2015 MERCEDES-BENZ G-CLASS SUV towing

iAlso observe the height of the trailer cou-
pling and the trailer manufacturer's instruc- tions.
iDepending on the height of the trailer
coupling, you may have to turn the ball cou-
pling 180° to install it on the ball coupling
carrier. The assembly is otherwise identi-
cal.
Installing the ball coupling
GWARNING
If the ball coupling is not installed correctly or not secured with the bolt provided and the
corresponding spring cotter, the trailer may
come loose. There is a risk of an accident.
Always install and secure the ball coupling as
described. Before every journey, ensure that
the ball coupling is secured with the bolt and
the corresponding spring cotter.
GWARNING
If the ball coupling is not correctly installed
and secured, it can come loose during the
journey and endanger other road users. There is a risk of an accident and injury.
Always install and secure the ball coupling as
described. Before every journey, ensure that
the ball coupling is secured with the bolt and
the corresponding spring cotter.
X Pull protective cap =in the direction of the
arrow, out of the ball coupling recess.
X Insert the ball coupling horizontally into ball
coupling recess ?in the direction of the
arrow until the hole in ball coupling Ais in
line with the hole in ball coupling recess B.
X
Slide bolt Cinto the hole in the ball cou-
pling recess and the ball coupling to the
stop.
140Towing a trailer
Driving an d parking

XSecure the bolt using spring cotter D.
Correctly installed and secured ball couplingX
Check the ball coupling, bolt and spring
cotter for correct installation.
Coupling up a trailer
GWARNING
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 overrun brake
is engaged.
!Do not connect the trailer's brake system
(if featured) to the hydraulic brake system
of the towing vehicle, as the latter is equip-
ped 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.
Observe the maximum permissible trailer
dimensions (width and length). Most U.S. states and all Canadian provinces
require by law:
R safety chains between the towing vehicle
and the trailer. The chains should be cross-
wound under the trailer drawbar. They must
be fastened to the vehicle's trailer cou-
pling, not to the bumper or the axle.
Allow for enough play in the chains to facil- itate turning tight corners.
R a separate brake system for certain types
of trailer.
R a safety switch for braked trailers. Check
the specific legal requirements applicable
to your state.
If the trailer detaches from the towing vehi-
cle, the safety switch applies the trailer's
brakes.
X Make sure that the automatic transmission
is set to position P.
X Apply the vehicle's parking brake.
X Couple up the trailer.
X Establish all electrical connections.
Towing a trailer
There are numerous legal requirements con-
cerning the towing of a trailer, e.g. speed
restrictions. Make sure that your vehicle/
trailer combination complies with the local
requirements not only in your area of resi-
dence but also at any location to which you
are traveling. The police and local authorities
can provide reliable information.
Please observe the following when towing a
trailer:
R To acquaint yourself with driving with a
trailer and with the resulting changes to
handling, you should practice cornering,
Towing a trailer141
Driving and parking
Z

stopping and backing up in a traffic-free location.
R Before driving, check:
- Trailer tow hitch
- Safety switch for braked trailers
- Safety chains
- Electrical connections
- Lights
- Wheels
R Adjust the exterior mirrors to provide an
unobstructed view of the rear section of the
trailer.
R If the trailer features electronically control-
led brakes, pull away the vehicle/trailer
combination carefully, manually brake
using the brake controller, and check the
brakes for correct function.
R Secure any objects on the trailer to prevent
the cargo from slipping when the vehicle is
in motion.
R If you couple up a trailer, regularly check
the cargo for secure fastening and make
sure that the trailer lamps and (if applica-
ble) the trailer brakes are functioning cor-rectly.
R Bear in mind that the handling will be less
stable when towing a trailer than when driv-
ing without one. Avoid sudden steeringmovements.
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. Thenincrease the pressure on the brake pedal.
R If the automatic transmission continues to
shift back and forth between two gears
when driving up or downhill, restrict the
shift range. Select shift range 4, 3, 2,or1.
A lower 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 dra-
matically while the air-conditioning system
is switched on, switch off the air-condition-
ing system.
Coolant heat can additionally be dissipated
by opening the windows and by setting the
blower fan and the interior temperature tomaximum.
R When overtaking, pay particular attention
to the extended length of your vehicle/
trailer combination.
Due to the length of your vehicle/trailer
combination, you will have to travel an addi-
tional distance beyond the vehicle you are
overtaking before returning to the previous lane.
Decoupling a trailer
!
Do not disconnect a trailer with an
engaged overrun brake. Otherwise, your
vehicle could be damaged by the rebound- ing of the overrun brake.
X Make sure that the automatic transmission
is set to position P.
X Apply the parking brake.
X Start the engine.
X Close all doors, including the rear door.
X Apply the trailer's parking brake.
X Detach the trailer cable and decouple thetrailer.
X Switch off the engine.
Permissible trailer and drawbar loads
Weight specifications
The gross trailer weight is calculated by add-
ing the weight of the trailer to the weight of
142Towing a trailer
Driving and parking

