Towing bracket device*
●
The tr
ai
l
er weight, as well as the gross com-
bination weight of the towing vehicle and
trailer, change the centre of gravity and the
properties of the vehicle.
●
If the towing vehicle is empty and the trail-
er is loaded, then the load distribution is in-
correct. Under these conditions, drive slowly
and with extra caution.
Hill starts with a trailer
Depending on the slope of the hill and the
combination weight of the towing vehicle
and trailer, the vehicle might start rolling
backwards slightly when you first start up.
For hill-starting with a trailer, do the follow-
ing:
●
Press and hold the brake pedal.
●
Press the button to disconnect the elec-
tronic parking brake ››› page 186.
●
If the vehicle is equipped with a manual
gearbox, push the clutch pedal all the way
down.
●
Put the vehicle into first gear or turn the se-
lector lever to position D/S ››› page 192.
●
Pull out the button and hold it in that
position to stop the towing vehicle and trailer
with the electronic parking brake.
●
Release the brake pedal.
●
Start driving slowly. To do this, in the case
of a manual gearbox, slowly release the
clutch pedal.
●
Do not release the button until the en-
gine has sufficient force to start driving.
WARNING
If a trailer is pulled incorrectly, this may lead
to los
s of control of the vehicle and serious
injury.
●
Driving with a trailer and transporting
heavy or large objects will change the vehicle
handling and braking distances.
●
Always drive cautiously and carefully.
Brake earlier than usual.
●
Adapt your speed and driving style at all
times to suit visibility, weather, road and traf-
fic conditions. Slow down, especially when
driving down hills or slopes.
●
Accelerate with particular care and caution.
Avoid sudden braking and manoeuvres.
●
Take great care when overtaking. Reduce
speed immediately if you notice that the trail-
er is swaying, however slightly.
●
Never attempt to “straighten” the towing
vehicle and trailer while accelerating.
●
Take into account the speed limit for vehi-
cles with a trailer, as it could be lower than
for vehicles without a trailer.
Stabilisation of the towing vehicle
and tr
ai
l
er
The stabilisation of the towing vehicle and
trail
er together is an additional function of
the electronic stability control (ESC).
If the system detects that the trailer is sway-
ing, it intervenes automatically with the driv-
er steering recommendation to reduce the
swaying of the trailer.
Requirements for the stabilisation of the
towing vehicle and trailer
●
The vehicle is factory-equipped with a tow-
ing brac
ket or has been retro-fitted with a
compatible towing bracket.
●
The ESC and ASR are active. The control
lamp or is not lit up on the instrument
panel.
●
The trailer is electrically connected to the
towing vehicle through the trailer power
socket.
●
The vehicle is travelling at over 60 km/h
(approx. 37 mph).
●
The maximum vertical load technically per-
missible is being utilised on the coupling de-
vice.
●
The trailer has a rigid draw bar.
●
If the trailer has brakes, it must be equip-
ped with a mechanical overrun brake.
»
281
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