MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 2018 MY18 Operator’s Manual

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 possi-
ble. Note that your vehicle may not be equipped
with all of the described functions. This also
applies to systems and functions relevant to
safety.
Read the information on qualified specialist
workshops (
Ypage 27).
Engine compartment
Hood
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If the hood is unlatched, it may open up when the vehicle is in motion and block your view.
There is a risk of an accident.
Never unlatch the hood while driving.
GWARNING
Opening the hood when the engine is over-
heated or when there is a fire in the engine
compartment could expose you to hot gases
or other service products. There is a risk of
injury.
Let an overheated engine cool down before
opening the hood. If there is a fire in the
engine compartment, keep the hood closed
and contact the fire department.
GWARNING
The engine compartment contains moving
components. Certain components, such as
the radiator fan, may continue to run or start
again suddenly when the ignition is off. There is a risk of injury.
If you need to do any work inside the engine
compartment:
Rswitch off the ignition
Rnever reach into the area where there is a
risk of danger from moving components,
such as the fan rotation area
Rremove jewelry and watches
Rkeep items of clothing and hair, for exam-
ple, away from moving parts
GWARNING
The fuel injection system operates with a high
voltage. If you touch the live components, you could receive an electric shock. There is a risk
of injury.
Never touch components of the fuel injection
system when the ignition is switched on.
The live components of the fuel injection system
are, for example, the injectors.
GWARNING
Certain components in the engine compart-
ment, such as the engine, radiator and parts
of the exhaust system, can become very hot.
Working in the engine compartment poses a
risk of injury.
Where possible, let the engine cool down and touch only the components described in the
following.
If you have to carry out work in the engine com-
partment, only touch the following components:
RHood
ROil dipstick
REngine oil filler neck cap
RWasher fluid reservoir cap
RCoolant expansion tank cap
Opening the hood
!Make sure that the windshield wipers are
not folded away from the windshield. You
could otherwise damage the windshield wip-
ers or the hood.
Engine compartment219
Maintenance and care
Z

Releasehandle for th ehoo d
XStop your veh icleas far away fr omtraff icas
possible on level ground.
XSwitch off the engine.
XSecure the veh icleto prevent itfrom rolling
away.
XPull release handle :onthe hood.
The hoodis released.
XReach into the gap and push lever ;onthe
hoo d catch up.
XSwin g the hood up unt ilsupport strut =
engages and the hood issupported.
Closing the hood
GWARNIN G
If the hoodis unlatched, it could tip forward
during rapid decelerati on ofthe vehicle and
hit persons or objects within its path.Thereis
a risk ofan acc ident and injury.
Therefore, always make sure that the hoodis
closed and locked co mpletely before driv ing
off.
If the hood is not locked and you are alrea dy
driv ing at walking pace:
Rthe yellow 1indicat or lamp in theinstru-
ment cluster goes onfor vehicles without
steering -wheel butto ns.
Rthe 1 Hoodopendisplay appears for vehi-
cles with steering-wheel butto ns.
!When you press the support strut back,
make sure that you do not press it against the
detent position and cause itto bend.
!Do no t use your hands to push thehood
down .You could damage it otherwise.
XLift the hood slightly.
XPress support strut =towards the back.
XLowe r the hood and allow it to fallwith
mom entum fr oma height of approximat ely
1 ft (30 cm).
The hood locks audibly.
XChec k that the hood is correctly locke d.
If the hood can beraised slightly, it is not
properly engaged. Ifthe hood is not correctly
engaged, openthehood again. Let the hood
fall with a little moremom entum.
220Engine compartment
Maintenance and care

Overview of the engine compartment
Example: engine
:
Coolant expansion tank cap (Ypage 223)
;DEF filler neck cap (Ypage 128)
=Engine oil filler neck cap (Ypage 221)
?Brake fluid expansion tank cap
(Ypage 224)
AWasher fluid reservoir cap (Ypage 225)
Regularly check the fluid level and the assembly
for leaks. If you detect fluid loss, e.g. oil flecks on
the vehicle parking space, consult a qualified
specialist workshop immediately.
