belt MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 2014 MY14 Operator’s Manual

Air bags
Important safety notes G
WARNING
To reduce the risk of injury when the front air
bags inflate, it is very important for the driver
and co-driver to always be in a properly seated
position and to wear their respective seat
belt.
For maximum protection in the event of a col-
lision 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 pos-
sible, 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 prop-
erly 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 informa-
tion. 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 spe-
cialist workshop as soon as possible.
i If the vehicle is still in running condition,
have it towed to a qualified specialist work-
shop. 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 identi-
fied 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 thresh-
olds, the air bags will not deploy. The driver
and passengers will then be protected to the
extent possible by a properly fastened seat
belt. A properly fastened seat belt is also
needed to provide the best possible protec-
tion 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 equip-
ped 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 gen-
erally hazardous to health. The 007Ewarning
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
0043inflates in front of the
steering wheel; co-driver's front air bag 0044
inflates in front of and above the glove box
and center console.
The front air bags increase the degree of pro-
tection 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 vehi-
cle
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 direc-
tion.
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 dis-
tributor 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 contact a quali-
fied specialist workshop for availability. G
WARNING
The pressure sensors for controlling the thor-
axbags are located in the doors. Do not mod-
ify 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 quali-
fied specialist workshop. Thoraxbags
0043are only installed for individual
seats in the outer seat cushions of the driver's
and co-driver's seats.
When activated, thoraxbags 0043increase pro-
tection for the chest area of the occupants
facing the impact. However, they do not pro-
tect the:
R head
R neck
R arms
Thoraxbags 0043are 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 accelera-
tion, e.g. in a side impact
R whether or not the seat belt is fastened R
independently of the front air bags
R independently of the Emergency Tension-
ing Devices
In a side collision with deceleration below the
vehicle's pre-set deceleration values or accel-
eration values, thoraxbags 0043are not
deployed. You will then be protected by the
seat belt, provided that it is fastened.
Window curtain air bags Window curtain air bags
0043enhance protec-
tion 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 0043are 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 accelera-
tion, e.g. in a side 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 Tension-
ing Devices
Window curtain air bags will not deploy in
impacts which do not exceed the system's
preset deployment 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 inju-
ries, 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 posi-
tion your seat belt greatly increases your risk
of injuries and their likely severity in an acci-
dent.
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 spe-
cialist 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 Canadian provinces
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 wear seat belts in
any other way than as described in this sec- Occupant safety
47Safety
Z

tion, 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 win-
dows), Emergency Tensioning Devices and
seat belt force limiters.
The system is designed to enhance the pro-
tection offered to occupants who are prop-
erly 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 vehi-
cle rolls over (window curtain air bags and
Emergency Tensioning Device).
R Never route the shoulder section 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 abdo-
men, 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 pos-
sible across the hips, not across the abdo-
men. 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 frag-
ile 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 Pregnant women 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 ver-
tical as possible.
R Check the seat belt during the journey in
order to make sure that it is correctly posi-
tioned.
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 prop- 48
Occupant safetySafety

erly secured in an appropriately sized child
restraint system or booster seat recom-
mended for the size and weight of the child.
For additional information, see the "Children
in the vehicle" section.
A child's risk of serious or fatal injuries is sig-
nificantly 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 dam-
age the door, door trim panels and the seat
belt. Damaged seat belts can no longer ful-
fill 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 82).
X Pull the seat belt smoothly through belt
sash guide 0044.
X Without twisting it, guide the shoulder sec-
tion of the seat belt across the middle of
your shoulder and the lap section across
your hips.
X Engage belt tongue 0087in seat belt buckle
0083. 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 0044upwards.
Belt sash guide 0044engages in various posi-
tions.
X To lower the seat belt: press and hold
release button 0043.
X Adjust belt sash guide 0044to the appropri-
ate height.
X Let go of release button 0043and make sure
that belt sash guide 0044has engaged.
X To release the seat belt: press release
button 0085on seat belt buckle 0083.
X Guide seat belt to belt sash guide 0044.
All seat belts in the vehicle, except the driv-
er'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 fas-
tened, the
0076seat 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 pyro-
technic ETDs always follow our safety instruc-
tions. These instructions are available from
any authorized Sprinter Dealer.
! If the front-passenger seat is not occu-
pied, do not engage the seat belt 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 occu-
pant'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 front air 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 " 007Ewarning lamp"
(Y page 42). The Emergency Tensioning Devices are trig-
gered depending on the type and severity of
an accident:
R
in the event of a head-on or rear-end colli-
sion if the vehicle decelerates or acceler-
ates rapidly in a longitudinal direction dur-
ing the initial stages of the impact
R in the event of a side impact if the vehicle
decelerates or accelerates rapidly in a lat-
eral direction and the vehicle is equipped
with thorax side impact air 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 007Ewarning 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 sud-
den 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 gen-
erally 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.
On the rear seats, use only child restraint sys-
tems that have been recommended for use in
the Sprinter. 50
Child restraint systemsSafety

