Trailer towing*
Fitting the ball coupling
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Make a note of the ball coupling key number.
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You can use this number to obtain a replacement key from a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
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 | Risk of injury |
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If the ball coupling does not engage correctly when it is mounted, the vehicle/trailer combination is not secured and the trailer could come loose. This could cause an accident. Fit the ball coupling carefully and make sure that it engages in position correctly.
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The removable ball coupling is located in the stowage compartment on the right-hand side of the luggage compartment more.
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Open the stowage compartment on the right-hand side of the luggage compartment.
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Fold down the interior trim.
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 | Ball coupling |
 | Retainer strap |
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| Protective cap |
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| Key |
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Pull the protective cap off the lock in the handwheel.
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Insert key into the ignition lock.
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The red mark on the handwheel must be aligned with the green area on the ball coupling (fitting position). If this is not the case:
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Turn key in the direction of the arrow.
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The key is released.
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Pull the handwheel away from the ball coupling and turn it clockwise until it engages.
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The green area on the ball coupling is aligned with the red mark on the handwheel.
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Insert the ball coupling in the direction of the arrow into the ball coupling recess until it engages.
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The handwheel turns so that the green mark on the handwheel is aligned with the green area on the ball coupling.
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Turn the key to the stop in the direction of the arrow to lock.
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Remove the key.
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Press protective cap onto the lock.
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You can store the key in the ball coupling stowage compartment in the luggage compartment.
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| Trailer power socket |
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Fold trailer power socket down.
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| Risk of accident |
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The ball coupling is only securely mounted when the green mark on the handwheel is aligned with the green area on the ball coupling and the key can be removed. If the ball coupling is not securely mounted, it may come loose.
The ball coupling must be locked and the key must be removed when towing a trailer. This is the only way to guarantee that the ball coupling is secured and cannot come loose while the vehicle is in motion. If the ball coupling cannot be locked and the key cannot be removed, remove the ball coupling and clean it.
If the ball coupling can still not be fitted (locked) after it has been cleaned, remove the ball coupling. The trailer tow hitch must then not be used to tow a trailer, as safe operation is not guaranteed.
Have the entire trailer tow hitch checked at a qualified specialist workshop. Mercedes-Benz recommends that you use a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre for this purpose. In particular, work relevant to safety or on safety-related systems must be carried out at a qualified specialist workshop.
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Notes on towing a trailer
| Risk of accident |
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When reversing the
vehicle towards the trailer, make sure there is nobody between the trailer and
the vehicle.
Couple and uncouple the trailer carefully. If you do not couple
the trailer to the towing vehicle correctly, the trailer could become
detached.
Make
sure that the following values are not exceeded:
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The permitted
trailer drawbar noseweight
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The permitted
trailer load
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The permitted rear
axle load of the towing vehicle
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The maximum
permissible gross vehicle weight of both the towing vehicle and the trailer
You
will find the applicable permissible values which must not be exceeded in the
vehicle documents.
You will find the
values approved by the manufacturer on the vehicle identification plates and
those for the towing vehicle in the "Technical data" section.
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You will find installation dimensions and loads in the "Technical
data" section
more.
The maximum
permissible trailer drawbar noseweight on the ball coupling is 75 kg.
However, the actual noseweight must not exceed the value given on the trailer
coupling and trailer identification plates. The lowest weight applies.
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Use a noseweight as close as possible to the maximum permissible noseweight. Do not use a noseweight of less than 50 kg, otherwise the trailer may come loose.
Bear in mind that the payload and the rear axle load are reduced by the actual noseweight.
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The height of the
ball coupling changes with the load of the vehicle. If necessary, use a trailer
with a height-adjustable drawbar.
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Coupling up a trailer
| Risk of injury |
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Do not connect a trailer with an engaged overrun brake. Otherwise, your hand could become trapped between the bumper and drawbar.
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Do not uncouple a trailer with overrun brake between the bumper and drawbar, otherwise your vehicle could be damaged by the spring action of the overrun brake.
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Position the
trailer level behind the vehicle.
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Couple up the
trailer.
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Establish the
electrical connection between the vehicle and the
trailer.
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Driving
tips
In Germany, the
maximum permitted speed for vehicle/trailer combinations is
80 km/h.
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A maximum speed of
80 km/h should not be exceeded, even in countries where higher speeds are permitted for vehicle/trailer combinations.
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When towing a
trailer, your vehicle's handling characteristics will be different in
comparison to when driving without a trailer.
The vehicle/trailer
combination:
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is heavier
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is restricted in
its acceleration and gradient-climbing capability
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has an increased
braking distance
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is affected more by
strong crosswinds
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demands more
sensitive steering
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consumes more
fuel
On long and steep downhill gradients you must select a lower gear
in good time, or in vehicles with AUTOTRONIC*, select shift range 1,
2 or 3.
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This also applies
if you have activated cruise control* or Speedtronic*.
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This uses the
braking effect of the engine and you will not have to brake to such an extent
to maintain the same speed. This relieves the load on the brake system and
prevents the brakes from overheating and wearing too quickly. If you need
additional braking, depress the brake pedal repeatedly rather than
continuously.
| Risk of accident |
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Never depress the brake pedal continuously while the vehicle is in motion, e.g. never cause the brakes to rub by applying constant slight pedal pressure. This causes the brake system to overheat, increases the braking distance and can lead to the brakes failing completely.
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Driving
tips
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Maintain a greater
distance from the vehicle in front than when driving without a
trailer.
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Avoid braking
abruptly. If possible, brake gently at first to allow the trailer to run on.
Then increase the braking force rapidly.
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The values given
for gradient-climbing capabilities from a standstill refer to sea level. When
driving in mountainous areas, note that the power output of the engine, and
consequently the vehicle's gradient-climbing capability, decrease with
increasing altitude.
If the trailer
swings from side to side:
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Do not
accelerate.
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Do not
counter-steer.
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Brake if
necessary.
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| Risk of accident |
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On no account should you attempt to draw the vehicle/trailer combination out by increasing speed.
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Removing the ball coupling
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Pull the protective cap off the lock in the handwheel.
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Insert the key into the lock in the handwheel.
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Turn the key clockwise.
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The lock is unlocked
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Hold the ball coupling. Pull the handwheel away from the ball coupling and turn it clockwise until it engages.
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The green area on the ball coupling is aligned with the red mark on the handwheel.
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Pull out the ball coupling downwards.
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Clean the ball coupling if it is dirty.
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Open the stowage compartment on the right-hand side of the luggage compartment.
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Fold down the interior trim.
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Remove the protective cap from the ball coupling stowage compartment.
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Press the protective cap into the ball coupling recess until it engages.
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Storing the ball coupling
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Store the ball coupling with the key inserted in the ball coupling stowage compartment.
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Secure the ball coupling with the retainer strap.
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| Risk of accident |
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Do not carry the ball coupling in the vehicle interior if it is not secured.
Otherwise, you and others could be injured by the ball coupling being thrown around if you:
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Trailer power supply
When it leaves the factory, your vehicle's trailer socket outlet is equipped with a permanent power supply and a power supply that is switched on via the ignition lock.
The permanent power supply is supplied via trailer socket pin 9.
The power supply that is switched on via the ignition lock is supplied via trailer socket pin 10.
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You can connect consumers with a power rating of up to 240 W to the permanent power supply and up to 180 W to the power supply that is switched on via the ignition lock.
You must not charge a trailer battery using the power supply.
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You can obtain further information about installing the trailer electrics from a qualified specialist workshop, e.g. a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
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To switch the switched power supply on or off: turn the key in the ignition lock to position 2 or 0, respectively.
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