Leave enough play in the chains to make
tight cornering possible.
R a separate brake system for certain types
of trailer.
R a safety switch for braked trailers. Check
the specifi clegal requirements applicable
to your state.
If the trailer detaches from the towing
vehicle, the safety switch applies the
trailer's brakes.
! Do not connectt he trailer's brake system
(if featured) to the hydraulic brake system
of the towing vehicle, as the latter is
equipped with an anti-lock brake system.
Doing so will result in a loss of function of
the brake systems of both the vehicle and
the trailer.
i The vehicle's wiring harness features a
connection to the brake indicator lamp.
X Make sure that the automatic transmission
is set to position P.
X Apply the vehicle's parking brake.
X Close all doors and the tailgate.
X Couple up the trailer.
X Establish all electrical connections. Towing
atrailer
There are numerous legal requirements
concerning the towing of a trailer, e.g .speed
restrictions. Make sure that your car/trailer
combination complies with the local
regulations:
R in your place of residence
R in the location to which you are driving
The police and local authorities can provide
reliable information.
Observe the following when towing a trailer:
R To gain driving experience and to become
accustomed to the new handling characteristics, you should practice the
following in a traffic-free location:
-
cornering
- stopping
- backing up
R Before driving, check:
-the trailer tow hitch
- the safety switch for braked trailers
- the safety chains
- electrical connections
- the lights
- the wheels
R Adjust the exterior mirrors to provide an
unobstructed view of the rear section of the
trailer.
R If the trailer has electronically controlled
brakes, pull away carefully. Brake manually
using the brake controller and check
whether the brakes function correctly.
R Secure any objects on the trailer to prevent
the cargo from slipping when the vehicle is
in motion.
R When you couple up a trailer, chec kat
regular intervals that the load is firmly
secured. If the trailer is equipped with
trailer lights and brakes, check the trailer
to ensure that these are working.
R Bear in mind that the handling will be less
stable when towing a trailer than when
driving without one. Avoid sudden steering
movements.
R The vehicle/trailer combination is heavier,
accelerates more slowly, has a decreased
gradient climbing capability and a longer
braking distance.
It is more susceptible to side winds and
requires more careful steering.
R If possible, avoid abrupt braking. Depress
the brake pedal moderately at first, so that
the trailer can activate its own brakes .Then
increase the pressure on the brake pedal.
R If the automatic transmission continues to
shift back and forth between two gears Towing
atrailer
211Driving an d parking Z
when driving up or downhill, restric
tthe
shift range. Select shift range 4, 3, 2,or1.
Al ower gear and lower speed reduce the
risk of engine failure.
R When driving downhill, shift to a lower gear
to utilize the engine's braking effect.
Avoid continuous brake application as this
may overheat the vehicle brakes and, if
installed, the trailer brakes.
R If the coolant temperature increases
dramatically while the air-conditioning
system is switched on, switch off the air-
conditioning system.
Coolant heat can additionally be dissipated
by opening the windows and by setting the
blower fan and the interior temperature to
maximum.
R When overtaking, pay particular attention
to the extended length of your vehicle/
trailer combination.
Due to the length of the vehicle/trailer
combination, you require additional road
space in relation to the vehicle you are
overtaking, before you can change back to
the original lane. Decoupling
atrailer G
WARNING
If you uncouple a trailer with the overrun
brake engaged, you could trap your hand
between the vehicle and the trailer drawbar.
There is a risk of injury.
Do not uncouple a trailer if the overru nbrake
is engaged.
! Do not disconnect a trailer with an
engaged overru nbrake. Otherwise, your
vehicle could be damaged by the
rebounding of the overru nbrake.
X Make sure that the automatic transmission
is set to position P.
X Apply the vehicle's parking brake. X
Close all doors and the tailgate.
X Apply the trailer's parking brake.
X Remove the trailer cable and decouple the
trailer. Permissible trailer loads and drawbar
loads
Weight specifications The gross trailer weight is calculated by
adding the weight of the trailer to the weight
of the load and equipment on the trailer.
Missing values were not available at the time
of going to print.
The maximu
mpermissible trailer drawbar
noseweight is the maximum weight with
which the trailer drawbar can be loaded.
