MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 2018 MY18 Operator’s Manual

Loading the vehicle
Instruction labels for tires and loads
GWARNING
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 half of the 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 themaximum possible load.
(1) Only for vehicles with a gross weight of less than 10,000 lbs (4,536 kg):
Tire and Loading Information placard :is
on the B-pillar on the driver's side. Tire and
Loading Information placard :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 infor-
mation 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 driv-
er's side.
Maximum permissible gross vehicle
weight rating
:Maximum number of seats
;Maximum permissible gross vehicle weight
rating
XSpecification for maximum gross vehicle
weight ;is 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 applica-
ble) must not exceed the specified value.
iThe details on the Tire and Loading Infor-
mation placard illustration are only an exam-
ple. The maximum permissible gross vehicle
weight rating is vehicle-specific and may dif-
fer from that which is illustrated. You can find
the valid maximum permissible gross vehicle
weight rating for your vehicle on the Tire and
Loading Information placard.
Loading the vehicle259
Wheels and tires
Z

Number of seats
:Maximum number of seats
;Maximum permissible gross vehicle weight
rating
Maximum number of seats :determines the
maximum number of occupants allowed to
travel in the vehicle. This information can be
found on the Tire and Loading Information plac-
ard.
iThe details on the Tire and Loading Infor-
mation placard illustration are only an exam-
ple. The number of seats is vehicle-specific
and can differ from the details shown. The
number of seats in your vehicle can be found
on the Tire and Loading Information placard.
Determining the maximum load
Individual steps
The following steps have been developed as
required of all manufacturers under Title 49, Code of U.S. Federal Regulations, Part 575 in
accordance with the "National Traffic and Motor
Vehicle Safety Act of 1966".
XStep 1:
Locate the statement "The combined
weight of occupants and cargo should never
exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs." on your vehicle's
Tire and Loading Information placard.
XStep 2: Determine the combined weight of
the driver and passengers that will be travel-
ing in your vehicle.
XStep 3: Subtract the combined weight of the
driver and passengers from XXX kilograms or
XXX lbs.
XStep 4: The resulting figure equals the avail-
able amount of cargo and luggage load capa- city. For example, if the "XXX" amount equals
1400 lbs and there will be five 150 pound
passengers in your vehicle, the amount of
available cargo and luggage load capacity is
650 lbs (1400 Ò750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs).
XStep 5: Determine the combined weight of
luggage and cargo being loaded on the vehi-
cle. For reasons of safety, that weight must
not exceed the available cargo and luggage
cargo capacity calculated in step 4.
XStep 6 (if applicable): If you intend to tow a
trailer behind your vehicle, the load on the
trailer is transferred to your vehicle. Please
consult the Tire and Loading Information plac-
ard, to determine how this reduces the avail-
able cargo and luggage load capacity of your
vehicle.
Example: Steps 1 to 3
The following table shows examples of how to calculate total load and cargo capacities with varying seating configurations and number and size of occupants. The following examples use a maximum
load of 1500 lbs (680 kg). This is for illustration purposes only. Make sure you are using the
actual load limit for your vehicle stated on your vehicle's Tire and Loading Information placard .
