
R
Do not install hired trailer couplings or other
detachable trailer couplings on the bumpers
of your vehicle. R
If you no longer need the ball coupling,
remove it from the ball coupling recess. This
will reduce the risk of damage to the ball cou-
pling.
When towing a trailer, set the tire pressure on
the rear axle of the towing vehicle for the max-
imum load. You will find the values in the tire
pressure table in the fuel filler flap of the vehicle
( Y
page 359).
Please note that when towing a trailer, the fol-
lowing driving systems have limited availability
or are not available at all: R
Parking Assist PARKTRONIC ( Y
page 184)R
Blind Spot Assist ( Y
page 201)R
Active Lane Keeping Assist ( Y
page 207)
On vehicles without level control, the height of
the ball coupling will alter according to the load
placed on the vehicle. If necessary, use a trailer
with a height-adjustable drawbar.
You will find installing dimensions and loads
under "Technical data" ( Y
page 384).
Driving tips Observe the information on ESP ®
trailer stabili-
zation ( Y
page 68) and on pulling away with a
trailer ( Y
page 135).
The maximum permissible speed for vehicle/
trailer combinations depends on the type of
trailer. Before beginning the journey, check the
trailer's documents to see what the maximum
permissible speed is. Observe the legally pre-
scribed maximum speed in the relevant country.
For certain Mercedes-Benz vehicles, the maxi-
mum permissible rear axle load is increased
when towing a trailer. See "Technical data" to
find out whether this applies to your vehicle
( Y
page 384). If you utilize any of the added
maximum rear axle load when towing a trailer,
the vehicle/trailer combination may not exceed
a maximum speed of 60 mph (100 km/h) for
reasons concerning the operating permit. This
also applies in countries in which the permissi-
ble maximum speed for vehicle/trailer combi-
nations is above 60 mph (100 km/h).
When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristics will be different in comparison
with when driving without a trailer. Use the left-hand steering wheel paddle shifter
to shift into a lowe r g ear in good time on long
a
nd steep downhill gradients.
This also applies if you have activated cruise
control or Distance Pilot DISTRONIC.
This will use the braking effect of the engine, so
that less braking will be required to maintain the
speed. This relieves the load on the brake sys-
tem and prevents the brakes from overheating
and wearing too quickly. If you need additional
braking, depress the brake pedal repeatedly
rather than continuously.
Driving tips If the trailer swings from side to side: X
Do not accelerate. X
Do not counter-steer. X
Brake if necessary. R
Maintain a greater distance from the vehicle
in front than when driving without a trailer. R
Avoid braking abruptly. If possible, brake gen-
tly at first to allow the trailer to run on. Then,
increase the braking force rapidly. R
The values given for gradient-climbing capa-
bilities from a standstill refer to sea level.
When driving in mountainous areas, note that
the power output of the engine and, conse-
quently, the vehicle's gradient-climbing capa-
bility, decreases with increasing altitude.
Installing the ball coupling
G WARNING
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.
G WARNING
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.Towing a trailer 217
Driving an d parking Z

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
Shift the transmission to position P .X
Apply the vehicle's electric parking brake. X
Start the engine. X
Close the doors and tailgate. X
Apply the trailer's parking brake. X
Detach the trailer cable and decouple the
trailer. X
Switch off the engine.
Permissible trailer loads and drawbar
loads
Weight specifications
Maximum allowable gross mass The gross vehicle weight of the trailer is calcu-
lated by adding the weight of the trailer to the
weight of the load and equipment on the trailer.
You will find installing dimensions and loads
under "Technical data" ( Y
page 384).
Permissible noseweight
You will find installing dimensions and loads
under "Technical data" ( Y
page 384).
Loading a trailer R
When loading the trailer, make sure that nei-
ther the permissible gross weight of the trailer
nor the gross vehicle weight are exceeded.
The permissible gross vehicle weight is indi-
cated on the identification plate located 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 atten-
tion to the respective lowest values. 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 indi-
cated on the identification plate located on
the B-pillar on the driver's side of the vehicle.
i Mercedes-Benz recommends a trailer load
where the trailer drawbar noseweight
accounts for 8 % to 15 % of the trailer's per-
missible gross weight.
i The weight of additional accessories, pas-
sengers, and cargo reduces the permissible
trailer load and drawbar load for your vehicle.
Checking the vehicle and trailer weight R
To check that the weights of the towing vehi-
cle and the trailer comply with the maximum
permissible values, have the vehicle/trailer
combination (including the driver, passen-
gers, and cargo with a 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 the trailer drawbar noseweight.
Removing the ball coupling X
Remove the spring cotter. X
Remove the bolt from the ball coupling
recess. X
Remove the ball coupling from the ball cou-
pling recess. X
Clean the ball coupling if it is dirty. X
Stow the ball coupling so that it cannot be
thrown around.
Observe the loading guidelines ( Y
page 288)
and the safety notes regarding stowage spaces
( Y
page 288).
Information on cleaning and care of the trailer
tow hitch ( Y
page 324).
Trailer power supply
! Accessories with a maximum power con-
sumption of 180 W can be connected to the
permanent power supply.Towing a trailer 221
Driving an d parking Z