Missing values were not available at the time
of going to print.
Loading atrailer R
When loading the trailer, make sure that
neithe rthe permissible gross weight of the
trailer nor the gross vehicle weight is
exceeded. The permissible gross vehicle
weight is indicated on the identification
plate on the B-pillar on the driver's side of
the vehicle.
You can find the maximum permissible
values on the type plates of your vehicle
and the trailer. When calculating how much
weight the vehicle and trailer may carry,
pay attention to the respective lowest
values.
R The trailer drawbarl oad on the ball coupling
must be added to the rear axle load to avoid
exceeding the permissible gross axle
weight. The permissible gross vehicle
weight is indicated on the identification
plate on the B-pillar on the driver's side of
the vehicle.
i Mercedes-Benz recommends atrailer
load where the trailer drawbar noseweight 212
Towing
atrailerDriving an d parking
accounts for 8% to 15% of the trailer's
permissible gross weight.
i The weigh tofotheraccessories,
passengers and loads reduces:
R the permissible traile rload
R the permissible noseweight that your
vehicle can tow
Checking the vehicle and trailer weight R
To ensure compliance of the weight of the
towing vehicle and the trailer with the
maximum permissible values, have the
vehicle/trailer combination (towing vehicle
including driver, passenger, load and fully
laden trailer) weighed on a calibrated
weighbridge.
R Check the gross axle weight rating of the
front and rear axles, the gross weight of the
trailer and trailer drawbar load. Removing the ball coupling
X Observe the manufacturer's installation
instructions.
X Press the protective cap into the ball
coupling recess.
X Make sure that the protective cap is firmly
in place. Storing the ball coupling
G
WARNING
Do not carry the ball coupling in the vehicle
interior if it is not secured.
Otherwise, you and others could be injured by
the ball coupling being thrown around if you:
R brake sharply
R change direction suddenly
R are involved in an accident
X Observe the manufacturer's installation
instructions. Trailer power supply
The trailer socket of your vehicle is equipped
at the factory with apermanen tpower supply.
The permanent power supply is supplied via
trailer socket pin 4.
! You can connect accessories with a
maximum power consumption of 240 Wto
the permanent powe rsupply.
You must no tcharge a trailer battery using
the power supply.
The trailer's permanent power supply is
switched off in the event of low vehicle supply
voltage and after six hours at the latest.
Aq ualified specialist workshop can provide
more information about installing the trailer
electrics. Towing
atrailer
213Driving an d parking Z
Activating/deactivating PRE-SAFE
®
Brake PRE-SAFE
®
Brake is only available in vehicles
with DISTRONIC PLUS.
X Press the 0002or0005 button on the
steering wheel to select the DriveAssistmenu.
X Press the 0003or0004 buttonto select
PRE-SAFE Brake .
X Press the 000Bbutton.
The current selection is displayed.
X To activate/deactivate: press the000B
button again.
When PRE-SAFE ®
Brake (Y page 69) is
activated, the multifunction display shows
the 0001 symbol as long as the HOLD
function is not activated (Y page 179).
Vehicles with Parking Guidance: if
PARKTRONIC is activated and you are driving
at a speed below 22 mph (35 km/h), the 0010
Parking Guidance symbol is shown instead of
the 0001 symbol.
If the PRE-SAFE Brake: Sensors Deactivated message appears, the radar
sensor system is deactivated.
X Switch on the radar sensor system
(Y page 229).
For more information on PRE-SAFE ®
Brake,
see (Y page 69).
Activating/deactivating ATTENTION
ASSIST X
Press the 0002or0005 button on the
steering wheel to select the DriveAssistmenu.
X Press the 0003or0004 button to select
Attention Assist .
X Press the 000Bbutton.
The current selection is displayed.
X To activate/deactivate: press the000B
button again. When ATTENTION ASSIST (Y
page 197) is
activated, the 0003symbol appears in the
multifunction display when the ignition is on.
For further information about ATTENTION
ASSIST, see (Y page 197).
Activating/deactivating Blind Spot
Assist X
Press the 0002or0005 button on the
steering wheel to select the DriveAssist menu.
