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
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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
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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
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231
Where will I find...?
...........................232
Display messages ............................. 236
Troubleshooting ................................ 276
Locking/unlocking in an emer-
gency ................................................. 300
Resetting triggered NECK-PRO
head restraints .................................. 303
Changing the batteries .....................304
Changing the bulbs ...........................305
Replacing the wiper blades ..............312
Flat tyre ............................................. 313
Battery ............................................... 324
Jump-starting .................................... 328
Towing and tow-starting ..................329
Fuses .................................................. 332 Practical advice
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Where will I find...?
234
The fire extinguisher is located underneath
the front of the driver's seat.
1
Tab
2 Fire extinguishe r
X Pull tab 1upwards.
X Remove fire extinguisher 2. Vehicle tool kit, TIREFIT kit, jack
,
spare wheel* and "Minispare" emer-
gency spare wheel*
The vehicle tool kit, TIREFIT kit etc. can be
found on the left of the stowage well under
the boot/luggage compartment floor.
X Saloon: open the stowage well under the
floor of the boot (Y page 184).
X Estate: open the stowage well under th e
floor of the luggage compartment
( Y page 184).
The vehicle tool kit contains :
R A towing ey e
R A wheel wrench
R A folding wheel chock
R Spare fuses
R A pair of glove s G
Risk of injury
The jack is designed only to raise and hol d
the vehicle for a short time while a whee l
is being changed.
If you are carrying out work on the vehicle,
you must use stands.
Make sure that the jack is placed on a firm ,
non-slip and level surface. Do not us e wooden blocks or similar objects as a jac
k
underlay. Otherwise the jack will not be
able to achieve its load-bearing capacit y
due to the restricted height.
Do not start the engine at any time while a
wheel is being changed.
Do not lie under the vehicle when it is bein g
supported by the jack. If you do not raise
the vehicle as described, it could slip off the
jack (e.g. if the engine is started or a door
or the boot lid is opened or closed) and you
could be seriously injured.
Do not lie under the vehicle when it is being
supported by the jack. If you do not raise
the vehicle as described, it could slip off the
jack (e.g. if the engine is started or a door
or the boot lid/tailgate is opened or closed)
and you could be seriously injured.
i When using the jack, you should also
observe the safety notes in the "Flat tyre"
section (Y page 313). Practical advice
* optional
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Where will I find...?
235
Vehicles with a TIREFIT kit
1
TIREFIT kit
2 Electric air pump
3 Towing eye
4 Folding wheel chock
5 Jack
Removing the jack
X Open Velcro fastener.
X Remove jack 5.
Vehicles with spare wheel/"Minispare "
emergency spare wheel* X
Saloon: lift up the floor of the boot
( Y page 184). X
Estate: lift up the floor of the luggage com -
partment (Y page 184). 1
Stowage well
X Remove stowage well 1. Removing the spare wheel/"Minispare"
emergency spare wheel
* 1
Vehicle tool kit tray
2 Stowage well
3 Spare wheel/"Minispare" emergency
spare wheel *
X Remove vehicle tool kit tray 1.
X Turn stowage well 2anti-clockwise and
remove it.
X Remove spare wheel/"Minispare" emer-
gency spare wheel* 3. Practical advice
* optional
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Towing and tow-startin
g 329
The positive and negative contacts are loca-
ted on the front bulkhead on the right-han d
side of the vehicle. 1
Positive terminal of donor batter y
2 Cove r
3 Positive contact on your vehicle
4 Negative contact on your vehicle
5 Negative terminal of donor battery
X Slide cap 2of positive contact 3in the
direction of the arrow.
X Attaching the jump-start cable to the donor
battery first, connect positive terminal 1
of the donor battery and positive contact
on your vehicle 3.
X Start the engine of the donor vehicle and
run it at idling speed . X
Attaching the jump-start cable to the donor
battery first, connect negative terminal 5
of the donor battery and negative contact
on your vehicle 4.
X Start the engine.
X Electrical consumers can be switched on
again. Do not switch the lights on however ,
as this will overload the battery.
X First disconnect the jump lead from nega -
tive terminals 4and 5, then from positiv e
terminals 1and 3.
X Have the battery checked at a qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. a Mercedes-Benz
Service Centre. Towing and tow-starting
Points to remember
G
Risk of accident
If you tow the vehicle, you must use a rigid
towing bar if:
R the engine is not running
R there is a brake system malfunctio n
R the voltage supply or the vehicle's elec-
trical system is damage d
There is no power assistance for the steer-
ing when the engine is not running.
It is better to have the vehicle transported
than to have it towed.
When towing, observe the legal requirement s
in all countries concerned.
! You may tow the vehicle for a maximum
of 50 km. A towing speed of 50 km/h must
not be exceeded.
With towing distances over 50 km, the
entire vehicle needs to be lifted up and
transported.
! Only secure the tow cable or towing bar
to the towing eyes. You may otherwise
damage the vehicle. Practical advice
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Towing and tow-startin
g330
R
Vehicles with an automatic transmission*
must not be tow-started.
R If the engine does not start, try jump-start-
ing it (Y page 328).
R If it is not possible to jump-start the vehicle ,
have it towed to the nearest qualified spe-
cialist workshop, e.g. a Mercedes-Ben z
Service Centre.
R If the vehicle has suffered transmission
damage, only tow it with the propeller shaft
disconnected.
R The selector lever must be in position Non
vehicles with automatic transmission*.
R If you are towing the vehicle over a consid-
erable distance, this may only be done with
the rear axle raised.
R The ignition must be switched off if you are
towing the vehicle with the front/rear axle
raised. Intervention by ESP ®
could other-
wise damage the brake system.
R Vehicles with 4MATIC* may not be towed
with the front or rear axle raised.
R Before towing the vehicle, make sure that
the battery is connected and charged. Oth-
erwise : -
You cannot switch on the ignition
- You cannot move the selector lever
to N(on vehicles with automatic trans-
mission*)
- You have no support when braking
i Switch off the automatic locking feature
before the vehicle is towed. You could oth-
erwise be locked out when pushing or tow -
ing the vehicle.
Deactivate tow-away protection befor e
towing (Y page 71). Fitting the towing eye
Vehicles with a trailer coupling: your vehi-
cle does not have a rear threaded socket for
mounting the towing eye. If you intend to use
the vehicle for towing, fold out the ball cou-
pling and secure the towline to it
( Y page 220).
Opening the front cover The fixtures for the removable towing eyes
are located in the bumpers. They are locatedat the front and rear under the covers on the
right-hand side of the vehicle.
Front bumper
1
Cove r
X Press the mark on cover 1inwards.
X Take cover 1off the opening but do not
remove it. Practical advice
* optional
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