G
WARNING
Accident statistics show that children
secured in the rear seats are safer than chil-
dren 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 suit-
able for the size and weight of the child.
Never place anything between the seat cush-
ion 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 instruc-
tions when installing special child restraint
systems.
Occupants, in particular children, must sit as
upright as possible, fasten the seat belt cor-
rectly and use a suitable infant restraint sys-
tem, 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 abso-
lutely necessary to carry a child on the co-
driver's seat:
R The co-driver's front air bag is not deacti-
vated.
R Never secure your child in a rearward-
facing child restraint system on the co-driv-
er'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. You must then use an appropri-
ately sized child restraint system recom-
mended for the age, size and weight of the
child and secure it with the vehicle seat belt
in accordance with the child seat manufac-
turer's instructions. G
WARNING
Infants and small children should never share
a seat belt with another occupant. In the event
of an accident, they could be crushed
between the occupant and seat belt.
A child's risk of serious or fatal injuries is sig-
nificantly 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. A booster
seat may be necessary to achieve proper seat
belt positioning for children over 41 lbs
(18 kg) until they reach a height where a lap/
shoulder belt fits properly without a booster
seat.
When the child restraint is not in use, remove
it from the vehicle or secure it with the seat
belt to prevent the child restraint from becom-
ing 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
sweep of the roller sunblind. If someone
becomes trapped, briefly press the button Child restraint systems
51Safety
Z

again. The opening or closing procedure will
be stopped. G
WARNING
If the child restraint system is installed incor-
rectly 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, strik-
ing vehicle occupants. There is an increased
risk of injury, possibly even fatal.
Always install child restraint systems prop-
erly, even if they are not being used. Make
sure that you observe the child restraint sys-
tem manufacturer's installation instructions.
Further information on secure stowage of
loads can be found under "Loading guide-
lines".
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 prop-
erly 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 installa-
tion 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 Stand-
ards 213 and 225
R Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
213 and 210.2
A statement by the child restraint manufac-
turer of compliance with these standards can
be found on the instruction label on the child
restraint system. You will also find the state-
ment in the instruction manual provided with
the child restraint system.
When using any infant restraint, child
restraint or booster seat, make sure to care-
fully 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 secur-
ing system
G
WARNING
Children that are too large for a child restraint
must travel in seats using normal seat belts.
Position shoulder belt across the chest and
shoulder, not face or neck.
A booster 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 accord-
ance 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 ser-
iously 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. 0043
Securing rings
X Install the LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child
restraint system. Comply with the manu-
facturer's instructions when installing the
LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child restraint sys-
tem.
ISOFIX is a standardized securing system for
special child restraint systems on the rear
seats. Securing rings 0043for the LATCH-type
(ISOFIX) child restraint systems are located
between the seat cushion and the seat back-
rest:
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 sys-
tem 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
0044are
located on the rear side at the bases of the
rear bench seats.
X Slide head restraint 0043upwards.
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 0085under head
restraint 0043between the two head restraint
bars.
X Hook Top Tether hook 0087into Top Tether
anchorage 0044. Child restraint systems
53Safety Z