battery MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 2013 MY13 Operator’s Manual

Useful information
............................240
Engine compartment ........................240
Vehicle interior ................................. 248
Maintenance ...................................... 248
Battery ............................................... 250
Care .................................................... 255 239Maintenance and care

message appears in the display,f
or
example:
R 0002 Service A due in ... days R
0002 Service A due in ... mi (km )
Battery
Important safety notes
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 open 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
this Operator's Manual. H
Environmental note Batteries contain dangerous
substances. It is against the
law to dispose of them with
the household rubbish. They
must be collected separately and recycled to protect the
environment.
Dispose of batteries in an
environmentally friendly
manner
.Take discharged
batteries to a qualified
specialist workshop or a
special collectio npoint for
used batteries.
Observe the following notes:
R Have the condition of charge checked for
the batteries more frequently if you use the
vehicle mainly for short trips or if you leave
it parked for an extended period.
In order for the batteries to achieve their
maximum possible service life, they must
always be sufficiently charged.
R When replacing a battery, only use
batteries that are recommended for use in
Sprinter vehicles.
R Have the battery removed at a qualified
specialist workshop.
R If you intend to leave your vehicle parked
for a long period:
-consult a qualified specialist workshop
or
- switch off the electrical system using the
battery main switch (Y page 132).
i When you park the vehicle, remove the
key if you do not require any electrical
consumers .The vehicle will then use very
little energy, thus conserving battery
power. Installation locations
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 additional battery in the engine
compartment 250
BatteryMaintenance and care

Installing/removing the floor
covering (starter battery)
G
WARNING
Objects in the driver' sfootwell can restric tthe
pedal travel or obstruct adepressed pedal.
The operating and road safety of the vehicle
is jeopardized. There is a risk of an accident.
Make sure that all objects in the vehicle are
stowed correctly, and that they cannot enter
the driver's footwell. Install the floormats
securely and as specified in order to ensure
sufficien tclearance for the pedals. Do not use
loose floormats. X
Switch off all electrical consumers.
X To remove: remove screws 0026and take off
trim 0006.
X Remove floor covering 0005.
X To install: place floor covering 0005in the
driver's footwell.
X Slide floor covering 0005underneath the
carrier of 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 0006in place and screw screws 0026
back in. Disconnecting/connecting the
starter battery
Important safety notes G
WARNING
During the charging process, a battery
produces hydroge ngas. If a shor tcircuit
occurs or sparks are created, the hydrogen
gas can ignite. There is a risk of an explosion.
R Make sure that the positive terminal of a
connected battery does not come into
contact with vehicle parts.
R Never place metal objects or tools on a
battery.
R It is important that you observe the
described order of the battery terminals
when connecting and disconnecting a
battery.
R When jump-starting, make sure that the
battery poles with identical polarity are
connected.
R It is particularly important to observe the
described order when connecting and
disconnecting the jumper cables.
R Never connect or disconnect the battery
terminals while the engine is running.
Disconnecting the starter battery !
Switch off the engine and remove the key
fro mt he ignition lock before you loosen or
disconnectt he terminal clamps. You may
otherwise destroy electronic components
such as the alternator.
Always disconnectt he starter battery in the
battery case in the driver's footwell first.
! Always disconnectt he battery in
the order described below. Never swap the
terminal clamps. You may otherwise
damage the vehicle electronics. Battery
251Maintenance and care Z

Battery cover in the driver's footwell
X
Switch off all electrical consumers.
X Switch off the engine and remove the key
from the ignition lock.
X Remove the floor covering in the driver's
footwell (Y page 251).
X Loosen screws 0006and slide battery
cover 0005in the direction of the arrow.
The screws mus tprotrude beyond the
larger recesses.
X Remove battery cover 0005upwards. 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. Reconnecting the starter battery !
Always connect the battery in the order
described below. Never swap the terminal
clamps. You may otherwise damage the
vehicle electronics.
X Fold the positive terminal clamp with the
pre-fuse box downt o the terminal.
X Connect the positive terminal clamp.
X Attach the cover to the positive terminal.
X Connect the negative terminal clamp.
X Position battery cover 0005so that
screws 0006are positioned over the large
recesses.
X Slide battery cover 0005in the direction of
travel into the smaller recesses.
X Tighten screws 0006.
X Install the floor covering in the driver's
footwell (Y page 251).
Carry out the following work after connecting
the battery:
X Reset the side windows (Y page 77). Removing/installing the starter
battery
Removing the starter battery X
Disconnect the battery (Y page 251).
X Pull breather hose with connector
bracket 0006from connection 0005on the
degassing cover. 252
BatteryMaintenance and care

