06 During your journey
Driving with a trailer
06
288* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
G018929
Push the protective cover until it snaps
tight.
Trailer Stability Assist - TSA*
The TSA system (Trailer Stability Assist) serves
to stabilise the car and trailer combination if it
begins to snake.
The TSA function is part of the DSTC system
(Dynamic Stability and Traction Control), see
page 168.
FunctionThe snaking phenomenon can occur with any
car/trailer combination. Normally, snaking
occurs at extremely high speeds. But, there is
a risk of it occurring at lower speeds
(70-90 km/h) if the trailer is overloaded or the
load is improperly distributed, e.g. too far back.
In order for snaking to occur, there must be a
triggering factor, e.g.:
•Car with trailer subjected to a sudden and
powerful side wind.
•Car with trailer drives on an uneven road
surface or in a pothole.
•Sweeping steering wheel movements.
OperationIf snaking has started, it could be difficult or
even impossible to suppress. This makes the
car/trailer combination difficult to control and
there is a risk that you could, for example, end
up in the wrong lane or leave the carriageway.
TSA system continually monitors car move-
ments, particularly lateral movements. If snak-
ing is detected, the front wheels are individually
braked. This serves to stabilise the car/trailer
combination. This is often enough to help the
driver regain control of the car.
If snaking is not eliminated the first time the
TSA system comes into action, the car/trailer
combination is braked with all wheels and
engine power is reduced. Once snaking has
been gradually suppressed and the car/trailer
combination is once again stable, the TSA sys-
tem stops regulating and the driver once again
has full control of the car.
MiscellaneousThe TSA system can engage within the speed
interval 60 to 160 km/h.
NOTE
TSA function is switched off if the driver
selects Sport mode, see page 168.
TSA may fail to engage if the driver uses severe
steering wheel movements to try to rectify the
snaking because in such a situation the TSA
system cannot determine whether it is the
trailer or the driver that is causing the snaking.
The DSTC symbol in the combined
instrument panel flashes when the
TSA is working.
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06 During your journey
Towing and recovery
06
289 Towing
Find out the statutory maximum speed limit for
towing before towing begins.
1. Unlock the steering lock by inserting the
remote control key in the ignition switch
and giving a long press on the START/
STOP ENGINE button - key position II is
activated, see page 80 for more informa-
tion on key positions.
2. The remote control key must remain in the
ignition switch while the car is being towed.
3. Keep the towline taut when the towing
vehicle reduces speed by holding your foot
gently pressed on the brake pedal -
thereby avoiding unnecessary jerking.
4. Be prepared to brake to stop.
WARNING
•Check that the steering lock is unlocked
before towing.
•The remote control key must be in key
position II - in position I all airbags are
deactivated.
•Never remove the remote control key
from the ignition switch when the car is
being towed.
WARNING
The brake servo and power steering do not
work when the engine is switched off - the
brake pedal needs to be depressed
about 5 times more heavily and the steering
is considerably heavier than normal.
Manual gearboxPrior to towing:
–Move gear lever into neutral and release
the parking brake.
Automatic gearbox Geartronic
IMPORTANT
Note that the car must always be towed with
the wheels rolling forward.
•Cars with automatic gearbox must not
be towed at speeds above 80 km/h or
further than 80 km.
Prior to towing:
–
Move the gear selector to position N and
release the parking brake.
Automatic gearbox PowershiftThe model with Powershift transmission
should not be towed as it is dependent on the
engine running in order to receive sufficientlubrication. If towing still has to take place, the
route must be as short as possible and then
with very low speed.
In the event of uncertainty as to whether or not
the car is equipped with Powershift transmis-
sion, this can be verified by checking the des-
ignation on the decal number (5) under the
bonnet - see page 352. The designa-
tion ”MPS6” means that it is Powershift trans-
mission - otherwise it is Geartronic automatic
transmission.
IMPORTANT
Avoid towing.
•However, the car can be towed for a
short distance at low speed to move it
from a dangerous position - not further
than 10 km and not faster than
10 km/h. Note that the car must always
be towed with the wheels rolling for-
ward.
•In the event of moving a longer distance
than 10 km, the car must be transported
with the drive wheels raised from the
road - professional recovery is recom-
mended.
Prior to towing:
–
Move the gear selector to position N and
release the parking brake.
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09 Specifications
Symbols in the display 09
382* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
General
There are a variety of different symbols in the
display in the car. The symbols are divided into
warning, indicator and information symbols.
Shown below are the most common symbols
with their meanings and a reference to where
in the manual further information can be found.
For more information on symbols and text
messages, see pages 74, 76 and 142.
- Red warning symbol, illuminates when
a fault has been indicated which could affect
the safety and/or driveability of the car. At the
same time an explanatory text is displayed in
the information display.
- Yellow information symbol, illuminates
in combination with text in the information dis-
play, when a deviation in any of the car's sys-
tems has occurred. The yellow symbol infor-
mation can also illuminate in combination with
other symbols.
Symbols in the display
Indicator and warning symbols in the
combined instrument panel
SymbolMeaningPage
Low oil pres-
sure76
Parking
brake76, 133, 135
Airbags -
SRS19, 76
Seatbelt
reminder16, 76
Alternator
not charging76
Fault in the
brake system76, 132
Warning,
safety mode19, 30, 76, 77,
121
Indicator and information symbols in the
combined instrument panel
SymbolMeaningPage
Fault in the ABL
system*74, 89
Emissions sys-
tem74
Fault in the ABS
system74, 132
Rear fog lamp on74, 90
Stability system,
DSTC, Trailer
stability assist74, 169, 288
Stability system,
sport mode74, 169
Engine pre-
heater (diesel)74
Low level in fuel
tank74, 163
Information,
read display text74
Main beam on74, 89
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