Trailer Towing Maintenance

If you tow a trailer regularly, your vehicle must be serviced more frequently. Engine oil, automatic transmission fluid, axle lubricant and engine coolant are especially important in this context. The brake system also requires more frequent inspection. All maintenance procedures and inspections are described in this manual; the index will help you quickly find the relevant information. We recommend that you read these sections again before towing a trailer.

Please remember that the trailer and the towing device must also be maintained. Follow the maintenance schedule of the trailer manufacturer and have maintenance performed regularly. Also perform a visual inspection before every trip with a trailer. It is especially important that all bolts and nuts of the towing device are tightened securely.

WARNING

• Due to the higher load when towing, the engine may overheat at high outside temperatures or when driving uphill. If overheating of the engine coolant is indicated, turn off the air conditioning and stop the vehicle in a safe place to let the engine cool down.
• When towing a trailer, check the transmission fluid level more often than required by the standard maintenance schedule.
• If your vehicle is not equipped with air conditioning, have an additional cooling fan (condenser fan) installed to increase engine performance when towing a trailer.