2017 MERCEDES-BENZ METRIS MY17 Operator’s Manual

The message displays depend on the language
setting of the audio system. The following rear
view camera displays are examples.
Important safety notes
!Objects that are not at ground level appear
further away than they actually are, for exam-
ple:
Rthe bumper of the vehicle parked behind
Rthe drawbar of a trailer
Rthe ball coupling of a trailer tow hitch
Rthe tail-end of a truck
Rslanted posts
Only use the camera guide lines for orienta-
tion. Do not get any closer to objects than the
lowest horizontal guide line. You may other-
wise damage your vehicle and/or the object.
The rear view camera is only an aid. It cannot
replace your own awareness of the immediate
surroundings. You are responsible for safe
maneuvering and parking. Make sure that there
are no persons, animals or objects in the maneu- vering area while maneuvering and parking in
parking spaces.
The rear view camera may show obstacles in
perspectival distortion, incorrectly or not at all.
The rear view camera cannot display all objects
located very near and/or under the rear
bumper. It does not warn you of a collision, per-
sons or objects.
Under the following circumstances, the rear
view camera will not function, or will function in
a limited manner:
Rif the tailgate or rear door is open.
Rif it is raining very heavily or snowing, or it is
foggy.
Rat night or in very dark places.
Rif the camera is exposed to very bright light.
White lines may appear in the camera image.
Rif the area is lit by fluorescent light or LED
lighting. The camera image may flicker.
Rif the camera lens fogs up, e.g. when driving
into a heated garage in winter, causing a rapid
change in temperature.
Rif the camera lens is dirty or obstructed.
Observe the notes on cleaning (Ypage 267).
Rif the rear of the vehicle is damaged. In this
case, have the camera position and setting
checked at a qualified specialist workshop. Do not use the rear view camera in these situa-
tions. You could otherwise injure others or dam-
age objects and the vehicle while parking and
maneuvering.
The field of vision and other functions of the rear view camera may be restricted due to additional
accessories on the rear of the vehicle (e.g.
license plate holder, rear-mount

ed bicycle
rack).
Guide lines are always shown at road level. In
trailer mode, the guide lines are shown at the
level of the trailer coupling.
If you change wheel size, make sure they corre- spond to the correct wheel size category
(
Ypage 277). If the category is changed without
recoding the control units in the vehicle, the rear
view camera cannot be precisely calibrated. The
guide lines at road level or at the level of the
trailer tow hitch will not be displayed correctly.
In vehicles with a tailgate, the rear view camera
is protected from raindrops and dust by means
of a flap. When the rear view camera is activa-
ted, this flap opens.
The flap closes again when:
Ryou have finished the maneuvering process
Ryou switch off the engine
For technical reasons, the flap may remain open
briefly after the rear view camera has been
deactivated.
Switching the rear view camera on or
off
XTo switch on: make sure that the key is in
position 2in the ignition lock.
XShift the transmission to position R.
On vehicles with a tailgate, the rear view cam-
era flap opens. The audio display shows the
area behind the vehicle. The rear area shown
is divided by guide lines.
Driving systems159
Driving and parking
Z

