MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 2013 MY13 Operator’s Manual

properly secured in an appropriately sized
child restraint system or booster seat
recommended for the size and weight of the
child. For additional information, see the
"Children in the vehicle" section.
Ac hild's risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints
are not properly secured in the vehicle and/
or the child is not properly secured in the child
restraint.
! Make sure that the seat belt retracts fully.
The seat belt or belt buckle may otherwise
become trapped in the door or the seat
adjustment mechanism. This could
damage the door, door trim panels and the
seat belt. Damaged seat belts can no
longer fulfill their protective function and
must be replaced at a qualified specialist
workshop. X
To fasten the seat belt: adjust the seat
and move the backrest to an almost vertical
position (Y page 80).
X Pull the seat belt smoothly through belt
sash guide 0006.
X Without twisting it, guide the shoulder
section of the seat belt across the middle
of your shoulder and the lap section across
your hips. X
Engage belt tongue 0026in seat belt buckle
0023.
X The upper part of the seat belt must be
routed across the middle of your shoulder.
Adjust the seat belt to the appropriate
height as necessary.
X If necessary, pull upwards on the shoulder
section of the seat belt to tighten the belt
across your body.
X To raise the seat belt: slide belt sash
guide 0006upwards.
Belt sash guide 0006engages in various
positions.
X To lowert he seat belt: press and hold
release button 0005.
X Adjust bel tsash guide 0006to the
appropriate height.
X Let go of release button 0005and make sure
that belt sash guide 0006has engaged.
X To release the seat belt: press release
button 0025on seat belt buckle 0023.
X Guide seat belt to belt sash guide 0006.
All seat belts in the vehicle, excep tthe
driver's seat belt, are equipped with a special
seat belt retractor. This helps to secure the
child restraint system properly in the vehicle.
For further information on "Special seat belt
retractors", see (Y page 54).
Belt warning for drivers and co-drivers Regardless of whether the driver's and co-
driver's seat belts have already been
fastened, the
0014seat belt warning lamp
lights up for six seconds each time the engine
is started. It then goes out if the driver and
the co-driver have fastened their seat belts.
If the driver's seat belt is not fastened when
the engine is started, an additional warning
tone will sound. This warning tone switches
off after approximately six seconds or once
the driver's seat belt is fastened. Occupant safety
49Safety Z

Emergency Tensioning Devices, seat
belt force limiters
G
WARNING
Pyrotechnic ETDs that were activated must be
replaced.
For your safety, when disposing of the
pyrotechnic ETDs always follow our safety
instructions. These instructions are available
from any authorized Sprinter Dealer.
! If the front-passenger seat is not
occupied, do no tengage the sea tbelt
tongue in the buckle on the front-
passenger seat. Otherwise, the Emergency
Tensioning Device could be triggered in the
event of an accident.
X In order to ensure that the pyrotechnic
Emergency Tensioning Devices have not
been triggered, always have the seat belts
checked after an accident.
If the Emergency Tensioning Devices have
been triggered, they must be replaced.
If the vehicle is equipped with a driver's air
bag, the seat belts on the driver's and co-
driver's seats have Emergency Tensioning
Devices and seat belt force limiters.
ETDs tighten the seat belts in an accident,
pulling them close against the seat
occupant's body.
ETDs do not correct incorrect seat positions
or incorrectly fastened seat belts.
ETDs do not pull vehicle occupants back
towards the backrest.
When activated, the seat belt force limiters
reduce the force exerted by the seat belt on
the driver or co-driver.
The seat belt force limiters are synchronized
with the fron tair bags, which absorb part of
the deceleration force, resulting in the force
exerted on the occupant being distributed
over a greater area.
The ETDs can only be triggered if the ignition
is switched on and the restraint systems are
operational, see " 0008warning lamp"
(Y page 42). The Emergency Tensioning Devices are
triggered depending on the type and severity
of an accident:
R
in the event of a head-on or rear-end
collision if the vehicle decelerates or
accelerates rapidly in a longitudinal
direction during the initial stages of the
impact
R in the event of a side impact if the vehicle
decelerates or accelerates rapidly in a
lateral direction and the vehicle is equipped
with thorax side impac tair bags and/or
window curtain air bags
If the ETDs are triggered, you will hear a bang
and powder may also be released .Only in rare
cases will the bang affect your hearing .The
powder emitted is not generally hazardous to
health. The 0008warning lamp lights up. Child restraint systems
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If the child restraint system is not installed
correctly to a suitable seat, the child may not
be secured in the event of an accident or
sudden braking and may be seriously or even
fatally injured. Therefore, when installing a
child restraint system, you must observe the
manufacturer's installation instructions as
well as the notes on using the child restraint
system.
Child restraint systems should preferably be
installed to the rear seats. Children are
generally better protected there.
Never place objects, e.g. cushions, under the
child restraint system. The entire base of the
child restraint system must always rest on the
seat cushion.
A child restraint system must not be used
without the genuine cover designed for it.
Only replace damaged covers with genuine
covers. 50
Child restraint systemsSafety

