How To Engage 4-Wheel Drive on Your Mercedes-Benz Sprinter | Outside Van
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- Опубликовано: 16 фев 2021
- Just like when starting anything new, sometimes you need help with the basics. Thats why we're here to help. This is a demonstration on how to safely engage 4-Wheel Drive (both High and Low functions) on your Mercedes-Benz Sprinter.
If you have any questions about the procedures covered in this video, please reach out to our service and warranty department at service@outsidevan.com.
Outside Van is not responsible for any damage that may occur from improper 4WD activation. This serves only as a guide to basic procedures. 
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Thank you for this video. This is the most complicated vehicle to get into 4x4 I have ever owned. If not done exactly right, the system does nothing.
To engage or disengage 4wd, I just roll forward very slowly in neutral and *then* press the 4wd button. Works instantly.
I just watched this video again, and I realized, my previous comment has nothing to do with this video, nor does it do this video justice. I for one didn't know how to use a Sprinter van's 4x4 system, and now I do. So thanks to Outside Vans for posting this!
Best video on this topic I’ve ever seen. No idea why they make it so hard to shift out of 4wd, but each time I do it, I have to peek at this video. Thank you!!
Happy to help!
How fast can you go in 4x4 high when engaged?
The problem with engaging 4WD whilst moving forward is that you may not be on a suitable surface to allow that, especially when you need one eye inside to press the switch and monitor the flashing light. This is how I engage and disengage 4WD on my 2016 Sprinter and it works just fine, on sloping terrain and even if you are already in the section for which you need the 4WD as there is no rolling forward.
TO ENGAGE 4WD:
1. Stop vehicle.
2. Select transmission to N
3. Press 4WD button and wait.
4. If light continues to flash more than about 5 seconds, move transmission momentarily to R, then back to N. It should stop flashing.
5. If low range is required press the Low Range button.
6. Confirm 4WD and Low Range (if applicable) is shown on the instrument panel. If it is you're good to go.
TO DISENGAGE 4WD:
1. Stop vehicle.
2. Select transmission to N.
3. Press Low Range button if you were in Low Range.
4. Press 4WD button and wait.
5. If light continues to flash for more than about 5 seconds, move the transmission to R momentarily then back to N. It should stop flashing.
6. Check the instrument panel to ensure 4WD and Low Range lights are extinguished.
Tip: Write these steps out on a piece of paper and keep it handy tucked into the back of the driver's sun visor.
I have used this procedure dozens of times and it always works. I only ever use 4WD and Low Range together. If the terrain allows for high speed driving then I don't need 4WD. It is complicated but if you use the checklist methodically you can't go wrong. Happy 4WD'n.
Oh, okay, good luck remembering this flight takeoff procedure. No need to make it as simple as just pushing a button, turning a switch, or pulling a lever like any other manufacturer. FFS.
@@dgaubin Yep, I hear you D.A. That's why I included my tip.
@@anthonygill2478 Respect, mate. My vitriol is aimed squarely at Mercedes for this travesty of engineering.
Thank you for the steps! (cut, paste, and print for the cockpit!)
This does not work on my 2020
Thank you for a very informative and enlightening video. You made my van life easier....... I'm old. Easy is good!!!
I’m confused because the owners manual says to come to a complete stop then put it in neutral or park press the button then put it in drive and drive away
That’s how my dealer told me to activate it also.
It's so stupid it's even confusing to the owners manual writers.
Come to a stop and shift into neutral for 4WD low. 4WD High you can engage while moving but I wouldn't do it over 5 mph.
GREAT! Thank YOU for the informative video!
thanks you for the information!
nice thing to learn
i want your soft partition on my van! how is it installed? should i order my van from the factory with a partition and then remove it? or can it be installed into a van with no existing partition?
Did you upgrade the car extra or is it the original version?
Thank you for sharing. I’ve saved this video.
Out of curiosity, Why was the "check engine light" on??
We had a problem with the transfer case and software on our 2020 3500. Warranty issue. Might want to check with the dealer. And yes, it's shocking that MB has this antiquated system in 2020! My other car? A 2015 Grand Cherokee that has a dial for snow or sand. Our MB Sprinter is worse than my old Jeep CJ7 from 1980.
I know this has nothing to do with the outfitter but the Mercedes-Benz 4wheel drive system is ridiculous ,there's no reason that it needs to be that complicated
This is insane. Sprinters are the most complicated 25 year old technology I've ever seen. It's ridiculous.
This does not work in my 2020. It goes into four wheel drive when I have to jump start it and this does not get it out and back to two wheel drive. The light keeps flashing fir four wheel drive. Does that mean it isn’t really in four wheel drive?
CEL is on! ;)
why is there a check engine light on in this video?
my 21 plate sprinter isn't that complicated to switch to 4x4 mode. press button, light starts flashing, move forward, light goes solid. same for disengaging. The neutral part is pointless.