In vehicles with a trailer coupling installed, the
function mode of the rear view camera can be
switched over when the trailer is reached. The
rear view camera then changes the viewing
angle and shows a locating aid for the ball cou-
pling of the trailer tow hitch to help reach the
drawbar.
XTo switch function mode:select and con-
firm "Reverse parking" function :or "Cou-
pling up a trailer“ function ;using the audio
system control knob.
Information on the audio system control knob
can be found in the separate operating
instructions.
The symbol of the selected function is high-
lighted.
XTo switch off: shift the transmission to posi-
tion Nor D.
The dynamic guide lines are hidden and after
about 15 seconds the rear view camera
switches itself off.
or
XDrive forwards more than about 30 ft (10 m).
or
XDrive forwards faster than 6 mph (10 km/h) .
or
XShift the automatic transmission to P.
In vehicles with Active Parking Assist, the rear
view camera remains switched on after the ini-
tial shift to reverse gear for the whole duration of active parking assistance. You can find informa-
tion on active parking assistance under "Active
Parking Assist“ (
Ypage 154).
Displays in the audio display
:Yellow guide line at a distance of approx-
imately 13 ft (4.0 m) from the rear of the
vehicle
;White guide line without turning the steering
wheel, vehicle width including the exterior
mirrors (static)
=Yellow guide line for the vehicle width
including the exterior mirrors, at the current
steering angle (dynamic)
?Yellow lane marking the course the tires will
take at the current steering angle (dynamic)
AYellow guide line at a distance of approx-
imately 3 ft (1.0 m) from the rear of the vehi-
cle
BRed guide line at a distance of approximately
12 in (0.30 m) from the rear of the vehicle
CBumper
DVehicle center axis (locating aid)
The guide lines are shown when the transmis-
sion is in position R.
The distance specifications only apply to
objects that are at ground level.
160Driving systems
Driving and parking

PARKTRONIC warning displays for vehicles with
Active Parking Assist
E
Front warning displays
FVehicle symbol as PARKTRONIC measure-
ment operational readiness indicator
GRear warning displays
When PARKTRONIC is switched on and is opera- tional (
Ypage 153) in vehicles with Active Park-
ing Assist, the camera image shows vehicle
symbol F. When the PARKTRONIC warning dis-
plays go on, warning displays Eand Glight up
accordingly as red or yellow brackets around
vehicle symbol F.
"Reverse parking" function
Backing up straight into a parking space
without turning the steering wheel
:White guide line without turning the steering
wheel, vehicle width including the exterior
mirrors (static)
;Yellow guide line for the vehicle width
including the exterior mirrors, at the current
steering angle (dynamic)
=Yellow guide line at a distance of approx-
imately 3 ft (1.0 m) from the rear of the vehi-
cle
?Red guide line at a distance of approximately
12 in (0.30 m)from the rear of the vehicle
XMake sure that the rear view camera is
switched on (Ypage 159).
The lane and the guide lines are shown.
XWith the help of white guide line :, check
whether the vehicle will fit into the parking
space.
XUsing white guide line :as a guide, carefully
back up until you reach the end position.
Red guide line ?is then at the end of the
parking space. The vehicle is almost parallel
in the parking space.
Backing up into a perpendicular parking
space with the steering wheel at an angle
:Parking space marking
;Yellow guide line for the vehicle width
including the exterior mirrors, at the current
steering angle (dynamic)
XAfter driving past the parking space, stop the
vehicle, paying attention to road and traffic
conditions.
XMake sure that the rear view camera is
switched on (Ypage 159).
The lane and the guide lines are shown.
XWhile the vehicle is at a standstill, turn the
steering wheel in the direction of the parking
space until yellow guide line ;reaches park-
ing space marking :.
XMaintain the steering angle and reverse care-
fully.
Driving systems161
Driving and parking
Z

;Yellow guide line for the vehicle width
including the exterior mirrors, at the current
steering angle (dynamic)
XStop the vehicle when it is almost exactly in
front of the parking space.
The white lane should be as close to parallel
with the parking space marking as possible.
=White guide line at current steering angle
:Parking space marking
XTurn the steering wheel to the center positionwhile the vehicle is stationary.
?End of parking space
ARed guide line at a distance of approximately
12 in (0.30 m) from the rear of the vehicle
XBack up carefully until you have reached the
end position.
Red guide line Ais then aligned with the
marking at the end of parking space ?. The
vehicle is almost parallel in the parking space.
"Coupling up a trailer" function
:Trailer drawbar
;Locating aid – vehicle center point on the
yellow guide line at a distance of approx-
imately 3 ft (1.0 m) from the rear of the vehi-
cle
This function is only available on vehicles with a
trailer tow hitch attached.
XBefore coupling up the trailer, set the height
of trailer drawbar :so that it is slightly
higher than the ball coupling.
XPosition the vehicle centrally in front of trailer
drawbar :.
:Trailer drawbar
;Trailer drawbar locating aid
="Coupling up a trailer" function selected
?Ball coupling
ARed guide line at a distance of approximately
12 in (0.30 m) from the ball coupling
XSelect and confirm "Coupling up a trailer"
function =with the audio system control
knob.
162Driving systems
Driving and parking