Engine oil
General notes
!Engine oil gets dirty in the course of opera-
tion and its quality and volume are gradually
diminished. Regularly check the oil level, and
top up or have it replaced as needed.
Observe the information on engine oils and oil
consumption in the "Technical data" section
(
Ypage 282).
You can check the oil level in the engine:
Ron the display of the on-board computer
Rwith the oil dipstick
Checking the oil level shown in the dis-
play
If at extremely low temperatures no engine oil
level is displayed after five minutes, repeat the
engine oil level check after another five minutes.
If an oil level reading is still not displayed, check
the engine oil level with the dipstick
(
Ypage 222). Have the engine oil level checked
at a qualified specialist workshop. Only check the oil level when the engine is at
normal operating temperature.
XPark the vehicle on a level surface.
XSwitch off the engine.
XWait 5 minutes.
XTurn the key to position
2in the ignition lock.
The display is activated.
XVehicles without steering wheel buttons:
press the 4menu button on the instrument
cluster (
Ypage 34) repeatedly until the dis-
play shows the 1symbol.
The --:--
display message appears in the
display while the engine oil level measure-
ment is running.
XVehicles with steering wheel buttons:
press the Ëservice button on the instrument
cluster (
Ypage 34).
The 4 Engine oil level Measuring
inprogressdisplay message appears in the
display while the engine oil level measure-
ment is in progress.
Display message for vehicles without steer-
ing-wheel buttons: the display may show the
following messages after the engine oil level
measurement.
1Action
OKXDo not add oil.
– 1.0 qtsXAdd the amount of oil
shown (Ypage 223).
XCheck the engine oil level
again after a few minutes.– 1.5 qts
– 2.0 qts
HIThe oil level is too high.
XHave excess oil removed.
Measurement units in the display:
RqtsUSA only
RltrCanada only
Display message for vehicles with steering- wheel buttons: the display may show the fol-
lowing messages after the engine oil level meas-
urement.
1Action
Engineoillevel OKXDo not add oil.
Engine compartment221
Maintenance and care
Z

EngineoilAdd1.0 quart
XAdd the amount of oil
shown (Ypage 223).
XCheck the engine oil level
again after a few minutes.
EngineoilAdd1.5quarts
EngineoilAdd2.0quarts
EngineoillevelReduceoillevel
The oil level is too high.
XHave excess oil removed.
Eng. oillev. Turnignitionon forlevel
XTurn the key to position2in
the ignition lock.
Observewait.period
XIf the engine is at normal
operating temperature,
repeat the engine oil meas-
urement after about five
minutes.
XRepeat the engine oil
measurement after about
30 minutes if the engine is
not at normal operating
temperature.
Engineoillevel Notwhen eng.running
XSwitch off the engine when it is at normal operating
temperature and wait
approximately 5 minutes
before measuring the
engine oil level.
Measurement units in the display:
RqtsUSA only
RltrCanada only
Checking the oil level using the oil dip-
stick
Example: 4-cylinder diesel engine
Example: 6-cylinder diesel engine
For vehicles with a red oil dipstick, only check
the oil level when the engine is at normal oper-
ating temperature:
XStop your vehicle as far away from traffic as
possible on level ground.
XSecure the vehicle to prevent it from rolling
away.
XSwitch off the engine.
XWait for five minutes.
For vehicles with a yellow oil dipstick, only check
the oil level when the engine is cold.
XStop your vehicle as far away from traffic as
possible on level ground.
XSecure the vehicle to prevent it from rolling
away.
XOpen the hood (Ypage 219).
XPull out oil dipstick :.
XWipe oil dipstick:using a lint-free cloth.
222Engine compartment
Maintenance and care

XInsert oil dipstick:back into the guide tube
as far as it will go and remove it again.
If the level is between minimum mark =and
maximum mark ;, the oil level is correct.
