Any MB/Freightliner Sprinter Drivers?

Springie15 · Jul 30, 2021

Please be gentle- I am just starting the course to full time vanlife and would very much appreciate some advice from more experienced folks. There may be dumb-sounding questions.

After much chaos, trial and error, endless research etc. I decided to buy a Freightliner 2500 Diesel 6-cyl Sprinter, 170". As this is going to be my home, my office and my vehicle, I knew the way to go was diesel so I invested in that and it was HARD to find one that met my needs for safety feature, was 2500 diesel, parking package, blah blah so I just found jackpot in UT at a much better rice than what I'd pay to have it ordered, or the existing inventory I was seeing around the south/west. So, I pulled the trigger.

I need to fly to TX where they will deliver it to me. I have to haul something from TX to OR so I'll drive it back up with me and deliver the transport contents. .... but I've never driven a large van nor a diesel before.
It will be delivered to me in a large but likely congested parking lot in a busy city that I am flying out to receive and drive back home. If you could send me as much advice as possible, beginning with how you start a dang diesel van, to things I should be aware of because this is a big-ass car, I would SO APPRECIATE IT!

I'd like to be as prepared as possible. It is scary to get into such a drastically different type and size of vehicle without a chance to practice a bit until I feel comfortable driving it 1500miles to take it home. The thought of some stupid city street accident in my brand new home/office/car
is haunting me and I'd love as much as possible of real-peer advice.

I know starting a diesel engine is different from how a gas engine is designed to turn (glow plugs v. spark plugs, etc). How do you do it then? I literally cannot find a "Sprinter for dummies" video to show something as simple as starting the car - under normal conditions. Because I don't know how normal circumstances compare to the freezing weather that I am reading about in the actual results from my googling.
I need general do's and don'ts that I'd regret not knowing sooner at this stage in the game.
What tips can you offer me while I get this thing out of a congested area?

Thanks so much!

bullfrog · Jul 30, 2021

Do you have a dealership near by? Why not have them take you for a test drive and show you everything you need to know?

travelaround · Jul 31, 2021

I don't have a Sprinter and no diesel, so can't answer to that. However I had similar feelings right before getting my Ford Transit 350 (high roof, extended length) a couple years ago. I thought that driving it safely would be challenging and felt a bit fearful about having to pick it up in Coeur d'Alene. However it turned out to be just like driving a car - but in a way, easier because the side mirrors are much larger. I think when you pick it up, just get out of the city as quickly as you can and within about 24 hours it will be like second nature to you.

StarryNights · Jul 31, 2021

Bullfrog is correct; seller or dealer should be able to give you enough training so you can confidently start driving. Make sure you get basics on things like AC controls, fuel and DEF filling, warning lights, locking system, cruise control. MB does some things different!

I think you will find Travelaround's experience to be accurate. This may be a large vehicle, but it is actually easy to drive.

It is summer so starting your Sprinter will be the same a gas engine. When temp below freezing, turn on ignition and wait until glow plug indicator light goes out, then start and drive. Simple.

For last 15 years I've only had diesel vehicles, and have a 2003 Sprinter (22 feet long) I converted to live and work in off grid. Wonderful vehicle.

Your best source of Sprinter info is https://sprinter-source.com/forums. Join, it is free.

PM me if you want to talk and get some tips.

Sent from my LM-V405 using Tapatalk

dhuff · Aug 20, 2021

I usually drive smaller cars (my daily driver is a Honda Civic). But recently rented a Ford Transit from UHaul to move some stuff and it was very easy to get used to. Nothing different than driving a big SUV. The only difference was having to pay attention to the size of parking spaces and the height of drive-thru locations.

tx2sturgis · Aug 20, 2021

Springie15 said:
I need to fly to TX where they will deliver it to me. I have to haul something from TX to OR so I'll drive it back up with me and deliver the transport contents. ....

It will be delivered to me in a large but likely congested parking lot in a busy city that I am flying out to receive and drive back home

This sounds kinda sketchy to me. I hope it works out for you!