Example 1Example 2Example 3
Step 1Combined maximum
weight of occupants
and cargo (data from
the Tire and Loading
Information placard)1500 lbs
(680 kg)1500 lbs
(680 kg)1500 lbs
(680 kg)
260Loading the vehicle
Wheels and tires

Example 1Example 2Example 3
Step 2Number of people in
the vehicle (driver and
occupants)531
Distribution of the
occupantsFront: 2
Rear: 3Front: 1
Rear: 2Front: 1
Weight of the occu-
pantsOccupant 1:
150 lbs (68 kg)
Occupant 2:
180 lbs (82 kg)
Occupant 3:
160 lbs (73 kg)
Occupant 4:
140 lbs (63 kg)
Occupant 5:
120 lbs (54 kg)Occupant 1:
200 lbs (91 kg)
Occupant 2:
190 lbs (86 kg)
Occupant 3:
150 lbs (68 kg)Occupant 1:
150 lbs (68 kg)
Gross weight of all
occupants750 lbs (340 kg)540 lbs (245 kg)150 lbs (68 kg)
Example 1Example 2Example 3
Step 3Permissible cargo and
trailer load/nose-
weight (maximum
gross vehicle weight
rating from the Tire
and Loading Informa-
tion placard minus the
gross weight of all
occupants)1500 lbs
(680 kg)Ò750 lbs
(340 kg) =
750 lbs (340 kg)1500 lbs
(680 kg) Ò540 lbs
(245 kg) =
960 lbs (435 kg)1500 lbs
(680 kg) Ò150 lbs
(68 kg) =
1350 lbs
(612 kg)
The greater the combined weight of the occupants, the lower the maximum luggage load.
Further information can be found under "Towing a trailer" (
Ypage 158).
Vehicle identification plate
Even if you have calculated the total cargo care-
fully, you should still make sure that the gross
vehicle weight rating and the gross axle weight
rating are not exceeded. Details about this can
be found on the vehicle identification plate on
the driver seat frame of your vehicle
(
Ypage 276).
Gross vehicle weight: the gross weight of the
vehicle, all passengers, cargo and trailer load/
noseweight (if applicable) must not exceed the
permissible gross vehicle weight. Gross axle weight rating:
the maximum per-
missible load that can be carried by one axle
(front or rear axle).
To ensure that your vehicle does not exceed the
maximum permissible values (gross vehicle
weight and maximum gross axle weight rating),
have your loaded vehicle (including driver, occu-
pants, cargo, and full trailer load if applicable)
weighed on a suitable vehicle weighbridge.
Loading the vehicle261
Wheels and tires
Z

Trailer load/noseweight
The trailer load/noseweight affects the gross
weight of the vehicle. If a trailer is attached, the
trailer load/noseweight is included in the load
along with occupants and luggage. The trailer
load/noseweight is usually approximately 10%
of the gross weight of the trailer and its load.
What you should know about wheels
and tires
Tire labeling
Overview
:DOT, Tire Identification Number
(Ypage 264)
;Maximum tire load (Ypage 264)
=Maximum tire pressure (Ypage 254)
?Manufacturer
ATire material (Ypage 264)
BTire size designation, load-bearing capacity
and speed index (Ypage 262)
CTire name
The markings described above are on the tire in addition to the tire name (sales designation) and
the manufacturer's name.
iTire data is vehicle-specific and may deviate
from the data in the example.
Tire size designation, load bearing index
and speed index
GWARNING
Exceeding the stated tire load-bearing capa-
city and the approved maximum speed could
lead to tire damage or the tire bursting. There is a risk of accident.
Therefore, only use tire types and sizes
approved for your vehicle model. Observe the
tire load rating and speed rating required for
your vehicle.
:Design standard
;Tire width
=Nominal aspect ratio in %
?Tire code
ARim diameter
BLoad bearing index
CSpeed index
General: depending on the manufacturer's
standards, the size imprinted in the tire wall may
not contain any letters or may contain one let-
ter :that precedes the size description
If "LT" precedes the size description (as shown
above): these are light truck tires according to
U.S. manufacturing standards.
If "C" precedes the size description: these are
commercial motor vehicle tires according to
European manufacturing standards.
Tire width: tire width;shows the nominal tire
width in millimeters.
Aspect ratio: aspect ratio=is the size ratio
between the tire height and tire width and is
shown in percent. The aspect ratio is calculated
by dividing the tire width by the tire height.
262What you should know about wheels and tires
Wheels and tires

Tire code:tire code?specifies the tire type.
"R" represents radial tires. "D" represents diag-
onal tires, "B" represents diagonal radial tires.
Rim diameter: rim diameterAis the diameter
of the bead seat, not the diameter of the rim
flange. The rim diameter is specified in
inches (in).