XIf the oil level has dropped to or below mini-
mum mark=, open cap ?and add engine oil
(
Ypage 223).
The difference in quantity between marks ;
and =is approximately 2 qt (2 l).
XInsert the oil dipstick into the guide tube as far
as it will go.
XClose the hood (Ypage 220).
OM651 4-cylinder diesel engine:
At outside temperatures between 32 ‡ (–0 †)
and 86 ‡ (30 †), the oil level can be checked
when the engine is cold.
Measuring the engine oil when the engine is cold
is less precise than measuring when the engine
is at normal operating temperature.
When the appropriate warning is shown in the
display
XAdd engine oil (Ypage 223)
or
XHave engine oil siphoned off.
Add engine oil
GWARNING
If engine oil comes into contact with hot com- ponents in the engine compartment, it may
ignite. There is a risk of fire and injury.
Make sure that engine oil is not spilled next to
the filler neck. Let the engine cool down and
thoroughly clean the engine oil off the com-
ponents before starting the engine.
!The alternator is located below the engine
oil filler neck. If engine oil spills onto the alter-
nator, there is a danger of alternator damage.
Be very careful when adding engine oil.
HEnvironmental note
When adding oil, take care not to spill any. If
oil enters the soil or waterways, it is harmful to
the environment.
!Do not add too much oil. adding too much
engine oil can result in damage to the engine
or to the catalytic converter. Have excess
engine oil siphoned off.
!Do not use any additives in the engine oil.
This could damage the engine.
XOpen the hood (Ypage 219).
XUnscrew and remove cap ?.
XAdd engine oil.
XReplace cap?on the filler neck and tighten.
When doing so, make sure that the cap
engages correctly.
XCheck the oil level with the oil dipstick
(Ypage 222) or on the display (Ypage 221).
XClose the hood.
Coolant
GWARNING
The engine cooling system is pressurized, par-
ticularly when the engine is warm. When
opening the cap, you could be scalded by hot
coolant spraying out. There is a risk of injury.
Let the engine cool down before opening the
cap. Wear eye and hand protection when
opening the cap. Open the cap slowly half a
turn to allow pressure to escape.
Only check the coolant level and/or fill the cool-
ant if the vehicle is on a level surface and the
engine has cooled down. The coolant tempera-
ture must be below 122 ‡ (50 †).
!Check the engine cooling and heating sys-
tem regularly for leaks.
If a large quantity of coolant is lost, have the
cause traced and rectified at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
GWARNING
If antifreeze comes into contact with hot com- ponents in the engine compartment, it may
ignite. There is a risk of fire and injury.
Let the engine cool down before you add anti-
freeze. Make sure that antifreeze is not spilled
next to the filler neck. Thoroughly clean the
antifreeze from components before starting
the engine.
!Take care not to spill any coolant on painted
surfaces. You could otherwise damage the
paintwork.
Engine compartment223
Maintenance and care
Z

Example: cap and coolant expansion tank
Checking the coolant level
XStop your vehicle as far away from traffic as
possible on level ground.
XSwitch off the engine.
XSecure the vehicle to prevent it from rolling
away.
XOpen the hood (Ypage 219).
XSlowly turn cap:half a turn counter-clock-
wise to allow excess pressure to escape.
XTurn cap :further and remove it.
XCheck the coolant level.
If the coolant reaches the maximum mark on
coolant expansion tank ;, there is enough
coolant in coolant expansion tank ;.
Adding coolant
XIf the coolant drops under the minimum mark
on coolant expansion tank ;, add coolant to
the maximum mark.
Observe the information on coolant mixture
ratio and water quality in the "Technical data"
section (
Ypage 285). To prevent damage to
the engine cooling system, use only approved
corrosion inhibitor and antifreeze that com-
plies with the Mercedes-Benz Specifications
for Service Products.
XReplace cap :and turn it clockwise to
tighten.
XStart the engine.
XAfter approximately five minutes, switch off
the engine again and allow it to cool down.
XCheck the coolant level again and add coolant
if necessa ry.
