5 Things You Must Know If You Bought A Sprinter Van

The Sprinter is one of the most capable and popular adventure vans on the planet. That doesn't mean it is free from its quicks, however. In this video, John from Owl Van's walks you through a few quick items every first-time (or long-time) Sprinter owner should know!
Save yourself some headache with these 5 tips
Dip Stick: owlvans.com/products/sprinter...
www.owlvans.com

[@tommypelletier2334]

By far the most informative platform out there. You guys are crushing it.

[@SurferGirlHB-ol5dh]

I’m so glad you addressed that confusing parking brake! So many times I would start backing out with the brake on thinking it was off! Yikes!

[@gen2-x364]

Vehicle manufacturers getting rid of oil dip sticks was a crazy move.

[@sthcstog]

Just bought my first Sprinter and this video was super helpful...thank you!

[@tedc7533]

Thanks for the many great videos. I just bought a sprinter for the first time last month, a 2008 144” RWD 2500. I am lying in bed recovering from a surgery, watching your videos, hoping these tips and parts you sell apply to my van :-).

[@BigRray]

I am a Red Cross Volunteer and we use the sprinter van for our Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) its those vans with the serving windows on the side. This is great information to have and I will pass it on. Thank You

[@freshfilmsllc]

Best video of the year! The parking brake part helped me! Thanks for all you guys do!

[@billbeyatte]

You're a treasure to us van owners. Thanks

[@roberttober485]

Terrific video by a terrific advocate of quality. Thanks for your wonderful products and that fact that you obviously want to impart important and useful information to Sprinter owners.

[@owlvansengineering]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@rfchip9686]

Thank you for the info. Just got our van and always looking for tips.

[@JavierDiaz-gt5dc]

Wow, so helpful !! Love the dip stick and battery disconnect tips. Thank you !!

[@pworker8124]

Those tips are gold! Thank you!

[@user-lb1eh8hn8s]

A big thank you for providing really helpful information regarding this van.😊

[@gnawbabygnaw]

Sprinter $100k (dipstick not included can be purchased separately) Amazing.

[@bookerjones1757]

Useful information and greatly appreciated - well presented. Thank you so much!

[@brendabaca8301]

Thank you soooo much from a female senior flying solo. It’s the littlest that make a BIG difference.

[@mini2nut67]

Excellent video! I have an order in for a 2024 3500 Dually low roof Sprinter Crew van. My Sprinter dealer is just waiting for an allocation to open up. These tips will come in handy after delivery. Cheers…

[@OverlandCitrus]

Great vid just purchased a 4x4 sprinter great info you shared Thank You

[@rangerider51]

Good information. If I ever get a Sprinter van I’ll understand it better but right now I have a 2020 Ford high roof with egoboost and AWD and I like it.

[@jonjoubert4734]

Thank you John! The battery disconnect is a fabulous shortcut. Thanks for sharing the info.

[@mini2nut67]

Would also help as an anti theft measure.

[@billladieu9225]

Per the manual wait 15 minutes after turning off the van to disconnect. Failure to do so, per Mercedes, may cause damage to the computer system.

[@c-qc-q2021]

​@@billladieu9225That's a (potentially expensive) bug! I haven't seen that kind-of a problem in personal computers or phones for years!

[@sgm7777]

Mate your a legend!! Excellent video 😊

[@chrissheehan9417]

Very helpful video with good tips. Thanks !

[@maxxonetwo3]

Thank you for the information & detail video.

[@nfri5108]

love your videos and your shop in Colorado!

[@emmanuealmarshallsr6819]

Great video, and it's very informative!

[@solarwind907]

Thinking about buying a 2015. Not sure if it looks like this one but I’m sure your tips will help. Thank you very, very much!

[@michaelshankin6320]

Much appreciated John. 👍

[@144steveg]

Great Video....Super helpful

[@-chic]

Awesome video, thank you SO much.

[@svenhodaka9145]

Some small, but important details to know. Thanks 👍

[@viktorb5280]

Awesome video . Leaned some new facts . Very helpful. As an FYI on the center speaker. Yes that is a quick fix, but Mercedes has finally released an official recall fix where the dealer will rewire the system to make it sound much better with the center speaker. Obviously the after market system is the best solution but the recall makes the OEM acceptable.

[@orange13]

exactly. and it is a super-easy DIY fix. basically 2 wire pairs have to be swapped between the 2 plugs going into the speaker. takes less than 10 minutes and improves sound quality by 74.65%

[@BradyRay_333]

Owl really should take the 5 minutes to update this videos description with the fix.