X
Loosen the bolts holding retainer 0026, which
prevents the battery from moving around. X
Pull retainer 0026upwards.
X Slide the battery from its anchorage in the
direction of travel.
X Fold the bar of the battery upwards and
remove the battery from the battery case.
Installing the starter battery X
Insert the battery into the battery case.
X Fold down the bar of the battery.
X Slide the battery into its anchorage in the
opposite direction to the direction of travel.
X Insert retainer 0026.
X Tighten the bolts on retainer 0026which
holds the battery in place.
X Attach breather hose with connector
bracket 0006to connection 0005of the
ventilation cover.
X Connect the battery (Y page 251). Disconnecting/connecting the
auxiliary battery
Important safety notes G
WARNING
During the charging process, a battery
produces hydrogen gas. If a short circuit
occurs or sparks are created, the hydrogen
gas can ignite. There is a risk of an explosion.
R Make sure that the positive terminal of a
connected battery does not come into
contact with vehicle parts.
R Never place metal objects or tools on a
battery.
R It is important that you observe the
described order of the battery terminals
when connecting and disconnecting a
battery.
R When jump-starting, make sure that the
battery poles with identical polarity are
connected.
R It is particularly important to observe the
described order when connecting and
disconnecting the jumper cables.
R Never connect or disconnect the battery
terminals while the engine is running.
Disconnecting the additional battery !
Switch off the engine and remove the key
from the ignition lock before you loosenor
disconnec tthe terminal clamps. You may
otherwise destroy electronic components
such as the alternator.
Always disconnectt he starter battery in the
battery case in the driver's footwell first.
! Always disconnectt he battery in
the order described below. Never swap the
terminal clamps. You may otherwise
damage the vehicle electronics. Battery
253Maintenance and care Z

Additional battery in the engine compartment
X
Switch off all electrical consumers.
X Switch off the engine and remove the key
from the ignition lock.
X Ope nthe hood (Y page 240).
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.
Connecting the additional battery !
Always connect the battery in the order
described below. Never swap the terminal
clamps. You may otherwise damage the
vehicle electronics.
X Connect the positive terminal clamp.
X Attach the cover to the positive terminal.
X Connect the negative terminal clamp.
X Close the hood.
Carry out the following work after connecting
the battery:
X Reset the side windows (Y page 77). Removing/installing the auxiliary
battery
Removing the additional battery X
Disconnect the battery (Y page 253).
X Loosen the bolts holding the retainer that
prevents the battery from moving around.
X Remove the battery holder and take out the
battery.
Installing the additional battery X
Insert the battery into the battery case.
X Insert the battery holder.
X Tighten the bolts holding the retainer that
prevents the battery from moving around.
X Connect the battery (Y page 253). Charging
G
WARNING
During charging and jump-starting, explosive
gases can escape from the battery. There is a
risk of an explosion.
Particularly avoid fire, open flames, creating
sparks and smoking. Ensure there is sufficient
ventilation while charging and jump-starting.
Do not lean over a battery. G
WARNING
Battery acid is caustic. There is a risk of injury.
Avoid contact with the skin, eyes or clothing.
Do not inhale any battery gases. Do not lean
over the battery. Keep children away from
batteries. Wash battery acid immediately with
water and seek medical attention.
! Only charge the installed battery with a
battery charger that has been tested and
approved by the distributor named on the
inside of the front cover. This device allows
the battery to be charged when it is
installed in the vehicle. The vehicle's
electronics may otherwise be damaged. 254
BatteryMaintenance and care

