ESP MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 2013 MY13 Operator’s Manual

H
Environmental note
Only clean your vehicle at specially designed
wash bays. Dispose of empt ycontainers and
used cleaning products in an environmentally
responsible manner. H
Environmental note
Dispose of empty packaging and cleaning
cloths in an environmentally responsible
manner.
Regula rcare of your vehicle is a condition for
retaining the quality in the long term.
Use care products and cleaning agents
recommended and approved for Sprinter
vehicles. Washing the vehicle and cleaning the
paintwork
Automatic car wash G
WARNING
Braking efficiency is reduced after washing
the vehicle .There is a risk of an accident.
After the vehicle has been washed, brake
carefully while paying attention to the traffic
conditions until full braking power is restored.
! Never clean your vehicle in a Touchless
Automatic Car Wash as these use special
cleaning agents. These cleaning agents can
damage the paintwork or plastic parts.
! Make sure that the automatic car wash is
suitable for the size of the vehicle.
Before washing the vehicle in an automatic
car wash, fold in the exterior mirrors and
remove any additional antennas.
Otherwise, the exterior mirror, antenna or
the vehicle itself could be damaged.
Make sure that the exterior mirrors are fully
folded out again and that any additional
antennas are re-installed when you leave
the automatic car wash. !
Make sure that:
R the side windows and the roof are
completely closed
R the climate control blower is switched off
R the windshield wiper switch is at position
0
The vehicle could otherwise be damaged.
You can wash the vehicle in an automatic car
wash from the very start.
Wash off excess dirt before cleaning the
vehicle in an automatic car wash.
After putting the vehicle through an
automatic car wash, wipe off wax from:
R the rear view camera lens (Y page 259)
R the windshield
R the windshield wiper blades
This will prevent smears and reduce wiping
noises caused by residue on the
windshield.
Washing by hand In some countries, washing by hand is only
allowed at specially equipped washing bays.
Observe the legal requirements for each
individual country.
X
Do not use hot water and do not wash the
vehicle in direct sunlight.
X Use a soft car sponge.
X Use a mild cleaning agent, e.g. a car
shampoo approved for use with Sprinter
vehicles.
X Thoroughly hose down the vehicle with a
gentle jet of water.
X Do not point the water jet directly towards
the air inlets.
X Use plenty of water and rinse out the
sponge frequently.
X Rinse the vehicle with clean water and dry
thoroughly with a chamois.
X Do not let the cleaning agents dry on the
paintwork. 256
CareMaintenance and care

When using the vehicle in winter, remove all
traces of road salt deposits carefully and as
soon as possible.
High-pressure cleaning equipment
G
WARNING
The water jet from a circular jet nozzle (dirt
blasters) can cause invisible exterior damage
to the tires or chassis components.
Components damaged in this way may fail
unexpectedly. There is a risk of an accident.
Do not use power washers with circular jet
nozzles to clean the vehicle. Have damaged
tires or chassis componentsr eplaced
immediately.
! Observe the minimum distance to be
maintained between the nozzle of the
power washer and objec ttobe cleaned, as
outlined below:
R approximately 2.2 ft(70 cm) when using
round-jet nozzles
R approximately 1ft(30 cm) whe nusing
25°flat-spray jets and dirt blasters
Keep the water jet moving while cleaning.
To avoid causing damage, do not point the
water jet directly at:
R door joints
R brake hoses
R electrical components
R electrical connections
R seals
R drive train, especially not at the
intermediate bearing of the propeller
shaft
R rear view camera (camera lens and
microphone opening on the bottom)
Keep a minimum distance of
1.6 ft(50 cm).
Cleaning the engine !
Water must not enter intake or ventilation
openings. When cleaning with high
pressure water or steam cleaners, the spray must not be aimed directly at
electrical components or the terminals of
electrical lines.
Preserve the engine after the engine has
been cleaned. Protect the belt drive system
from exposure to the preservative agent.
Also observe the information in the section
"Powerw asher" (Y page 257).
Cleaning the paintwork !
Do not affix:
R stickers
R films
R magnetic plates or similar items
to painted surfaces .You could otherwise
damage the paintwork.
Scratches, corrosive deposits, areas affected
by corrosion and damage caused by
inadequate care cannot always be completely
repaired. In such cases, visit a qualified
specialist workshop.
X Remove impurities immediately, where
possible, whilst avoiding rubbing too hard.
X Soak insect remains with insect remover
and rinse off the treated areas afterwards.
X Soak bird droppings with water and rinse
off the treated areas afterwards.
X Remove coolant, brake fluid, tree resin,
oils, fuels and greases by rubbing gently
with a cloth soaked in petroleum ether or
lighter fluid.
X Use tar remover to remove tar stains.
X Use silicone remover to remove wax.
Cleaning the windows G
WARNING
You could become trapped by the windshield
wipers if they start moving while cleaning the
windshield or wiper blades. There is a risk of
injury.
Always switch off the windshield wipers and
the ignition before cleaning the windshield or
wiper blades. Care
257Maintenance and care Z

