Trailer towing*
Folding out the ball coupling
Before you can tow a trailer with your vehicle, you must fit the ball coupling.
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 | Telescopic lever |
 | Indicator lamp |
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 | Risk of accident |
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Make sure that the ball coupling is fully engaged both when it is folded in and when it is folded out. The indicator lamp is not lit.
Do not pull the telescopic lever if a trailer is attached. The trailer could otherwise come loose.
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Press the ball coupling in the direction of the arrow by hand until it engages in a vertical position.
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Indicator lamp goes out. The power socket folds away automatically.
The multi-function display shows the Check trailer coupling message until the ball coupling is engaged.
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Remove the protective cap from the ball coupling.
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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 85 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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On vehicles without
level control, the height of the ball coupling will alter according to the load
placed on the vehicle. In this case, you should 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
| Risk of accident |
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If the Check trailer hitch locking mechanism message appears in the multi-function display while the vehicle is in motion, pull over immediately and check whether the ball coupling is correctly engaged.
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Observe the notes on ESP® trailer stabilisation
more.
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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 the shift range 1, 2 or 3
in good time.
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This
also applies if you have activated cruise control, Distronic*/Distronic Plus* 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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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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