[@headinghome1644]

All good stuff. Thanks for my free dipstick you gave me with my last shop mods.

[@kyleberger1740]

Do you just leave the dipstick there? Very helpful thank you!!

[@azores-pv6ft]

Excellent excellent video very informative. Thank you very much. You guys are great.

[@steveyates4790]

Great video. Thanks

[@AdamBantonRides]

Great simple vid. Now I finally know where to put that key. wow. Fun fact, my 22' 170 GASOLINE Sprinter came with a dip stick. Weird. BTW, so happy you are in Mesa, AZ. Cheers.

[@glennloadsman5990]

Love it John, thanks heaps....BTW...here in Australia I have the Owl Vans PISMO bumper on order from your agent here in OZ, I guess my van will be the first to have the PISMO fitted in OZ.....hoping your supply chain to Australia is on time 🙂....will be sure to take a pic once fitted.....FYI we r also having the passenger side step and tyre carrier fitted as well!!!!!....love your products, hating the exchange rate 😞

[@owlvansengineering]

So pumped to see our gear in Oz! Please do send pics. Yes, sorry about the cost, moving large heavy items from the US is massively expensive for the importer. Our hope is to do more business in Australia and allow Adventure Fitouts to bring in larger quantities to help bring the cost down.

[@mattdynes809]

Now.... THAT... was an informative video!!

[@ivankorth4458]

Wow great info

[@accidentscienceinc.2056]

Thanks for the awesome info. I purchased my new 2022 Tiffin Cahaba with the Sprinter platform in March of this year but it has been in the repair shop for 12 weeks now having the poor workmanship by Tiffin fixed. When I get it back in my hands I plan to add lots of Owl products to it.

[@owlvansengineering]

Sorry to hear about your delays, that’s got to be super frustrating. Hope you’re back on the road again soon!

[@RichardAmesMusic]

Same here - I purchased a Tiffin Cahaba last March and I've never successfully completed a trip with it. Some major component always breaks. It's been in the shop most of the 14 months I've owned it. Total crap.

[@Ricardo-SW]

Excellent!

[@aaronclark280]

MB has issued a bulletin on the Speaker. (its topic L182.85-N-071147 7/19/22) They did the correction free of charge based on it and then I avoided having to take any risk of mis wiring or doing a poor job. One day at the local service center (which i'm fortunate to have close by) It was a massive improvement to the stock speakers and now all of them sound balanced.

[@erniemartin2712]

Very informative video. thank u

[@dannidunn9302]

Excellent on the dipstick!

[@MDanceInc]

That was some good info.....!! I will look into the factory recall of the front speaker...it drives me nuts

[@BradyRay_333]

There is an actual fix to the middle speaker issue (not just disconnect) kzbin.info/www/bejne/mHrYfGVtn7eMhsk

[@petemckenzie7754]

Great tips

[@priscillawrites6685]

I’m planning to get a used sprinter. Hope it has a dipstick. I learned that ‘too much oil’ thing with a Subaru Legacy.

[@shshlens]

This is outstanding! THANK YOU. Learned a few new things about my 2020 van. I also noticed something you didn’t mention, that I’m going through as well: “Front Left Malfunction - consult workshop.” How do i turn that stupid thing off?

[@Contrakt1810]

You should probably consult with a workshop.

[@kwik8534]

Great video! Why would they put a manual in park break when all other Mercedes / car brands have electric now anyway ? Serious question

[@mtnride4930]

EXCELLENT JOHN! Where did ya get that cover for the e brake?

[@owlvansengineering]

owlvans.com/products/e-brake-handle-cover?_pos=1&_sid=42c50beb5&_ss=r

[@johnplyler7054]

Thanks so much! How about a video on how to disconnect the center speaker?

[@owlvansengineering]

Good idea

[@tuomasholo]

This was very helpful. I wish there’s a way to turn off the daytime running lights.

[@jgcruisers]

Good videos, thinking about a 2.7 2003 that needs work. but it is the airstream version. has 250k

[@dvuono1]

@1:51 What tool did you use to reset the SRS fault?

[@thevancave9630]

Helpful tips! What are the wheel/tire specs on the van in the video?

[@owlsupport]

285/75/17 nitto ridge grappler on Owl Talon Rims!

[@bobwojcik6196]

Love my dipstick. Although mine is a 2016

[@Nutter-jv5ik]

the parking brake!! we bought wheel chocks because of not knowing this! yes! thanks!!!! Recently ran into each of these annoying little peccadillos, this video would have saved us so much time!

