5 Things You MUST KNOW if Your Bought a Sprinter Van
5 Things You MUST KNOW If You Bought a Sprinter Van
Hey everybody, John from Owl here! While this video might not break the internet, it’s definitely going to save you some frustration if you’re new to owning a Sprinter Van. Whether you just bought one or are thinking about making a purchase, there are a few quirks about these vans that can drive you crazy—if you don’t know how to deal with them. Luckily, I’m here to explain everything so that your Sprinter Van experience is smooth and hassle-free.
The Oil Dipstick Dilemma
Let’s start with the oil dipstick—or lack thereof. Most Sprinter Vans these days don’t come with a traditional dipstick. Instead, they rely on a digital oil measurement system, which can be frustratingly slow and difficult to interpret. But don’t worry—you can still buy an analog dipstick, and I highly recommend doing so for peace of mind.
Here’s why: the digital system can take a while to display the correct oil level. In my own experience, after getting a warning that my oil was low, I added more oil... but the reading didn’t update quickly. So I added a bit more, and eventually, I ended up with an overfill and a check engine light. Too much oil can be dangerous for your engine, just like too little oil. To avoid that mess, a manual dipstick is your best friend. Let’s move on to how you can easily install one in your Sprinter Van.
Installing a Dipstick on Your Sprinter Van
First, pop open the hood of your Sprinter Van. You’ll see the spot where oil is added, and right next to it, there’s a plug covering a hole for the dipstick. Simply remove the plug, insert the dipstick (which you can get from us or any Mercedes dealer), and you’re good to go. Now, you’ll be able to check your oil manually without relying solely on the slow digital system.
The Sprinter Van Parking Brake Trick
Next up is the Sprinter Van parking brake—another feature that can trip you up if you’re not familiar with how it works. The parking brake is designed to allow the front seats to swivel around for added versatility inside your van. But here’s the catch: if the parking brake is engaged, it prevents the seat from rotating.
So, what’s the solution? Mercedes engineers designed the brake lever so that even when the parking brake is engaged, you can push it down, allowing the seat to swivel. If you ever feel like the parking brake is stuck, simply lift up on the lever while pressing the button, and you’ll be able to release it. It’s a small trick, but one that will make your Sprinter Van life a lot easier.
Turning Off Lane Assist Quickly
Many drivers find the Lane Assist feature in their Sprinter Van to be a bit too intrusive, especially given the high center of gravity of the van. If you want to turn it off, there’s a quick way to do so. Instead of navigating through the menu system, simply press the button with the van icon on your dashboard. This will turn off Lane Assist instantly, though it will reset each time you restart your van.
A Quick Way to Disconnect the Battery
Need to disconnect the battery in your Sprinter Van? Instead of going through the hassle of removing floor panels to access the actual battery, there’s a faster way. Mercedes has provided a quick battery disconnect feature located near the key slot. Simply press the red button and pull the connector off, and you’ll have the battery disconnected in no time. This is especially useful when you’re doing any maintenance that requires the battery to be off.
Improve Your Sprinter Van’s Sound System
Finally, if you want to instantly improve the sound quality of your Sprinter Van’s stereo system, disconnect the center speaker. While the stock sound system is decent, removing the center speaker can dramatically enhance the audio experience. Many van owners swear by this simple trick. If you want to go further, we also offer an upgraded stereo system, but even just disconnecting that center speaker will make a noticeable difference.
Conclusion
Owning a Sprinter Van comes with some unique quirks, but once you know how to handle them, your experience will be much smoother. Whether it’s managing the digital oil system, understanding the parking brake mechanism, or tweaking the sound system, these tips will help you get the most out of your van without unnecessary frustration.
Remember, if you have any questions, we have our van experts standing by at all times. Give us a call at (866) 695-8267 and we'll be happy to help you.
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More soon,
John Willenborg