Uncoupling 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 disconnect a trailer with an engaged
overrun brake. Otherwise, your vehicle could
be damaged by the rebounding of the overrun
brake.
XMake sure that the selector lever of the auto-
matic transmission is in position P.
XEngage the vehicle's parking brake.
XClose all doors.
XApply the parking brake of the trailer.
XIn addition, secure the trailer against rolling
away with a wheel chock or similar object.
XRemove the trailer cable and safety chains
and decouple the trailer.
Permissible trailer loads and trailer
drawbar noseweights
Weight information
!For vehicles with a permissible gross vehicle
weight of 6724 lbs (3050 kg), the permissible gross combination weight is less than the sum
of the permissible gross vehicle weight plus
the permissible trailer load. Exceeding the
permitted gross combination weight could
damage the powertrain, transmission or
trailer tow hitch.
If either the vehicle or the trailer is fully laden,
the permitted gross vehicle weight or the per- mitted trailer load values are reduced accord-
ingly. In this case, you may only partially load
the trailer or the vehicle.
The gross trailer weight (GTW) is calculated by
adding the weight of the trailer to the weight of
the load and equipment. If the trailer is installed
with a separate functional braking system, then
the maximum gross trailer weight is 5000 lbs
(2268 kg).
GWARNING
If you tow a trailer without a separate func-
tional braking system and a gross trailer
weight (GTW) of more than 1635 lbs (750 kg),
then the vehicle brake system may overheat.
This increases the braking distance and the
brake system may even fail. There is an
increased risk of accident and injury, possibly
even fatal.
Always use a trailer with a separate functional
braking system when towing a trailer with a
gross trailer weight (GTW) of more than
1635 lbs (750 kg).
The maximum noseweight of the trailer drawbar
on the ball coupling is 500 lbs (227 kg). The
actual noseweight may not exceed the value
given on the identification plates of the trailer
tow hitch or the trailer. If the values vary, the
lowest value always applies.
The gross combination weight rating (GCWR) is
calculated by adding the gross weight of the
trailer to the gross vehicle weight including a
driver's weight of approximately 150 lbs (68 kg).
The permissible Gross Combination Weight Rat-
ing is vehicle-specific and depends on the equip-
ment level.
When driving with a trailer, you should not
exceed the permitted Gross Combination
Weight Rating (GCWR).
The permissible values, which must not be
exceeded, can be found in your vehicle docu-
ments and on the trailer tow hitch type plates for
the trailer and the vehicle (
Ypage 303). The
basic values approved by the manufacturer can
also be found in the "Technical data" section
(
Ypage 313). If the values vary, the lowest
value always applies.
Loading a trailer
!Utilize the maximum permissible nose-
weight as fully as possible. Do not allow the
weight to fall below the minimum permissible
noseweight, otherwise the trailer may come
loose.
RThe load must be distributed over the vehicle
and the trailer so as not to exceed either the
maximum permissible values for the gross
vehicle weight rating (GVWR) and gross trailer
weight (GTW), the gross combination weight
Towing a trailer167
Driving and parking
Z
rating (GCWR), nor the maximum permissible
gross axle weight rating (GAWR) and trailer
drawbar noseweight rating of your vehicle.
RAdd the drawbar noseweight on the ball cou-
pling (TWR) to the rear axle load. This will pre-vent you from exceeding the permissible
gross axle weight (GAWR).
RAdd the drawbar noseweight on the ball cou-
pling (TWR) to the vehicle payload. This will
ensure that you do not exceed the permissi-
ble gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR).
Checking the vehicle and trailer weight
RMake sure the weights of the towing vehicle
and the trailer comply with the maximum per-missible values. Have the vehicle/trailer com-
bination weighed on a calibrated weigh-
bridge. The vehicle/trailer combination con-
sists of the towing vehicle including the driver,
passengers and load, as well as the loaded
trailer.
RCheck the maximum permissible gross axle
weight rating of the front and rear axles
(GAWR), the gross trailer weight (GTW), the
gross combination weight rating (GCWR) and
the noseweight of the trailer drawbar (TWR).
Trailer power supply
!
Incorrect wiring of the connector plug could,
under certain circumstances, cause malfunc-
tions in the vehicle's other electronic sys-
tems. We therefore recommend having the
connector plug wired at a qualified specialist
workshop.
!You can connect accessories with a maxi-
mum power consumption of 240 W to the
permanent power supply.
You must not charge a trailer battery using the
power supply.
Your vehicle may be equipped with various elec-
trical installations for trailer towing. Depending
on your trailer, you may need an adapter to con-
nect the electrical system of the trailer with that
of the vehicle.
The trailer socket of your vehicle is equipped at
the factory with a permanent power supply.
The permanent power supply is on the trailer
socket pin assignment 4.
Note that the permanent power supply of the
trailer is not switched off when the on-board voltage is low. This can completely discharge
the starter battery of your vehicle.
Further information on the electrical equipment
currently installed on your vehicle and on instal-
ling trailer electrics can be obtained at any quali-
fied specialist workshop.
