tow MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 2018 MY18 Operator’s Manual

Load distribution
General notes
!
Excessive loads on individual points of the
cargo floor or on the load surface impair vehi-
cle handling characteristics and could cause
damage to the floor covering.
The overall center of gravity of the load should
always be as low as possible, centered and
between the axles near the rear axle.
On Cargo Vans and Passenger Vans:
XAlways transport loads in the cargo compart-
ment.
XAlways place the load against the backrests of the rear bench seat.
XMove large and heavy loads as far towards the
front of the vehicle as possible against the
rear bench seat. Stow the load flush with the
rear bench seat.
XAlways additionally secure the load with suit-
able load-securing aids or tie downs.
Observe the following notes:
RDo not stack loads higher than the upper edge
of the backrests.
RTransport loads behind seats that are not
occupied.
RIf the rear bench seat is not occupied, insert
the seat belts crosswise into the buckle of the
opposite seat belt.
Securing loads
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If you attach the tie-down incorrectly when
securing the load, the following may occur in
the event of abrupt changes in direction, brak- ing maneuvers or an accident:
Rthe cargo tie-down rings may become
detached or the tie-down may tear if the
permissible load is exceeded
Rthe load may not be restrained.
This may cause the load to slip, tip over or be
tossed about, striking vehicle occupants.
There is a risk of an accident and injury.
Always tension the tie-downs in the proper
manner and only between the described
cargo tie-down rings. Always use tie-downs
designed specifically for the loads.
!Observe the information on the maximum
loading capacity of the individual cargo tie-
down points.
If you use several cargo tie-down points to
secure a load, you must always take the max-
imum loading capacity of the weakest cargo
tie-down point into account.
If you brake hard, for example, the forces act- ing could be up to several times the weight
force of the load. Always use multiple cargo
tie-down points in order to distribute the force
absorption. Load the anchorages evenly.
Spread the load evenly between the cargo tie-
down points or tie-down rings.
Please also refer to the notes about qualified
specialist workshops (
Ypage 27).
Always observe the operating instructions or the
notes of the lashing strap manufacturer for the
operation of the lashing strap.
Information about the maximum loading capa-
city of the cargo tie-down points can be found in
the "Technical data" section (
Ypage 287).
As the driver, you are responsible for ensuring
that:
RThe load is secured against slipping, tipping,
rolling or falling off. This applies both in nor-
mal traffic conditions and if the vehicle must
swerve to avoid an obstacle, in the event of
full brake application and on poor road sur
fa-
ces.
RThe applicable requirements and guidelines
relating to load-securing practices must be
met.
If this is not the case, this may constitute a
punishable offense, depending on local legis-
lation and any ensuing consequences.
You should therefore observe the respective
legal requirements for the relevant country.
Make sure that the load is secure before every
journey and at regular intervals during a long
journey. Correct an incorrectly or inadequately
secured load if necessary.
You can obtain information about securing the
load correctly from the manufacturer of the load
securing aids or tie down for securing the load.
Securing loads215
Transporting loads
Z

Installing/removing cargo tie-down
rings for the load rails
GWARNING
If th ecargo tie-down rin gis no tproperly
installed, it may slip or become detached in
th eevent of abrup tchanges in direction ,brak -
ing maneuvers or an accident. This may caus e
objects ,luggag eor th eload to slip, ti pove ror
be tosse dabout ,striking vehicl eoccupants.
Ther eis aris kof injury.
Before usin gth ecargo tie-down rings, always
mak esur ethey are properly installed and
canno tbe moved.
XTo install: slide thecargo tie-down rin g
throug h arecess in th eloadin grail close to
th eload until lockin gmechanism :engage s
in th erecess .
iWhen you pull lockin gmechanism :up and
out of th erecess ,th ecargo tie-down rin gis
able to mov ewithin th eloadin grail. Mak e
sur ethat lockin gmechanism :is always
engage din arecess .
XCheckth ecargo tie-down rin gfor fir mseat -
ing .
XTo remove: pull lockingmechanism :up
and pull th ecargo tie-down rin gtowards th e
lockin gmechanism and out of th eloadin grail
throug h arecess .
Carrier systems
Roof carrier
GWARNIN G
When you load th eroof, th ecenter of gravit y
of th evehicl erises and th edriving character-
istics change. If you exceed th emaximum roo f
load, th edriving characteristics ,as well as
steering and braking ,will be greatl yimpaired.
Ther eis aris kof an accident.
Never exceed th emaximum roo fload and
adjust your driving style.
You can fin dinformation about th emaximum
roo fload in th e"Technical data" section
(
Ypage 287).
!Mak esur ethat:
Rth escrews for th eroo fcarrie rare tightened
in th esliding blocks to atorque of
6. 0 – 7.4lb-ft (8 –10 Nm)
Rth ebolts, when tightened, do no ttouch th e
rails .
Rtheslot nut sare no tlocate din th earea of
th eplastic caps.
Rth eslot nut shav eth eright cross-section .
Rthemounting rails in th einterior are free of
dirt .
Rthescrews are retightened evenly after
approximately 30 0mile s(50 0km).
We recommen dtha tyou only use roo fracks
tested and approve dby Sprinter. These help
avoid vehicl edamage.
!If you wan tto retrofit securin grails, hav eit
don eat aqualified specialist workshop .You
could otherwise damage th evehicle.
:Securin grail s
Carrier systems217
Transporting loads
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

