Mercedes-Benz E-Class Quiz
Driving and parking

Towing a trailer. Fold out the tow ball neck. Couple the trailer. Uncouple the trailer

In this manual: Driving and parking
Introduction — 5At a glance — 6Safety — 25Opening and Closing — 17Seats, steering wheel and mirrors — 12Lights and windshield wipers — 11Climate Control — 11Driving and parking — 44On-board computer and displays — 29Stowing and Useful Information. Good to Know — 1Stowing and Useful Information. Storage Options — 10Stowage and convenience features. Convenience features — 7Maintenance and care — 11Roadside assistance — 13Wheels and tires — 13Technical data — 13
~4min read

The trailer hitch of the Mercedes E-Class (4th generation, W212, 2009–2016) can be folded out, coupled and uncoupled easily using these practical instructions. Safety notes help prevent injuries and ensure correct use of the towing device. The steps for the saloon and estate are clearly explained.

Fold out the tow ball neck

WARNING

If the tow ball neck is not locked in place, the trailer can come loose. There is a risk of accident!

Always lock the tow ball neck in place as described.

WARNING

If you unlock the tow ball neck or do not lock it properly when folding it in, it can swing out. There is a risk of injury in the swing area of the tow ball neck!

Unlock the tow ball neck only when the swing area is clear. Always make sure the tow ball neck locks into place when folded in.

Kugelhals ausklappen

Saloon

Before you can tow a trailer with the vehicle, you must fold out the tow ball neck.

The release wheel is located at the left, behind the side trim in the luggage compartment.

Open the cover (saloon):

The luggage netpush down.

Turn the rotary handleanticlockwise and the coverfold down.

Kugelhals ausklappen

Estate (T-Model)

Before you can tow a trailer with the vehicle, you must fold out the tow ball neck.

The release wheel is located at the left, behind the side trim in the luggage/load compartment.

Open the cover (estate):

Grip the handlepull in the direction of the arrow and the coverfold down.

Kugelhals ausklappen

Saloon

Unlock and fold out the tow ball neck (saloon):

The release wheelgrip by hand so that your thumb rests on the thumb rest.

The release wheelturn anticlockwise until the tow ball neck unlocks and folds out under the rear bumper. The indicator lampflashes.

Kugelhals ausklappen

Estate (T-Model)

Unlock and fold out the tow ball neck (estate):

The release wheelgrip by hand so that your thumb rests on the thumb rest.

The release wheelturn anticlockwise until the tow ball neck unlocks and folds out under the rear bumper. The indicator lampflashes.

Kugelhals ausklappen

Saloon

Kugelhals ausklappen

Estate (T-Model)

Pull the tow ball neck by hand in the direction of the arrow until it locks in the vertical position.
  • The indicator lampgoes out. The trailer socket is integrated in the tow ball neck and swings out with it.

    Saloon: The indicator lampgoes out.

    Estate: The indicator lampgoes out. The multifunction display shows the message Check trailer hitch lock! for as long as the tow ball neck is not locked in place.Remove the protective cap from the tow ball and store it safely.

    Make sure the ball of the tow ball neck is clean and greased.

    Hybrid vehicles: Be sure to read the supplementary manual “HYBRID”, which is part of the vehicle literature. Otherwise you may not recognize hazards.

    Coupling the trailer

    Make sure the transmission is in position P.

    Apply the parking brake.

    Position the trailer horizontally behind the vehicle.

    Couple the trailer.

    Establish the electrical connection between the vehicle and the trailer.

    Check that the trailer lighting system works.

    A trailer is only detected when the electrical connection is correct and the lighting system is intact. The function of other systems also depends on this, e.g. ESP, PARKTRONIC or Active Parking Assist.

    Uncoupling the trailer

    WARNING

    If you uncouple a trailer with an overrun brake while it is in the run-up (compressed) state, your hand can become trapped between the vehicle and the drawbar. There is a risk of injury!

    Do not uncouple a trailer while the overrun brake is in the run-up (compressed) state.

    WARNING

    Vehicles with level control:

    When you unplug the trailer cable, the vehicle lowers. This can trap parts of your body or those of other people who are between the body and the tyres or underneath the vehicle. There is a risk of injury!

    When unplugging the trailer cable, make sure no one is in the immediate vicinity of the wheel arches or underneath the vehicle.

    NOTE

    Do not uncouple a trailer with an overrun brake while it is in the run-up (compressed) state, otherwise the vehicle may be damaged when the overrun brake extends.

    Make sure the transmission is in position P.

    Apply the parking brake.

    Secure the trailer against rolling away.

    Remove the trailer cable and uncouple the trailer.

    Operation of the tow ball neck on the Mercedes E-Class W212 (model years 2009–2016) is well thought out and designed for safety. Whether folding out or folding in, clear steps and safety warnings ensure that the trailer is coupled and uncoupled securely.

    The precise construction of the tow ball neck reflects Mercedes-Benz's high quality standards for towing.

    Question: What must be observed when folding out the tow ball neck?

    Answer: The tow ball neck must lock in place correctly to prevent the trailer from coming loose while driving.

    Question: What hazard exists when folding in the tow ball neck?

    Answer: Risk of injury from uncontrolled swinging if the swivel range is not clear.

    • Test yourself

    A quick Mercedes-Benz E-Class quiz: every answer comes with an explanation and a link to the manual page.