the load and equipment on the trailer. Missingvalues for model G 63 AMG and G 65 AMG
were not available at the time of going to
print.
The maximum permissible trailer drawbar
noseweight is the maximum weight with
which the trailer drawbar can be loaded:
562 lbs (255 kg). Limit for Mercedes-Benz-
approved trailer couplings.
Loading a trailer
R When loading the trailer, make sure that
neither the 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 val-
ues on the type plates of your vehicle and
the trailer. Always observe the lowest
respective value when determining the
maximum weight with which you can load
the vehicle and the trailer.
R The trailer drawbar load 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.
iMercedes-Benz recommends a trailer
load where the trailer drawbar noseweight
accounts for 8% to 15% of the trailer's per-
missible gross weight.
iThe weight of additional accessories, pas-
sengers, and cargo reduces the permissi-
ble trailer load and drawbar load for your
vehicle.
Checking the vehicle and trailer weight
R Determine the maximum permissible gross
vehicle weight of the vehicle. Weigh the
car/trailer combination, including the driver, passenger, trailer and load on a cali-
brated weighing machine.
R Check the gross axle weight rating of the
front and rear axles, the gross weight of the
trailer and trailer drawbar load.
Information in the Digital Operator's
Manual
In the Digital Operator's Manual you will find
information on the following topics:
R Trailer power supply
R Bulb failure indicator for LED lamps
R Trailer with 7-pin connector
Towing a trailer143
Driving an d parking
Z

Roadside Assistance button
XOpen the stowage compartment under the
armrest ( Ypage 193).
X Press Roadside Assistance button :for
more than two seconds.
A call to a Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assis-
tance Representative is initiated. Indicator
lamp ;in Roadside Assistance button :
flashes while the call is active. The
ConZ
necting Callmessage appears in the
multifunction display and COMAND is
muted.
If a connection can be made, the
Call ConZ
nectedmessage appears in the multifunction
display.
If a mobile phone network is available and
there is sufficient GPS reception, the mbrace
system transmits data to the Response Cen-
ter, for example:
R current location of the vehicle
R vehicle identification number
R vehicle model
R vehicle color
iThe COMAND display shows that an
mbrace call is active. You can change to the navigation menu by pressing the NAVI but-
ton on COMAND during the call. Voice out- put is not available.
A voice connection is established between
the Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance
Representative and the vehicle occupants. The Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance
Representative either sends a qualified
Mercedes-Benz technician or makes arrange-
ments for your vehicle to be transported to
the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter. You may be charged for services such as
repair work and/or towing. Further details
are available in your mbrace manual.
X Describe the type of assistance needed.
iIf the indicator lamp in Roadside Assis-
tance button :is flashing continuously
and no voice connection with the Response center has been established, then the
mbrace system has not been able to initiate
a Roadside Assistance call (e.g. the rele-
vant mobile phone network is not availa-
ble). The
CallFailedmessage appears in
the multifunction display.
X To end a call: press the~button on the
multifunction steering wheel.
or
X Press the corresponding COMAND button
to end a phone call.
iSign and drive services 2
: you are not
charged for services such as jump-starting,
providing a few gallons of fuel for a fuel tank that has been run dry or changing a faulty
tire with the vehicle's own spare wheel.
MB Info call button
2 USA only.
200Features
Stowage and features