Ugh, I wish white feather was still doing conversions… F250 drivetrain and solid axles, no stopping or slowing, just throw the lever.
In this day and age I can’t believe it’s that complicated to use the 4wd system on these. Just like for some reason they can’t figure out the remote start for the diesel
Does it mean that you can never engage into 4WD while in motion or still dis-engage while in motion?
The manual for my 2021 Sprinter says you can engage/disengage 4WD while in motion. From the manual:
Observe the following when driving slowly:
- The engine is running.
- The vehicle is not traveling faster than 6.2 mph (10 km/h).
- The vehicle is not being driven around a bend.
@@willgoogwalker2586 YOU see, i've been seeing most reviewers online say that you have to stop before you engage or dis-engage...
@@BornventureGamba The manual for my 2021 sprinter says you can engage/disengaged 4WD while stopped or while moving. On my van, I cannot get the 4WD to engage at a stop, even using the technique of shifting between N, D and R as described in the manual. 4WD on my van will only successfully engage if I'm rolling slowing forward and put it in N.
Four on the fly in a Chevy.
How fast can you go on 4 High
The manual for 2021 sprinter lists no speed limitations when in 4WD high.
So if you get stuck in 2WD you're SOL and can't get into 4WD to get unstuck? Crazy. I've got an old F-250 where you just shift a transfer case. I've got a new RAM where you just put it in neutral and push a button. I've got my company's Sprinter right now and parked it nose down on grass on a slight slope. It's stuck, won't go into 4WD and I'm gonna have to pull it out with a 36 year old truck. Pathetic.
You don't have to be moving to engage 4WD. The manual says engage 4WD while stopped. Not pathetic.
@@willgoogwalker2586 You should come tell that to my Sprinter. 😁 I would not engage 4WD. Overall we love it. It has served us really well. We just have to pre-plan. Half of our jobs are on ranches or in the mountains and it’s been great!
It just happened to me. I got stuck in a ridiculously small mud puddle. I still don't know WTF happened. After getting stuck, I couldn't build enough boost to even spin the tires.
I eventually got out, but this is the most worthless 4x4 I have ever driven.
stop, neutral, engage, that's it!
I use this vehicle at work and i absolutely hate it. The seats and stearing are the only things i like. I cant stand the 4x4 button. Im guessing my job had a great idea to make the panic mode go off when its in neutral.... Sure i love waking up the whole neighborhood when i need to engage it
What happens when you get stuck in 2wd?
You don't have to be moving to engage 4WD. The manual says engage 4WD while stopped.
@@willgoogwalker2586 Looks like it's been replaced and they are actually calling it an AWD system this time. I'll keep my Ford Transit Quadvan, thank you. Good old fashion 4WD that I've had in 2 Ford pickups before this van.
shift on the fly is not new tech... WHY???!!!!
This posting should be removed, it contains false information which will cause problems to many people. owners of 4x4 will read the owners manual and follow the correct instructions. Eric.
Eric - I agree owners of 4x4 should read their owners manuals and follow the correct instructions. However, I don't agree that this video contains false information. The instructions in the video are correct and in accordance with the manual for my 2021 Sprinter van.
@@willgoogwalker2586 The OEM instructions in my 2020 Sprinter are VERY confusing, opaque and incomplete. It took a lot of experimentation to figure out how to get it to work. I appreciate the guidance from Outside.
2:10 what’s wrong with you weight distribution? 😱😭
This is not accurate. When you are at a stopped position, you put the van and drive and remove your foot from the brake, and press the four-wheel-drive button. In the next few seconds, four-wheel-drive will activate. You do not have to put the van back into neutral as your video indicates. Same when disengaging four-wheel-drive. You do not need to put the van into neutral at any time.
What the heck....
Such an expensive and modern car with that shitty system, what a waste ...
A bit long winded ,just show how to engage the system.
What a silly system
So you're driving down the highway on dry road, then you come upon snowy roads, are you telling us you have to STOP to engage 4WD? We're sure all of the cars behind will appreciate you suddenly stopping on snowy roads. Like OMG, every 4WD on the planet has had "shift-on-the-fly" since the 1980"s. This system is extremely backward and dangerous. Why would anyone buy such a terrible design?
Why? bc liked many of this van's features and couldn't imagine it wasn't equipped w/ shift on the fly. Totally agree.. it can be dangerous when road & weather conditions change suddenly.
@@russellalexia3480True, I never imagined a Mercedes product would be this bad. I still cannot believe people use them for adventure vans. I am not at all happy with my purchase after living with it for a year.
Is this a joke? A 4x4 built in 2020. What if I'm already 1/2 stuck? What if I need it all of a sudden going up/down hill? What a pile of junk this van is. And what makes it so funny is the guy on the video is acting like this is 'normal'--not since 1980. Why not just have locking hubs that you have to get out to turn on each wheel.
So stupid. Leave it to Mercedes-Benz to complicate things beyond what's practical and useful at times when you need it most. Designers who engineered this BS should be fired.