R
do not switch ESP ®
off.R
have a spare wheel or emergency spare
wheel of a different size replaced at the
nearest qualified specialist workshop.
Observe that the wheel and tire dimensions
as well as the tire type must be correct.
! Mercedes-AMG vehicles with
"Minispare" emergency spare wheel: only
use the "Minispare" emergency spare wheel
on the rear axle . If you mount the
"Minispare" emergency spare wheel on the
front axle, this could result in damage to the
brake system.
If a tire on the front axle is defective, an intact
wheel from the rear axle must first be
replaced with the "Minispare" emergency
spare wheel. The damaged wheel on the front
axle can then be replaced by the undamaged
wheel from the rear axle.
Make sure to note the placard on the
"Minispare" emergency spare wheel.
When using an emergency spare wheel or spare
wheel of a different size, you must not exceed
the maximum speed of 50 mph (80 km/ h) .
Snow chains must not be mounted on emer-
gency spare wheels.
General notes You can ask for information regarding permitted
emergency spare wheels at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Mounting the emergency spare wheel is descri-
bed under "Mounting a wheel" ( Y
page 362).
You should regularly check the pressure of the
emergency spare wheel, particularly prior to
long trips, and correct the pressure as neces-
sary ( Y
page 344). The value on the wheel is
valid.
An emergency spare wheel may also be moun-
ted against the direction of rotation. Observe
the time restriction on use as well as the speed
limitation specified on the emergency spare
wheel.
Replace the tires after six years at the latest,
regardless of wear. This also applies to the
emergency spare wheel.
When you are driving with the collapsible spare
wheel mounted, the tire pressure loss warning
system or the tire pressure monitor cannot func- tion reliably. Only restart the tire pressure loss
warning system or tire pressure monitor when
the defective wheel has been replaced with a
new wheel.
Vehicles with tire pressure monitor: after
mounting an emergency spare wheel, the sys-
tem may still display the tire pressure of the
removed wheel for a few minutes. The value dis-
played for the mounted emergency spare wheel
is not the same as the current tire pressure of
the e mergency spare wheel.
Removing/stowing the emergency
spare wheel
Vehicles with a "Minispare" emergency
spare wheel under the cargo compart-
ment floor Always observe the instructions and safety
notes in the "Mounting a wheel" section
( Y
page 362).
The "Minispare" emergency spare wheel can be
found in the stowage well under the cargo com-
partment floor.
Removing the emergency spare wheel X
Lift the cargo compartment floor upwards
( Y
page 296). X
Vehicle without a lockable cargo compart-
ment floor: turn emergency spare wheel
retainer D counter-clockwise and remove it. X
Remove "Minispare" emergency spare
wheel C .Emergency spare wheel 367
Wheels and tires Z

The rear wheel torque is increased, making it
easier to drive off.
For further information about the maximum gra-
dient climbing ability, see ( Y
page 165).
Trailer tow hitch
Mounting dimensions
! If you have a trailer tow hitch retrofitted,
changes to the cooling system and drive train
may be necessary, depending on the vehicle
type.
If you have a trailer tow hitch retrofitted,
observe the anchorage points on the chassis
frame.
C
Anchorage points for the trailer tow hitch D
Rear axle center line
Trailer loads
Permissible trailer load, braked (at a
minimum gradient-climbing capability
of 12% from a standstill)
Missing values were not available at the time of
going to print.
GLE 350
6615 lbs (3000 kg)
GLE 350 4MATIC
7200 lbs (3265 kg)
GLE 400 4MATIC
7200 lbs (3265 kg)
GLE 550 4MATIC
7200 lbs (3265 kg) Mercedes-AMG
GLE 43
4MATIC
Mercedes-
AMG GLE 63 4MATI
C 7198 lbs (3265 kg)
Mercedes-
AMG GLE 63 S 4MA
TIC 7198 lbs (3265 kg)
GLE 350 d 4MATIC
7200 lbs (3265 kg)
GLE 550 e 4MATIC
4410 lbs (2000 kg)
Maximum drawbar noseweight (the
drawbar noseweight is not included in
the trailer load) Missing values were not available at the time of
going to print.
GLE 350
530 lbs (240 kg)
GLE 350 4MATIC
575 lbs (261 kg)
GLE 400 4MATIC
575 lbs (261 kg)
GLE 550 4MATIC
575 lbs (261 kg)
Mercedes-AMG
GLE 43
4MATIC
Mercedes-
AMG GLE 63 4MATI
C 575 lbs (261 kg)
Mercedes-
AMG GLE 63 S 4MA
TIC 575 lbs (261 kg)
GLE 350 d 4MATIC
575 lbs (261 kg)
GLE 550 e 4MATIC
355 lbs (160 kg)
The actual noseweight may not be higher than
the value which is given. The value can be found
on the trailer tow hitch or trailer identification
plates. The lowest weight applies.
The maximum permissible trailer drawbar nose-
weight is the maximum weight with which the
trailer drawbar can be loaded. Limit for
Mercedes-Benz-approved trailer couplings.384
Trailer tow hitch
Technical data

Gross rear axle weight rating when tow-
ing a trailer Missing values were not available at the time of
going to print.
GLE 350
3527 lbs (1600 kg)
GLE 350 4MATIC
3527 lbs (1600 kg)
GLE 400 4MATIC
3527 lbs (1600 kg)
GLE 550 4MATIC
3527 lbs (1600 kg)
Mercedes-AMG
GLE 43
4MATIC
Mercedes-
AMG GLE 63 4MATI
C 3858 lbs (1750 kg)
Mercedes-
AMG GLE 63 S 4MA
TIC 3858 lbs (1750 kg)
GLE 350 d 4MATIC
3638 lbs (1650 kg)
GLE 550 e 4MATIC
3704 lbs (1680 kg)
Ball position of the ball coupling
When choosing a ball coupling, the dimensions
stated in the illustration must not be exceeded. Trailer tow hitch 385
Technical data Z