winter tires MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 2014 MY14 Operator’s Manual

Standard display (vehicles with-
out steering wheel buttons)
...........184
Standard display (vehicles with
steering wheel buttons) .................189
see Warning and indicator lamps
Display messages
Calling up the message memory ....200
Driving systems ............................. 216
Engine ............................................ 213
Important safety notes ..................199
Lights ............................................ .210
Safety systems .............................. 206
SmartKey ....................................... 220
Tires ............................................... 218
Vehicle .......................................... .219
Distance recorder ............................. 189
see Odometer
see Trip odometer
Distance warning function
Activating/deactivating ...................59
Function/notes ................................ 58
Warning lamp ................................... 59
Door lock
see Central locking
Doors
Central locking/unlocking
(SmartKey) ....................................... 66
Control panel ................................... 39
Display message ............................ 220
Indicator lamp ................................ 230
Drinking and driving .........................154
Drinks holder see Bottle holder
see Cup holder
Driver's/co-driver's door
Unlocking ......................................... 72
Driver's seat
see Seats
Driving abroad ................................... 155
Driving off-road see Off-road driving
Driving on flooded roads ..................157
Driving on rough terrain Checklist before driving off-road .... 160
Driving safety systems
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) .......56
Adaptive Brake Assist ......................59
ASR (Acceleration Skid Control )...... 60 BAS (Brake Assist System)
..............57
Distance warning function ...............58
EBD (electronic brake force distri-
bution) ............................................. 57
Important safety information ...........56
Overview .......................................... 56
Driving systems
Blind Spot Assist ............................ 164
Cruise control ................................ 161
Display message ............................ 216
Lane Keeping Assist ......................166
PARKTRONIC ................................. 168
Driving tips
Automatic transmission .................146
Brakes ........................................... 156
Break-in period .............................. 136
Downhill gradient ........................... 156
Drinking and driving .......................154
Driving abroad ............................... 155
Driving in winter ............................ .158
Driving on flooded roads ................157
Driving on wet roads ......................157
Exhaust check ............................... 154
Fuel ................................................ 154
General .......................................... 153
Hydroplaning ................................. 157
Icy road surfaces ........................... 158
Important safety notes ..................136
Limited braking efficiency on
salted road s................................... 157
Off-road driving .............................. 159
Overrun cut-off .............................. 154
Snow chains .................................. 289
Speed limitation ............................ .155
Towing a trailer .............................. 173
Transport by rail ............................ .156
Wet road surface ........................... 156 E
EBD (electronic brake force distri-
bution) Display message ............................ 208
Function/notes ................................ 57
Indicator lamps .............................. 221
ECO Start (Euro 6 engines)
General notes ................................ 140
Electrical closing assist ......................73 Index
9

Ventilation
Setting the vents ........................... 121
Voltage supply
Fuses ............................................. 283W
Warning and indicator lamps Brakes ........................................... 222
Check Engine ................................. 227
Coolant .......................................... 226
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) .............224
Electrical step ................................ 230
ESP ®
.............................................. 221
ESP ®
function ................................ 224
Overview .......................................... 35
Seat belt ........................................ 230
Warning- and indicator lamps
ABS ................................................ 221
Air filter .......................................... 228
ASR ................................................ 221
BAS ................................................ 221
Battery charge ............................... 225
Brake wear .................................... 225
Bulbs .............................................. 230
Doors ............................................. 230
Engine oil level ............................... 225
Preglow .......................................... 228
Reserve fuel ................................... 227
Tire pressure monitor ....................229
Water separator ............................. 229
Windshield washer fluid .................229
Warning lamp .................................... 277
Warning triangle ................................ 277
Washer fluid Adding ........................................... 257
Capacities ...................................... 331
Display message ............................ 220
Indicator lamp ................................ 229
Notes ............................................. 330
Wiping with .................................... 107
Wheels
Changing a wheel .......................... 307
Checking ........................................ 287
Cleaning ......................................... 269
Important safety notes ..................286
Interchanging/changing ................307
Mounting a wheel .......................... 308Removing and mounting the spare
wheel
............................................. 314
Storing ........................................... 308
Tightening torque ........................... 312
Window curtain air bag ....................... 46
Windows see Side windows
Windshield
Defrosting ...................................... 118
Windshield heating
Problem (malfunction) ...................119
Switching on/off ........................... 119
Windshield washer fluid
Adding ........................................... 257
Indicator lamp ................................ 229
Windshield wipers
Problem (malfunction) ...................110
Rain and light sensor .....................107
Rear window wiper ........................108
Replacing the wiper blades ............108
Setting the sensitivity (vehicles
with steering wheel buttons and
rain/light sensor) ........................... 196
Switching on/off ........................... 107
Wiping with windshield washer
fluid ............................................... 107
Winter diesel ..................................... 323
Winter driving Slippery road surfaces ...................158
Snow chains .................................. 289
Winter operation
General notes ................................ 288
Radiator cover ................................. 28
Winter tires
M+S tires ....................................... 288
Setting a limit speed ......................155
Wiper blades
Cleaning ......................................... 270
Replacing ....................................... 108
Workshop
see Qualified specialist workshop Index
21

