The camera in the rear area is protected by
means of a flap. This flap opens when the 360°
camera is activated. Observe the notes on
cleaning ( Y
page 316). For technical reasons,
the flap may remain open briefly after the 360°
camera has been deactivated.
The field of vision and other functions of the
camera system may be restricted due to addi-
tional attachments (e.g. license plate holder,
rear bicycle carrier).
On vehicles with height-adjustable chassis,
depending on technical conditions, leaving the
standard height can result in: R
inaccuracies in the guide lines R
inaccuracies in the display of generated
images (top view)
Activation conditions The image from the 360° camera appears if: R
the multimedia system is switched on R
the 360° Camera function is switched on
If you are driving faster than at a moderate
speed and you turn on the 360° camera, a warn-
ing message appears.
The warning message disappears if: R
you are again driving at a moderate speed The
360° camera is then activated R
the message is confirmed with the 8 but-
ton
Switching the 360° camera on and off
using the button
X
To switch on: press button C .
The following appears depending on whether
gear [ or ^ is selected: R
a split screen with top view and the image
from the front camera or R
a split screen with top view and the image
from the rear view camera X
To switch off: press button C .
Activating the 360° camera using
reverse gear The 360° camera images can be automatically
displayed by engaging reverse gear. X
Make sure that the Activation by R gear
function is selected in the multimedia system
(see the Digital Operator's Manual). X
To show the 360° camera image: engage
reverse gear.
The multimedia system shows the area
behind the vehicle in split-screen mode. You
see the top view of the vehicle and the image
from the rear view camera.
You cannot stop the 360° camera display if
reverse gear is engaged.
Selecting the split-screen view or full
screen mode Switching between split screen views: X
To switch to the line with the vehicle icons:
slide 5 the controller. X
To select a vehicle icon: turn the controller.
Switching to full screen mode: X
Turn and press 180° View with the controller.
The full screen option is only available in the fol-
lowing views: R
Top view with picture from the rear view cam-
era R
Top view with picture from the front camera
Multimedia display
Important safety notes
The camera system may show a distorted view
of obstacles, show them incorrectly or not at all.
Obstacles are not shown by the system in the
following locations: R
under the front and rear bumpers R
very close to the front and rear bumpers R
in the area immediately above the tailgate
handle188
Driving systems
Driving and parking
X
Switch off the engine. X
Close the doors and tailgate. X
Couple up the trailer. X
Establish the electrical connection between
the vehicle and the trailer. X
Check that the trailer lighting system is work-
ing. X
Push the combination switch upwards/down-
wards and check whether the corresponding
turn signal on the trailer flashes.
A trailer that is connected is recognized only
when the electrical connection is established
correctly and when the lighting system is work-
ing properly. The function of other systems also
depends on this, for example: R
ESP ®
R
PARKTRONIC R
Active Parking Assist R
Active Blind Spot Assist R
Active Lane Keeping Assist
Vehicles with AIR BODY CONTROL: if you couple
up a trailer, the vehicle always remains at high-
way level. Observe the following note when cou-
pling up a trailer: R
Unless highway level has been set manually,
the vehicle is automatically lowered to high-
way level. If a speed of 5 mph (8 km/h) has
been reached, this may be the case.
These restrictions apply to accessories that are
supplied with power via the trailer socket in your
vehicle, e.g. a rear bicycle rack.
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 fas-
tened to the vehicle's trailer coupling, not to
the bumper or the axle.
Leave enough play in the chains to make tight
cornering possible. R
A separate brake system for certain types of
trailer. R
Safety switch for braked trailers. Check the
specific legal requirements applicable to your
state.
If the trailer becomes detached from the tow-
ing vehicle, the safety feature applies the
trailer brakes. Towing a trailer There are several legal requirements for towing
a trailer, e.g. the maximum permissible speed.
Make sure that your car/trailer combination
complies with the local regulations: R
in your place of residence R
at your destination
The police and local authorities can provide reli-
able information.
To accumulate driving experience and accustom
yourself to the new handling characteristics,
practice the following at a location where there
is no traffic: R
Cornering R
Stopping R
Backing up
Check the following before the journey: R
Trailer tow hitch R
Safety switch for braked trailers R
Safety chains R
Electrical connections R
Lighting system R
Wheels and tires R
Load securing
Adjust the exterior mirrors so that you have a
clear view of the rear section of the trailer.
If the trailer is equipped with electronically con-
trolled brakes, pull away carefully in the car/
trailer combination. Brake manually using the
brake controller and check whether the brakes
function correctly.
Regularly check that the load is secure.
When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristics will be different in comparison
with when driving without a trailer.
The vehicle/trailer combination: R
is heavier R
is restricted in its acceleration and gradient-
climbing capability R
has an increased braking distance R
is affected more by strong crosswinds R
demands more sensitive steering R
has a larger turning circle
Avoid sudden steering movements.
Avoid braking abruptly. If possible, brake gently
at first to allow the trailer to run on. Then,
increase the braking force rapidly.Towing a trailer 205
Driving and parking Z
When overtaking, pay particular attention to the
extended length of your vehicle/trailer combi-
nation.
Due to the length of the vehicle/trailer combi-
nation, you require additional road space when
overtaking before you can change back to the
original lane.
If the automatic transmission repeatedly shifts
between gears on uphill or downhill gradients,
shift to a lower gear.
Driving in a lower gear and at a reduced speed
decreases the risk of engine damage.
If the coolant temperature increases signifi-
cantly when climate control is switched on,
switch climate control off.
Coolant heat can also be dissipated by opening
the windows and switching the ventilation
blower and the interior temperature to the high-
est level.
Decoupling a trailer
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 overrun brake
is engaged.
G WARNING
Vehicles with level control:
The vehicle is lowered as soon as you discon-
nect the trailer cable. This could result in your
limbs or those of other people that are
between the vehicle body and tires or under-
neath the vehicle being trapped. There is a
risk of injury.
Make sure that nobody is in the immediate
vicinity of the wheel housings or under the
vehicle when you disconnect the trailer cable.
! Do not disconnect a trailer with an engaged
overrun brake. Otherwise, your vehicle could
be damaged by the rebounding of the overrun
brake. X
Apply the vehicle's parking brake manually. X
Shift the transmission to position ] . X
Close all doors and the tailgate. X
Switch off the engine. X
Secure the vehicle and trailer against rolling
away. X
Remove the trailer cable. X
Remove the safety chains, if there are any. X
Uncouple the trailer.
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.
Observe the loading guidelines ( Y
page 278)
and the safety notes regarding stowage spaces
( Y
page 278).
Information on cleaning and care of the trailer
tow hitch ( Y
page 316).
Trailer power supply
! Accessories with a maximum power con-
sumption of 180 W can be connected to the
permanent power supply.
You must not charge a trailer battery using the
power 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 4.
The trailer's permanent power supply is
switched off in the event of low vehicle supply
voltage and after six hours at the latest.
A qualified specialist workshop can provide
more information about installing the trailer
electrics.
Permissible trailer loads and trailer
drawbar noseweights
Weight specifications
The gross trailer weight is calculated as the
weight of the trailer plus the weight of the load
and the trailer's equipment.206
Towing a trailer
Driving and parking