Load-bearing index: load-bearing indexBis a
numerical code that specifies the maximum
load-bearing capacity of a tire.
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified load limit. The maximum permissible
load can be found on the vehicle's Tire and
Loading Information placard on the B-pillar on
the driver's side (
Ypage 259).
Example:
The load-bearing index 120 indicates a maxi-
mum load of 3,042 lb (1,380 kg) for the tire. If
two load-bearing capacity indices are specified
(as shown above), the first number states the
load-bearing capacity for single tires, the sec-
ond number the load-bearing capacity for twin
tires. For further information on the maximum
tire load in kilograms and pounds, see
(
Ypage 264).
For further information on the load-bearing
index, see "Load index" (
Ypage 263).
Speed rating: speed ratingCspecifies the
approved maximum speed of the tire.
Regardless of the speed index alw
ays observe
the speed limits. Drive carefully and adapt your driving style to the traffic conditions.
iTire data is vehicle-specific and may deviate
from the data in the example.
IndexSpeed rating
Fup to 50 mph (80 km/h)
Gup to 56 mph (90 km/h)
Jup to 62 mph (100 km/h)
Kup to 68 mph (110 km/h)
Lup to 74 mph (120 km/h)
Mup to 80 mph (130 km/h)
Nup to 87 mph (140 km/h)
Pup to 93 mph (150 km/h)
Qup to 100 mph (160 km/h)
Rover 106 mph (170 km/h)
iNot 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 isnowflake symbol on
the tire wall. Tires with this marking fulfill the
requirements of the Rubber Manufacturers
Association (RMA) and the Rubber Associa-
tion of Canada (RAC) regarding the tire trac-
tion on snow. They have been especially
developed for driving on snow.
Further information on the reading of tire infor-
mation can be obtained at any qualified special-
ist workshop.
Load index
In addition to the load-bearing index, load rat-
ing :may be imprinted after the letters that
identify speed rating on the sidewall of the tire
(
Ypage 262).
RIf no specification is given: no text (as in the
example above), represents a standard load
(SL) tire
RXL or Extra Load: represents a reinforced tire
RLight Load: represents a light load tire
RC, D, E: represents a load range that depends
on the maximum load that the tire can carry at
a certain pressure
iTire data is vehicle-specific and may deviate
from the data in the example.
What you should know about wheels and tires263
Wheels and tires
Z

Maximum tire load
Maximum tire load:is the maximum permis-
sible weight for which the tire is approved.
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified load limit. The maximum permissible
load can be found on the vehicle's Tire and
Loading Information placard on the B-pillar on
the driver's side (
Ypage 259).
iThe actual values for tires are specific to
each vehicle and may deviate from the values
in the illustration.
DOT, Tire Identification Number (TIN)
U.S. tire regulations stipulate that every tire
manufacturer or retreader must imprint a TIN in
or on the sidewall of each tire produced.
The TIN is a unique identification number. The
TIN enables the tire manufacturers or retreaders
to inform purchasers of recalls and other safety-
relevant matters. It makes it possible for the
purchaser to easily identify the affected tires.
The TIN is made up of manufacturer identifica-
tion code ;, tire size =, tire type code ?and
manufacturing date A.
DOT (Department of Transportation): tire
symbol :indicates that the tire complies with the requirements of the U.S. Department of
Transportation.
Manufacturer identification code:
manufac-
turer identification code ;provides details on
the tire manufacturer. New tires have a code
with two symbols. Retreaded tires have a code
with four symbols.
Further information about retreaded tires
(
Ypage 248).
Tire size: identifier=describes the tire size.
Tire type code: tire type code?can be used by
the manufacturer as a code to describe specific
characteristics of the tire.
Date of manufacture: date of manufactureA
provides information about the age of a tire. The first and second positions represent the week of
manufacture, starting with "01" for the first cal-
endar week. Positions three and four represent
the year of manufacture. For example, a tire that
is marked with "3208", was manufactured in
week 32 in 2008.
iTire data is vehicle-specific and may deviate
from the data in the example.