On the rear seats, use only child restraint
systems that have been recommended for
use in the Sprinter. G
WARNING
Accident statistics show that children
secured in the rear seats are safer than
children secured in the co-driver's seat. For
this reason, we strongly advise that you
always secure children in the rear seats.
Regardless of the seat position, children
under 12 years must be secured correctly in
a suitable infant or child restraint system or
booster seat suitable for the size and weight
of the child.
Never place anything between the seat
cushion and child seat (e.g. pillow). The
bottom of the child seat must make full
contact with the vehicle seat cushion. An
incorrectly mounted child seat could cause
injuries to the child in the event of an
accident, instead of protecting the child.
The infant or child restraint must be properly
secured with the vehicle's seat belt, the seat
belt and Top Tether strap, or lower anchors
and Top Tether strap, fully in accordance with
the child seat manufacturer's instructions.
Always observe the manufacturer's
instructions when installing special child
restraint systems.
Occupants, in particular children, must sit as
upright as possible, fasten the seat belt
correctly and use a suitable infant restraint
system, child restraint system or booster seat
suitable for the size and weight of the child.
Children can be seriously or even fatally
injured by an air bag deploying. Observe the
following important information if it is
absolutely necessary to carry a child on the
co-driver's seat:
R The co-driver's front air bag is not
deactivated.
R Never secure your child in a rearward-
facing child restraint system on the co-
driver's seat. A child in a rearward-facing
child restraint system on the co-driver's seat can be seriously injured or even killed
if the co-driver's front air bag deploys. Only
install a rearward-facing child restraint
system on a suitable rear seat.
R Where permitted by state law, if you secure
your child in a forward-facing child restraint
system on the co-driver's seat, move the
co-driver's seat as far back to the rear as
possible.Y ou must then use an
appropriately sized child restraint system
recommended for the age, size and weight
of the child and secure it with the vehicle
seat belt in accordance with the child seat
manufacturer's instructions. G
WARNING
Infants and small children should never share
a seat belt with another occupant .Inthe event
of an accident, they could be crushed
between the occupant and seat belt.
Ac hild's risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints
are not properly secured in the vehicle and/
or the child is not properly secured in the child
restraint.
Children that are too large for a child restraint
must travel in seats using normal seat belts.
Position the shoulder belt across the chest
and shoulder, not the face or neck.Ab ooster
seat may be necessary to achieve proper seat
belt positioning for children over 41 lbs
(18 kg) until they reach a height where alap/
shoulder belt fits properly without a booster
seat.
When the child restraint is no tinuse, remove
it from the vehicle or secure it with the seat
belt to prevent the child restraint from
becoming a projectile in the event of an
accident. G
WARNING
When extending or retracting, parts of the
body could become trapped within the sweep
of the roller sunblind. There is a risk of injury.
When extending or retracting, make sure that
no one has any parts of the body within the Child restraint systems
51Safety
Z