168Towing a trailer
Driving and parking
Lights
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
b
CheckLeftLowBeamorCheck Right LowBeam
The left or right-hand low-beam headlamp is faulty.
XChange the bulb (Ypage 100).
b
Chk. Trailer L.Turn Sig.orChk.TrailerR.TurnSig.
The left or right-hand trailer turn signal lamp is faulty.
XChange the bulb (see the trailer manufacturer's operating instruc-
tions).
b
Chk. Trailer BrakeLamp
The trailer brake lamp is faulty.
XChange the bulb (see the trailer manufacturer's operating instruc-
tions).
b
Chk. Trailer L.Tail LamporChk.TrailerR.TailLamp
The left or right-hand trailer tail lamp is faulty.
XChange the bulb (see the trailer manufacturer's operating instruc-
tions).
b
Auto Lamps Inopera‐tive
The light sensor is faulty. The automatic headlamp feature is mal-
functioning.
XSwitch the light functions on/off manually (Ypage 94).
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.
b
Chk. Rear L. TurnSignalorChk. RearR. Turn Signal
The rear left-hand or rear right-hand turn signal is faulty.
XChange the bulb (Ypage 100).
b
Chk. Front L. TurnSignalorChk.FrontR.TurnSignal
The front left-hand or front right-hand turn signal is faulty.
XChange the bulb (Ypage 100).
b
Chk. Center BrakeLamp
The high-mounted brake lamp is faulty.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.
b
Chk.L.Tail/BrakeLamporChk. R.Tail/ Brake Lamp
The left or right-hand tail lamp/brake lamp is faulty.
XChange the bulb (Ypage 100).
196Display messages (vehicles without steering wheel buttons)
On-board computer and displays
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
b
Check LeftHig hBeamorCheck RightHig hBea m
The lef tor right-hand high-beam headlamp is faulty.
XChange th ebulb (Ypage 100).
b
Licens ePlate Lam p
The leftor right-hand license plat elamp is faulty.
XVisit aqualified specialist workshop .
b
Switch Off Lights
The lights are still switched on when you leav eth evehicle. An addi-
tional warning tone sounds.
XTurn th eligh tswitch to Ãor$.
b
Check Lef tFog Lam porCheck Right FogLam p
The left-han dor right-hand fron tfog lamp is faulty.
XVisit aqualified specialist workshop .
b
RearFog Lam p
The rear fog lamp is faulty.
XChange th ebulb (Ypage 100).
b
Chk.Front L. Park‐ing Lam porChk .Front R. Parkin gLamp
The fron tlef tor fron tright parking lamp or standing lamp is faulty.
XChange th ebulb (Ypage 100).
b
Backup Light
The lef tor right-hand backup lamp is faulty.
XChange th ebulb (Ypage 100).
b
CheckLeftTailLamporCheck RightTai lLam p
The lef tor right-hand tai llamp is faulty.
XChange th ebulb (Ypage 100).
b
Malfunction
The exterio rlighting is faulty.
XVisit aqualified specialist workshop .
Vehicles withtrailer to whitch : afusemay be defective.
XChec kth efuses and if necessar yreplace any blown fuses (see th e
"Fus eallocation "supplement) .
XIf thedisplay message does no tdisappear ,consult aqualified spe -
cialist workshop .
b
Chk.L.DayRunnin gLgt.orChk .R.DayRunnin gLgt .
The lef tor right-hand daytime runnin glamp is faulty.
XChange th ebulb (Ypage 100).
Display messages (vehicles without steering wheelbu ttons)197
On-board computer and displays
Z
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
6
SRS Malfunction:ServiceRequired
The restrain tsystem is faulty. In addition ,th e6 warning lamp
lights up in th einstrumen tcluster.
GWARNIN G
The air bags or Emergency Tensioning Devices may either be triggered
unintentionally or, in th eevent of an accident, may no tbe triggered .
There is an increased ris kof injury.
XHav eth erestrain tsystem and it scomponent schecke dimmedi-
ately at aqualified specialist workshop .
Further information on th erestrain tsystem and it scomponent scan
be found under "Occupant safety" (
Ypage 45).
6
Front LeftMalfunc‐tion: Servic eRequiredorFrontRight Malfunction:Servic eRequired
The fron tlef tor right restrain tsystem is malfunctioning .In addition ,
th e6 warning lamp lights up in th einstrumen tcluster.
GWARNIN G
The air bags or Emergency Tensioning Devices may either be triggered
unintentionally or, in th eevent of an accident, may no tbe triggered .
There is an increased ris kof injury.
XHav eth erestrain tsystem and it scomponent schecke dimmedi-
ately at aqualified specialist workshop .
6
LeftCurtai nAirbagMalfunction: Ser ‐viceRequiredor
Rt. Curtai nAirbag
Malfunction: Ser ‐viceRequired
There is amalfunction in th elef tor right window curtai nair bag. In
addition ,th e6 warning lamp lights up in th einstrumen tcluster.
GWARNIN G
The lef tor right window curtai nair bag may either be triggered unin-
tentionally or, in th eevent of an accident, may no tbe triggered .
There is an increased ris kof injury.