[@SonofDarnell]

Bro lane keep assist turn off short cut is money! Thanks so much! I will have to add the sprinter has some very quirky things going on like not remembering your settings for recirculate air and adaptive cruise you have to reset them every time the vehicle is turned off very very annoying same with lane keep assist always comes on which the exact opposite of what I wish. Come on Merc it is our car and we should have control of those functionalities.

[@EdVenture547]

John, I noticed that your seat has 2”spacers, I guess the drivers seat is aftermarket or is there another reason??

[@lifthearth]

Can you leave the dipstick in full time or do you have to put the Mercedes plug in to start driving again?

[@elizabethdeskoski998]

Stupid question but do you leave the dipstick in or only use it to check oil and then replace black plug?

[@DanaB49]

Hi John, Thanks for the video. I have had the issue with the electronic oil level, placing the key in it's slot, the parking brake issue and omg the center speaker 🤦‍♂. FYI, when you call the MB dealer they ask for the last 8 of the vin, they look it and then tell you the vehicle doesn't have a place for a oil dip stick. I ordered one from you'all. Also, where did you get the bar on the dash you have the Garmin Overland GPS attached.

[@owlvansengineering]

We are learning that some of the 23's might not have a spot for a dipstick hole. Do you have a '23?

[@DanaB49]

No, I have '21 Checked and found the dipstick hole before ordering@@owlvansengineering

[@mitchellbarnow1709]

There is no end to the deceptive policies of Daimler Benz franchised dealerships.

[@BradyRay_333]

There is an actual fix (not just disconnect) for the middle speaker... kzbin.info/www/bejne/mHrYfGVtn7eMhsk

[@dmwi1549]

Good video. Do you sell the accessory rack seen on n the dash holding the In-Reach?

[@owlvansengineering]

We have a new one coming out in a few weeks

[@dmwi1549]

Thanks, I’ll watch or it. By the way, the dipstick info is much appreciated. I’m going to check my 2019 V6.

[@scotthilbun6796]

Anyone know if there are different types of manual parking brake options? my 2020 crew 4x4 manual parking brake does not seem to have the option to lower the handle while engaged. Thx

[@emmayarseeyuess9044]

Great advice. Subscribed.

[@Wipedout63]

Thanks for the video - can you tell me about the bar that the garmin and spot are mounted to above the info system please!!?? What is it? Where can I get it? thanks!!

[@heinibimmler]

That would be great, im also looking for a mounting solution like that😊😊

[@RocklinGerbs]

I have a 2018 2500 and can't seem to find the dipstick tube you show in the video, nor is the Internet any help. Is there already a dipstick somewhere - is the tube in a different location?? Thanks for the tips!

[@johnwillenborg]

I beleive that year has a dipstick from the factory

[@markcoker1471]

Thank you.

[@GWAYGWAY1]

Mine has both a dip stick and digital readout.

[@lyfandeth]

Audi has done the same dipstick thing for at least 10 years. The electronics can take overnight to update. RFPITA. Most of their dealers say there is no dipstick available. A rare few say "no problem" and sell it. Just means some German engineers are still pissed about losing WW2.

[@rajmadhure]

so helpful. lane assist is the worst.

[@SuperBardley]

If my van has the 2nd battery option installed (under the passenger seat), will the disconnect still work?

[@ModularMuscle]

I love owl products, but I love even more an owl video that isn't necessarily trying to sell anything. Thanks John. BTW - please add Jayco/Entegra Terrain/Launch to your "shop by van" drop down. Good amount of us who want to buy but aren't sure of fit.

[@ronaldduty7854]

Say if I want a Jayco Where you located

[@mikep4811]

How did you shut the door with the key inside without it locking?

[@bogandbuild]

Do you know (or anyone) if the middle speaker delete improves in the sound for the NCV3 model system as well?

[@willcarter5837]

what is the rear/forward view camera system you are using instead of the rear view mirror?

[@kristenleep2977]

I also came here to ask the same question!

[@michaelczerwinski190]

I have the 2019 winnebago navion and is there a way to make back up camera work while towing? Why they made it only for back.up when there is no rear view is beyond me. Thx Mike

[@owlvansengineering]

My guess is that is a non Mercedes camera. If it is a factory Mercedes camera then we have a module what will allow it to stay on whenever you want

[@micheandmikey]

I sure wish you'd make / sell a hood kit for the older rigs (jealousy sucks) 😄✌

[@KimberlyClever]

Yes! I knew I turned off the lane assist and yet, it's back on!....now I know. Thank you

[@davidrasmussen2975]

I have a 2020 sprinter with winnebago View coach. I got tired of lane assist applying brakes at high speed. Instead of disabling it every time I start it, I placed a small piece of black duct tape to outside of windshield to blind the lane edge paint stripes. The ground plug needs to be disconnected if not using van for more than a few days or the battery will be drained and will kill it from sulphating the plates. It’s a very expensive trip to Mercedes dealer and not covered by warranty. I change engine oil and filter every 7000 miles. I use Mercedes oil and Mann filter and keep receipts with photo of dash mileage and date to prove compliance with warranty. The OEM of 20k is crazy and has excessive wear from carbon particulates.