sweep of the roller sunblind. If someone
becomes trapped, briefly press the button
again. The opening or closing procedure will
be stopped.
G
WARNING
If the child restraint system is installed
incorrectly or is not secured, it can come
loose in the event of an accident, heavy
braking or a sudden change in direction. The
child restraint system could be thrown about,
striking vehicle occupants. There is an
increased risk of injury, possibly even fatal.
Always install child restraint systems
properly, even if they are not being used.
Make sure that you observe the child restraint
system manufacturer's installation
instructions.
Further information on secure stowage of
loads can be found under "Loading
guidelines".
If an infant or child is traveling in the vehicle:
R secure the child with a child or infant seat
restraint system appropriate to the age and
weight of the child
R make sure that the infant or child is
properly secured at all times while the
vehicle is in motion.
We recommend that you always properly
secure all infants and children in an infant or
child restraint system for the journey.
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 Canadian provinces
Infants and children must always be seated in
an appropriate infant or child restraint system
recommended for the size and weight of the
child. This must be properly secured in
accordance with the manufacturer's
installation instructions for the infant or child
seat restraint system. All infant or child restraint systems must meet
the following standards:
R
U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards 213 and 225
R Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
213 and 210.2
A statement by the child restraint
manufacturer of compliance with these
standards can be found on the instruction
label on the child restraint system. You will
also find the statement in the instruction
manual provided with the child restraint
system.
When using any infant restraint, child
restraint or booster seat, make sure to
carefully read and follow all manufacturer's
instructions for installation and use.
Observe the warning labels in the vehicle
interior or on the infant or child restraint. LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child seat
securing system
G
WARNING
Children that are too large for a child restraint
must travel in seats using normal seat belts.
Position shoulderb elt across the chest and
shoulder, not face or neck.
Ab ooster seat may be necessary to achieve
proper seat belt positioning for children over
41 lb (18 kg) until they reach a height where
a lap/shoulder belt fits properly without a
booster.
Install the child restraint system in
accordance with the manufacturer's
instructions.
Attach the child restraint system to both
securing rings.
An incorrectly installed child restraint system
could come loose during an accident and
seriously or even fatally injure the child.
Child restraint systems or child seat securing
rings that are malfunctioning or damaged as
the result of a collision must be replaced. 52
Child restraint systemsSafety

These include, for example:
R
Top Tether belt
R Seat belts
R LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child seat securing
system
! When installing the child restraint system,
make sure that the seat belt for the middle
seat does not get trapped. 0005
Securing rings
X Install the LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child
restraint system. Comply with the
manufacturer's instructions when
installing the LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child
restraint system.
ISOFIX is a standardized securing system for
special child restraint systems on the rear
seats. Securing rings 0005for the LATCH-type
(ISOFIX) child restraint systems are located
between the seat cushion and the seat
backrest:
R on the outer left and right-hand sides on a
narrow rear bench seat with three seats
R on the outer left side on a rear bench seat
with two seats
Secure child restraint systems without a
LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child seat securing
system using the seat belts in the vehicle.
When installing child restraint systems, you
must observe the manufacturer's installation
instructions. Top Tether
Top Tether anchorage points
Top Tether belt
Top Tether provides an additional connection
between the LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child
restraint system and the rear seat. This helps
reduce the risk of injury even further.
The Top Tether anchorage points
0006are
located on the rear side at the bases of the
rear bench seats.
X Slide head restraint 0005upwards.
X Install the LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child
restraint system with Top Tether. Comply
with the manufacturer's installation
instructions when doing so.
X Route the Top Tether belt 0025under head
restraint 0005between the two head restraint
bars.
X Hook Top Tether hook 0026into Top Tether
anchorage 0006. Child restraint systems
53Safety Z

Make sure that:
R
the Top Tether hook 0026is hooked into
Top Tether anchorage 0006, as shown
R the Top Tether belt 0025is not twisted
X Tighten Top Tether belt 0025.Comply with the
manufacturer's installation instructions
when doing so.
X If necessary, push the head restraint back
down slightly. Make sure that you do not
interfere with the correct routing of Top
Tether belt 0025. Special seat belt retractor
G
WARNING
If the seat belt is released while driving, the
child restraint system will no longer be
secured properly. The special seat belt
retractor is disabled and the inertia real draws
in a portion of the seat belt. The seat belt
cannot be immediately refastened. There is
an increased risk of injury, possibly even fatal.
Stop the vehicle immediately, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
Reactivate the special seat belt retractor and
secure the child restraint system properly.
All seat belts in the vehicle, except the
driver's seat belt, are equipped with a special
seat belt retractor. When activated, the
special seat belt retractor ensures that the
seat belt cannot slacken once the child seat
is secured.
X To activate the special seat belt
retractor: install the child restraint
system. Observe the child-seat
manufacturer's installation instructions
when doing so.
X Pull the seat belt smoothly from the inertia
reel.
X Engage the belt tongue in the seat belt
buckle. X
Extend the seat belt fully and then allow the
inertia reel to retract the belt.
Ar atcheting noise can be heard when the
belt is retracting; this indicates activation
of the special seat belt retractor.
X Press the child restraint system down
firmly into the seat to avoid any play.
X To disable the special seat belt
retractor: press the seat belt buckle
release butto nand allow the belt to retract
fully.
The sea tbelt can be used in the normal
manner again. Child-proof locks
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If the child restraint system is subjected to
direct sunlight, parts may get very hot.
Children may burn themselves on these parts,
particularly on the metal parts of the child
restraint system. There is a risk of injury.
If you leave the vehicle, taking the child with
you, always ensure that the child restraint
system is not exposed to direct sunlight.
Protect it with a blanket, for example. If the
child restraint system has been exposed to
direct sunlight, let it cool down before
securing the child in it. Never leave children
unattended in the vehicle.
You can activate the child-proof lock for the
sliding door ( Ypage 55) and for the rear
door (Y page 55). 54
Child-proof locksSafety