Pets in the vehicle
G
WARNING
If you leave animals unattended or unsecured
in the vehicle, they could press buttons or
switches, for example.
As a result, they could:
R activate vehicle equipment and become
trapped, for example
R activate or deactivate systems, thereby
endangering other road users
Unsecured animals could also be flung around
the vehicle in the event of an accident or sud-
den steering or braking, thereby injuring vehi-
cle occupants. There is a risk of an accident
and injury.
Never leave animals unattended in the vehi-
cle. Always secure animals properly during
the journey, e.g. use a suitable animal trans-
port box. Driving safety systems
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 AssistSystem)
R ASR (Acceleration SkidControl)
R ESP ®
(Electronic StabilityProgram)
R EBD ( Electronic Brake Force Distribution)
R Crosswind Assist
R COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST Important safety notes
If you fail to adapt your driving style or if you
are inattentive, the driving safety systems can
neither reduce the risk of accident nor over-
ride the laws of physics. Driving safety sys-
tems are merely aids designed to assist driv-
ing. You are responsible for the distance to
the vehicle in front, for vehicle speed and for braking in good time. Always adapt your driv-
ing style to the prevailing road and weather
conditions and maintain a sufficient, safe dis-
tance 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 atten-
tion to the information on tires, the recom-
mended minimum tire tread, etc., in the
"Wheels and tires" section (Y
page 286).
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 G
WARNING
If ABS is faulty, the wheels could lock when
braking. The steerability and braking charac-
teristics may be severely impaired. Addition-
ally, further driving safety systems are deac-
tivated. There is an increased danger of skid-
ding and accidents.
Drive on carefully. Have ABS checked imme-
diately at a qualified specialist workshop.
If ABS is malfunctioning, other systems will
also fail, including driving safety systems.
Observe the information relating to
the 0025 warning lamp (Y page 221).
ABS regulates brake pressure in such a way
that the wheels do not lock when you brake.
This allows you to continue steering the vehi-
cle when braking.
ABS works from a speed of about 5 mph
(8 km/h), regardless of road-surface condi-
tions. ABS works on slippery surfaces, even
when you only brake gently.
The yellow 0025warning lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up when the ignition is 56
Driving safety systemsSafety

engine's air suction nozzles and this can
cause engine damage.
If you have to drive on stretches of road on
which water has collected, please bear in
mind that:
R the water level of standing water should not
be above the lower edge of the front
bumper
R do not drive faster than walking speed Driving in winter
General notes G
WARNING
If you shift down on a slippery road surface in
an attempt to increase the engine's braking
effect, the drive wheels could lose their grip.
There is an increased danger of skidding and
accidents.
Do not shift down for additional engine brak-
ing on a slippery road surface. G
DANGER
If the exhaust pipe is blocked or adequate
ventilation is not possible, poisonous gases
such as carbon monoxide (CO) may enter the
vehicle. This is the case, e.g. if the vehicle
becomes trapped in snow. There is a risk of
fatal injury.
If you leave the engine or the auxiliary heating
running, make sure the exhaust pipe and area
around the vehicle are clear of snow. To
ensure an adequate supply of fresh air, open
a window on the side of the vehicle that is not
facing into the wind.
Have your vehicle winterproofed at a qualified
specialist workshop in good time at the onset
of winter.
i Do not cover the radiator, e.g. with a win-
ter cover. The measurements of the on-
board diagnostic system may otherwise
return inaccurate values. Some of these values are legally prescribed and must
therefore always be exact.
Observe the notes in the "Winter operation"
section (Y page 288).
Driving with summer tires Observe the notes in the "Winter operation"
section (Y
page 288).
Slippery road surfaces G
WARNING
If you shift down on a slippery road surface in
an attempt to increase the engine's braking
effect, the drive wheels could lose their grip.
There is an increased danger of skidding and
accidents.
Do not shift down for additional engine brak-
ing on a slippery road surface. G
WARNING
The outside temperature indicator is not
designed to serve as an ice-warning device
and is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Indicated temperatures just above the freez-
ing point do not guarantee that the road sur-
face is free of ice. The road may still be icy,
especially in wooded areas or on bridges.
! Vehicles with automatic transmission
may roll only briefly in the neutral position
N. Prolonged rolling of the wheels, e.g.
when being towed, will result in transmis-
sion damage.
If the vehicle threatens to skid or cannot be
stopped when moving at low speed:
X Shift the transmission to neutral position
N.
X Try to maintain control of the vehicle using
corrective steering.
Drive particularly carefully on slippery roads.
Avoid sudden acceleration, steering and
braking maneuvers. Do not use cruise
control. 158
Driving tipsDriving and parking

