MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 2013 MY13 Operator’s Manual

Control panel between the steering
wheel and the ignition lock Function Page
000D
000A
Switches the central rear
compartment lighting on/
off
94 Further control panels
39At a glance

40

Useful information
..............................42
Occupant safety .................................. 42
Child restraint systems ......................50
Child-proof locks ................................. 54
Driving safet ysystems ....................... 56
Emergency exit ................................... 59
Theft deterrent locking system .........60 41Safety

Useful information
This Operator's Manual describes all models
as well as standard and optional equipment
of your vehicle that were available at the time
of going to print. Country-specific variations
are possible. Note that your vehicle may not
be equipped with all of the described
functions. This also applies to systems and
functions relevant to safety.
Read the information on qualified specialist
workshops (Y page 26). Occupant safety
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Modifications to the restraint systems could
result in them not functioning properly any
more. The restraint systems could then no
longer protect vehicle occupants as they are
designed to do and could fail in the even tof
an accident or activate unexpectedly, for
example. There is an increased risk of injury.
Never modify parts of the restraint systems.
Do no tattemp tto modify the wiring as well as
electronic components or their software.
If it is necessary to modify an air bag system
to accommodate a person with disabilities,
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz center.
USA only: for further information contact our
Customer Assistance Center at
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (1800-367-6372).
In this section you will learn the most
important facts about the restraint system
components of the vehicle.
The restraint system consists of:
R Seat belts
R Child restraint systems
R LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child seat securing
system
SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) and
the air bag system offer additional protection
potential. Although the systems are independent, their
protective functions work in conjunction with
one another.
i
For information on infants and children
traveling with you in the vehicle as well as
restraint systems for infants and children,
see the "Children in the vehicle" section
(Y page 50). SRS (Supplemental Restraint System)
Introduction SRS consists of:
R
0008 warning lamp
R Air bags
R Air bag control unit with crash sensors
R ETDs for the driver's and co-driver's seat
R Seat belt force limiters
R Seat belt force limiters for the driver's and
co-driver seats
SRS reduces the risk of occupants hitting
parts of the vehicle interior in the event of an
accident .Inaddition, it can reduce the forces
the occupants are subjected to during an
accident.
SRS warning lamp G
WARNING
If SRS is malfunctioning, child restraint
system components may be triggered
unintentionally or might not be triggered at all
in the event of an acciden twith a high rate of
vehicle deceleration. There is an increased
risk of injury, possibly even fatal.
Have SRS checked and repaired immediately
at a qualified specialist workshop.
SRS functions are checked regularly when
you switch on the ignition and when the
engine is running. This allows malfunctions to
be detected in good time. 42
Occupant safetySafety

When you switch on the ignition, the
0008
warning lamp in the instrument cluster lights
up for approximately 4seconds.
A malfunction has occurred if the 0008
warning lamp:
R does not light up when you switch on the
ignition, or
R does not go out within a few seconds of
switching on the ignition, or
R lights up again
Safet yguidelines for seat belts,
Emergency Tensioning Devices (ETDs)
and air bags G
WARNING
R Damaged sea tbelts 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 a qualified specialist workshop.
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.o ver 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 curtai nair 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. Please contac ta
qualified specialist workshop.
R For your protection and the protection of
others, when scrapping the air bag unit or
ETD, our safety instructions must be
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 infor mthe subsequent
owner that the vehicle is equipped with SRS.
Also refer them to the applicable section in
the Operator's Manual. Occupant safety
43Safety Z

Air bags
Important safety notes G
WARNING
To reduce the ris kofinjury when the front air
bags inflate, it is very important for the driver
and co-driver to always be in a properly seated
positio nand to wear thei rrespective 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 a
qualified specialist workshop.
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 belt
properly and use an appropriately sized
infant restraint, toddler restraint, or
booster seat recommended for the size and
weight of the child.
R Children twelve years old and under must
never travel on the co-driver's seat. They
will otherwise be struck by the co-driver's
front air bag when it inflates in a crash. This
could result in serious or fatal injury.
Failure to follow these instructions can result
in severe injuries to you or other occupants.
If you sell your vehicle, it is important that you
make the buyer aware of this safety
information. Be sure to give the buyer this
Operator's Manual. G
WARNING
The air bag parts are hot after the airbag has
been deployed. There is a risk of injury.
Do not touch the air bag parts. Have the
deployed air bags replaced at a qualified
specialist workshop as soon as possible.
i If the vehicle is still in running condition,
have it towed to a qualified specialist
workshop. G
WARNING
If you modify the air bag covers or affix objects
such as stickers to them, the air bags may not
function correctly. There is an increased risk
of injury.
Never modify the air bag covers or affix
objects to them. 44
Occupant safetySafety