Tire characteristics
This information describes the type of tire cord
and the number of layers in sidewall :and
under tire tread ;.
iTire data is vehicle-specific and may deviate
from the data in the example.
Definitions for tires and loading
Tire structure and characteristics
Describes the number of layers or the number of
rubber-coated belts in the tire tread and the tire
wall. These consist of steel, nylon, polyester,
and other materials.
264What you should know about wheels and tires
Wheels and tires

Bar
Metric unit for tire pressure. 14.5038 pounds
per square inch (psi) and 100 kilopascals (kPa)
are the equivalent of 1 bar.
DOT (Department of Transportation)
DOT marked tires fulfill the requirements of the
United States Department of Transportation.
Average weight of vehicle occupants
The number of occupants for which the vehicle
is designed multiplied by 68 kilograms (150 lbs).
Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards
A uniform standard to grade the quality of tires
with regard to tread quality, traction and tem-
perature characteristics. The quality grading
assessment is made by the manufacturer fol-
lowing specifications from the U.S government.
The quality grade of a tire is imprinted on the
sidewall of the tire.
Recommended tire pressure
The recommended tire pressures are the pres-
sures specified for the tires mounted on the
vehicle at the factory.
The tire and load information table
8contains the
recommended tire pressures for cold tires, the
maximum permissible load and the maximum
permissible vehicle speed.
The tire pressure table contains the recommen- ded tire pressure for cold tires under various
operating conditions, i.e. loading and/or speed
of the vehicle.
Increased vehicle weight due to optional
equipment
The combined weight of all standard and
optional equipment available for the vehicle,
regardless of whether it is actually installed on
the vehicle or not.
Wheel rim
The part of the wheel on which the tire is moun-
ted.
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
GAWR is the maximum gross axle weight rating.
The actual load on an axle must never exceed
the gross axle weight rating. The Gross Axle
Weight Rating can be found on the vehicle iden- tification plate on the driver seat frame
(
Ypage 276).
Speed index
The speed index is part of the tire identification.
It specifies the speed range for which the tire is
approved.
GTW (Gross Trailer Weight)
GTW is the total of weight of a trailer and the
weight of the load, accessories etc. on the
trailer.
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight)
The gross vehicle weight includes the weight of
the vehicle including fuel, tools, spare wheel,
accessories installed, occupants, luggage and
the drawbar noseweight if applicable. The gross
vehicle weight may never exceed the gross vehi-
cle weight rating (GVWR) specified on the vehi-
cle i
dentification plate at the base of the driver's
seat (Ypage 276).
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
The GVWR is the maximum permitted gross
weight of the fully laden vehicle (weight of the
vehicle including all accessories, occupants,
fuel, luggage and the drawbar noseweight if
applicable). The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating is
specified on the vehicle identification plate on
the driver seat frame (
Ypage 276).
Maximum weight of the laden vehicle
The maximum weight is the sum of:
Rthe curb weight of the vehicle
Rthe weight of the accessories
Rthe load limit
Rthe weight of the factory installed optional
equipment
Kilopascal (kPa)
Metric unit for tire pressure. 6.9 kPa are the
equivalent of 1 ps i.Another tire pressure unit is
bar. 100 kilopascal s(kPa) are the equivalent of
1 bar.
Load index
In addition to the load bearing index, a load
index can be stamped onto the sidewall of the
tire. It specifies the load-bearing capacity of the
tire more precisely.
8Only for vehicles with a gross weight of less than 10,000 lbs (4536 kg).
What you should know about wheels and tires265
Wheels and tires
Z

Curb weight
The weight of a vehicle with standard equipment
including the maximum filling capacity of fuel,
oil, and coolant. It also includes the air-condi-
tioning system and optional equipment if these
are installed on the vehicle, but does not include
passengers or luggage.
Maximum tire load
The maximum tire load in kilograms or pounds is
the maximum weight for which a tire is
approved.
Maximum permissible tire pressure
Maximum permissible tire pressure for one tire.