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

If the drive wheels get trapped on loose or
muddy ground, recover the vehicle with the
utmost care. This is especially the case if the
vehicle is laden.
Never attempt to recover a vehicle with a
traile rattached.
Pull ou tthe vehicle backwards, if possible,
using the tracks it made when it became
stuck. Transporting the vehicle
! Only lash the vehicle down by the wheels
or wheel rims, not by parts of the vehicle
such as axle or steering components.
Otherwise, the vehicle could be damaged.
The towing eye or trailer tow hitch can be
used to pull the vehicle onto a trailer or
transporter if you wish to transport it.
X Turn the key to position 2in the ignition
lock.
X Move the selector lever of the automatic
transmission to position N.
If the vehicle is loaded:
X Apply the parking brake.
X Move the selector lever of the automatic
transmission to position P.
X Turn the key to position 0in the ignition
lock and remove it.
X Lash down the vehicle. Tow-starting (emergency engine
starting)
Vehicles with automatic transmission !
Vehicles with automatic transmission
must not be tow-started. You could
otherwise damage the automatic
transmission.
Information on "Jump-starting" can be found
at the beginning of the "Breakdown
assistance" section (Y page 267). Electrical fuses
G
WARNING
Only use fuses that have been approved for
your vehicle and which have the correct fuse
rating for the systems concerned. Do not
repair or bypass defective fuses. Acircuit
overload could otherwise cause afire. Have
the cause determined and rectified at a
qualified specialist workshop.
! Only use fuses that have been approved
for Sprinter vehicles and that have the
required fuse rating for the systems
concerned. Components or systems could
otherwise be damaged.
The fuses in your vehicle switch off defective
power circuits. If a fuse blows, all the
components on the circuit and their functions
will cease to operate.
Blown fuses must be replaced with fuses of
the same rating, which you can recognize by
the color and fuse rating.
Observe the information about fuse rating in
the fuse allocation chart.
You can obtain advice fro maqualified
specialist workshop.
The fuse allocation chart and other
information on the fuses can be found in the
"Fuse allocation chart" supplement. Electrical fuses
271Breakdown assistance Z

