Notes on towing a trailer

Important safety notes

WARNING

When reversing to couple the trailer, make sure that no one is between the towing vehicle and the trailer.

Couple and uncouple the trailer carefully. If you do not couple the trailer correctly to the towing vehicle, the coupling may fail.

Make sure not to exceed

• the permitted drawbar noseweight
• the permitted towing capacity
• the permitted rear axle load of the towing vehicle
• the permitted total weight of both the towing vehicle and the trailer

The maximum permitted values are specified in the vehicle documents.

The manufacturer's permitted values are on the identification plates and, for the towing vehicle, in the "Technical Data" section.

WARNING

If the message Trailer hitch Check locking appears in the multifunction display while driving, pull over immediately at the side of the road and check whether the towball is locked correctly.

WARNING

With a trailer, the vehicle behaves differently.

The combination

• is heavier
• has less ability to accelerate or climb hills
• takes a longer distance to brake
• is more sensitive to crosswinds
• requires more sensitive steering
• has a larger turning circle

Handling may be affected and you may lose control of the vehicle. This may cause an accident resulting in serious or fatal injuries.

When driving with a trailer, always adapt your speed to current road and weather conditions. Observe the maximum speed permitted for your trailer combination.

WARNING

Never apply the brakes continuously while driving (for example, do not drag the brakes by constantly applying light pressure to the brake pedal). This causes the braking system to overheat, increases the braking distance and may result in a complete loss of braking effect.

WARNING

Never try to stabilize the combination by increasing speed.

WARNING

If you exceed the maximum drawbar noseweight when fitting a carrier system to the towball,

• the carrier system may be flung off
• the towball and the carrier system may detach from the vehicle

You may then injure other persons or cause an accident.

Do not exceed the maximum drawbar noseweight. When driving with a loaded carrier system, always adapt your driving style to current road, traffic and weather conditions and drive with extreme caution.

You can fit carrier systems (e.g. bicycle carriers or luggage carriers) to the towball. If you fit carrier systems to the towball, the maximum drawbar noseweight is 75 kg.

General notes

Make full use of the maximum permitted drawbar noseweight. The drawbar noseweight must not be less than 50 kg, otherwise the trailer could detach.

Note that the payload and the rear axle load are reduced by the actual drawbar noseweight.

• When towing a trailer, set the tire pressures of the towing vehicle's rear axle to the value specified for maximum load (see the tire inflation pressure table in the fuel filler flap).

You will find the mounting dimensions and loads in the "Technical Data" section.

The maximum drawbar noseweight on the towball is 75 kg. However, the actual drawbar noseweight must not exceed the value shown on the manufacturer's plates of the trailer hitch and the trailer. The lower value is decisive.

Note that PARKTRONIC and BLIND SPOT ASSIST are not available or only available to a limited extent when towing a trailer.

The height of the towball varies depending on the vehicle load. If necessary, use a trailer whose drawbar height is adjustable.

Driving recommendations

Also observe the notes on trailer stabilization with ESP®.

The maximum permitted speed for trailer combinations depends on the type of trailer. Before setting off, check the trailer documents for the maximum permitted speed for your trailer. Also observe the maximum speed prescribed by law in the country where you are.

On certain Mercedes-Benz vehicles, a higher rear axle load is permitted when towing a trailer. See the "Technical Data" section to determine whether this applies to your vehicle. However, for type approval reasons, you are not permitted to drive faster than 100 km/h with the trailer if the axle load is slightly higher. This also applies in countries where the maximum permitted speed for trailer combinations is higher than 100 km/h.

With a trailer, the vehicle behaves differently and consumes more fuel.

On long, steep downhill gradients, shift to a lower gear in good time. To do so, first select the manual driving program M (vehicles with automatic transmission)

This also applies when you have activated CRUISE CONTROL, SPEEDTRONIC or DISTRONIC PLUS.

This way you use the engine braking effect and need to brake less to maintain a constant speed. This relieves the braking system and prevents overheating and rapid brake wear. If you also need to brake, do not hold the brake pedal down continuously, but apply it intermittently.

Vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission: if you briefly press the accelerator pedal on a downhill gradient while the manual shift program M is temporarily activated, the automatic transmission may switch to the last automatic driving program activated (E or S). The automatic transmission may then shift up to a higher gear. The engine braking effect may then be reduced.

Driving tips

If the trailer starts to sway:

• Never accelerate.
• Do not counter-steer.
• Brake if necessary.

• Keep a greater distance from the vehicle in front.
• Avoid braking abruptly. If possible, first brake lightly so that the trailer settles onto the coupling. Then increase the braking force.
• The specified hill-start ability is calculated at sea level. When driving in mountainous areas, note that engine output, and therefore hill-start ability, decreases with altitude.