Dash Controls for 2019+ Mercedes Sprinters
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Common question – Why does our speed limit sign display only go up to 55 mph when the speed limit is 75?
This malfunction comes and goes. Sometimes updating the maps fixes it or if you have Mercedes Me Connect, the van can download updates automatically. Ours works for some days and others we’re back to 55. A mind of her own.
Common Question – What’s with that awful center speaker?
Ya, Mercedes messed up. The speaker is a dual coil and somehow the wires got swapped. Pictures coming soon.
Common Question – How do I turn off the Lane Keeping?
Having a little trouble staying between the lines? Under the center MBUX screen, bottom row of buttons, second from the right with the little wheels, press… then Lane Keeping OFF. Much quicker than jumping through a bunch of screens.
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Driver’s Side
1 – Speedometer and Fuel Gauge
TIP#009: Most vehicles display an arrow ▸ or pump hose to indicate which side the fuel filler cap is on.
2 – Driver’s Information Display
3 – Tachometer and Radiator Fluid Temperature
4 – Airbag and (Roadrunner) Horn. (I suggest you replace the horn with something that fits the size of the vehicle)
5 – Transmission Shift Lever. Press the end button to place in Park
(Paddle gear shifters + / -)
6 – Entertainment Control Panel
7 – Cruise Control Panel
8 – Combination Switch. Turn Signals, High Beam, Windshield wiper Controls
TIP#226: Paddle shifter (+/-) – When climbing large hills or mountains, upshifting is useful for maintaining a specific gear and engine rpm range. Downshifting on the downhill slopes makes use of the engine’s high compression for light braking. Take care not to exceed the red line rpm, as this could severely damage the engine. When manually shifting, you can always pretend you are driving a Maserati. To exit paddle shifting mode and return back to automatic control, hold one of the paddles approx. 5 seconds.
TIP#267: Cruise Control Descending Hills – When driving in hilly or mountainous regions with the cruise control, to maintain the cruise control speed, the system applies the brakes. This can lead to premature brake wear, overheating of the pads and rotors, and possible brake failure. You may want to turn off the cruise control and use the use TIP#226: Paddle Shifting as detailed above and TIP#227: Hill Descending Braking detailed below.
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11 – Home Button
12 – Transmission Paddle Shift to down shift to lower gear
13 – Mini-Touch Pad to control Driver’s Info Display screens.
14 – Cruise Control: Power On/Off
15 – Cruise Control: Following Distance
16 – Cruise Control: Up=Set, Slight Up=Increase by 1 mph, Firm Up=Increase by 5mph, Slight Down=Decrease Speed by 1 mph, Firm Down=Decrease speed by 5mph.
17 – Cruise Control: Up=Resume, Down=Cancel cruise speed setting.
TIP#046: Pressing Up Twice will set cruise speed to the Speed Limit Sign displayed on the driver’s information display. The symbol that looks like a lollypop is a representation of the European speed limit signs.
Using the Left Mini-Touch Pad (13) you can scroll through different Driver’s Information Display screens.
21 – Navigation Screen Home Button
22 – Transmission Paddle Shift to up shift to higher gear
23 – Mini-Touch Pad to control Navigation screen.
24 – Enter Key
25 – Phone Call/Hang up for linked cell phone
26 – Entertainment System Volume Control
27 – Mercedes Voice Command
TIP#236: Volume Roller – Pressing the roller on the steering wheel is a mute button for the entertainment system. It also works with the navigation instructions when pressed while she is talking.
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Lower Dash Controls – Driver Side
31 – Front Fog Lights (right switch), Rear Fog Light (left switch)
32 – Steering Wheel Adjustment (up/dn, in/out)
33 – Four Wheel Drive
34 – Low Range
35 – Chassis Battery Disconnect (some models)
36 – Accelerator Pedal
37 – Brake Pedal
38 – ODB-II Computer Access Port
39 – Hood Release (EIS Module is located behind this panel)
40 – Jump Chassis Battery with House Battery (Coachmen installed)
41 – Display Brightness
42 – Parking Lights (left), Automatic Lights (center), Headlights (right)
TIP#051: If you Sprinter-Chassis battery is too low on charge to start the engine, you can “jump” the chassis battery with the RV-House battery with the switch under the left side of the driver’s dash. Hold the switch [40] for several seconds to connect the RV-House battery to the Sprinter-Chassis battery. This should provide enough power to start the engine. Release the switch once the engine has started. Newer models have a module {Xantrex Echo) that automatically keeps the chassis battery charged from the house battery.
My Favorite Feature!
TIP#011: Sprinter 2019+ Brake hold – foot still on the brake, give the brake pedal a quick, sharp, push down. Brakes will stay on until you press the accelerator.
TIP#227: Hill Descending Braking
– When descending long slopes, avoid holding the brakes for extended periods of time, which can overheat the brakes. This can cause brake failure, damage brake components, and in rare cases a wheel fire.
– Along with engine braking, the best way to brake when going downhill is to press the brake pedal firmly when you feel the vehicle is starting to pick up too much speed. Slow your vehicle down to about five miles per hour below the intended speed. Press the brake for about five seconds before releasing it.
– Pull over if you start to smell the brakes burning, a pungent burning smell. Let them cool off before you start driving again, but do not continue if you think there may be an issue with your brakes.