XClose the hood.
Brake fluid
GWARNING
Service products may be poisonous and haz-
ardous to health. There is a risk of injury.
Comply with instructions on the use, storage
and disposal of service products on the labels
of the respective original containers. Always
store service products sealed in their original
containers. Always keep service products out
of the reach of children.
Brake fluid is hazardous to health. Also observe
the safety notes in the "Service products and
capacities" section (
Ypage 278).
GWARNING
The brake fluid constantly absorbs moisture
from the air. This lowers the boiling point of
the brake fluid. If the boiling point of the brake
fluid is too low, vapor pockets may form in the
brake system when the brakes are applied
hard. This would impair braking efficiency.
There is a risk of an accident.
You should have the brake fluid renewed at
the specified intervals.
!Brake fluid corrodes paint, plastic and rub-
ber. If paint, plastic or rubber has come into
contact with brake fluid, rinse with water
immediately.
Have the brake fluid renewed every two years at
a qualified specialist workshop. Observe the
information on brake fluid in the "Technical
data" section (
Ypage 284).
Check the brake fluid level regularly, e.g. weekly
or when refueling.
224Engine compartment
Maintenance and care

Checking the brake fluid level
XStop your vehicle as far away from traffic as
possible on level ground.
XSwitch off the engine.
XSecure the vehicle to prevent it from rolling
away.
XOpen the hood (Ypage 219).
XCheck the brake fluid level.
The brake fluid level is correct if the level is
between the MIN mark and MAX mark on
brake fluid reservoir:.
XClose the hood.
!If the brake fluid level in the brake fluid res-
ervoir has fallen to the MIN mark or below,
check the brake system immediately for
leaks. Also check the thickness of the brake
linings. Visit a qualified specialist workshop
immediately.
Do not add brake fluid. This does not correct
the malfunction.
Washer fluid
GWARNING
Windshield washer concentrate could ignite if it comes into contact with hot engine compo-
nents or the exhaust system. There is a risk of
fire and injury.
Make sure that no windshield washer con-
centrate is spilled next to the filler neck.
!Only use washer fluid that is suitable for
plastic lamp lenses, e.g. MB SummerFit or MB WinterFit. Unsuitable washer fluid could dam-
age the plastic lenses of the headlamps.
Example: washer fluid reservoir
Add windshield washer concentrate to the
washer fluid all year round. Observe the infor-
mation on washer fluid in the "Technical data"
section (
Ypage 286).
Adding washer fluid
XMix the washer fluid to the appropriate mixing ratio in a container beforehand.
XOpen the hood (Ypage 219).
XPull cap :on the washer fluid reservoir
upwards at the tab.
XAdd the premixed washer fluid.
XPress cap :onto the filler neck until it
engages audibly.
XClose the hood.
Fuel system
Draining the fuel filter
GWARNING
Fuel is highly flammable. Improper handling of
fuel creates a risk of fire and explosion.
Avoid fire, open flames, smoking and creating
sparks under all circumstances. Switch off the
ignition and auxiliary heating before carrying
out work to the fuel system. Always wear pro-
tective gloves.
HEnvironmental note
Dispose of the water-fuel mixture in an envi-
ronmentally responsible manner.
!When the :indicator lamp lights up,
drain the fuel filter with water separator
immediately. Otherwise, the engine may be
damaged.
Engine compartment225
Maintenance and care
Z

If the: indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster goes on, drain the fuel filter with the
water separator immediately.
iWe recommend that you have this mainte-
nance work carried out at a qualified special-
ist workshop.
XPark the vehicle safely and secure it from roll-
ing away.
XSwitch off the auxiliary heating system .
XSwitch off the engine.
XOpen the hood (Ypage 219).
XPlace a suitable receptacle under drain
hose :.
XTurn the key to position 2in the ignition lock.
XOpen drain plug ;immediately until the
water/fuel mixture flows out of drain hose :.
