shifts to the
next gear down, depending on the gear
currently engaged. The shift range is also
restricted.
i The automatic transmission does not shift
down if you press the selector lever
towards D–while traveling at too high a
speed. This protects the engine from
overrevving.
X To shift up: briefly press the selector lever
to the right towards D+.
The automatic transmission shifts to the
next gear up, depending on the current
gearshift program. This also extends the
shift range. Automatic transmission
139Driving and parking Z

X
To derestrict the shift range: press and
hold the selecto rlever towards D+until D appears in the display again.
The automatic transmission shifts from the
current shift range directly to
D.
X To select the optimum shift range: press
and hold the selector lever to the left
towards D–.
The automatic transmission will shift to a
range which allows easy acceleration and
deceleration .To do this, the automatic
transmission will shift down one or more
gears. Shift ranges
When the selector lever is in position Dyou
can restrict or derestrict the shift range for
the automatic transmission.
X To extend/restrict the shift range: press
the selector lever briefly to the right
towards D+or left towards D–.
The display shows the selected shift range.
The automatic transmission shifts only as
far as the relevant gear.
i If the maximum engine speed for the
restricted shift range is reached and you
depress the accelerator pedal, the
automatic transmission will not shift up. Driving situations
0009
Use the braking effect of the engine
on steep downhill gradients and for
driving:
R
on steep mountain roads
R in mountainous terrain
R in arduous conditions 000E
Use the braking effect of the engine
on extremely steep downhill
gradients and long downhill
stretches. Driving tips
Accelerator pedal position Your style of driving influences how the
automatic transmission shifts gear:
R little throttle: early upshifts
R lots of throttle: later upshifts
Kickdown Use kickdown for maximum acceleration:
X
Depress the accelerator pedal beyond the
pressure point.
The automatic transmission shifts to the
next gear down, depending on the engine
speed.
X Ease off on the accelerator pedal once the
desired speed is reached.
The automatic transmission shifts up again.
Maneuvering Maneuvering in a tight space:
X
Control the vehicle's speed by braking
carefully.
X Depress the accelerator pedal slightly and
evenly.
i You can shift back and forth between
drive position Dand reverse gear Rat low
speeds without applying the brakes. This
can help you, for example when rapidly
maneuvering the vehicle or rocking it out of
snow or slush.
Towing atrailer X
Drive at moderate engine speeds on steep
uphill gradients.
X Depending on the uphill or downhill
gradient, shift down to ashift range
adapted to the driving situation
(Y page 140), even if cruise control is
activated. 140
Automatic transmissionDriving and parking

Problems with the transmission
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
0004 Solutions
The transmission
malfunctions when
shifting gear. The transmission is losing oil.
X
Have the transmission checked immediately at a qualified
specialist workshop. The acceleration
characteristics have
deteriorated
noticeably.
The transmission does
not shift. The transmission is in emergency mode.
It is only possible to shift into second gear or reverse gear
R.
X Stop the vehicle.
X Depress the brake pedal.
X Move the selector lever to position P.
X Switch off the engine.
X Wait at least 10 seconds before restarting the engine.
X Depress the brake pedal.
X Move the selector lever to position Dor R.
In position D, the transmission shifts into second gear; in
position R, the transmission shifts into reverse gear.
X Have the transmission checked immediately at a qualified
specialist workshop. Releasing the parking lock manually
X
Apply the parking brake.
X Remove cover 0005. X
Slide implement 0006as far as it will go into
the opening.
X Push the implement in and simultaneously
move the selector lever out of position P.
The selector lever lock is released. You can
now move the selector lever freely again
until it is returned to position P.
X Remove implement 0006.
X Re-install cover 0005.
In the event of a malfunction, it is possible to
manually release the selector lever from the Automatic transmission
141Driving and parking Z