Information on the audio system control knob
can be found in the separate operating
instructions.
Symbol=is highlighted. The distance spec-
ifications now only apply to objects that are at
the same level as the ball coupling.
XBack up carefully, making sure that trailer
drawbar locating aid ;points approximately
in the direction of trailer drawbar :.
XBack up carefully until trailer drawbar :rea-
ches red guide line A.
The distance between trailer drawbar :and
ball coupling ?is now approximately 12 in
(0.30 m).
XCouple the trailer (Ypage 163).
Towing a trailer
Notes on trailer towing
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Installing an unsuitable ball coupling may
result in overloading of the trailer tow hitch
and the rear axle. This applies especially if the ball coupling in question is longer or angled
differently. This could seriously impair the
driving characteristics and the trailer can
come loose. There is a risk of an accident.
You should only ever install a ball coupling
that has the permissible dimensions and that
is designed to meet your trailer-towing
requirements. Do not modify the ball coupling
or the trailer tow hitch.
GWARNING
If you use a ball coupling that is not approved
for your vehicle, it may cause excessive strain
on the trailer tow hitch. This can cause dam-
age to the vehicle and the trailer may come
loose during the journey. The handling may be
impaired and the rear axle may be overloaded.
This may lead to an accident involving serious
or even fatal injury.
Therefore note the following:
ROnly install a ball coupling that is approved
for your vehicle.
RBefore the journey, make sure that the ball
coupling is correctly installed and secured.
To do this, observe the operating instruc-
tions of the ball coupling manufacturer.
RDo not make any modifications to the ball
coupling or the trailer tow hitch.
You must observe the operating instructions
of the trailer tow hitch or ball coupling manu-
facturer.
GWARNING
If the ball coupling is not correctly installed
and secured, it could come loose while driving and endanger other road users. There is a risk
of an accident and injury.
Install and secure the ball coupling as descri-
bed in the ball coupling manufacturer's instal-
lation instructions. Make sure that the ball
coupling is correctly installed and secured
before every journey.
GWARNING
When the vehicle/trailer combination begins
to lurch, you could lose control of it. The vehi- cle/trailer combination could even rollover.
There is a risk of an accident.
On no account should you attempt to
straighten up the vehicle/trailer combination
by increasing the speed. Reduce vehicle
speed and do not countersteer. Apply the
brake as necessary.
You can attach carrier systems such as bicycle
racks or load-bearing implements on the ball
coupling. The maximum load-bearing capacity
of 165 lb (75 kg) applies when using carrier sys-
tems on the ball coupling.
Always observe the operating instructions pro-
vided by the manufacturers of the trailer cou-
pling and the ball coupling.
Couple and decouple the trailer carefully. When
backing up the towing vehicle, make sure
nobody is standing between the vehicle and the trailer.
Towing a trailer163
Driving and parking
Z