[@kathylong9087]

At the end, behind you, there's a 144 with a small window in the sliding door. What window is that?

[@tylercopeland1161]

Don't store your diesel van with an empty DEF tank. The sensors in the tank are likely to corrode, fail and throw a CEL. You can't just replace the sensor/s in the tank. You have to replace the entire DEF tank assembly/def heater/etc. Very expensive mistake. I got lucky and filled my DEF tank after CEL came on and after 2 days my CEL turned off.

[@Thefertilityguy]

Thanks

[@speedofheat7425]

What is your Garmin Tread mounted on? Thanks

[@owlvansengineering]

It is mounted on a Novelrig but we have a new mount dropping in a couple weeks that is an awesome step forward

[@enigmacode_1]

Subscribed! 🔔

[@agnesofglassstudiogalleryl8921]

Thank you for sharing your info. Definitely looking for a travel van but more and more videos on KZbin talk about the mishap of Mercedes reject in the vehicle seems like a money pit. Keep on having to buy things that should’ve already been there after spending $80-$90,000, a seems ridiculous to me. I’ll keep on looking.

[@gracesichel3409]

What things have you had to buy that you felt should have been in it? Interested as want to buy one

[@orderstudios4088]

What tablet is that?

[@sandyradsek2058]

Is the dip stick different for each motor?

[@owlvansengineering]

Yes and the new motors do not have a hole for one.

[@peterjs3408]

How do you get only some of the oil out if you overfill without it going all over?

[@owlvansengineering]

Typically we would just open the drain plug slowly and let some drain out. As you get close to the plug coming out some oil should start flowing out. You can let it drain into a pan and then retighten the drain plug

[@bradgilley]

Great video. Anyone know of a way to turn off "Crosswind Assist?" It's terrifying when it engages at highway speeds. Horrible "feature" IMO.

[@owlvansengineering]

Only solve for that is a suspension upgrade. Van Compass 4.3 and it will solve it. It’s because the van is under spring when built out.

[@JuhaLindstrom-tm8fo]

No need to disconnect the central speaker. Tons of videos out there about it. The speaker has black plug in front and white plug in the rear. You need to swap wires from black plug to white and white plug to black. This was Mercedes error at factory and service bulletin is out for it. They won’t fix it for you unless you ask them to. But it’s a simple 5 minute fix with a small flat head screwdriver.

[@januszabr]

Thank you for the tips. How do I order the engine oil dipstick for my 2020 SPRINTER 3.0L V6 OM642 engine. The search returns no results.

[@owlvansengineering]

owlvans.com/products/sprinter-dipstick-2019-2022-vs30?_pos=1&_sid=dbc534a30&_ss=r

[@januszabr]

@@owlvansengineering Thank you

[@Bruce.Walker]

John- How do you disconnect the speaker?

[@BradyRay_333]

There is an actual fix to the middle speaker issue (not just disconnect) kzbin.info/www/bejne/mHrYfGVtn7eMhsk

[@prolix21]

have had my van 2 years and now i finally understand the stupid parking break lever

[@roesch1111]

I have just gotten 2024 170 AWD and to disconect you need to wait 20 min just an FYI

[@scttstnfld]

Legit. Small things but all important. Also, if you get the oil dipstick, once you remove it from the plastic, make sure to install it. I waited (not sure why) for a month and it rusted.

[@owlvansengineering]

Never thought about that. Good point

[@gringoreno]

MB went to ahit compared to pre80 vehicles

[@mitchellbarnow1709]

Poorly engineered and overpriced, that's Daimler Benz!

[@johnrose7212]

what should a person do if the van is underpowered ?

[@owlvansengineering]

We recommend our Pedal Control and Renntech Engine Tune. It add a lot of power. We will say, if you're at altitude you may experience some rpm pulsing. It will still add a lot of power but keep that in mind if you're always at high altitude.

[@jisohno2555]

😮I’m flabbergasted.

[@joeshmoe8952]

Did Mercedes stop making the Gasoline Sprinter?