case, the tire is so worn that it mus
tbe
replaced. Selecting, mounting and renewing
tires
R Only mount tires and wheels of the same
type and make.
R Only mount tires of the correct size onto
the wheels.
R Break in new tires at moderate speeds for
the first 65 miles (100 km).
R Do not drive with tires which have too little
tread depth, as this significantly reduces
the traction on wet roads (hydroplaning).
R Replace the tires after 6years at the latest,
regardless of wear. This also applies to the
spare wheel. Operation in winter
General notes
Have your vehicle winterproofed at a qualified
specialist workshop at the onset of winter.
Prior to the onset of winter, ensure that snow
chains are stowed in the vehicle
(Y page 277).
Observe the notes in the "Changing a wheel"
section (Y page 302). Driving with summer tires
At temperatures below 45 ‡(+7 †), summer
tires lose elasticity and therefore traction and
braking power. Change the tires on your
vehicle to M+S tire. Using summer tires at
very cold temperatures could cause tears to
form, thereby damaging the tires
permanently. We cannot accept
responsibility for this type of damage. M+S tires
G
WARNING
Wheel and tire dimensions as well as the type
of tire can vary between the spare wheel and
the wheel to be replaced .When the spare
wheel is installed, driving characteristics may
be severely affected. There is a risk of an
accident.
In order to reduce risks:
R you should therefore adapt your driving
style and drive carefully.
R never install more than one spare wheel
that differs from the wheel to be replaced.
R only use a spare wheel that differs from the
wheel to be replaced for a short time.
R do not deactivate ESP ®
.
R have a spare wheel that differs from the
wheel that has been changed replaced at
the nearest qualified specialist workshop.
You must observe the correct wheel and
tire dimensions as well as the wheel type. G
WARNING
M+S tires with a tire tread depth of less than
000D in (4 mm) are not suitable for use in winter
and do not provide sufficient traction. There
is a risk of an accident.
M+S tires with a tread depth of less than 000D
in (4 mm) must be replaced immediately.
At temperatures below 45 ‡ (+7 †), use
winter tires or all-season tires. Both types of
tire are identified by the M+S marking.
Only winter tires bearing the 0003snowflake
symbol in addition to the M+S marking
provide the best possible grip in wintry road
conditions.
Only these tires will allow driving safety
systems such as ABS and ESP ®
to function
optimally in winter. These tires have been
developed specifically for driving in snow.
For safe driving, use M+S tires of the same
make and tread pattern on all wheels. 276
Operation in winterWheels and tires

Always observe the maximu
mpermissible
speed specified for the M+S tires you have
mounted.
If you mount M+S tires that have a lower
maximum permissible speed than that of the
vehicle, affix a corresponding warning label in
the driver's field of vision. You can obtain this
at a qualified specialist workshop.
Once you have mounted the winter tires:
X Check the tire pressure (Y page 278).
X Reactivate the tire pressure
monitor*(Y page 283). Snow chains
G
WARNING
If you drive too fast with snow chains
mounted, they may snap. As a result, you
could injure others and damage the vehicle.
There is a risk of an accident.
Observe the maximum permissible speed for
operation with snow chains.
When driving with snow chains mounted, do
not exceed the maximum permissible speed
of 30 mph (50 km/h). Observe the country-
specific laws and regulations for operation
with snow chains.
! Check the snow chains for damage before
mounting them. Damaged or worn snow
chains may snap and damage the following
components:
R wheel
R wheel housing
R wheel suspension
For this reason, you must use only snow
chains that are free of defects. Observe the
manufacturer's mounting instructions.
! Vehicles with steel wheels: if you
mount snow chains on steel wheels, you
may damage the hub caps. Remove the hub
caps from the relevant wheels before
mounting the snow chains. Snow chains increase traction on roads in
wintry conditions.
For reasons of safety we only recommend
using snow chains or traction aids that are
approved for the Sprinter. The snow chains or
traction aids must be of class U or meet the
SAE type U specification. Information on
snow chains is available at any qualified
specialist workshop.
When mounting snow chains, please bear the
following points in mind:
R
You may not mount snow chains on all
wheel/tire combinations. When mounting
the snow chains, note the permissible tire
and snow chain dimensions.
R Mount snow chains only in pairs and only
to the rear wheels. On vehicles with twin
tires, mount the snow chains to the outer
wheels. Observe the manufacturer's
mounting instructions.
R Only use snow chains when the road is
covered by a layer of snow. Remove the
snow chains as soon as possible when you
come to a road that is not snow-covered.
R The use of snow chains may be restricted
by local regulations. Observe the
appropriate regulations before mounting
snow chains.
R When driving with snow chains mounted,
do not exceed the maximum permissible
speed of 30 mph (50 km/h).
R Check the tension of the chains after a
distance of approximately 0.5 miles
(1.0 km).
You can deactivate ASR (Y page 58) when
pulling away with snow chains mounted. This
allows the wheels to spin in a controlled
manner, achieving an increased driving force
(cutting action). Operation in winter
277Wheels and tires
*optional Z