You can find further information on winter
tires and snow chains in the "Wheels and
tires" section (Y page 288). Driving off-road
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If you drive on a steep incline at an angle or
turn when driving on an incline, the vehicle
could slip sideways, tip and rollover. There is
a risk of an accident.
Always drive on a steep incline in the line of
fall (straight up or down) and do not turn the
vehicle. G
WARNING
When driving off-road, your body is subject to
forces from all directions, due to the uneven
surface. You could be thrown from your seat,
for instance. There is a risk of injury.
Always wear a seat belt, even when driving off-
road. G
WARNING
If you drive over obstacles or in ruts, the steer-
ing wheel may jerk out of your grip, causing
injury to your hands.
Always hold the steering wheel firmly with
both hands. When driving over obstacles, you
must expect steering forces to increase
briefly and suddenly. G
WARNING
Flammable material such as leaves, grass or
twigs may ignite if they come into contact with
hot parts of the exhaust system. There is a
risk of fire.
When driving off road or on unpaved roads,
check the vehicle's underside regularly. In
particular, remove parts of plants or other
flammable materials which have become
trapped. In the case of damage, contact a
qualified specialist workshop. !
When driving off-road or on unpaved sur-
faces, check the underside of the vehicle
and the wheels and tires at regular inter-
vals. In particular, remove any trapped for-
eign objects, e.g. stones and branches.
Such foreign objects may:
R damage the chassis, the fuel tank or the
brake system
R cause imbalances and thus vibrations
R be flung out when you continue driving
If there is any damage, inform a qualified
specialist workshop.
! If there are steep gradients while driving
off-road, a sufficient filling level in the DEF
tank must be ensured. Make sure for this
reason that there is a minimum fill level of
ten liters before driving off-road.
When driving off-road and on construction
sites, sand, mud and water mixed with oil, for
example, may get into the brakes. This may
lead to a reduction in braking performance or
total brake failure, also as a result of
increased wear. The braking characteristics
will vary depending on the material that has
got into the system. Clean the brakes after
driving off-road. If you then notice reduced
braking performance or hear scraping noises,
have the brake system checked at a qualified
specialist workshop. Adjust your driving style
to the changed braking characteristics.
Driving off-road or on construction sites
increases the possibility of vehicle damage
which may in turn lead to the failure of certain
assemblies and systems. Adapt your driving
style to the off-road driving conditions. Drive
carefully. Have any vehicle damage rectified
at a qualified specialist workshop as soon as
possible.
When driving on rough terrain, do not shift the
transmission into the neutral position. You
could lose control when attempting to brake
the vehicle with the service brake. If your
vehicle cannot manage an uphill slope, drive
back down the slope in reverse gear. Driving tips
159Driving and parking Z

!
Make sure that:
R the side windows and the roof are com-
pletely 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 vehi-
cle in an automatic car wash.
After putting the vehicle through an auto-
matic car wash, wipe off wax from:
R the rear view camera lens (Y page 271)
R the windshield
R the windshield wiper blades
This will prevent smears and reduce wiping
noises caused by residue on the wind-
shield.
Washing by hand In some countries, washing by hand is only
allowed at specially equipped washing bays.
Observe the legal requirements for each indi-
vidual 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 sham-
poo approved for use with Sprinter vehi-
cles.
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. 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. Compo-
nents damaged in this way may fail unexpect-
edly. 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 components replaced imme-
diately.
! Under no circumstances use power wash-
ers in the vehicle interior. The pressurized
water and associated spray produced by
the power washer could cause extensive
damage to the vehicle.
! Observe the minimum distance to be
maintained between the nozzle of the
power washer and object to be cleaned, as
outlined below:
R approximately 2.2 ft(70 cm) when using
round-jet nozzles
R approximately 1 ft (30 cm) when using
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 inter-
mediate 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). 268
CareMaintenance and care

Useful information
............................286
Important safety notes ....................286
Operation ........................................... 286
Operation in winter ...........................288
Tire pressure ..................................... 290
Loading the vehicle ..........................298
What you should know about
wheels and tires ............................... 301
Flat tire .............................................. 307
Changing wheels ............................... 307
Wheel and tire combination .............313
Spare wheel ....................................... 313 285Wheels and tires

