2007 MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS ESTATE trailer

Driving
tips 21
8
Downhill gradient
sOn long and steep downhill stretches, espe-
cially if the vehicle is laden or towing a trailer,
you must shift to a lower gear in good time or,
on vehicles with automatic transmission*,
select shift range 1,2 or 3.
i This also applies if you have activated
cruise control* or Speedtronic*.
This uses the braking effect of the engine and
you will not have to brake to such an exten t
to maintain the same speed. This relieves the
load on the brake system and prevents the
brakes from overheating and wearing too
quickly. If you need additional braking ,
depress the brake pedal repeatedly rather
than continuously.
Heavy and light loads If the brakes have been subjected to a heavy
load, do not stop the vehicle immediately, but
drive on for a short while. This allows the air-
flow to cool the brakes more quickly. G
Risk of accident
Never depress the brake pedal continu -
ously while the vehicle is in motion, e.g.
never cause the brakes to rub by applying constant slight pedal pressure. This causes
the brake system to overheat, increases
the braking distance and can lead to the
brakes failing completely.
If the brakes have been used only moderately,
you should occasionally test their effective-
ness. To do this, brake more firmly from a
higher speed. This improves the grip of the
brakes.
Wet roads If you drive for a long time in the rain without
braking, there may be a delayed reaction
when you first brake and you will have to
depress the pedal harder.
You must therefore maintain a greater dis-
tance from the vehicle in front.
Brake firmly after driving on a wet road. Thi
s
way the brake discs will become warm, dryin g
more quickly, which will protect them against
corrosion. Limited braking performance on salted
roads G
Risk of accident
The layer of salt on the brake discs and the
brake linings may cause a delay in the brak-
ing effect, resulting in a significantly longer
braking distance, which could lead to an
accident.
To avoid this danger, you should:
R occasionally brake carefully when you
are driving on salted roads, so that any
layer of salt that may have started to
build up on the brake discs and the brake
linings is removed without putting other
road users at risk.
R maintain a greater distance to the vehicl e
ahead and drive with particular car e
R carefully apply the brakes at the end of a
trip and immediately after commencing a
new trip, so that salt residues ar e
removed from the brake disc.
New brake linings For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz recom
-
mends that you have only brake pads/linings
fitted to your vehicle that have been approved Operation
* optional
204_AKB; 2; 3, en-GB
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Trailer towing*
22
0 Driving abroad
An extensive Mercedes-Benz Service networ k
is also available in other countries. You can
obtain the relevant workshop directories
from any Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
Only low-octane fuel is available in certain
countries.
You can find further information about fuel
grades on (Y page 204). Symmetrical dipped beam
If your journey takes you to countries where
vehicles are driven on the opposite side of the
road to the country in which the vehicle is
registered, your headlamps must be switched
to symmetrical dipped beam. Oncoming traf -
fic will be dazzled less .
X Have the headlamps switched over at a
qualified specialist workshop, e. g. a
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre. G
Risk of accident
Have your headlamps switched back to
asymmetrical dipped beam if you visit a
country in which traffic drives on the same
side of the road as in the country in which
your vehicle was registered. You may oth- erwise dazzle the oncoming traffic and
could cause an accident.
Trailer towing*
Folding out the ball coupling
Please also observe the notes on the restric-
ted function of Parktronic* when towing a
trailer on (Y page 155).
Before you can tow a trailer with your vehicle,
you must fold out the ball coupling.
The release wheel is located behind the left-
hand side trim panel in the boot/luggage
compartment . G
Risk of accident
Make sure that the ball coupling is
engaged, either in its folded out or folded
in position, and that the indicator lamp is
off.
Do not turn the release wheel when a traile r
is coupled up. The trailer might otherwise
become detached. Operation
* optional
204_AKB; 2; 3, en-GB
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Trailer towing*
22
1 Saloon
1
Handl e
2 Cove r Estate
1
Handl e
2 Cove r X
To open: turn handle 1anti-clockwise.
X Fold cover 2down. 1
Indicator lamp
2 Release wheel for the trailer tow hitch
X Pull out release wheel 2.
X Turn release wheel 2anti-clockwise.