X
Recharge the removed battery. Observe
the notes in the operating instructions for
your battery charger.
X Install the battery. Observe the notes on
reconnecting the battery.
i If batteries are no tbeing used, you should
charge them once a month.
It is also possible to charge the starter
battery using the jump-starting connection
point in the engine compartment
(Y page 267). Care
! Dirty battery clamps and battery surfaces
cause leak currents which lead to the
batteries discharging.
! Do not use cleaning agents containing
fuel. Cleaning agents containing fuel
corrode the battery housing.
! If dirt gets into the battery cell, battery
self-discharge will increase and the battery
may be damaged.
The following points on battery care must be
observed:
X Regularly chec kthe battery terminals and
the fastening of the negative cable to the
chassis to ensure that they are firmly
seated.
X Always keep the battery terminals and
battery surfaces clean and dry.
X Lightly grease the undersides of the battery
terminals with acid-resistant grease.
X Only clean the batteries when the caps are
screwed on.
Otherwise, dirt could get into the battery
cells.
X Unscrew the caps and clean blocked
breathers 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. The breathers in the caps and the cell
ventilation tubes must be open. Otherwise,
gas cannot escape.
X Only clean the battery casing with a
commercially available cleaning product. Care
Notes on care
G
WARNING
If you use openings in the bodywork or
detachable parts as steps, you could:
R slip and/or fall
R damage the vehicle and cause yourself to
fall.
There is a risk of injury.
Always use secure climbing aids, e.g. a
suitable ladder.
! For cleaning your vehicle, do not use any
of the following:
R dry, rough or hard cloths
R abrasive cleaning agents
R solvents
R cleaning agents containing solvents
Do not scrub.
Do not touch the surfaces or protective
films with hard objects, e.g. a ring or ice
scraper. You could otherwise scratch or
damage the surfaces and protective film.
! Do not park the vehicle for an extended
period straight after cleaning it, particularly
after having cleaned the wheels with wheel
cleaner. Wheel cleaners could cause
increased corrosion of the brake discs and
brake pads/linings. For this reason, you
should drive for a few minutes after
cleaning. Braking heats the brake discs and
the brake pads/linings, thus drying them.
The vehicle can then be parked. Care
255Maintenance and care Z

Jump-starting
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
During charging and jump-starting, explosive
gases can escape from the battery. There is a
risk of an explosion.
Particularly avoid fire, open flames, creating
sparks and smoking. Ensure there is sufficient
ventilation while charging and jump-starting.
Do not lean over a battery. G
WARNING
Battery acid is caustic. There is a risk of injury.
Avoid contact with the skin, eyes or clothing.
Do not inhale any battery gases. Do not lean
over the battery. Keep children away from
batteries. Wash battery acid immediately with
water and seek medical attention. G
WARNING
Non-combusted fuel can collect in the
exhaust system and ignite. There is a risk of
fire. Avoid repeated and lengthy starting
attempts.
Do not use a rapid charging device to start
the vehicle. If your vehicle's battery is
discharged, the engine can be jump-started
from another vehicle or from a donor battery
using jumper cables. For this purpose, the
vehicle has a jump-starting connection point
in the engine compartment.
The additional battery in the engine
compartmenti s not suitable for jump-starting
operations. If your vehicle requires jump-
starting, or if you use it to jump-start another
vehicle, use the jump-starting connection
point in the engine compartment.
When jump-starting, observe the following
points:
R The battery is not accessible in all vehicles.
If the other vehicle's battery is not accessible, jump-start the vehicle using a
donor battery or a jump-starting device.
R Do not start the engine if the battery is
frozen. Let the battery thaw first.
R Jump-starting may only be performed from
batteries with a nominal voltage of 12 V.
R Only use jumper cables that have a
sufficient cross-section and insulated
terminal clamps.
R If the battery is fully discharged, attach the
battery of another vehicle for a few minutes
before attempting to start. This charges the
empty battery a little.
R Make sure that the two vehicles do not
touch.
Make sure that:
R the jumper cables are not damaged.
R bare parts of the terminal clamps do not
come into contact with other metal parts
while the jumper cables are connected to
the battery.
R the jumper cables cannot come into
contact with parts such as the V-belt pulley
or the fan. These parts move when the
engine is started and while it is running.
i Jumper cables and further information
regarding jump starting can be obtained at
any qualified specialist workshop. Before connecting the jumper cables
On vehicles with a battery main switch, check
whether the battery main switch is switched
on (Y page 132).
X Apply the parking brake.
X Move the selector lever of the automatic
transmission to position P.
X Switch off all electrical consumers, e.g.
audio equipment, blower.
X Turn the key to position 0in the ignition
lock and remove it (Y page 133).
X Open the hood (Y page 240). Jump-starting
267Breakdown assistance Z