Useful information............................214
Where will I find...? ...........................214
Flat tire .............................................. 216
Battery (vehicle) ................................ 216
Jump-starting .................................... 220
Towing and tow-starting ..................222
Fuses .................................................. 225
213
Roadside Assistance

The jump-starting connection point consists of poles;and =.
X Lift up cover :of positive terminal ;in the direction of the arrow.
X Connect positive terminal ;on your vehicle to positive terminal ?of donor battery B
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 Aof donor battery Bto ground point =of your vehicle using
the jumper cable, connecting the jumper cable to donor battery Bfirst.
X Start the engine.
X First, remove the jumper cables from ground point =and negative terminal A, then from
positive clamp ;and positive terminal ?. Each time beginning with your vehicle's battery.
X Have the battery checked at a qualified specialist workshop.
iJump-starting is not considered to be a normal operating condition.
iJumper cables and further information regarding jump-starting can be obtained at any
qualified specialist workshop.
Towing and tow-starting
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Functions relevant to safety are restricted or
no longer available if:
R the engine is not running.
R the brake system or the power steering is
malfunctioning.
R there is a malfunction in the voltage supply
or the vehicle's electrical system.
If your vehicle is being towed, much more
force may be necessary to steer or brake.
There is a risk of an accident.
In such cases, use a tow bar. Before towing,
make sure that the steering moves freely.
GWARNING
When towing or tow-starting another vehicle
and its weight is greater than the permissible gross weight of your vehicle, the:
R the towing eye could detach itself
R the vehicle/trailer combination could roll-over.
There is a risk of an accident.
When towing or tow-starting another vehicle,
its weight should not be greater than the per- missible gross weight of your vehicle.
!If DISTRONIC PLUS or the HOLD function
is activated, the vehicle brakes automati-
cally in certain situations. To prevent dam-
age to the vehicle, deactivate DISTRONIC
PLUS and the HOLD function in the follow- ing or other similar situations:
R when towing the vehicle
R in the car wash
!The vehicle can be towed a maximum of
30 miles (50km). The towing speed of
30 mph (50 km/h) must not be exceeded.
If the vehicle has to be towed more than
30 miles (50km), the entire vehicle must be
raised and transported.
!Only secure the tow cable or tow bar to
the towing eyes. You could otherwise dam-
age the vehicle.
!Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
This could damage the vehicle.
!Do not use the towing eyes for recovery
purposes as this could damage the vehicle.
If in doubt, recover the vehicle with a crane.
222Towing and tow-starting
Roadside Assistance

!When towing, pull away slowly and
smoothly. If the tractive power is too high,
the vehicles could be damaged.
!Your vehicles is equipped with an auto-
matic transmission. Therefore, you must
not have the vehicle tow-started. The trans-
mission may otherwise be damaged.
iDetails on the permissible gross vehicle
weight of your vehicle can be found on the
vehicle identification plate ( Ypage 258).
It is better to have the vehicle transported
than to have it towed away.
If the transfer case can be shifted into neutral N , you can tow the vehicle.
If the transfer case cannot be shifted into neutral N, you can tow the vehicle with one
axle raised. Please bear the following in mind:
R remove the propeller shaft between the
transfer case and the rolling axle.
R turn the SmartKey to position 1in the igni-
tion lock ( Ypage 103).
The battery must be connected and charged.
Otherwise, you:
R cannot turn the SmartKey to position 2in
the ignition lock ( Ypage 103).
R cannot shift the automatic transmission to
position N.
iDisarm the automatic locking feature
before the vehicle is towed ( Ypage 75). You
could otherwise be locked out when push-
ing or towing the vehicle.
Towing eyes
Towing eyes, front
:Towing eyes, front
Towing eye, rear
Rear towing eye :is located under the
bumper, on the left-hand side when viewed in
the direction of travel.
Towing a vehicle with both axles on
the ground
It is important that you observe the safety
instructions when towing away your vehicle( Y page 222).
X Switch on the hazard warning lamps(Y page 90).
iIn order to signal a change of direction
when towing the vehicle with the hazard
warning lamps switched on, use the com-
bination switch as usual. In this case, only
the indicator lamps for the direction of
travel flash. After resetting the combina-
Towing and tow-starting223
Roadside Assistance
Z