The air bag installation locations are
identified by the label SRS/AIRBAG or
AIRBAG.
R
Front air bags (Y page 45)
R Thoraxbags (Y page 45)
R Window curtain air bags (Y page 46)
The air bags are deployed if the air bag control
unit detects the need for deployment. Only in
the event of such a situation will they provide
their supplemental protection.
If the driver and co-driver do not wear their
seat belts, it is not possible for the air bags to
provide their supplemental protection.
In the event of other types of impacts and
impacts below air bag deployment
thresholds, the air bags will not deploy. The
driver and passengers will then be protected
to the exten tpossible by a properly fastened
seat belt. Aproperly fastened seat belti s also
needed to provide the best possible
protection in a rollover.
Air bags provide additional protection, but are
not a substitute for the seat belts. All vehicle
occupants must fasten their seat belts
regardless of whether your vehicle is
equipped with air bags or not.
If an air bag is deployed, you will hear a bang
and a small amount of powder is released
briefly. Only in rare cases will the bang affect
your hearing. The powder emitted is not
generally hazardous to health. The 0008
warning lamp lights up. If it is safe to do so:
X Exit the vehicle immediately.
If you are unable to leave the vehicle:
X Open a window.
You will be able to breathe in fresh air and
avoid respiratory problems.
It is important for your safety and that of any
passengers to have deployed air bags
replaced and to have any malfunctioning air
bags repaired. This will help to make sure the
air bags continue to perform their protective
function for the vehicle occupants in the
event of a crash. Front air bags
Driver's air bag
0005inflates in front of the
steering wheel; co-driver's front air bag 0006
inflates in front of and above the glove box
and center console.
The front air bags increase the degree of
protection afforded to the driver and co-driver
against head and chest injuries.
They are deployed:
R in certain frontal collision situations
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 vehicle rolls over, the front air bags are
generally not deployed. The front air bags are
deployed if it is detected that the vehicle is
decelerating rapidly in the longitudinal
direction.
In collision situations with low predicted
impact severity the front air bags are not
deployed. You will then be protected by the
seat belt, provided that it is fastened.
Thoraxbags 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. The use of seat covers or other seat
coverings may cause a malfunction when the Occupant safety
45Safety
Z

thoraxbag is deployed
.Please contac ta
qualified specialist workshop for availability. G
WARNING
The pressure sensors for controlling the
thoraxbags 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.
Improperly performed repairs on the doors,
modifications to the doors or attached parts
can result in the failure or unintentional
deployment of the thoraxbag. Work on the
doors must therefore only be performed by
qualified technicians. Please contact a
qualified specialist workshop. Thoraxbags
0005are only installed for individual
seats in the outer seat cushions of the driver's
and co-driver's seats.
When activated, thoraxbags 0005increase
protection for the chest area of the occupants
facing the impact .However, they do not
protect the:
R head
R neck
R arms
Thoraxbags 0005are 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 aside impact
R whether or not the seat belt is fastened R
independently of the front air bags
R independently of the Emergency
Tensioning Devices
In a side collision with deceleration below the
vehicle's pre-set deceleration values or
acceleration values, thoraxbags 0005are not
deployed. You will the nbe protected by the
seat belt, provided that it is fastened.
Window curtain air bags Window curtain air bags
0005enhance
protection for the head (but not the chest or
arms) of the vehicle occupants on the side of
the vehicle on which the impact occurs.
The window curtain air bags are installed in
the side of the roof frame above the front
doors.
Window curtain air bags 0005are 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 aside impact
R whether or not the seat belt is fastened
R regardless of whether the co-driver's seat
is occupied
R independently of the front air bags
R independently of the Emergency
Tensioning Devices
Window curtain air bags will not deploy in
impacts which do not exceed the system's
prese tdeployment thresholds for lateral
acceleration/deceleration .You will then be
protected by the seat belt, provided that it is
fastened. 46
Occupant safetySafety