lock in parking position
P, e.g. to have the
vehicle towed away. Refueling
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Fuel is highly flammable. Improper handing of
fuel creates a risk of fire and explosion.
Avoid fire, open flames ,smoking and creating
sparks under all circumstances. Switch off the
engine and, if applicable, the auxiliary heating
before refueling. G
WARNING
Fuel is poisonous and hazardous to health.
There is a risk of injury.
You must make sure that fuel does not come
into contact with your skin, eyes or clothing
and that it is not swallowed. Do not inhale fuel
vapors .Keep fuel away from children.
If you or others come into contact with fuel,
observe the following:
R Wash away fuel from skin immediately
using soap and water.
R If fuel comes into contact with your eyes,
immediately rinse them thoroughly with
clean water. Seek medical assistance
without delay.
R If fuel is swallowed, seek medical
assistance without delay. Do not induce
vomiting.
R Immediately change out of clothing which
has come into contact with fuel. G
WARNING
If you mix diesel fuel with gasoline, the flash
point is lower than that of pure diesel fuel.
When the engine is running, exhaust system
components could overheat without being
noticed. There is a risk of fire.
Never refuel with gasoline. Never mix gasoline
with diesel fuel. H
Environmental 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.
! 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.
! Do not switch on the ignition if you
accidentally refuel with the wrong fuel.
Otherwise, the fuel will enter the fuel lines.
Notify a qualified specialist workshop and
have the fuel tank and fuel lines drained
completely.
! Overfilling the fuel tank could damage the
fuel system.
! Take care not to spill any fuel on painted
surfaces. You could otherwise damage the
paintwork.
! Filter the fuel before transferring it to the
vehicle if you are refueling the vehicle from
barrels or containers.
This will preven tmalfunctions in the fuel
system due to contaminate dfuel.
Further information on fuel and on fuel grades
can be found in the "Technical data" section
(Y page 317). Refueling procedure142
RefuelingDriving and pa
rking

The fuel filler flap is beside the frontl
eft-hand
door when viewed in the direction of travel. It
is only possible to open the fuel filler flap
when the fron tdoor is open.
X Remove the key from the ignition lock.
X Switch off the auxiliary heating system
(Y page 118).
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 fuel filler cap 0006counter-clockwise,
remove it and let it hang from strap 0005.
X Completely insert the filler neck of the fuel
pump nozzle into the tank and refuel.
X Only fill the tank until the pump nozzle
switches off. Fuel may otherwise leak out.
X Replace tank filler cap 0006and 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. Problems with the fuel and fuel tank
If your vehicle is losing fuel, the fuel lines or
the fuel tank are defective.
X Turn the key to position 0in the ignition
lock immediately and remove it.
X Do not restart the engine under any
circumstances.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF)
Important safety notes H
Environmental note
Dispose of DEF in an environmentally
responsible manner.
! Only use DEF in accordance with
ISO 22241. Never mix DEF with additives or thin it with tap water. The exhaust gas
aftertreatmen
tmay otherwise be
damaged.
Observe the MB Specifications for Service
Products, Sheet 352.0.
Damage that results from the use of
additives or tap wate rleads to the loss of
the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
! If DEF comes into contact with a painted
or aluminum surface, wash the surface off
immediately with plenty of water.
! DEFi s not a diesel additive and must not
be mixed with fuel in the tank. Even small
amounts of DEF can cause engine damage.
Damage that results from the blending of
DEF will not be covered by the New Vehicle
Limited Warranty.
The exhaust gas aftertreatmentr equires a
reducing agent, Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF), in
order to function correctly.
When opening the DEF tank filler cap at high
outside temperatures, ammonia vapors may
escape.
Ammonia vapors have a pungent smell and
primarily cause irritation of the:
R skin
R mucous membranes
R eyes
You may experience a burning sensation in
your eyes, nose and throat, as well as
coughing and watering of the eyes.
Do not inhale ammonia vapors. Avoid contact
with DEF.
Do not allow DEF to come intod irectcontact
with your skin; it is hazardous to your health.
Rinse any affected areas off with plenty of
clean water. Consult a doctor if necessary.
i If the DEFr eserve has fallen below the
reserve range, add at least 2.0 US gal
(7.6 l) of DEF at the latest after receiving
the second warning message
(Y page 178). Refueling
143Driving and parking Z

i
If you switch off the engine at a low
outside temperature and add DEF, restart
the engine after refueling. If you leave the
vehicle parked withou trestarting the
engin eand the DEF freeze sin the DEF tank,
the on-board compute rwill only be able to
register the new fill level after a defrosting
period of up to 60 minutes. During this
time, you may not be able to start the
engine.
You will find further information on DE Finthe
"Service products" section (Y page 317).
Refueling procedure DEF filler neck in the engine compartment
X
Remove the key from the ignition lock.
X Switch off the auxiliary heating system
(Y page 125).
X Open the hood.
X Close all vehicle doors so that no ammonia
vapors can enter the vehicle.
i Do not inhale any ammonia vapor which
may escape when you unscrew cap 0005.
Ammonia vapors have a pungent odor.
However, they are neither toxic nor
hazardous to health in this concentration.
X Turn cap 0005counter-clockwise and remove
it.
X Only fill up the DEF tank until the DEF level
is visible in the filler neck.
X Replace DEF filler neck cap 0005on the filler
neck and turn clockwise. You will hear a click when cap
0005is fully
closed.
DEF filler neck on the right-hand vehicle
side The DEF reservoir on the right-hand side of the
vehicle (example: Chassis Cab)
Fuel filler cap
X
Remove the key from the ignition lock.
X Switch off the auxiliary heating system
(Y page 125).
X Remove tool 0023for unlocking tank filler
cap 0006from the footwell on the co-driver's
side (Y page 264).
X Close all vehicle doors so that no ammonia
vapors can enter the vehicle.
X Pull cover 0025up, turn 90° and release.
X Insert tool 0023into hole 0026of tank filler
cap 0006.
i Do not inhale any ammonia vapor that
may escape when you unscrew tank filler
cap 0006.A mmonia vapors have apungent
odor .However, they are neither toxic nor
hazardous to health in this concentration. 144
RefuelingDriving and parking