XScrew in drain plug;as soon as approx-
imately 0.2 qt (0.2 l)of the water/fuel mixture
has been collected.
The electrical fuel pump automatically halts
the flow of the water/fuel mixture after
30 seconds.
XAfter draining, turn the key back to position 0
in the ignition lock.
XDispose of the collected water/fuel mixture
in an environmentally responsible manner,
e.g. at a qualified specialist workshop.
XCheck drain plug ;. The drain plug must be
closed.
When the engine is running and drain hose ;
is open, fuel is lost through drain hose :.
XClose the hood (Ypage 220).
If the : indicator lamp does not go out after
draining:
XDrain the fuel filter again.
XIf the : indicator lamp does not go out
after draining for the second time, have the
cause checked immediately at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
Vehicle interior
Air filter for the rear-compartment air
conditioning
!
Regularly check the air filters for visible dirt.
Clean or replace a dirty filter mat. The dirt may
otherwise lead to damage to the air-condi-
tioning system.
Filter magazine, located on the roof in the rear
compartment
An increased amount of sand or dust may collect in the air filter of the rear-compartment air con-
ditioning when you drive on dusty or sandy
roads.
XTo remove the filter mat: carefully pry
cover :out of recesses ;and remove.
XRemove the filter mat from the air duct.
XTo clean the filter mat: wash the dirty filter
mat with clear water.
XLeave the filter mat to dry.
iThe filter mat must not be cleaned or dried in
a machine.
XTo install the filter mat: insert the filter mat
into the air duct.
XReplace and engage cover :.
Maintenance
General notes
HEnvironmental note
Observe measures to protect the environ-
ment when working on the vehicle. You must
observe the legal requirements when dispos-
ing of service products, e.g. engine oil. This
also includes all components, e.g. filters,
which have come into contact with service
products. Any qualified specialist workshop
can provide information about this.
Dispose of empty containers, cleaning cloths
and care products in an environmentally
responsible manner. Comply with the instruc-
tions for use of the care products.
226Maintenance
Maintenance and care

Do not run the engine for longer than neces-
sary when the vehicle is stationary.
Before having maintenance and repairs per-
formed, it is essential to read the materials rela-
ted to the maintenance and repairs:
Rthe applicable sections of the technical doc-
umentation, e.g. the Operator's Manual and
workshop information.
Rregulations such as industrial safety regula-
tions and accident prevention regulations.
While working under the vehicle, you must
secure the vehicle on jack stands with sufficient load capacity.
Never use the jack as a substitute. The vehicle's
jack is intended only to raise the vehicle for a
short time when changing a wheel. It is not
suited for performing maintenance work under
the vehicle.
Please also refer to the notes about qualified
specialist workshops (
Ypage 27).
The scope and regularity of the inspection and
maintenance work primarily depend on the
often diverse operating conditions. Specialist
knowledge beyond the scope of this Operator's
Manual is required when carrying out testing
and maintenance work. This work should only be
carried out by trained staff.
The vehicle Maintenance Booklet describes the scope and fre que
ncy of maintenance work and
contains additional notes on the New Vehicle
Limited Warranty and on service products.
Maintenance services must be carried out in
accordance with the provisions and recommen-
dations in the Maintenance Booklet. Not doing
so could void the warranty claim and lead to
refusal of goodwill gestures after the manufac-
turer has submitted a damage report.
iObserve the notes on genuine Sprinter parts
(Ypage 29).
Service interval display
General notes
A service that is due is displayed in the service
interval display about one month in advance. A
message is then displayed while the vehicle is in
motion or when the ignition is switched on.
iThe service interval display does not provide
information about the engine oil level. The service interval display should therefore not
be confused with the
5engine oil level
display.
The service due date is displayed in days or
miles (kilometers), depending on the total dis-
tance driven.
The symbols or letters on the service display
show the type of service that is due.
¯ orA
for a minor service
° orB
for a major service
Service due date display
Vehicles with steering wheel buttons: the
following messages may be displayed.