X Press the 0003or0004 button to select
Blind Spot Assist .
X Press the 000Bbutton.
The current selection is displayed.
X To activate/deactivate: press the000B
button again.
If the Blind Spot Assist Sensors Deactivated or
Act. Blind Spot Asst. Sensors Deactivated message appears,
the radar sensor system is deactivated.
X Switch on the radar sensor system
(Y page 229).
For further information about Blind Spot
Assist, see (Y page 198).
For further information about Active Blind
Spot Assist, see (Y page 202).
activating/deactivating Lane Keeping
Assist X
Press the 0002or0005 button on the
steering wheel to select the DriveAssist menu.
X Press the 0003or0004 button to select
Lane Keep. Asst. X
Press the 000Bbutton.
The current selection is displayed.
X Press 000Bto confirm.
X Press the 0004or0003 button to set Off ,
Standard or
Adaptive .
X Press the 000Bbutton to save the setting. Menus and submenus
225On-board computer and displays Z
Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
0001 Solutions
The braking distance in an emergency braking situation can thus
increase.
If ESP ®
is no toperational, ESP ®
is unable to stabilize the vehicle.
There is an increased risk of skidding and an accident.
X Carefully drive on a suitable stretch of road, making slight
steering movements at a speed above 12 mph (20 km/h).
If the display message disappears, the functions mentioned
above are available again.
If the display message continues to be displayed:
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 0006001A
000F
Inoperative See
Operator's Manual EBD (electronic brake force distribution), ABS, ESP
®
, BAS, PRE-
SAFE ®
, the HOLD function, hill start assist and ESP ®
trailer
stabilization are unavailable due to a malfunction.
BAS PLUS and PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may also have failed.
In addition, the 000F,0017and001A warning lamps light up in
the instrument cluster and a warning tone sounds.
G WARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The fron tand rea rwheels could therefore
lock if you brake hard, for example.
The steerability and braking characteristics may be severely
affected. The braking distance in an emergency braking situation
can increase.
If ESP ®
is not operational, ESP ®
is unable to stabilize the vehicle.
There is an increased risk of skidding and an accident.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop immediately. 0005(USA
only)0006(Canada
only)
Release Parking Brake You are driving with the parking brake applied.
Awarning tone also
sounds.
X Release the parking brake. Display messages
233On-board computer and displays Z
R
Only use jumper cables which have a sufficient cross-section and insulated terminal clamps.
R If the battery is fully discharged, leave the battery that is being used to jump-start connected
for a few minutes before attempting to start. This charges the battery slightly.
R Make sure that the two vehicles do not touch.
Make sure that:
R the jumper cables are not damaged.
R bare parts of the terminal clamp do not come into contact with other metal parts while the
jumper cables are connected to the battery.
R the jumper cables cannot come into contact with parts such as the V-belt pulley or the fan.
These parts move when the engine is started and while it is running.
X Apply the parking brake firmly.
X Shift the automatic transmission to position P.
X Switch off all electrical consumers (e.g. radio, blower, etc.).
X Open the hood (Y page 300). Position number
001Fidentifies the charged battery of the other vehicle or an equivalent jump-
starting device.
X Slide cover 0002of positive terminal 0003in the direction of the arrow.
X Connect positive terminal 0003on your vehicle to positive terminal 0021of donor battery 001F
using the jumper cable, beginning with your own battery.
X Start the engine of the donor vehicle and run it at idling speed.
X Connect negative terminal 0020of donor battery 001Fto ground point 001Eof your vehicle using
the jumper cable, connecting the jumper cable to battery of other vehicle 001Ffirst.
X Start the engine.
X Before disconnecting the jumper cables, let the engine run for several minutes. Jump-starting
319Breakdown assistance Z
Towing the vehicle with the rear axle
raised
Only possible fo rvehicles without
4MATIC.
When towing your vehicle with the rear axle
raised, it is importan tthat you observe the
safety instructions (Y page 320).
! The ignition must be switched off if you
are towing the vehicle with the rear axle
raised. Intervention by ESP ®
could
otherwise damage the brake system.
X Switch on the hazard warning lamps
(Y page 113).