The ball coupling disengages and folds out
from under the rear bumper. Indicator lamp
1 flashes. X
Press the ball coupling in the direction of
the arrow by hand until it engages in a ver-
tical position.
Indicator lamp 1goes out. The power
socket folds away automatically.
Vehicles with a 4-button multi-function
steering wheel: the messageTrailer
hitch Check lock mech. is shown in the
multi-function display until the ball cou-
pling has engaged.
Vehicles with a luxury multi-function
steering wheel* (12 buttons): the mes-
sage Trailer hitch Check lock
mech. is shown in the multi-function dis-
play until the ball coupling is engaged.
X Make sure that the ball of the ball coupling
is clean and that, depending on the trailer Operation
* optional
204_AKB; 2; 3, en-GB
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Trailer towing*
22
2
specification, it is greased or dry (without
grease) when used. Notes on towing a trailer
G
Risk of accident
When reversing the vehicle towards the
trailer, make sure there is nobody between
the trailer and the vehicle.
Couple and uncouple the trailer carefully. If
you do not couple the trailer to the towing
vehicle correctly, the trailer could become
detached .
Make sure that the following values are not
exceeded:
R The permitted trailer drawbar nose-
weight
R The permitted trailer load
R The permitted rear axle load of the towing
vehicle
R The maximum permissible gross vehicle
weight of both the towing vehicle and the
trailer
You will find the applicable permissible val-
ues which must not be exceeded in the
vehicle documents. You will find the values approved by the
manufacturer on the vehicle identification
plates and those for the towing vehicle in
the “Technical data” section.
The maximum permissible trailer drawbar
noseweight on the ball coupling is 75 kg.
However, the weight must not exceed the fig-
ure given on the trailer hitch and trailer iden-
tification plates. The lowest weight applies.
! Use a noseweight as close as possible to
the maximum permissible noseweight. Do
not use a noseweight of less than 50 kg,
otherwise the trailer may come loose.
Bear in mind that the payload and the rear
axle load are reduced by the actual nose-
weight.
i The height of the ball coupling changes
with the load of the vehicle. If necessary,
use a trailer with a height-adjustable draw-
bar.
Coupling up a trailer G
Risk of injury
Do not connect a trailer with an engaged
overrun brake. Otherwise, your hand could become trapped between the bumper and
drawbar.
! Do not uncouple a trailer with overru n
brake between the bumper and drawbar,
otherwise your vehicle could be damaged
by the spring action of the overrun brake.
X Position the trailer level behind the vehicle.
X Couple up the trailer .
X Establish the electrical connectio n
between the vehicle and the trailer.
Driving tip s In Germany, the maximum permitted speed
for vehicle/trailer combinations is 80 km/h.
!
A maximum speed of 80 km/h should not
be exceeded, even in countries where
higher speeds are permitted for vehicle /
trailer combinations.
When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristics will be different in compariso n
to when driving without a trailer.
The vehicle/trailer combination:
R is heavier
R is restricted in its acceleration and gradi-
ent-climbing capabilit yOperation
* optional
204_AKB; 2; 3, en-GB
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Trailer towing*
22
3
R
has an increased braking distance
R is affected more by strong crosswinds
R demands more sensitive steering
R consumes more fue l
On long and steep downhill gradients you
must select a lower gear in good time, or on
vehicles with automatic transmission*, select
the shift range 1,2 or 3.
i This also applies if you have activated
cruise control* or Speedtronic*.
This uses the braking effect of the engine and
you will not have to brake to such an exten t
to maintain the same speed. This relieves the
load on the brake system and prevents the
brakes from overheating and wearing too
quickly. If you need additional braking ,
depress the brake pedal repeatedly rather
than continuously. G
Risk of accident
Never depress the brake pedal continu -
ously while the vehicle is in motion, e.g.
never cause the brakes to rub by applying
constant slight pedal pressure. This causes
the brake system to overheat, increases
the braking distance and can lead to the
brakes failing completely. Driving tips
R
Maintain a greater distance from the vehi-
cle in front than when driving without a
trailer.
R Avoid braking abruptly. If possible, brake
gently at first to allow the trailer to run on.
Then increase the braking force rapidly.