Maximum load on one tire
Maximum load on one tire. This is calculated by
dividing the maximum axle load of one axle by
two.
PSI (Pounds per square inch)
Standard unit of measurement for tire pressure.
Aspect ratio
Relationship between tire height and width in
percent.
tire pressure
Pressure inside the tire applying an outward
force to every square inch of the tire's surface.
Tire pressure is specified in pounds per square
inch (psi), in kilopascal (kPa) or in bar. Tire pres-
sure should only be corrected when the tires are
cold.
Cold tire pressure
The tires are cold:
Rif the vehicle has been parked for at least
three hours without direct sunlight on the
tires, and
Rif the vehicle has not been driven further than
1 mile (1.6 km)
Tire tread
The part of the tire that comes into contact with the road.
Tire bead
The tire bead ensures that the tire sits securely
on t
he wheel. There are several steel wires in the
bead to prevent the tire from coming loose from
the wheel rim.
Sidewall
The part of the tire between the tread and the
tire bead.
Weight of optional extras
The combined weight of those optional extras
that weigh more than the replaced standard
parts and more than 2.3 kg (5 lbs). These
optional extras, such as high-performance
brakes, a roof rack or a high-performance bat-
tery, are not included in the curb weight and the
weight of the accessories.
TIN (Tire Identification Number)
A unique identification number which can be
used by a tire manufacturer to identify tires, for
example for a product recall, and thus identify
the purchasers. The TIN is composed of the
manufacturer identification code, tire size, tire
model code and manufacturing date.
Load bearing index
The load bearing index (also load index) is a code
that contains the maximum load bearing capa-
city of a tire.
Traction
Traction is the result of friction between the tires
and the road surface.
TWR (permissible trailer drawbar load)
The TWR is the maximum permissible weight
that may act on the ball coupling of the trailer
tow hitch.
Wear indicator
Narrow bars (tread wear bars) that are distrib-
uted over the tire tread. If the tir e tread is level
with the bars, the wear limit of áin (1.6 mm)
has been reached.
Distribution of the vehicle occupants
The distribution of vehicle occupants over des-
ignated seat positions in a vehicle.
Maximum permissible payload weight
Nominal load and goods/luggage load plus
68 kg (150lbs) multiplied by the number of
seats in the vehicle.
266What you should know about wheels and tires
Wheels and tires

Flat tire
General notes
If your vehicleis equipped wit h aspar ewheel,
th espar ewhee lis under th erear of th evehicl e
(
Ypage 273).
Information about installin g awhee lcan be
foun din th e"Whee lchange" section
(
Ypage 268).
Changing wheels
Rotating the wheels
GWARNIN G
Interchangin gth efron tand rear wheels may
severely impair th edriving characteristics if
th ewheels or tires have different dimensions.
The whee lbrakes or suspension component s
may also be damaged. Ther eis aris kof acci-
dent.
Rotate fron tand rear wheels only if th ewheels
and tires are of th esam edimensions.
!On vehicles equipped wit h atire pressur e
monitor, electronic component sare locate d
in th ewheel.
Tire-mounting tools should no tbe used near
th evalve. This could damag eth eelectronic
components.
Only have tires changed at aqualified spe-
cialist workshop.
Always observ eth einstruction sand safet y
note sin th e"Mounting awheel" section
(
Ypage 268).
The wear pattern son th efron tand rear tires
differ, depending on th eoperating conditions.
Rotate th ewheels before aclear wear pattern
has formed on th etires .Fron ttires typically
wear mor eon th eshoulder sand th erear tires in
th ecenter.
If your vehicle's tire configuration allows ,you
can rotate th etires according to th eintervals in
th etire manufacturer' swarrant ybook in your
vehicl edocuments .If no warrant ybook is avail-
able, th etires should be rotate devery 3,000 to
6,000 mile
s(
5,00 0to 10,00 0km), or earlier if
tire wear requires. Do no tchang eth edirection
of rotation . Clean th
econtact surface sof th ewhee land th e
brak edisc thoroughly every time awhee lis rota-
ted.