XHav eth erestrain tsystem checke dimmediately at aqualified spe -
cialist workshop .
Lights
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and MSolutions
b
CheckLeftLowBeamorCheck Right LowBea m
The lef tor right-hand low-beam headlamp is faulty.
XChange th ebulb (Ypage 100).
b
Check Traile rLef tTurnSignalor
CheckTraile rRightTurnSignal
The lef tor right-hand trailer tur nsignal lamp is faulty.
XChange th ebulb (see th etrailer manufacturer' soperating instruc-
tions).
Display messages (vehicles withsteering whee lbu ttons)209
On-board computer and displays
Z
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
b
CheckTrailerBrakeLamp
The trailer brak elamp is faulty.
XChange th ebulb (see th etrailer manufacturer' soperating instruc-
tions).
b
Check Traile rLef tTailLam porCheckTraile rRight Tai lLamp
The lef tor right-hand trailer tai llamp is faulty.
XChange th ebulb (see th etrailer manufacturer' soperating instruc-
tions).
b
Aut oLam pFunctionInoperative
The ligh tsensor is faulty. The automatic headlamp feature is mal-
functioning .
XSwitchth eligh tfunction son/off manually (Ypage 94).
XVisitaqualified specialist workshop .
b
Check RearLef tTurnSignalor
Check Rea rRight
Tur nSignal
The rear left-han dor rear right-hand tur nsignal is faulty.
XChange th ebulb (Ypage 100).
b
Check Front Lef tTurnSignalor
Check Front Right
Tur nSignal
The fron tleft-han dor fron tright-hand tur nsignal is faulty.
XChange th ebulb (Ypage 100).
b
Check Center BrakeLamp
The high-mounte dbrak elamp is faulty.
XVisit aqualified specialist workshop .
b
CheckLeftTailandBrake Lampsor
Check Right Tai l
and Brake Lamps
The leftor right-hand tai llamp/brake lamp is faulty.
XChange th ebulb (Ypage 100).
b
Check Lef tHig hBeamorCheck RightHig hBea m
The lef tor right-hand high-beam headlamp is faulty.
XChange th ebulb (Ypage 100).
b
Licens ePlate Lam p
The leftor right-hand license plat elamp is faulty.
XVisit aqualified specialist workshop .
210Display messages (vehicles withsteering whee lbu ttons)
On-board computer and displays
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
b
Switch Off Lights
The lights are still switched on when you leav eth evehicle. An addi-
tional warning tone sounds.
XTurn th eligh tswitch to Ãor$.
b
Check Lef tFog Lam porCheck Right FogLam p
The left-han dor right-hand fron tfog lamp is faulty.
XVisit aqualified specialist workshop .
b
RearFog Lam p
The rear fog lamp is faulty.
XChange th ebulb (Ypage 100).
b
Check Front Lef tParkingLam por
Check Front Right
Parkin gLam p
The fron tlef tor fron tright parking lamp or standing lamp is faulty.
XChange th ebulb (Ypage 100).
b
Backup Light
The lef tor right-hand back-up lamp is faulty.
XChange th ebulb (Ypage 100).
b
Check Lef tTai lLamporCheck RightTai lLam p
The lef tor right-hand tai llamp is faulty.
XChange th ebulb (Ypage 100).
b
Malfunction SeeOperator' sManual
The exterio rlighting is faulty.
XVisit aqualified specialist workshop .
Vehicles withtrailer to whitch : afusemay be defective.
XChec kth efuses and if necessar yreplace any blown fuses (see th e
"Fus eallocation "supplement) .
XIf thedisplay message does no tdisappear ,consult aqualified spe -
cialist workshop .
b
Check LeftDaytim eRunningLightor
Check Rt. Daytim e
RunningLight
The lef tor right-hand daytime runnin glamp is faulty.
XChange th ebulb (Ypage 100).
Display messages (vehicles withsteering whee lbu ttons)211
On-board computer and displays
Z
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
Blind SpotAssistInoperativeBlind Spot Assis tis faulty.
XVisit aqualified specialist workshop .
Blind SpotAssistCurrently Unavail.See Operator' sMan ‐ual
Blind Spot Assis tis temporarily inoperative. Possibl ecauses:
RYou hav eattached atrailer .
RThe sensor sin th erear bumper are dirty.
RThe function is impaire ddue to heav yrain or snow.
RThe radar sensor system is temporarily inoperative, e.g. due to
electromagneti cradiation emitted by nearby TV or radi ostation sor
other source sof electromagneti cradiation .
RThe system is outside th eoperating temperature range.
Once th ecauses listed abov eno longer apply, th edisplay message
goe sout and Blind Spot Assis tis operational again .
If th edisplay message does no tdisappear :
XPull overand stop th evehicle, payin gattention to roa dand traffic
conditions.
XSecur eth evehicl eto preven tit from rollin gaway (Ypage 133).
XSwitchoff th eengine.
XClean th esensor sin th erear bumper (Ypage 266).
XRestart theengine.
216Display messages (vehicles withsteering whee lbu ttons)
On-board computer and displays