R The values given for gradient-climbing
capabilities from a standstill refer to sea
level. When driving in mountainous areas,
note that the power output of the engine
and with it its gradient-climbing capability
decrease with increasing altitude.
If the trailer swings from side to side:
X Do not accelerate.
X Do not counter-steer.
X Brake if necessary. G
Risk of accident
On no account should you attempt to dra w
the vehicle/trailer combination out by
increasing speed. Folding in the ball couplin
g
i Fold in the ball coupling when you are not
using the trailer tow hitch . G
Risk of injury
Make sure that no persons or animals are
in the pivoting range of the ball coupling.
Otherwise, they could be injured .
The release wheel is located behind the side
trim panel in the boot/luggage compartment. Saloon
1 Handl e
2 Cove r Operation
* optional
204_AKB; 2; 3, en-GB
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Trailer towing*
22
4 Estate
1
Handl e
2 Cove r
X To open: turn handle 1anti-clockwise.
X Fold cover 2down. 1
Indicator lamp
2 Release wheel for the trailer tow hitch
X Pull out release wheel 2.
X Turn release wheel 2anti-clockwise.
The ball coupling disengages and folds out
from under the rear bumper. Indicator lamp
1 flashes. X
Press the ball coupling in the direction of
the arrow by hand until it engages behind
the bumper.
Indicator lamp 1goes out and the mes-
sage in the multi-function display disap-
pears. Operation
* optional
204_AKB; 2; 3, en-GB
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Trailer towing*
22
5 Trailer power suppl
y
When delivered from the factory, your vehi-
cle's trailer socket outlet is equipped with a
permanent power supply and a power supply
that is switched on via the ignition lock .
The permanent power supply is supplied via
trailer socket pin 9.
The power supply that is switched on via the
ignition lock is supplied via trailer socket pin
10.
! You can connect consumers with a power
rating of up to 240 W to the permanen t
power supply and up to 180 W to the power
supply that is switched on via the ignition
lock .
You must not charge a trailer battery using
the power supply.
You can obtain further information about
installing the trailer electrics from a qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. a Mercedes-Ben z
Service Centre.
X To switch the switched power supply on
or off: turn the key in the ignition lock to
position 2or 0, respectively. Trailer with 7-pin connector
If your trailer has a 7-pin connector, you can
connect it to the 13-pin socket on the ball
coupling using an adapter or, if necessary, an
adapter cable. Both of these can be obtained
at a qualified specialist workshop, e.g. at a
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
Fitting the adapter 1
Connector with lug
2 Socket with groove
X Open the socket cover.
X Insert the connector with lug 1into
groove 2on the socket and turn the con-
nector clockwise to the stop.
X Make the cover engage. X
If you are using an adapter cable, secure
the cable to the trailer with cable ties.
! Make sure that there is sufficient cable
play so that the cable cannot become
detached when cornering. Operation
* optional
204_AKB; 2; 3, en-GB
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Car
e 230
!
Do not use cleaning agents containing
solvents because these can damage the
wooden trim.
Cleaning Parktronic* The sensors are located in the front and rear
bumpers.
1
Parktronic* sensors in the front bumper
X Clean the sensors in the bumper wit h
water, car shampoo and a soft cloth.
! Do not use dry, coarse or hard cloths and
do not scrub. You will otherwise scratch or
damage the sensors. If you intend to use a
high-pressure cleaner or a steam cleaner to
clean the sensors, observe the instructions
issued by the equipment manufacturer concerning the distance to be maintained
between the nozzle of the high-pressure
cleaner and the vehicle. Trailer coupling*
The ball coupling must be cleaned if it
becomes dirty or corroded.
X Remove any rust using a wire brush.
X Remove dirt with a clean, lint-free cloth or
a brush.
! Do not clean the ball coupling with a high -
pressure cleaner. Do not use solvents.
1 Ball neck hea d
X After cleaning, lightly oil or grease ball cou -
pling 1. X
Check the function of the trailer tow hitch
on the vehicle .
i Maintenance on the ball coupling and
trailer coupling can also be performed by
any Mercedes-Benz Service Centre. H
Environmental not
e
Dispose of oily and greasy cloths in an envi -
ronmentally-responsible manner. Operation
* optional
204_AKB; 2; 3, en-GB
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