Child-proof locks for the sliding door/
rear door G
WARNING
If childre nare traveling in the vehicle, they
could:
R open doors, thus endangering other people
or road users
R exit the vehicle and be caught by oncoming
traffic
R operate vehicle equipment and become
trapped
There is a risk of an accident and injury.
Always activate the child-proof locks and
override feature if children are traveling in the
vehicle. When leaving the vehicle, always take
the key with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children unattended in the vehicle.
The child-proof locks are in the sliding door
and rear door. Child-proo
flock for the sliding door Child-proof lock for the rear door
0005
Latch
0009 Door secured
000A Door released
You can use the child-proof locks in the doors
to secure the sliding door and the rear door
individually.
Ad oor with an activated child-proof lock
cannot be opened from the inside. It can only
be opened from the outside if the vehicle is
unlocked.
X To activate/deactivate: slide latch0005in
the corresponding direction.
X Then, make sure that the child-proof locks
are working properly. Child-proof locks
55Safety Z

Driving safet
ysystems Driving safety systems overview
In this section, you will find information about
the following driving safety systems:
R ABS ( Anti-lock BrakingSystem)
R BAS ( Brake Assist System)
R ASR (Acceleration SkidControl)
R ESP ®
(Electronic StabilityProgram)
R EBD ( Electronic Brake Force Distribution) Important safety notes
If you fail to adapt yourd riving style or if you
are inattentive, the driving safety systems can
neither reduce the risk of accident nor
override the laws of physics. Driving safety
systems are merely aids designed to assist
driving. You are responsible for the distance
to the vehicle in front, for vehicle speed and
for braking in good time. Always adapt your
driving style to the prevailing road and
weather conditions and maintai nasufficient,
safe distance from other road users. Drive
carefully.
The driving safety systems described can only
attain their maximum effectiveness when
there is optimum contact between the tires
and the road can. Therefore pay special
attention to the information on tires, the
recommended minimum tire tread, etc., in
the "Wheels and tires" section (Y page 274).
In wintry driving conditions, always use winter
tires (M+S tires) and if necessary, snow
chains. Only in this way will the driving safety
systems described in this section work as
effectively as possible. ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Important safety notes Note the section on 'Important safety notes'
(Y
page 56). G
WARNING
If ABS is faulty, the wheels could lock when
braking. The steerability and braking
characteristics may be severely impaired.
Additionally, further driving safety systems
are deactivated. There is an increased danger
of skidding and accidents.
Drive on carefully. Have ABS checked
immediately at a qualified specialist
workshop.
If ABS is malfunctioning, other systems will
also fail, including driving safety systems.
Observe the information relating to the 000E
(Y page 210) warning lamp.
ABS regulates brake pressure in such a way
that the wheels do not lock when you brake.
This allows you to continue steering the
vehicle when braking.
ABS acts from a speed of about 5 mph
(8 km/h) upwards, regardless of road surface
conditions. ABS works on slippery surfaces,
even when you only brake gently.
The yellow 000Ewarning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up when the ignition
is switched on. The lamp goes out when the
engine starts running.
Braking X
If ABS intervenes: continue to depress the
brake pedal with force until the braking
situation is over.
X To make a full brake application:
depress the brake pedal with full force.
If ABS intervenes when braking, you will feel
a pulsating in the brake pedal.
The pulsating brake pedal can be an
indication of hazardous road conditions and
functions as a reminder to take extra care
while driving. BAS (Brake AssistS
ystem)
Note the section on 'Important safety notes'
(Y page 56). 56
Driving safety systemsSafety