Tire pressure
Tire pressure specifications
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Underinflated or overinflated tires pose the
following risks:
R the tires may burst, especially as the load
and vehicle speed increase.
R the tires may wear excessively and/or
unevenly, which may greatly impai rtire
traction.
R the driving characteristics, as well as
steering and braking, may be greatly
impaired.
There is a risk of an accident.
Follow recommended tire inflation pressures
and chec kthe pressure of all the tires
including the spare wheel:
R monthly, at least
R if the load changes
R before beginning a long journey
R under different operating conditions, e.g.
off-road driving
If necessary, correct the tire pressure.
i The specifications shown on the sample
Tire and Loading Information placard and
tire pressure table are examples. Tire
pressure data are vehicle-specific and may
deviate from the data illustrated here. The
tire pressure data applicable to your
vehicle can be found on the Tire &Loading
Information placard or tire pressure plate
of your vehicle. H
Environmental note
Check the tire pressure regularly, at least
every 14 days. General notes You will find information on tire pressure for
the vehicle's factory-mounted tires on the
plates described here.
You will find a table of recommended tire
pressures on the Tire and Loading
Information placard
5
or on the tire pressure
table on the B-pillar on the driver's side of the
vehicle.
Further information on tire pressure can be
obtained at a qualified specialist workshop.
Tire and Loading Information placard Tire and Loading Information placard
561011
The Tire and Loading Information placard is
on the B-pillar on the driver's side of the
vehicle (Y page 286).
The Tire and Loading Information placard
contains recommended tire pressures 0005for
cold tires. Recommended tire pressures 0005
are valid for the maximum permissible load
and up to the maximum permissible speed of
the vehicle.
5 Only for vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of less than 10,000 lbs(4,536 kg).
6 Only for vehicles with a gross weight of less than 10,000 lbs(4,536 kg).
10 Only for vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of less than 10,000 lbs(4,536 kg).
11 Only for vehicles with a gross weight of less than 10,000 lbs(4,536 kg). 278
Tire pressureWheels and tires

X
Read the tire pressure and compare it with
the recommended value on the loading
information table or th etire pressure table
(Y page 278).
X If the tire pressure is too low, increase it to
the recommended value.
X If the tire pressure is too high, release air
by pressing down the metal pin in the valve.
Use the tip of a pen, for example. Then,
chec kthe tire pressure again using the tire
pressure gauge.
X Screw the valve cap onto the valve.
X Repeatt he steps for the other tires. Tire pressure monitor
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked at least once a month
when cold and inflated to the pressure
recommended by the vehicle manufacturer
on the Tire and Loading Information placard
on the driver's door B-pillar or the tire
pressure label on the inside of the fuel filler
flap. If your vehicle has tires of a different size
than the size indicated on the Tire and Loading
Information placard or the tire pressure label,
you should determine the proper tire pressure
for those tires.
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has
been equipped with a tire pressure monitoring
system (TPMS) that illuminates a low tire
pressure telltale when one or more of your
tires are significantly underinflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure
telltale illuminates, you should stop and check
your tires as soon as possible, and inflate
them to the proper pressure. Driving on a
significantly underinflated tire causes the tire
to overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Underinflation also reduces fuel efficiency
and tire tread life, and may affect the vehicle's
handling and stopping ability. Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute
for proper tire maintenance, and it is the
driver's responsibility to maintain correct tire
pressure, even if underinflation has not
reached the level to trigger illumination of the
TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
USA only:
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a
TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate if the
system is not operating properly. The TPMS
malfunction indicator is combined with the
low tire pressure telltale. When the system
detects a malfunction, the warning lamp will
flash for approximately a minute and then
remain continuously illuminated. This
sequence will be repeated every time the
vehicle is started as long as the malfunction
exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated,
the system may not be able to detect or signal
low tire pressure as intended. TPMS
malfunctions may occur for a variety of
reasons, including the installation of
incompatible replacement or alternate tires
or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the
TPMS from functioning properly. Always
check the TPMS malfunction telltale after
replacing one or more tires or wheels on your
vehicle to ensure that the replacement or
alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS to
continue to function properly.
Vehicles with a tire pressure monitor are
equipped with sensors in the wheels that
monitor the tire pressure of all four tires. The
tire pressure monitor monitors the pressure
in all four tires; you set this pressure when
you activate the tire pressure monitor. The
tire pressure monitor warns you when the
pressure drops in one or more of the tires. The
tire pressure monitor only functions if the
corresponding sensors are installed to all
wheels.
You should always adjust the tire pressure
according to the vehicle load. Restart the tire
pressure monitor if you change the tire
pressure. Tire pressure
281Wheels and tires Z