R¯ Service A due in ... days
R¯Service A due in ... mi(km)
R¯ Service A Carry out now
Vehicles without steering wheel buttons:
the following messages may be displayed.
R¯for service A
R°for Service B
Additionally, you will see the remaining distance
in miles ( mi
) or kilometers ( km) or the remaining
time in days ( d).
Service due date has been exceeded
Vehicles with steering wheel buttons: if you
have missed the service due date, one of the
following messages appears in the display and
warning tone also sounds.
R¯ Service A overdue by ... days
R¯Service A overdue by ... km(km)
Vehicles without steering wheel buttons: if
you have missed the service due date, the ¯
or ° symbol for the service flashes for ten
seconds after the ignition is switched on. A
minus sign also appears in front of the service
due date.
Calling up the service due date
XTurn the key to position 2in the ignition lock.
The display is activated.
Vehicles without steering wheel buttons
XPress the 4menu button on the instrument
cluster repeatedly until the ¯or°
symbol for the service appears in the display.
Maintenance227
Maintenance and care
Z

Additionally, you will see the remaining dis-
tance in miles (mi) or kilometers ( km) or the
remaining time in days ( d).
Vehicles with steering wheel buttons
XPress the VorU button on the steering
wheel until the standard display (Ypage 166)
appears in the display.
XPress the &or* button on the steering
wheel repeatedly until the service message
appears in the display, for example:
R¯ Service A in ... days
R¯Service A in ... mi(km)
Battery
Important safety notes
Work on the battery, e.g. removing or installing,
requires specialist knowledge and the use of
special tools. Therefore, always have work on
the battery carried out at a qualified specialist
workshop.
GWARNING
Work carried out incorrectly on the battery
can lead, for example, to a short circuit and
thus damage the vehicle electronics. This can
lead to function restrictions applying to
safety-relevant systems, e.g. the lighting sys-
tem, the ABS (anti-lock braking system) or the
ESP
®(Electronic Stability Program). The oper-
ating safety of your vehicle may be restricted.
You could lose control of the vehicle, for
example:
Rwhen braking
Rin the event of abrupt steering maneuvers
and/or when the vehicle's speed is not
adapted to the road conditions
There is a risk of an accident.
In the event of a short circuit or a similar inci-
dent, contact a qualified specialist workshop
immediately. Do not drive any further. You
should have all work involving the battery car- ried out at a qualified specialist workshop.
Further information can be found under "ABS"
(
Ypage 54) and under "ESP®" (Ypage 56).
GWARNING
Electrostatic build-up can lead to the creation of sparks, which could ignite the highly explo-
sive gases of a battery. There is a risk of an
explosion.
Before handling the battery, touch the vehicle
body to remove any existing electrostatic
build-up.
The flammable gas mix is produced when the
battery is charged or when the vehicle is jump-
started.
Always make sure that neither you nor the bat-
tery are electro statically charged. Electrostatic
charging results, for example, from:
Rwearing synthetic clothing
Rfriction between clothing and the seat
Rdragging or pushing the battery across carpet
flooring or any other synthetic materials
Rrubbing the battery with cloths or towels.
Comply with the following safety precautions
and take protective measures when handling
batteries.
Risk of explosion. Explosive oxyhy-
drogen is produced when batteries
are being charged. Only charge bat-
teries in well-ventilated areas.
Fire, open flames and smoking are
therefore prohibited when working
on the battery. Avoid creating
sparks.
Battery acid is caustic. Avoid con-
tact with the skin, eyes or clothing.
Wear acid-proof protective gloves. If
skin or clothes are splashed with
acid, neutralize the splashes imme-
diately with soapy water or an acid
neutralizer, and then clean the affec-
ted areas with water. Consult a doc- tor if necessary.
Wear eye protection. When mixing
water and acid, the liquid can splash
into your eyes. Rinse acid splashes
to the eyes immediately with clean
water and contact a doctor immedi-
ately.
Keep children at a safe distance.
Children are not able to assess the
228Battery
Maintenance and care