G
WARNING
If BAS is malfunctioning, the braking distance
in an emergency braking situation is
increased. There is a risk of an accident.
In an emergency braking situation, depress
the brake pedal with full force. ABS prevents
the wheels from locking.
Vehicles without steering wheel buttons: if
the BAS driving safety system is
malfunctioning, the 000Awarning lamp lights
up while the engine is running (Y page 210).
BAS operates in emergency braking
situations. If you depress the brake quickly,
BAS automatically increases the brake
pressure, thereby reducing the stopping
distance.
The brakes will function as usual once you
release the brake pedal. BAS is deactivated. EBD (electronic brake force
distribution)
Note the section on 'Important safety notes'
(Y page 56). G
WARNING
If EBD has malfunctioned, the rear wheels can
still lock, e.g. under full braking. This
increases the risk of skidding and an accident.
You should therefore adapt yourd riving style
to the different handling characteristics. Have
the brake system checked at a qualified
specialist workshop.
EBD monitors and controls the brake
pressure to the rear wheels. This enables EBD
to improve handling during braking.
Observe the information on warning and
indicator lamps (Y page 210). ESP
®
(Electronic Stability Program)
Note the section on 'Important safety notes'
(Y page 56). G
WARNING
If ESP ®
is malfunctioning it willn ot provide
any vehicle stabilization. There is an increased
risk of skidding or of an accident.
Exercise caution when continuing to drive.
Have ESP ®
checked at a qualified specialist
workshop.
! Only operate the vehicle briefly
(maximum of 10 seconds) on a brake
dynamometer. The key must be turned to
position 1in the ignition lock during this
time. You could otherwise damage the
drive train or the brake system.
! Do not run the vehicle on a roller
dynamometer (e.g. for performance tests).
If you must operate the vehicle on a roller
dynamometer, please consult a qualified
specialist workshop in advance. You could
otherwise damage the drive train or the
brake system.
If you activate or deactivate ESP ®
in a vehicle
with engageable all-wheel drive, ESP ®
will be
deactivated for the duration of the
activation/deactivation process.
If ESP ®
is malfunctioning, the 0002indicator
lamp lights up while the engine is running and
the engine power may be reduced
(Y page 210).
ESP ®
monitors driving stability and detects a
tendency of the vehicle to understeer or
oversteer (skidding) in good time. If ESP ®
detects that the vehicle is deviating from the
direction desired by the driver, one or more
wheels are braked to stabilize the vehicle. The
engine output is also modified to keep the
vehicle on the desired course within physical
limits. ESP ®
greatly assists you when driving
on wet or slippery road surfaces. ESP ®
also
stabilizes the vehicle when braking.
The 000D warning lamp in the instrument
cluster flashes when ESP ®
is intervening. Driving safety systems
57Safety Z

If ESP
®
intervenes:
X Do not deactivate ASR under any
circumstances.
X When driving off, apply as little throttle as
possible.
X Adapt yours peed and driving style to the
prevailing road conditions.
i Only use wheels with the recommended
tire sizes. Only then will ESP ®
function
properly. ASR (acceleration skid control)
General notes Important safety notes
Note the section on 'Important safety notes'
(Y
page 56).
ASR can neither reduce the risk of an accident
nor suspend the laws of physics if the driver
does not pay attention when pulling away or
accelerating. ASR is only an aid. Always adapt
your driving style to suit the prevailing road
and weather conditions.
Vehicles without steering wheel buttons: if
ASR is malfunctioning, the 000Aindicator
lamp lights up while the engine is running and
the engine power may be reduced
(Y page 210).
ASR significantly improves traction, i.e. the
transmission of power from the tires to the
road surface, and thus increases the vehicle's
driving stability. If the driving wheels start to
spin, ASR brakes individual drive wheels and
limits the engine torque. ASR thus
significantly assists you when pulling away
and accelerating, especially on wet or
slippery roads.
If traction on the road surface is not sufficient,
even ASR will not allow you to pull away
without difficulty. The type of tires and total
weight of the vehicle as well as the gradient
of the road also play a crucial role. If ASR intervenes, the
000Dwarning lamp in
the instrument cluster flashes.
Activating/deactivating ASR G
WARNING
If deactivated, ASR will not attempt to
stabilize the vehicle during pulling away and
acceleration. There is an increased risk of
skidding and of an accident.
Only deactivate ASR in the situations
described in the following.
! If you deactivate ASR, ESP ®
will still
intervene to stabilize the vehicle. Frequent
braking automatically triggered by ESP ®
can damage the brake system.
For this reason, deactivate ASR only briefly
and when absolutely necessary. When ESP
®
is intervening and the 000D
warning lamp in the instrument cluster is
flashing, leave ASR on. In this case, only
depress the accelerator pedal as far as
required when pulling away.
X Press the 0006button.
If ASR is deactivated, the 000Dwarning
lamp in the instrument cluster lights up.
ASR is automatically activated when the
engine is started.
It may be best to deactivate ASR briefly in the
following situations:
R when using snow chains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel 58
Driving safet
ysystemsSafety