Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Operating Instructions Manual page 116

114 Driving and parking
Unsuitable fuel can cause engine damage. Infor‐
mation about fuel can be found in the "Fuel" sec‐
tion ( page 255).
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Information about transport by rail
Transporting your vehicle by rail may be subject
to certain restrictions or require special meas‐
ures to be taken in some countries due to varying
tunnel heights and loading standards.
You can obtain information about this from any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Notes on brakes
& WARNING Risk of skidding and of an
accident due to shifting down on slippery
road surfaces
If you shift down on slippery road surfaces to
increase the engine braking effect, the drive
wheels may lose traction.
Do not shift down on slippery road sur‐
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faces to increase the engine braking
effect.
& WARNING Risk of accident due to the
brake system overheating
If you leave your foot on the brake pedal
when driving, the brake system may overheat.
This increases the braking distance and the
brake system may even fail.
Never use the brake pedal as a footrest.
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Do not depress the brake pedal and the
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accelerator pedal at the same time
while driving.
Downhill gradients
On long and steep downhill gradients you should
observe the following instructions:
In vehicles with an automatic transmission,
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shift down to shift ranges 2 or 1 in good time
so that the engine is running at a medium to
high engine speed (
%
Change the shift range in good time when
cruise control is activated. Observe the driv‐
ing tips ( page 111).
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You thereby make use of the braking effect of the
engine and do not have to brake as often to main‐
tain the speed. This relieves the load on the
service brake and prevents the brakes from over‐
heating and wearing too quickly.
page 124).
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Heavy and light loads
If the brakes have been subjected to a heavy
load, do not stop the vehicle immediately. Drive
on for a short while. The brakes cool down more
quickly in the airflow.
If the brakes have been used only moderately,
you should occasionally test their effectiveness.
To do this, brake more firmly from a higher speed
while paying attention to the traffic conditions.
The brakes will grip better as a result.
Wet road surfaces
If you have been driving for a long time in heavy
rain without braking, there may be a delayed
response when you first apply the brakes. This
may also occur after driving through a car wash
or deep water. You must depress the brake pedal
more firmly. Maintain a greater distance to the
vehicle in front.
While paying attention to the traffic conditions,
you should brake the vehicle firmly after driving
on a wet road surface or through a car wash. This
heats the brake discs so that they dry more
quickly, which protects them against corrosion.
Limited braking effect on salt-treated roads:
A layer of salt on the brake discs or brake‐
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pads can increase braking distances consid‐
erably, or braking may happen on only one
side
Maintain an especially large safe distance to
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the vehicle in front
To remove the layer of salt:
Apply the brakes from time to time, paying
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attention to traffic conditions
Carefully depress the brake pedal at the end
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of a journey and after the start of a new jour‐
ney
Checking the brakepad thickness
In addition to monitoring using the brakepad wear
sensor, regularly monitor and check all of the
brakepads by performing a visual inspection to
look for pad material wear.
If you are unable to check the brakepad wear on
the inside of the wheels, remove the wheels if
you possess the required skills, or visit a qualified
specialist workshop.
If the brakepad material thickness is less than
0.12 in (3 mm), have the brakepads checked and
replaced at a qualified specialist workshop, if
necessary.
Do not solely rely on the brakepad wear sensor.