X
Turn tank filler cap 0006counter-clockwise,
remove it and let it hang from strap 0005.
Make sure that tool 0023remains in tank filler
cap 0006while doing so.
X Only fill up the DEFt ank until the DEFlevel
is visible for the first time in the filler neck.
X Replace tank filler cap 0006and turn
clockwise.
X Pull tool 0023out of tank filler cap 0006and
stow with the vehicle tool kit in the footwell
on the co-driver's side.
X Pull cover 0025up over hole 0026of tank filler
cap 0006, turn and release.
X Turn tank filler cap 0006.
If tank filler cap 0006turns freely, the DEF
tank is closed. Parking
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Flammable materials, e.g. leaves, grass or
twigs, may ignite if they come into contact
with hot parts of the exhaust system or
exhaust gases for extended periods. There is
a risk of fire.
Park the vehicle so that no flammable
materials come into contact with hot parts of
the vehicle. In particular, do not park on dry
areas of grass or harvested grainfields. G
WARNING
If you switch off the ignition while driving,
safety-relevant function sare only available
with limitations, or not at all.T his could affect,
for example, the power steering and the brake
boosting effect.Y ou will require considerably
more effort to steer and brake. There is a risk
of an accident.
Do not switch off the ignition while driving. G
WARNING
If you leave children unsupervised in the
vehicle, they could set it in motion by, for
example:
R releasing the parking brake
R shifting the automatic transmission out of
the parking position P
R starting the engine.
They could also operate the vehicle's
equipment. There is a risk of an accident and
injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children unsupervised in the vehicle.
! Am oving vehicle can lead to damage to
the vehicle or damage to the drive train.
! 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.
Always park your vehicle safely and according
to legal requirements and secure it against
rolling away.
To ensure that the vehicle is properly secured
against rolling away unintentionally:
R the parking brake must be firmly applied
R the selector lever must be in position Pand
the key must be removed from the ignition
lock
R
R on steep uphill or downhill gradients, the
front wheels must be turned towards the
curb
R on steep uphill or downhill gradients, the
empty vehicle must be secured at the front
axle, e.g. with a wheel chock or similar
object
R on steep uphill or downhill gradients, the
laden vehicle must also be secured at the
rear axle, e.g. with a wheel chock or similar
object Parking
145Driving and parking Z

Use the wheel chock (Y
page 147) to do so.Parking brake
G
WARNING
If you leave children unsupervised in the
vehicle, they could set it in motion by, for
example:
R releasing the parking brake
R shifting the automatic transmission out of
the parking position P
R starting the engine.
They could also operate the vehicle's
equipment. There is a risk of an accident and
injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children unsupervised in the vehicle. G
WARNING
If you must brake the vehicle with the parking
brake, the braking distance is considerably
longer and the wheels could lock. There is an
increased danger of skidding and accidents.
Only use the parking brake to brake the
vehicle when the service brake is faulty. Do
not apply the parking brake too firmly. If the
wheels lock, release the parking brake until
the wheels begin turning again. The brake lamps are not illuminated when you
brake the vehicle using the parking brake.
As a rule, you may only apply the parking
brake when the vehicle is stationary. X
To apply the parking brake: pull brake
lever 0005up as far as the last possible
detent.
The 000B warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up if the engine is running.
i On vehicles with a folding brake lever, you
can then press lever 0005down to the stop.
X To release the parking brake: on vehicles
with a folding brake lever, first pull brake
lever 0005up to the stop.
X Raise brake lever 0005slightly and press
release knob 0006.
X Guide brake lever 0005down to the stop.
The 000B indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out.
Exceptionally, if the service brake fails, the
parking brake can be used to brake the
vehicle in an emergency.
X Emergency braking: press and hold
release button 0006and carefully apply brake
lever 0005. Switching off the engine
G
WARNING
The automatic transmission switches to
neutral position Nwhen you switch off the
engine. The vehicle may roll away. There is a
risk of an accident.
After switching off the engine, always switch
to parking position P. Prevent the parked
vehicle from rolling away by applying the
parking brake.
! If the coolant temperature is very high,
e.g. after driving on hilly 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 Stop the vehicle.
X Shift the automatic transmission to
position P. 146
ParkingDriving and parking