Chec kth etire pressur eand reactivat eth etire
pressur emonitor if necessary.
Diagram showin gtir erotation for single and dual
tires
Single tires: if thetires are of identical dimen-
sions, you can rotate bot hwheels on bot hth e
fron tand rear axle sso that th etires 'original
direction of rotation is maintained. On unidirec -
tional tires ,an arrow on th esidewall shows th e
prescribe ddirection of rotation of th etire.
Twin rea rtires: if thetires are of identical
dimensions, you can rotate th ewheels on th e
fron taxle and th einner wheels on th erear axle
in pair ssuc hthat th eoriginal direction of tire
rotation is retained. Wit hunidirectional tires ,
you may rotate th eoutside wheels at th erear
axle from on eside to th eother .
Direction of rotation
Tires wit h aspecifie ddirection of rotation have
additional benefits ,e.g. if there is aris kof hydro-
planing .You will only gain these benefits if th e
correct direction of rotation is observed.
An arrow on th esidewall of th etire indicates it s
correct direction of rotation .
You may moun t aspar ewhee lagainst th edirec-
tion of rotation .Observ eth etime restriction on
use as well as th espee dlimitation specifie don
th espar ewheel.
Storing wheels
Store wheels that are no tbein gused in acool,
dry and preferably dark place. Protect th etires
from contact wit hoil, grease and fuel .
Changing wheels267
Wheels and tires
Z

Mounting a wheel
Vehicle preparation
XStop the vehicle as far away as possible from
traffic and on a level, firm and non-slip sur-
face.
XIf your vehicle poses a risk to approaching
traffic, switch on the hazard warning lamps.
XApply the parking brake.
XTurn the front wheels to the straight-ahead
position.
XMove the selector lever of the automatic
transmission to position P.
XSwitch off the engine.
XPassengers should leave the vehicle. Make
sure that the passengers are not endangered
as they do so.
XMake sure that no one is near the danger area
while the wheel is being changed. Anyone
who is not directly assisting in the wheel
change should, for example, stand behind the
barrier.
XPlace the warning triangle or warning lamp at
a suitable distance.
Observe legal requirements.
XSecure the vehicle to prevent it from rolling
away.
iObserve the safety notes on parking in the
section on "Driving and parking"
(
Ypage 129).
XOn level terrain: place chocks or other suit-
able objects under the front and rear of the
wheel that is diagonally opposite the wheel to
be changed.
XOn slight inclines: place chocks or other
suitable objects under the wheels on the front and rear axles opposite the wheel to be
changed.
XTake the vehicle tool kit and the jack from the
footwell on the front-passenger side
(
Ypage 241).
XRemove the spare wheel from the spare wheel
bracket (Ypage 274). Observe the safety
notes in the "Spare wheel" section
(
Ypage 273).
XOn wheels with wheel bolts, remove the hub
caps.
XAssemble the lug wrench extension using the
middle rod and the rod with the largest diam-
eter from the three-piece jack pump lever.
XStarting with the middle rod, slide the lug
wrench extension as far as it will go onto the
lug wrench.
XUsing lug wrench :, loosen the wheel bolts/
wheel nuts on the wheel to be changed by
about one full turn. Do not unscrew the wheel bolts/nuts completely.
Raising the vehicle
GWARNING
If you do not position the jack correctly at the
appropriate jacking point of the vehicle, the
jack could tip over with the vehicle raised.
There is a risk of injury.
Only position the jack at the appropriate jack-
ing point of the vehicle. The base of the jack
must be positioned vertically, directly under
the jacking point of the vehicle.
GWARNING
On uphill and downhill slopes, the jack could
tip over with the vehicle raised. There is a risk
of injury.
Do not change wheels on uphill or downhill
gradients. Notify a qualified specialist work-
shop.
!Only position the jack on the jacking points
intended for this purpose. You could other-
wise damage the vehicle.
268Changing wheels
Wheels and tires