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

dangers posed by batteries and
acid.
When handling batteries, observe
the safety precautions and special
protective measures contained in
this Operator's Manual.
HEnvironmental note
Batteries contain dangerous
substances. It is against the
law to dispose of them with
the household rubbish. They
must be collected separatelyand recycled to protect the
environment.
Dispose of batteries in an
environmentally friendly
manner. Take discharged
batteries to a qualified spe-
cialist workshop or a special
collection point for used bat-
teries.
Observe the following notes:
RRecharge the battery more frequently, if you:
-predominantly drive short distances
-predominantly drive at low outside temper-
atures
-park the vehicle for longer than
three weeks.
In order for the batteries to achieve their max- imum possible service life, they must always
be sufficiently charged.
RWhen you park the vehicle, remove the key if
you do not require any electrical consumers.
The vehicle will then use very little energy,
thus conserving battery power.
RWhen replacing a battery, only use batteries
that are recommended for use in Sprinter
vehicles.
RHave the battery removed at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
RIf you leave the vehicle parked for longer than
three weeks:
-consult a qualified specialist workshop or
-switch off the power supply using the bat-
tery main switch (Ypage 118) or
-disconnect the batteries (Ypage 230). Otherwise, you need to check the battery's
condition of charge every three weeks, since
standby power consumption can drain the
battery. If the battery voltage is lower than
12.2 V, the battery must be charged. Other-
wise, the battery may be damaged by exhaus-
tive discharging.
Be sure to observe the notes on charging the
batteries (
Ypage 233).
Installation locations
Your vehicle may be equipped with three bat-
teries, depending on the equipment version:
RStarter battery in the battery case in the left
footwell
RAdditional battery in the engine compartment
RAuxiliary battery under the left-hand front
seat
Have the auxiliary battery removed at a qualified
specialist workshop.
Installing/removing the floor cover-
ing (starter battery)
GWARNING
Objects in the driver's footwell can restrict the pedal travel or obstruct a depressed pedal.
The operating and road safety of the vehicle is
jeopardized. There is a risk of an accident.
Make sure that all objects in the vehicle are
stowed correctly, and that they cannot enter
the driver's footwell. Install the floormats
securely and as specified in order to ensure
sufficient clearance for the pedals. Do not use
loose floormats and do not place floormats on
top of one another.
Battery229
Maintenance and care
Z

!Make sure that:
Rthe side windows and the roof are com-
pletely closed
Rthe climate control blower is switched off
Rthe windshield wiper switch is at position0
The vehicle could otherwise be damaged.
You can wash the vehicle in an automatic car
wash from the very start.
Wash off excess dirt before cleaning the vehicle
in an automatic car wash.
After putting the vehicle through an automatic
car wash, wipe off wax from:
Rthe rear view camera lens (Ypage 237)
Rthe windshield
Rthe windshield wiper blades
This will prevent smears and reduce wiping
noises caused by residue on the windshield.
Washing by hand
In some countries, washing by hand is only
allowed at specially equipped washing bays.
Observe the legal requirements of the country
you are currently in when washing by hand.
XDo not use hot water and do not wash the
vehicle in direct sunlight.
XUse a soft car sponge.
XUse a mild cleaning agent, e.g. a car shampoo
approved for use with Sprinter vehicles.
XThoroughly hose down the vehicle with a gen-
tle jet of water.
XDo not point the water jet directly towards the
air inlets.
XUse plenty of water and rinse out the sponge
frequently.
XRinse the vehicle with clean water and dry
thoroughly with a chamois.
XDo 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.
Power washers
GWARNING
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 washers
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 main-
tained between the nozzle of the high-pres-
sure cleaner and the object to be cleaned:
Rapproximately 2.2 ft(70 cm) when using
round-jet nozzles
Rapproximately 1 ft (30 cm) when using 25°
flat-spray jets and concentrated-power jets
Keep the water jet moving while cleaning. To
avoid causing damage, do not point the water jet directly at:
Rdoor joints
Rbrake hoses
Relectrical components
Relectrical connections
Rseals
Rdrive train, especially not at the intermedi-
ate bearing of the propeller shaft
Rrear view camera
Keep a minimum distance of 1.6 ft(50 cm).
Cleaning the engine
!Water must not enter intake or ventilation
openings. When cleaning with high pressure
water or steam cleaners, the spray must not
be aimed directly at electrical components or
the terminals of electrical lines.
Preserve the engine after the engine has been
cleaned. Protect the belt drive system from
exposure to the preservative agent.
Also observe the information under "Power
washers" (
Ypage 235).
Care235
Maintenance and care
Z

