2008 MERCEDES-BENZ G-CLASS SUV trailer

Trailer towing*
179
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 overrun
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 connection
between the vehicle and the trailer.
Driving tips In Germany, the maximum permissible 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 comparison
to when driving without a trailer. The vehicle/trailer combination:
R
is heavier
R is restricted in its acceleration and gradi-
ent-climbing capability
R has an increased braking distance
R is affected more by strong crosswinds
R demands more sensitive steering
R consumes more fuel
X On long and steep downhill gradients,
select shift range 1,2or 3in good time.
i This also applies if you have activated
cruise control or Speedtronic.
X If necessary, shift the transfer case to
LOW (Ypage 92).
This will use the braking effect of the
engine, so less braking will be required to
maintain the 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 consequently the vehicle's gradient-
climbing capability, decrease with increas-
ing altitude.
If the trailer swings from side to side:
X Do not accelerate.
X Do not counter-steer.
X Brake if necessary. Operation
* optional
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Trailer towing*
180 G
Risk of accident
On no account should you attempt to draw
the vehicle/trailer combination out by
increasing speed. Trailer po
wer supply
The trailer socket of your vehicle is equipped
at the factory with a permanent power supply.
The permanent power supply is supplied via
trailer socket pin 9.
! You can connect accessories with a max-
imum power consumption of 180 W to the
permanent power supply.
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-Benz
Service Centre. 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.
i When socket 2is connected, the ultra-
sound reversing aid is deactivated. Operation
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Care
186car wash. Do not use sharp-edged equip-
ment to remove ice and snow.
! Never use any of the following to clean the
soft top:
R petrol
R thinner
R tar or stain remover
R other organic solvents
Cleaning the soft top
If it is only slightly dirty, you can clean the soft
top while it is dry or rinse it with clear water.
Use a brush and clear water to clean away
normal amounts of dirt. Always brush in the
direction of the cloth, from front to back.
If it is very dirty or stained, clean with a suit-
able soft-top cleaning agent and a brush.
Always brush in the direction of the cloth,
from front to back. Cleaning the ultrasonic reversing aid* 1
Sensors
X Clean sensors 1in the bumper with water,
car shampoo and a soft cloth.
! Do not use dry, rough or hard cloths and
do not scrub. You will otherwise scratch or
damage the sensors. If you clean the sen-
sors using a high-pressure cleaner or steam
cleaner, observe the manufacturer's infor-
mation on maintaining the correct distance
between the vehicle and the nozzle of the
high-pressure cleaner. 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 head
X After cleaning, lightly oil or grease ball cou-
pling 1.
X Check that the vehicle's trailer coupling is
working properly. Operation
* optional
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Care
187
i
Maintenance of the ball coupling and
trailer coupling can also be performed by
any Mercedes-Benz Service Centre. H
Environmental note
Dispose of oily and greasy cloths in an envi-
ronmentally-responsible manner. Operation
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Display
messages 204 Display messages Possible cause/consequence Possible solution
. Dipped-beam, left
or
Dipped-beam, right The right-hand or left-hand dipped-beam
headlamp is fa
ulty. X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. . AUTO lights inop-
erative The light sensor is faulty. Constant head-
lamp mode is switched on. X
Switch the lights to manual control in the on-
board computer (Y page 107).
X Switch the lights on and off using the light
switch. . Trailer turn sig-
nal left
or
Trailer turn sig-
nal right The left-hand or right-hand trailer turn sig-
nal is faulty. X
Replace the bulb. . Trailer brake lamp The left-hand or right-hand trailer brake
lamp is faulty. X
Replace the bulb. . Trailer tail lamp
left
or
Trailer tail lamp
right The left-hand or right-hand trailer tail lamp
is faulty. X
Replace the bulb. . Trailer reversing
lamp The left-hand or right-hand trailer revers-
ing lamp is faulty. X
Replace the bulb. Practical advice
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Troubleshooting
222 Automatic transmission
Problem Possible cause/consequence Suggested solutions
The transmission has problems
shifting gear The transmission is losing oil. X
Have the transmission checked at a qualified specialist workshop
immediatel y. The acceleration ability is deteri-
orating.
The transmission no longer
changes gear. The transmission is in emergency
mode.
It is only possible to shift into
2nd
gear and reverse gear. X
Stop the vehicle.
X Move the selector lever to P.
X Turn the key to position 0in the ignition lock.