Loading the vehicle
Instruction labels for tires and loads
G
WARNING
Overloaded tires can overheat, causing a
blowout .Overloaded tires can also impair the
steering and driving characteristics and lead
to brake failure. There is a risk of accident.
Observe the load rating of the tires. The load
rating must be at least halfoft he GAWR of
your vehicle. Never overload the tires by
exceeding the maximum load. The Tire and Loading Information placard on the
driver’s door B-pillar
Two instruction labels on your vehicle show
the maximum possible load.
(1) Only for vehicles with a gross weight of
less than 10,000 lbs (4,536 kg):
Tire and Loading Information placard 0005
is on the B-pillar on the driver's side. Tire
and Loading Information placard 0005
shows the permissible number of
occupants and the maximum permissible
load of the vehicle. It also contains details
of the tire sizes and corresponding
pressures for tires mounted at the
factory.
(2) The vehicle identification plate is located on the base of the driver's seat. The
vehicle identification plate informs you of
the gross vehicle weight rating. It is made
up of the vehicle weight, all vehicle
occupants, the fuel and the cargo. You
can also find information about the maximum Gross Axle Weight Rating on
the front and rear axle.
The maximum gross axle weight rating is
the maximum weight that can be carried
by one axle (front or rear axle). Do not
exceed the maximum gross vehicle
weight or the maximum gross axle weight
rating for the front or rear axle.
Tire and Loading Information placard
General notes Only vehicles with a gross weight of less than
10,000 lbs (4,536 kg) have a Tire and Loading
Information placard on the B-pillar on the
driver's side.
Maximum permissible gross vehicle
weight rating 0005
Maximum number of seats
0006 Maximum permissible gross vehicle
weight rating
X Specification for maximum gross vehicle
weight 0006is listed in the Tire and Loading
Information placard: "The gross weight of
occupants and luggage must not exceed
XXX kilograms or XXX lbs."
The gross weight of all vehicle occupants,
cargo, luggage and trailer load/noseweight (if
applicable) must not exceed the specified
value.
i The details on the Tire and Loading
Information placard illustration are only an 286
Loading the vehicleWheels and tires

For further information on the load-bearing
index, see "Load index" (Y
page 291).
Speed rating: speed rating0018specifies the
approved maximum speed of the tire.
Regardless of the speed inde xalways observe
the speed limits. Drive carefully and adapt
your driving style to the traffic conditions.
i Tire data is vehicle-specific and may
deviate fro mthe data in the example. Index Speed rating
F up to 50 mph (80 km/h)
G up to 56 mph (90 km/h)
J up to 62 mph (100 km/h)
K up to 68 mph (110 km/h)
L up to 74 mph (120 km/h)
M up to 80 mph (130 km/h)
N up to 87 mph (140 km/h)
P up to 93 mph (150 km/h)
Q up to 100 mph (160 km/h)
R over 106 mph (170 km/h)
i
Not all tires that have the M+S
identification offer the driving
characteristics of winter tires. In addition
to the M+S marking, winter tires also have
the 0003 snowflake symbol on the tire wall.
Tires with this marking fulfill the
requirements of the Rubber Manufacturers
Association (RMA) and the Rubber
Association of Canada (RAC) regarding the
tire traction on snow. They have been
especially developed for driving on snow.
Further information on the reading of tire
information can be obtained at any qualified
specialist workshop. Load index
In addition to the load-bearing index, load
rating
0005may be imprinted after the letters
that identify speed rating on the sidewall of
the tire (Y page 290).
R If no specification is given: no text (as in the
example above), represents astandard
load (SL) tire
R XL or Extra Load: represents a reinforced
tire
R Ligh tLoad: represents a light load tire
R C, D, E: represents a load range that
depends on the maximum load that the tire
can carry at a certain pressure
i Tire data is vehicle-specific and may
deviate from the data in the example.
Maximum tire load Maximum tire load
0005is the maximum
permissible weight for which the tire is
approved.
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified load limit. The maximum What you should know about wheels and tires
291Wheels and tires Z