Make sure that you do not apply any wax to
camera lens:when waxing the vehicle. If nec-
essary, remove the wax using water, shampoo
and a soft cloth.
Cleaning the sliding door
XRemove foreign objects from the vicinity of
the contact surfaces and contact pins of the
sliding door.
XClean the contact surfaces and contact pins
with a mild cleaning agent and a soft cloth.
Do not oil or grease the contact plates and con-
tact pins.
Steps
Cleaning the electrical step
Clean the electrically operated step at least
once a month. Make sure that no dirt accumu-
lates in the housing or on the step.
XExtend the electrical step (Ypage 68).
XClose the sliding door until the door lock
engages.
The electrical step remains extended for
cleaning.
XClean the electrical step and the housing with
a power washer.
XAfter cleaning, spray the step guides on each
side with silicone spray when the housing and electrical step are dry.
Do not use oil or grease as a lubricant.
XRetract the electrical step.
Access step in the bumper
Example: access step in the bumper
Pay attention to the important safety notes in
the "Notes on care" (Ypage 234) and "Power
washers" (Ypage 235) sections. Keep step in the bumper
:free from dirt, such
as:
Rmud
Rclay
Rsnow
Rice
XClean access step in the bumper :with a
power washer.
Cleaning the trailer tow hitch
!Do not clean the ball coupling with a power
washer. Do not use solvents.
!Observe the notes on care in the Operator's
Manual for the trailer tow hitch and the ball
coupling manufacturer.
You can also have the maintenance work on the
ball coupling and the trailer tow hitch carried out
by a qualified specialist workshop.
Interior
Cleaning the interior
!When using liquids to clean the vehicle inte-
rior, observe the following points:
RUnder no circumstances use power wash-
ers.
RMake sure that no fluids enter or remain in
gaps and cavities.
REnsure sufficient ventilation when clean-
ing.
RMake sure that the vehicle interior is com-
pletely dry after cleaning.
Cleaning the display
!For cleaning, do not use any of the following:
Ralcohol-based thinner or gasoline
Rabrasive cleaning agents
Rcommercially-available household cleaning
agents
These may damage the display surface. Do
not put pressure on the display surface when cleaning. This could lead to irreparable dam-
age to the display.
238Care
Maintenance and care

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).
Where will I find...?
Vehicle tool kit
General notes
The vehicle tool kit is in the stowage compart-
ment in the footwell on the front-passenger
side.
The vehicle tool kit consists of:
Ra towing eye
Ra screwdriver with Torx, Phillips and slotted
bits
If your vehicle is equipped with a spare wheel
bracket and a jack, the vehicle tool kit addition-
ally contains:
Ra lug wrench
Ra wrench
Ra pump lever rod
iThe jack has a maximum weight of 7.5 kg
depending on the vehicle's equipment.
The maximum payload of the jack can be
found on the sticker on the jack itself.
In the event of a malfunction, please contact a qualified specialist workshop.
Jack maintenance
XAfter use: clean all movable parts and grease
again.
XEvery six months: extend and retract the
piston fully.
Stowage compartment in the front-
passenger footwell
Unlocking and removing the cover
XTurn quick-release fastener :counter-clock-
wise or clockwise 2.
XSlightly raise and pull out the cover.
Removing the vehicle tool kit and the jack
XRemove vehicle tool kit A.
XPull up quick-release lever =and unhook the
retaining strap of jack ?.
XLift jack?upwards out of the holder.
iWhen stowing away the jack, place it in the
holder as shown in the illustration. Make sure
that the retaining strap of the jack is hooked
in and tensioned.
Inserting and engaging the cover
XSlide in the cover and fold it down.
XPress down quick-release fastener :until it
engages.
Where will I find...?241
Breakdown assistance