Tow-starting and towing away
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Functions relevant to safety are restricted or
no longe ravailable if:
R the engine is not running.
R the brake system or the powe rsteering is
malfunctioning.
R there is a malfunctio ninthe voltage supply
or the vehicle's electrical system.
If your vehicle is being towed, much more
force may be necessary to steer or brake.
There is a risk of an accident.
In such cases, use a tow bar. Before towing,
make sure that the steering moves freely. G
WARNING
You can no longer steer the vehicle if the
steering wheel lock has been engaged. There
is a risk of an accident.
Always switch off the ignition when towing the
vehicle with a tow cable or a tow bar. G
WARNING
If the weight of the vehicle to be towed or tow-
started is greater than the permissible gross
weight of your vehicle:
R the towing eye could detach itself
R the vehicle/trailer combination could
rollover.
There is a risk of an accident.
When towing or tow-starting another vehicle,
its weight should not be greater than the
permissible gross weight of your vehicle.
Information on your vehicle's gross vehicle
weight rating can be found on the vehicle
identification plate (Y page 315).
! Only secure the tow rope or tow bar at the
towing eyes. Otherwise, the vehicle could
be damaged. !
Observe the following points when towing
with a tow rope:
R Secure the tow rope on the same side on
both vehicles.
R Ensure that the tow cable is not longer
than legally permitted. Mark the tow
cable in the middle, e.g. with a white
cloth (30 x 30 cm). This will make other
road users aware that the vehicle is being
towed.
R Only secure the tow cable to the towing
eye.
R Observe the brake lamps of the towing
vehicle while driving. Always maintain a
distance so that the tow rope does not
sag.
R Do not use steel cables or chains to tow
your vehicle. You could otherwise
damage the vehicle.
! Do not use the towing eye for recovery,
this could damage the vehicle. If in doubt,
recover the vehicle with acrane.
! When towing, pull away slowly and
smoothly .Ifthe tractive power is too high,
the vehicles could be damaged.
Observe the legal requirements for the
relevant country when towing.
It is preferable to have the vehicle
transported on a transporter or trailer instead
of towing it.
The automatic transmission selector lever
must be in the Nposition when towing the
vehicle.
The battery must be connected and charged.
Otherwise, you:
R cannot turn the key in the ignition lock to
position 2
R cannot move the selector lever to position
Non vehicles with automatic transmission.
i Switch off the automatic locking feature
before the vehicle is towed (Y page 69). You
could otherwise lock yourself out of the
vehicle when pushing or towing away the
vehicle. 268
Tow-starting and towing awayBreakdown assistance

Installing/removing the towing eye
The fixture for the fron
ttowing eye is located in the
bumper. Rear towing eye under the bumper, attached to the
chassis
Your vehicle may be equipped with rear
towing eye 0006. If you tow or tow-start a
vehicle, attach the towing device to rear
towing eye 0006.
If your vehicle is equipped with a trailer tow
hitch, attach the towing device to the trailer
tow hitch (Y page 168).
Installing the front towing eye
X Take the towing eye and screwdriver from
the vehicle tool kit (Y page 264).
X Press cover 0005and remove cover 0005from
the opening.
You will see the fixture for the towing eye.
X Screw in the towing eye clockwise to the
stop.
X Insert screwdriver into the towing eye and
tighten it. Removing the front towing eye
X
Remove the screwdriver from the vehicle
tool kit.
X Insert the screwdriver into the towing eye
and turn the screwdriver counter-
clockwise.
X Unscrew the towing eye.
X Insert cover 0005with the lug at the bottom
and press it in at the top until it engages.
X Place the towing eye and screwdriver back
in the vehicle tool kit. Towing in the event of malfunctions
With transmission damage !
Always use new bolts when installing the
propeller shafts.
If the vehicle has transmission damage, have
the propeller shaft removed before towing
away.
In the event of damage to the electrical
system If the battery is defective, the automatic
transmission will be locked in position
P. In
order to be able to shift the automatic
transmission to position N, you must provide
power to the vehicle's 12 Velectrical system
in the same way as when jump-starting
(Y page 267).
Have the vehicle transported on a transporter
or trailer. Towing with the front or rear axle
raised
General notes !
The ignition must be switched off if the
vehicle is being towed with the front or rear
axle raised. Otherwise, ESP ®
may intervene
and damage the brake system. Tow-starting and towing away
269Breakdown assistance Z