It is also strongly recommended that you have
the brakepads checked at a qualified specialist
workshop, not only at every service displayed by
the maintenance interval display, but also prior to
long journeys and whenever the wheels are
removed.
New brake discs and brakepads
New brakepads and brake discs only reach their
optimal braking effect after approximately
100 miles (100 kilometers).
Until then, compensate for the reduced braking
effect by applying greater pressure to the brake
pedal. For safety reasons, Freightliner Sprinter
recommends that you only have brakepads and
brake discs which are approved by Freightliner
Sprinter installed on your vehicle.
Other brake discs or brakepads may compromise
the safety of your vehicle.
Always replace all brake discs and brakepads on
an axle at the same time. Always install new
brakepads when replacing brake discs.
Parking brake
&
WARNING Risk of skidding or an acci‐
dent by braking with the parking brake
If you have to brake your vehicle with the
parking brake, the braking distance is consid‐
erably longer and the wheels may lock. There
is an increased risk of skidding and/or acci‐
dent.
#
Only brake the vehicle with the parking
brake if the service brake has failed.
#
In this case, do not apply the parking
brake with too much force.
#
If the wheels lock, immediately release
the parking brake as much as required
for the wheels to turn again.
Vehicles with a manual parking brake
When driving on wet roads or dirt-covered surfa‐
ces, road salt or dirt may get into the parking
brake. This causes corrosion and a reduction of
braking force.
In order to prevent this, drive with the parking
brake lightly applied from time to time.
When doing so, drive for a distance of approx‐
imately 300 ft at a maximum speed of 13 mph
(20 km/h).
The brake lights do not light up when you brake
the vehicle with the parking brake.
Information about driving on wet roads
Hydroplaning
&
WARNING Risk of aquaplaning because
tire tread is too low
Depending on the depth of the water on the
roadway, aquaplaning can occur despite suffi‐
cient tire tread depth and low speed.
#
Avoid tire ruts and brake carefully.
Therefore, in heavy rain or other conditions in
which hydroplaning can occur, drive as follows:
R
Reduce your speed
R
Avoid tire ruts
R
Brake carefully
Driving on flooded roads
Bear in mind that vehicles traveling in front or in
the opposite direction create waves. This may
cause the maximum permissible depth of water
to be exceeded. These notes must be observed
under all circumstances. Otherwise, you can
damage the engine, electrics and transmission.
If you have to drive on stretches of road on which
water has collected, please bear in mind the fol‐
lowing:
R
The water level of standing water may not be
above the lower edge of the front bumper.
R
You may drive no faster than walking pace.
Observe the notes on fording while off-road for
all-wheel drive vehicles (
/
page 113).
Information about driving in winter
&
DANGER Risk of fatal injury due to poi‐
sonous exhaust gases
If the tailpipe is blocked or sufficient ventila‐
tion is not possible, poisonous exhaust gases
such as carbon monoxide may enter the vehi‐
cle. This is the case when the vehicle
becomes stuck in snow, for example.
#
Keep the tailpipe and the area around
the vehicle free from snow when the
engine or the stationary heater are run‐
ning.
#
Open a window on the side of the vehi‐
cle facing away from the wind to ensure
an adequate supply of fresh air.
112 Driving and parking