X Turn the SmartKey to position 0in the
ignition lock and remove the SmartKey
from the ignition lock.
X When leaving the vehicle, take the
SmartKey or the KEYLESS-GO key with you. Towing
avehicle with both axles on
the ground
It is importan tthat you observe the safety
instructions when towing away your vehicle
(Y page 320).
X Switch on the hazard warning lamps
(Y page 113).
i When towing with the hazard warning
lamps switched on, use the combination
switch as usual to signal a change of
direction. In this case, only the indicator
lamps for the direction of travel flash. After
resetting the combination switch, the
hazard warning lamp starts flashing again.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2in the
ignition lock.
X When the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal and keep it depressed.
X Shift the automatic transmission to
position N.
X Release the brake pedal.
X Release the parking brake. Transporting the vehicle
The towing eyes or trailer tow hitch can be
used to pull the vehicle onto a trailer or
transporter if you wish to transport it.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2in the
ignition lock.
X Shift the automatic transmission to
position N.
As soon as the vehicle has been loaded:
X Prevent the vehicle from rolling away by
applying the parking brake.
X Shift the automatic transmission to
position P.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 0in the
ignition lock and remove the SmartKey
from the ignition lock.
X Secure the vehicle.
! Only lash the vehicle down by the wheels
or wheel rims, not by parts of the vehicle
such as axle or steering components.
Otherwise, the vehicle could be damaged. Notes on 4MATIC vehicles
! Vehicles with 4MATIC must not be towed
with either the front or the rear axle raised,
as doing so will damage the transmission.
If the vehicle has transmission damage or
damage to the front or rear axle, have it
transported on a transporter or trailer.
In the event of damage to the electrical
system
If the battery is defective, the automatic
transmission will be locked in position P. To
shift the automatic transmission to position
N, you must provide power to the vehicle's
electrical system in the same way as when
jump-starting (Y page 318).
Have the vehicle transported on a transporter
or trailer. 322
Towing and tow-startingBreakdown assistance
Useful information
i This Operator's Manual describes all
models and all standard and optional
equipment of your vehicle available at the
time of publication of the Operator's
Manual. Country-specific differences are
possible. Please note that your vehicle may
not be equipped with all features
described. This also applies to safety-
related systems and functions.
i Read the information on qualified
specialist workshops: (Y page 27).Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If wheels and tires of the wrong size are used,
the wheel brakes or suspension components
may be damaged. There is arisk of an
accident.
Always replace wheels and tires with those
that fulfill the specifications of the original
part.
When replacing wheels, make sure to use the
correct:
R designation
R model
When replacing tires, make sure to use the
correct:
R designation
R manufacturer
R model G
WARNING
Af lat tire severely impairs the driving,
steering and braking characteristics of the
vehicle. There is a risk of accident.
Tires without run-flat characteristics:
R do not drive with aflat tire.
R immediately replace the flat tire with your
emergency spare wheel or spare wheel, or
consult a qualified specialist workshop. Tires with run-flat characteristics:
R
pay attention to the information and
warning notices on MOExtended tires (tires
with run-flat characteristics).
Accessories that are not approved for your
vehicle by Mercedes-Ben zorare not being
used correctly can impair the operating
safety.
Before purchasing and using non-approved
accessories, visi taqualified specialist
workshop and inquire about:
R suitability
R legal stipulations
R factory recommendations
Information on the dimensions and types of
wheels and tires for your vehicle can be found
in the "Wheel/tire combinations" section
(Y page 357).
Information on air pressure for the tires on
your vehicle can be found:
R on the vehicle's Tire and Loading
Information placard on the B-pillar
R on the tire pressure label on the fuel filler
flap
R in the "Tire pressure" section
Modification work on the brake system and
wheels is not permitted. The use of wheel
spacers or brake dust shields is not
permitted. This invalidates the general
operating permit for the vehicle.
i Further information on wheels and tires
can be obtained at any qualified specialist
workshop. Operation
Information on driving
R If the vehicle is heavily loaded, chec kthe
tire pressures and correct them if
necessary.
R When parking your vehicle, make sure that
the tires do not get deformed by the curb 328
OperationWheels and tires