X
Apply the parking brake.
X Turn the key to position 0in the ignition
lock and remove it.
The immobilize ris activated.
X Secure the vehicle to prevent it from rolling
away (Y page 145). Wheel chock
Use the wheel chock or asimilar object to
prevent the vehicle fro mrolling away, e.g.
when parking or changing awheel. Wheel chock in the load/passenger compartment
X To remove the wheel chock on Cargo
Vans/Passenger Vans: pull restraining
cable 0005down a little and remove it from
retainer 0006.
X Remove the chock.
i When stowing the wheel chock, make
sure that restraining cable 0005is holding it
securely in retainer 0006. Wheel chock to the rear of the chassis on the left
side of the vehicle X
To remove the wheel chock on Chassis
Cabs: pull the locking springs down and
remove the wheel chock.
i When stowing the wheel chock, make
sure that it is secured in the retainer with
the locking springs. Parking the vehicle for
along period
If you leave the vehicle parked for longer than
4w eeks, the battery may be damaged by
exhaustive discharging.
X Disconnect the batter y(Ypage 251) or
switch off the battery main switch
(Y page 132).
Or
X Connect the battery to a trickle charger.
You can obtain information about trickle
chargers from a qualified specialist
workshop.
If you leave the vehicle parked for longer than
6w eeks, the vehicle may suffer damage as a
result of lack of use.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop and
seek advice. Driving tips
General notes
Important safety notes G
WARNING
The 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
road, weather and traffic conditions permit.
Some jurisdictions prohibit the driver from
using a mobile phone while driving a vehicle. Driving tips
147Driving and parking
Z

Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle covers
a distance of 44 feet (approximatel
y14 m)
every second. G
WARNING
If you switch off the ignition while driving,
safety-relevant functions are only available
with limitations, or not at all. This could affect,
for example, the power steering and the brake
boosting effect. You will require considerably
more effort to steer and brake .There is a risk
of an accident.
Do not switch off the ignition while driving.
! Always observe the ground clearance of
the vehicle and avoid obstacles. On
vehicles with a step, ground clearance is
further restricted. Obstacles can damage
the vehicle.
If you must drive over obstacles, drive
especially slowly and carefully. If
necessary, have another person direct you.
Drive sensibly–s ave fuelIn orde
rto save fuel, observe the following
tips:
X The tires should always be inflated to the
recommended tire pressure.
X Remove unnecessary loads.
X Remove roof carriers when they are not
needed.
X Warm up the engine at low engine speeds.
X Avoid frequent acceleration or braking.
X Have all maintenance work carried out as
indicated by the service intervals in the
Maintenance Booklet or by the service
interval display.
Fuel consumption also increases when
driving in cold weather, in stop-start traffic
and in mountainous terrain. Overrun cutoff If you are in overrun mode and take your foot
off the accelerator pedal, the fuel supply is
cut off when the engine speed is out of the
idle speed control range.
Drinking and driving
G
WARNING
Drinking and driving and/or taking drugs and
driving are very dangerous combinations.
Even a small amount of alcohol or drugs can
affect your reflexes, perceptions and
judgment.
The possibility of a serious or even fatal
accident are greatly increased when you drink
or take drugs and drive.
Do not drink or take drugs and drive or allow
anyone to drive who has been drinking or
taking drugs.
Emission control G
WARNING
Combustion engines emit poisonous exhaust
gases such as carbon monoxide. Inhaling
these exhaust gases leads to poisoning. There
is a risk of fatal injury. Therefore never leave
the engine running in enclosed spaces
without sufficient ventilation.
Certain engine systems are designed to keep
the level of poisonous substances in exhaust
fumes within legal limits.
These systems only work optimally if they are
maintained exactly in accordance with the
manufacturer's specifications. Any work on
the engine should therefore be carried out by
qualified and authorized technicians at a
Sprinter dealer.
The engine settings must not be changed
under any circumstances. In addition, all
specific maintenance work must be carried
out at regular intervals and in accordance
with the service requirements of the dealer 148
Driving tipsDriving and parking