Useful information
This Operator's Manual describes all models
as well as standard and optional equipment
of your vehicle that were available at the time
of going to print. Country-specific variations
are possible. Note that your vehicle may not
be equipped with all of the described func-
tions. This also applies to systems and func-
tions relevant to safety.
Read the information on qualified specialist
workshops (Y page 26). Important safety notes
G
Warning
A flat tire severely impairs the driving, steer-
ing and braking characteristics of the vehicle.
There is a risk of an accident.
do not drive with a flat tire. Immediately
replace the flat tire with your spare wheel, or
consult a qualified specialist workshop. G
WARNING
If wheels and tires of the wrong size are used,
the wheel brakes or suspension components
may be damaged. There is a risk of an acci-
dent.
Always replace wheels and tires with those
that fulfill the specifications of the original
part.
When replacing wheels, make sure to use the
correct:
R designation
R model
When replacing tires, make sure to use the
correct:
R designation
R manufacturer
R model
Accessories that are not approved for your
vehicle or are not being used correctly can
impair operating safety. Before purchasing and using non-approved
accessories, visit a qualified specialist work-
shop and inquire about:
R
suitability
R legal stipulations
R factory recommendations
Contact an authorized Sprinter dealer if you
require information on tested and recom-
mended wheels and tires for summer and
winter driving. Advice on purchasing and car-
ing for tires is also available there.
Information on tire and wheel dimensions and
types as well as the recommended tire pres-
sure for your vehicle can be found in the "Tire
pressure" section (Y page 297).
This data can also be found on the Tire and
Loading Information placard on the B-pillar.
Modifications to the brake system or wheels
are not permitted. The use of wheel spacers
or brake dust shields is not permitted. This
invalidates the general operating permit for
the vehicle.
i Further information on wheels and tires
can be obtained at any qualified specialist
workshop. Operation
Information for a journey
If the vehicle is heavily laden, check the tire
pressures, and correct them, if necessary.
While driving, pay attention to vibrations,
noises and unusual handling characteristics,
e.g. pulling to one side. This may indicate that
the wheels or tires are damaged. If you sus-
pect that a tire is defective, reduce your
speed immediately. Stop the vehicle as soon
as possible to check the wheels and tires for
damage. Hidden tire damage could also be
causing the unusual handling characteristics.
If you find no signs of damage, have the tires
and wheels checked at a qualified specialist
workshop. 286
OperationWheels and tires

case, the tire is so worn that it must be
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 6 years 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 289).
Observe the notes in the "Changing a wheel"
section (Y page 307). Driving with summer tires
At temperatures below 45 ‡(+7 †), summer
tires lose elasticity and therefore traction and
braking power. Change the tires on your vehi-
cle 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 mounted, driving characteristics may
be severely affected. There is a risk of an acci-
dent.
In order to reduce risks:
R you should therefore adapt your driving
style and drive carefully.
R never mount 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
00CF 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 00CF
in (4 mm) must be replaced immediately.
At temperatures below 45 ‡(+7 †), use win-
ter tires or all-season tires. Both types of tire
are identified by the M+S marking.
Only winter tires bearing the 004Dsnowflake
symbol in addition to the M+S marking pro-
vide the best possible grip in wintry road con-
ditions.
Only these tires will allow driving safety sys-
tems such as ABS and ESP ®
to function opti-
mally in winter. These tires have been devel-
oped specifically for driving in snow.
For safe driving, use M+S tires of the same
make and tread pattern on all wheels. 288
Operation in winterWheels and tires

Always observe the maximum permissible
speed specified for the M+S tires you have
mounted.
If you mount M+S tires that have a lower max-
imum permissible speed than that of the vehi-
cle, 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 290).
X Reactivate the tire pressure moni-
tor*(Y page 295). 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 fitted, do not
exceed the maximum permissible speed of
30 mph (50 km/h). Observe the country-spe-
cific 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 spe-
cialist workshop.
When mounting snow chains, please bear the
following points in mind:
R Snow chains cannot be mounted 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 cov-
ered 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 appropri-
ate regulations before mounting snow
chains.
R When driving with snow chains fitted, do
not exceed the maximum permissible
speed of 30 mph (50 km/h).
R Check the tension of the chains after a dis-
tance of approximately 0.5 miles (1.0 km).
You can deactivate ASR (Y page 60) when
pulling away with snow chains mounted. This
allows the wheels to spin in a controlled man-
ner, achieving an increased driving force (cut-
ting action). Operation in winter
289Wheels and tires
* optional Z