262 Operation
Trailer towing
iThe maxim umpermissible weights are given
in the vehicle documents and onthe type plates
of the trail erand the trailer tow hitch .The lowest
value given is decisive.
Th emax imum trailer drawb arno sewe ight forthe
trailer towbar on th eball neck is 75 kg. The draw-
bar no seweight must not, however, exceed that
specified on the type plates for th etrailer tow
hit ch and the trailer. If you couple a trailer, the driving charac-
terist
ics of your vehicle change.
The vehicl e/trailer combination:
! is heavier
! is restricted in its acceleration and
gradie nt-climbing capability
! has a longer stopping distance
! is more susceptible to gusting cross-
winds
! demands more sensitive steeri ng
Fuel consumption is higher when towing a
trailer.
Tips for driving when to wing a trailer:
! We recom mend utilising the maximum
per missible drawb arnoseweigh t,and
always at least 50 kg.
! The vehicle's payload must be reduced
to compensate for the drawbar nose-
weight so that thema ximum per missi-
ble rear axle load is not exceeded. Have the entire trailer tow hitch ch
ecked at
a qualifie dspecialist workshop which has
the necessary specia list knowledge and
tools to carry out the work required.
Mercedes-Benz recomme nds that youuse a
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre for this pur-
pose. In particular, work relevant to safety
or on safety-re lated systems must be car-
ried out at a qualified specialist workshop. Dr
iving tips G
Risk of accident Maximum care and atte
ntion iscalledfor
when coupling and decoupling a trailer.
Ma kesure that no-one is pre sent between
the trailer and the vehicle when the vehicle
is being reversed up to the trailer.
Do not uncouple a tr ailer with an overrun
brake when the brake is engaged. If you have coupled the trailer to the vehicle
incorr
ectly, there isa risk that the trailer
may break away.
Make sure that the following values have
been observed:
! Maximum permissi ble gross vehicle
weight
! Maximum permissible trailer drawbar
noseweight
! Maximum permissible trailer load
! Maximum permissible rearload on the
towing vehicle 209en_d2.boo Seite
262 Dienstag, 25. Mai 2004 7:26 19
374 Practical advice
Flat tyrei
The maxim umdistance can beincreased
co nsiderably by using TIREFIT before starting
ru n-flat mode. Ifthe type of damag eis suc h that
TIREFIT cannot seal the tyre, you can still drive
the maxim um possible distance in run-flat mode. i
Ifyo u are replacing oneor more tyres, make
sure you usetyres with the "MOExtended” mark
and which are the specified size for the vehicle.
If you are replac ing one ormo re rims, make
sure you use rims approved for use with
"MOExtended” tyres and which are the specified
size for the vehicle. G
Risk of accident The handling characteristics of your vehicle
ar e adversely affected in run-flat mode, for
example:
! when cornering
! when braking
! when accelerating suddenly
You should therefor eadapt your driving
style accordingly and avoid making sudden
st eering movem ents, accelerating suddenly
and driving over obstacles (kerbs, pot holes,
off-road). The applies especially ifthe vehi-
cle is heavily laden.
The distance that can be tra velled in run-flat
mode depends la rgely on the loads placed
on the vehicle. Speed, load, sudd enacceler-
ation, road-surf aceco nditions, outside tem-
peratures, etc. can considerably reduce this
distance, whereas a conservative dr iving
st yle may inc reaseit. Run-fla
tmodemust bestopped in the event
of:
! bangi ng noises
! the vehicle shaking
! smoke development accomp anied by
the smell of rubber
! ESP continuously intervening
! tears in the tyre sid ewalls
After driving in run-flat mode, you must have
the rim checked to see if it can still be use d.
For this purpose, visit a qua lified specialist
workshop which has th e necessary special-
ist knowledge and tools to carry out the
work required. The flat tyre must be re-
placed inany case.
Mercedes -Benz recommends that you use a
Mercedes -Benz Service Centre for this pur-
pose. Inparticular, work relevant to safety
or on safety-relate dsystems must be car-
ried out at a qualified specialist workshop. 209en_d2.boo Seite
374 Dienstag, 25. Mai 2004 7:26 19