A trailer which is incorrectly coupled to the tow-
ing vehicle could break away. A correctly cou-
pled trailer must be positioned horizontally
behind the towing vehicle.
Ensure that the following weights are not excee-
ded:
Rthe permissible noseweight
Rthe permissible trailer load
Rthe permissible rear axle load of the towing
vehicle
Rthe maximum permissible gross vehicle
weight of both the towing vehicle and the
trailer
Rthe maximum permissible gross weight of
vehicle/trailer combination
The applicable permissible values that may not
be exceeded can be found:
Rin your vehicle documents
Ron the type plates for the trailer tow hitch
Ron the type plates for the trailer
Ron the vehicle identification plate
(Ypage 303).
Where the values differ, the lowest is valid.
You will find the values approved by the manu-
facturer on the vehicle identification plates and
those for the towing vehicle in the "Technical
data" section (
Ypage 314).
Your vehicle behaves differently with a trailer
than without one.
The vehicle/trailer combination:
Ris heavier
Ris restricted in its acceleration and gradient-
climbing capab ility
Rhas an increased braking distance
Ris more susceptible to strong crosswinds
Rrequires more sensitive steering
Rhas a larger turning circle
This may impair the handling characteristics.
When towing a trailer, always adjust your speed
to suit the road and weather conditions. Drive
carefully. Maintain a safe distance.
If you require any further explanation regarding
the information contained in the Operating
Instructions, please contact a Mercedes-Benz
Commercial Van Center.
General notes
RObserve the legally permitted maximum
speed for vehicle/trailer combinations in the
relevant country, state or Canadian province. Before beginning the journey, check the trail-
er's documents for the maximum permitted
speed of your trailer.
This reduces the risk of accidents.
RInstall only an approved trailer coupling on
your vehicle. Only use a ball coupling for your Metris trailer tow hitch if it has been approved
for your vehicle. More information on the
availability, mounting and installation of the
trailer electrics is available at any qualified
specialist workshop.
RThe trailer coupling is one of the most impor-
tant vehicle parts with regard to road safety.
Observe the notes on operation, care and
maintenance of the trailer tow hitch (see the
manufacturer's operating instructions).
RThe bumpers of your vehicle are not suitable
for installing detachable trailer couplings.
RDo not attach rented trailer tow hitches or
other detachable trailer tow hitches to the
bumper.
RMinimize the risk of damage to the ball cou-
pling. If you do not require the ball coupling,
remove it from the ball coupling recess.
You will find weight information under "Te
chni-
cal data" (Ypage 314).
The height of the ball neck changes according to
the load on the vehicle. If this is case, use a
trailer with a height-adjustable trailer drawbar.
Driving tips
The maximum permissible speed for vehicle/
trailer combination depends on the type of
trailer. Before beginning the journey, check the
trailer's documents for the maximum permitted
speed of your trailer. Observe the legally per-
mitted maximum speed in the relevant country,
state or Canadian province.
When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristics will be different in comparison to when driving without a trailer and it will con-
sume more fuel.
On long and steep downhill gradients, select a
lower gear.
iThis also applies if cruise control is activa-
ted.
164Towing a trailer
Driving an d parking

This enables you to utilize the engine's braking
effect and you do not need to brake so heavily to
keep the correct speed. This relieves the load on
the brake system and prevents the brakes from
overheating and wearing too quickly. If you needto brake additionally, to not depress the brake
pedal constantly, but periodically.
Observe the notes on ESP
®trailer stabilization
(Ypage 67).
Driving tips
If the trailer begins to swing from side to side:
XDo not accelerate.
XDo not counter-steer.
XBrake if necessary.
iYou can reduce the risk of the trailer swing-
ing and rocking by retrofitting anti-roll bars or trailer stability programs. Further information
is available at your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Van Dealer.
RMaintain a greater distance than you would
when driving without towing a trailer.
RAvoid sudden braking. Apply the brakes gen-
tly at first to allow the trailer brake to overrun.
Then, increase the brake force quickly.
RThe figures for the gradient climbing capabil-
ities from a standstill refer to sea level. When
driving in mountainous areas, note that the
power output of the engine, and with it its
gradient climbing capability, decrease with
increasing altitude.
Coupling up a trailer
Trailer coupled ready for use
XMake sure that the selector lever of the auto-
matic transmission is in position P.
XOn vehicles with an automatic transmission,
ensure that the transmission is in position P.
XEngage the vehicle's parking brake.
XClose all doors.
XPosition the trailer horizontally behind your
vehicle.
iThe height of the ball neck changes accord-
ing to the load on the vehicle. In this case, use
a trailer with a height-adjustable trailer draw-
bar.
XCouple the trailer.
XEstablish all electrical and other connections to the trailer. When doing so, hook the break-
away cable of the trailer into the eyelet on the
ball coupling.
XRemove the objects that are preventing the
trailer from rolling, e.g. wheel chocks.
XRelease the trailer parking brake.
iThe subharness of the vehicle has a cable
connection to the brake lamp indicator lamp.
Observe the maximum permissible trailer
dimensions (width and length).
Most federal states and all Canadian provinces
require by law:
Rsafety chains between the towing vehicle and the trailer. The chains should be cross-wound
under the trailer drawbar. They must be fas-
Towing a trailer165
Driving and parking
Z