iJumper cables and further information
regarding jump starting can be obtained at
any qualified specialist workshop.
Before connecting the jumper cables
On vehicles with a battery main switch, check
whether the battery main switch is switched on
(
Ypage 118).
XApply the parking brake.
XMove the selector lever of the automatic
transmission to position P.
XSwitch off all electrical consumers, e.g. audio
equipment, blower.
XTurn the key to position0in the ignition lock
and remove it (Ypage 119).
XOpen the hood (Ypage 219).
Tow-starting and towing away
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Functions relevant to safety are restricted or
no longer available if:
Rthe engine is not running.
Rthe brake system or the power steering is
malfunctioning.
Rthere is a malfunction in the voltage supply or the vehicle's electrical system.
If your vehicle is being towed, much more
force may be necessary to steer or brake.
There is a risk of an accident.
In such cases, use a tow bar. Before towing,
make sure that the steering moves freely.
GWARNING
You can no longer steer the vehicle if the
steering wheel lock has been engaged. There
is a risk of an accident.
Always switch off the ignition when towing the
vehicle with a tow cable or a tow bar.
GWARNING
When towing or tow-starting another vehicle
and its weight is greater than the permissible
gross weight of your vehicle, the:
Rthe towing eye could detach itself
Rthe vehicle/trailer combination could roll-
over.
There is a risk of an accident.
When towing or tow-starting another vehicle,
its weight should not be greater than the per- missible gross weight of your vehicle.
Information on the gross vehicle weight can be
found on the vehicle identification plate
(
Ypage 276).
!Only secure the tow rope or tow bar at the
towing eyes. Otherwise, the vehicle could be
damaged.
!Observe the following points when towing
with a tow rope:
RSecure the tow rope on the same side on
both vehicles.
REnsure that the tow cable is not longer than
legally permitted. Mark the tow cable in the
middle, e.g. with a white cloth (30 x 30 cm).
This will make other road users aware that
the vehicle is being towed.
ROnly secure the tow cable to the towing
eye.
RObserve the brake lamps of the towing
vehicle while driving. Always maintain a dis-
tance so that the tow rope does not sag.
RDo not use steel cables or chains to tow
your vehicle. You could otherwise damage
the vehicle.
!Do not use the towing eye for recovery, this
could damage the vehicle. If in doubt, recover
the vehicle with a crane.
!When towing, pull away slowly and
smoothly. If the tractive power is too high, the
vehicles could be damaged.
When towing away, you must observe the legal
requirements for the country in which you are
currently driving.
It is preferable to have the vehicle transported
on a transporter or trailer instead of towing it.
244Tow-starting and towing away
Breakdown assistance

The automatic transmission selector lever must
be in theNposition when towing the vehicle.
The battery must be connected and charged.
Otherwise, you:
Rcannot turn the key in the ignition lock to
position 2
Rcannot move the selector lever to position N
on vehicles with automatic transmission
Before the vehicle is towed, switch off the auto-
matic locking feature (
Ypage 66). You could
otherwise lock yourself out of the vehicle when
pushing or towing away the vehicle.
Installing/removing the towing eye
The fixture for the front towing eye is located in the
bumper.
Rear towing eye under the bumper, attached to the
chassis
Your vehicle may be equipped with rear towing
eye ;. If you tow or tow-start a vehicle, attach
the towing device to rear towing eye ;.
If your vehicle is equipped with a trailer tow
hitch, attach the towing device to the trailer tow hitch (
Ypage 154). Installing the front towing eye
XTake the towing eye and screwdriver from the
vehicle tool kit (Ypage 241).
XPress cover
:and remove cover :from the
opening.
You will see the fixture for the towing eye.
XScrew in the towing eye clockwise to the stop.
XInsert screwdriver into the towing eye and
tighten it.
Removing the front towing eye
XRemove the screwdriver from the vehicle tool
kit.
XInsert the screwdriver into the towing eye and
turn the screwdriver counter-clockwise.
XUnscrew the towing eye.
XInsert cover :with the lug at the bottom and
press it in at the top until it engages.
XPlace the towing eye and screwdriver back in
the vehicle tool kit.
Towing away in the event of malfunc-
tions
Front or rear axle damage on all-wheel-
drive vehicles
!For vehicles with all-wheel drive, all four
wheels must be raised for towing away. Oth-
erwise, you may damage the transfer case.
If the vehicle can only be raised by the front
axle, you must remove the propeller shaft
between the rear axle and the transfer case.
Always use new bolts when installing the pro-
peller shaft.
If the vehicle has front or rear axle damage, have
it transported on a transporter or trailer.
With transmission damage
!Always use new bolts when installing the
propeller shafts.
iOnly have the propeller shafts fitted or
removed by qualified, skilled personnel.
If the vehicle has transmission damage, have the
propeller shaft removed before towing away.
Tow-starting and towing away245
Breakdown assistance
Z