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TIP#235: 4×4 Drive – Since 2015, North American Sprinters have had a factory 4WD option available; this option employs a viscous transfer case rather than a locking differential. This makes it possible to use it on regular roads in inclement weather where a locking differential would be problematic, especially on dry pavement. Sensors apply the brakes to spinning wheels in order to transfer power to the other wheels to improve traction. The front wheels receive 33% of the power while the back wheels receive 67%.
Sprinters equipped with the 4×4 option have higher ground clearance, an advantage for additional clearance for the macerator but a disadvantage getting in and out of the van. (A sliding door grab handle is a good addition.) When driving a 4×4, the steering is much heavier than the 2wd vehicle, and there is additional noise from the front differential. Fuel mileage is 1-2 miles less, and maintenance costs will be higher than in a 2WD van. Some transmissions clunk when changing gears, especially in reverse. Some people report resonance or droning at around 2100 RPM or vibration under hard acceleration.
Engage 4X4: This is a little tricky. (No, I haven’t tried this yet)
1 – Stop and then drive forward at less than 6 mph
2 – while rolling, press the 4×4 button and the light will flash
3 – While still rolling, shift into neutral and the light will go solid
4 – Shift into Drive
Disengage 4×4:
1 – Stop and then drive forward at less than 6 mph
2 – while rolling, press the 4×4 button and the light will flash
3 – While still rolling, shift into neutral and the light will go OFF
4 – Shift into Drive
* Some people have reported theirs will not disengage. They have had success by:
1 – Leave the driver’s door open
2 – Turn OFF the engine
3 – Wait 10 minutes with the door open
4 – Restart the engine with the door still open.
Low Range 4×4:
1 – While already in 4×4 drive, Stop, shift into neutral
2 – Press Low Range button, a dash message will be shown.
3 – Exit Low Range, in neutral, press the button again.
I really need to try this some day but I’m afraid of getting stuck somewhere. 😉
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(35) Chassis Battery Disconnect
TIP#006: For extended storage (or to reset the electronics), a chassis battery cable disconnect is located behind a door (2019+) to the right of the accelerator pedal.
Inside on the firewall is an “L” shaped cable connector with a red button on the top. Press the red button and pull straight back to disconnect.
To reconnect, push the connector onto the pin until the red button clicks.
NOTE: On 2019+ Sprinters, there is a small backup battery under the driver’s seat that must be disconnected as well. To disconnect it, remove fuse number 32 under the drivers seat. If not disconnected, the battery will drain down and possibly ruin the backup battery.
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(39) EIS Module Condensation – The Mercedes EIS ESL Electronic Ignition Switch and Electronic Steering Lock system exists to make sure your car isn’t stolen. The module is located in the footwell to the left of the brake pedal.
Some 2019+ Sprinters have have problems with condensation shorting out the EIS Module and stranding drivers. Condensation from cooking, showers, breathing, etc. can collect on the wire harness and run down into the EIS shorting out the circuit board.
TIP#074: EIS – Mercedes offers a protective boot (part no: A 638 546 00 35) that should eliminate the problem. Some people have wrapped the module in plastic as protection.
TIP#084: EIS – When cooking or showering, turn on the ventilation fan to remove moisture from inside the van.
TIP#102: EIS module damage can also occur from spilled drinks in the drivers upper dash cup holders. Suggest not placing drinks in the upper dash cup holders.
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Dash Center Section
51 – Parking Camera, Telephone, Navi/Map, Radio/Media
52 – Main Volume Control
53 – Home Button, Mute/Power on/off, Vehicle Functions, Media-Next
54 – Fan Speed – increase/decrease
55 – Buc-ee Beaver
56 – AC, Vent Re-direct, FLASHERS, Windshield Defrost Fan, Circulate, Rear Window Defroster
57 – Temperature Warmer/Cooler
58 – Engine Start Button
TIP#237: You can rearrange home screen icons by holding your finger on the icon and using the arrows to reposition the icon.
TIP#016: The two Air Vents on the top of the dash located on either side of the center storage compartment do not supply heat, only fresh air.
Recall Notice – There is a Mercedes Notice that the recirculation control doors may get stuck. A repair is available at MB dealers.
TIP#144: Sprinter 2019+ DASH Compartments – These storage compartments replace the open trays and can be purchased from Mercedes dealers and installed yourself. They do require a couple of special tools and working in limited space, but they are a very nice addition.
910-680-07-00-9051 ($150)
910-680-08-00-9051 ($150)
Update Feb 2022: RvXplor leading in innovation – Coachmen has now decided to include the dash storage boxes in their builds.
61 – USB-C charging port
62 – Key Fob Verification Location. Sometimes a message is displayed to insert the fob here or if the fob battery is low.
63 – 12 volt receptacle
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71 – Map Light – Driver
72 – Exterior Step Light and Rear Cargo Light
73 – Dome Light
74 – Rear Dome Light ?
75 – Map Light – Passenger
76 – Emergency Call for Help
77 – Mercedes Assistance
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TIP#133: Center Dash Speaker – For years, there have been complaints about the center speaker overpowering the other speakers. The simple fix was to disconnect the black connector. Mercedes has finally addressed the issue and it turns out they had the connector wires swapped. The pins need to be removed from the connectors and swapped. (Instructional in progress)
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9 – Passenger Seat
10 – Dash Controls
11 – FireFly Control Panel