tened to the vehicle's trailer coupling, not to
the bumper or the axle.
Leave enough slack in the chains. This allows
you to drive round tight corners.
Ra separate brake system for certain types of
trailer.
Ra safety shut-off for braked trailers. Find out
the specific requirements according to the
applicable laws.
If the trailer becomes detached from the tow-
ing vehicle, the safety shut-off applies the
trailer brakes.
Towing a trailer
There are numerous legal requirements con-
cerning the towing of a trailer, e.g. speed restric-
tions. Many states require a separate functional
braking system for your trailer once a certain
weight limit is exceeded. For reasons of safety,
it is recommended that all trailers use a sepa-
rate functional braking system. Make sure yourvehicle/trailer combination complies with local
laws. This not only means where you live, but
also anywhere you are driving to. Information on
this can be obtained from the police and local
authorities.
Observe the following when towing a trailer:
RPractice driving around bends, stopping and
backing up at a place where there is no traffic.
This enables you to gain experience and get
used to the new handling characteristics.
RBefore driving, check:
-that the trailer tow hitch and ball coupling
are secure
-that the safety switch for a braked trailer is
functioning properly
-that the safety chains are secure and not
damaged
-that the electrical connections are secure
-that the lights are working
-that the wheels are in good order and the
tire pressure is correct
RAdjust the exterior mirrors to provide an
unobstructed view of the rear section of the
trailer.
RIf the trailer is equipped with a separate func-
tional braking system, check before each
journey whether the brakes are functioning
correctly.
RSecure the load on the trailer according to the
applicable specifications and current stand-
ards on securing loads (
Ypage 244).
RWhen driving with a trailer, check at regular
intervals that the load is secured and that the
brakes and lights are working.
RBear in mind that the handling will be less
stable when towing a trailer than when driving
without one. Avoid sudden steering move-
ments.
RThe vehicle/trailer combination is heavier,
accelerates more slowly and has a decreased
gradient climbing capability and a longer
braking distance.
It is more susceptible to crosswinds and
requires cautious steering.
RIf possible, do not brake suddenly, but rather
moderately at first so that the trailer can acti-
vate its brakes. Then increase the force on the
brake pedal.
RIf the automatic transmission repeatedly
shifts between gears when driving on inclines,
restrict the shift range. Select shift range
4,3 ,
2 o

r 1.
Driving in a low gear and at a low speed
reduces the risk of damaging the engine.
RWhen driving on a downhill gradient, shift to a
low gear and take advantage of the engine's
braking effect.
Avoid continuous brake application as this
may overheat the vehicle brakes and, if instal-
led, the trailer brakes.
RIf the coolant temperature increases dramat-
ically while the air-conditioning system is
switched on, switch off the air-conditioning
system.
Coolant heat can also be dissipated by
switching the airflow and the temperature of
the air conditioning to the maximum level.
Open the windows if necessary.
RWhen overtaking, pay particular attention to
the extended length of your vehicle/trailer
combination.
Due to the length of your vehicle/trailer com- bination you need an additional distance
before you can return to your original lane.
166Towing a trailer
Driving an d parking