X Wait at least 10 seconds before restarting the engine.
X Move the selector lever to position Dor R.
If D is selected, the transmission shifts into 2ndgear; if Ris selec-
ted, the transmission shifts into reverse gear.
X Have the transmission checked at a qualified specialist workshop
immediately. Ultrasonic reversing aid*
Problem Possible cause/consequence Suggested solutions
When you engage the selector
lever into position
R, you will not
hear a warning tone and none of
the segments of the ultrasonic
reversing aid will light up. You have a trailer connected.
You have an adapter plug inser-
ted into the trailer power socket. X
Unplug the adapter plug.
The ultrasonic reversing aid functions again as usual. Practical advice
* optional
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Flat tyre
244
X
Close the driver’s door.
X Place the warning triangle ( Ypage 188) or
warning lamps at a suitable distance.
Observe legal requirements. Changing a wheel and fitting the spare
wheel G
Risk of accident
If the spare wheel is more than six years
old, or it does not correspond to the regular
wheel type: have the spare wheel replaced
by a new wheel at the nearest qualified spe-
cialist workshop, e.g. a Mercedes-Benz
Service Centre.
Never drive the vehicle with more than one
spare wheel fitted.
Vehicles with different tyre dimensions on
the front and rear axles: wheel and tyre size
of the spare wheel and normal wheel are
different. When using the spare wheel, the
handling characteristics are compromised.
Do not exceed the maximum speed of 80
km/h. G
Risk of accident
Vehicles with AMG equipment: when you fit
the spare wheel, make sure you observe the
following:
R the maximum speed of 80 km/h
R the prescribed tyre pressure
Preparing the vehicle X
Prepare the vehicle as described
(Y page 243).
X If a trailer is coupled, uncouple it.
X Remove the vehicle tool kit and the jack
(Y page 191).
X Remove the spare wheel from the spare
wheel bracket (Y page 192).
X Secure the vehicle to prevent it from rolling
away.
On level ground: place chocks or similar
items under the front and rear of the wheel
that is diagonally opposite the wheel you
wish to change.
X On downhill gradients: place chocks or
similar items under both wheels of the
other axle. Raising
the vehicle G
Risk of injury
The jack is designed only to raise the vehi-
cle for a short time while a wheel is being
changed.
The vehicle must be placed on stands if you
intend to work under it.
Make sure that the jack is placed on a firm,
non-slip, level surface. Do not use wooden
blocks or similar items as jacking supports.
Otherwise, the jack will not be able to ach-
ieve its load-bearing capacity due to the
restricted height.
Do not start the engine at any time while
the wheel is being changed.
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. when starting the engine, opening
or closing a door or the tailgate) and you
could be seriously injured. G
Risk of accident
If you fail to position the jack correctly, the
vehicle may: Practical advice
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Towing and tow-starting
254
Towing eye, rear The rear towing eye is located under the
bumper, on the left-hand side when viewed in
the direction of travel. 1
Towing eye Towing the vehicle
! 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. X
Turn the key to position 2in the ignition
lock.
X Shift the transfer case to neutral position
N (Y page 92).
X Move the selector lever to N.
i The transmission can only change gear
when the battery has sufficient charge.
If you cannot move the selector lever to
N, you must remove the propellor shafts to
the driven axles. Transporting the vehicle
The towing eyes can be used to pull the vehi-
cle onto a trailer or transporter for transport-
ing purposes.
! Only lash the vehicle down by the wheels
or wheel rims, not by parts of the vehicle
such as axle or steering components. The
vehicle could otherwise be damaged.
X Turn the key to position 2in the ignition
lock.
X Move the selector lever to N.
X Shift the transfer case to neutral position
N (Y page 92). Recovering a vehicle that has become
stuck
Take great care when recovering a vehicle
whose drive wheels have become embedded
in loose earth or mud, particularly if the vehi-
cle is laden.
When recovering the vehicle do not use jerky
movements and do not pull it at an angle. The
chassis could otherwise be damaged.
Never attempt to recover a vehicle with a
trailer attached.
Pull out the vehicle backwards, if possible
using the tracks it made when it became
stuck. Towing in the event of malfunctions
Engine damage, gear damage or electri-
cal faults X
Move the selector lever to N(Y page 90).
X Change gear into neutral N(Y page 92).
In the event of damage to the transfer
case Have the propeller shafts between the axles
and the transfer case removed.Practical advice
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