Seat belts
Important safety notes G
WARNING
The seat belt does not offer the intended level
of protection if the backrest is not in the
upright position. When braking or in the event
of an accident, you could slide underneath the
seat belt and sustain abdomen or neck
injuries, for example. This poses an increased
risk of injury or even fatal injury.
Adjust the seat properly before beginning
your journey. Always make sure that the seat
is in the upright position.
Use only seat belts approved for your vehicle
by the dealer mentioned on the inside cover
page. G
WARNING
Always fasten your seat belt before driving off.
Always make sure all of your passengers are
properly restrained. You and your passengers
should always wear seat belts.
Failure to wear and properly fasten and
position your seat belt greatly increases your
risk of injuries and their likely severity in an
accident.
If you are ever in an accident, your injuries can
be considerably more severe without your
seat belt properly buckled. Without your seat
belt buckled, you are much more likely to hit
the interior of the vehicle or be ejected from
it. You can be seriously injured or killed.
In the same crash, the possibility of injury or
death is lessened if you are properly wearing
your seat belt. The air bags can only protect
as intended if the occupants are properly
wearing their seat belts. G
WARNING
Never let more people ride in the vehicle than
there are seat belts available. Make sure
everyone riding in the vehicle is correctly
restrained with a separate seat belt. Never use a seat belt for more than one person at a
time.
G
WARNING
Damaged seat belts or seat belts that have
been subjected to stress in an accident must
be replaced. Their anchoring points must also
be checked.
Only use seat belts which have been approved
by the distributor named on the inside of the
front cover.
Do not make any modifications to the seat
belts. This can lead to unintended activation
of the ETDs or to their failure to activate when
necessary.
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.
Have all work carried out only by qualified
technicians. Please contact a qualified
specialist workshop.
The use of seat belts and infant and child
restraint systems is required by law in:
R all 50 states
R the U.S. territories
R the District of Columbia
R all Canadianp rovinces
Even where this is not required by law, all
vehicle occupants should correctly fasten
their seat belts before starting the journey.
i For information on infants and children
traveling with you in the vehicle as well as
restraint systems for infants and children,
see the "Children in the vehicle" section
(Y page 50).
Proper use of the seat belts G
WARNING
CORRECT USE OF SEAT BELTS
R Seat belts only work properly if they are
fastened correctly. Never wears eat belts in
any other way than as described in this Occupant safety
47Safety
Z

section, as that could result in serious
injuries in the event of an accident.
R All occupants should wear their seat belt at
all times, because seat belts help reduce
the likelihood of and potential severity of
injuries in accidents, even if the vehicle
rolls over. The integrated restraint system
is equipped with SRS (driver's air bag, front-
passenger air bag, thorax side impact air
bags, window curtain air bags for side
windows), Emergency Tensioning Devices
and seat belt force limiters.
The system is designed to enhance the
protection offered to occupants who are
properly secured during certain frontal
impacts (front air bags and Emergency
Tensioning Devices) and side impacts
(thorax side impact air bags, window
curtain air bags and Emergency Tensioning
Device) that exceed preset deployment
thresholds, as well as in certain situations
where the vehicle rolls over (window
curtain air bags and Emergency Tensioning
Device).
R Never route the shoulders ection of the
seat belt under your arm, across your neck
or anywhere other than across your
shoulder. In the event of a frontal impact,
your body would be moved too far forward.
This would increase the risk of head and
neck injuries. The seat belt would then
apply excessive force to the ribs or
abdomen, which could cause severe
internal injuries to organs such as the liver
or spleen.
Adjust the seat belt so that the upper part
of the belt is as close as possible to the
center of the shoulder. It should not touch
the neck. Never route the belt under the
shoulder. The height of the belt outlet can
be altered to ensure correct usage.
R The lap belt should be routed as low as
possible across the hips, not across the
abdomen. If the lap belt is routed across the
abdomen, it could cause serious injuries in
the event of an impact. R
Never route the seat belt over rigid or
fragile objects in or on your clothing, such
as eyeglasses, pens, keys etc., as this could
cause injuries.
R Always ensure that the seat belt is routed
correctly. This is particularly important if
you are wearing loose clothing.
R Never use a seat belt for more than one
person at a time. Never route a seat belt
around more than one person or additional
objects.
R Never wear seat belts if they are twisted.
Otherwise, in the event of an impact, the
full width of the seat belt is unavailable to
distribute the force of the impact. The
twisted seat belt routed across your body
could cause injuries.
R Pregnan twomen should also always use a
three-point seat belt. The lap belt must
always pass across your lap as low down as
possible, i.e. across your hips; not across
your abdomen.
R The backrest should be set as close to
vertical as possible.
R Check the seat belt during the journey in
order to make sure that it is correctly
positioned.
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 When using a seat belt to secure an infant
restraint system, child restraint system or
a child on a booster seat, always follow the
child restraint system manufacturer's
instructions.
Fastening/unfastening the seat belts G
WARNING
According to accident statistics, children are
safer when properly restrained on the rear
seats than on the front-passenger seat. Thus,
we strongly recommend that children be
placed in the rear seat whenever possible.
Regardless of seating position, children 12
years old and under must be seated and 48
Occupant safetySafety