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Trailer towing
Driving with a trailer
General information
Your vehicle is primarily intended for transport ing people and luggage . However, if you drive
with a trailer , follow the technical requirements,
the operation and driving tips, and the legal reg
ulations.
Driving with a trailer affects the vehicle's fuel
consumption, performance and wear.
It also re
quires higher concentration from the driver.
A WARNING
Do not transport any people in a trailer due to
the risk of fatal injury.
Technical requirements
Certain requirements must be met when towing
a trailer.
Trailer hitch
Only use a trailer hitch with a removable ball hitch mount and ball hitch. The trailer hitch must
be permitted for the vehicle , the trailer and the
permitted total weight of the trailer being
pulled. Above all, it must be securely and safely
attached to the vehicle trailer.
Never mount a trailer hitch on the bumper. The
trailer hitch must be mounted in a way that does
not impair the function of the bumper. Do not
make any changes to the exhaust system and the
brake system.
Check regularly if the trailer hitch is securely mounted. Always follow the instructions given by
the trailer hitch manufacturer.
Trailer brakes
If the trailer has its own brake system, then fol
low the manufacturer specifications. However,
the brake system on the trailer must never be
connected to the vehicle brake system.
Trailer towing
Engine cooling system
Driving with a trailer means a higher load on the
engine and the cooling system. The cooling sys
tem must be designed for additional load and
contain enough coolant
c::> (D .
A WARNING
-
-Never mount a "weight-distributing" or
"load-balancing" trailer coupler as the trail
er hitch . The vehicle was not designed for
these types of trailer hitches . The trailer
hitch can malfunction and the trailer can
break off from the vehicle.
- If the trailer is equipped with electronic
brakes, these brakes cannot be activated by
a factory-installed control system, which in
creases the risk of an accident.
- To reduce the risk of injury, always remove
the ball hitch mount if no trailer is mount
ed.
(D Note
Longer inclines cannot be driven without a
suitable cooling system, especially if the out
side temperatures are high. otherwise, this
increases the risk of engine damage.
' Operating instructions
Several things must be noted when towing a
trailer.
Towing capacity
The permitted towing capacity for trailers with
out brakes is 1,650 lbs (750 kg).
The permitted towing capacity for trailers with brakes is 2,200 lbs (1,000 kg) .
These values apply to roads with up to 12% in
cline.
Tongue weight
The maximum permitted tongue weight of the
trailer drawbar on the trailer hitch ball head may
not be exceeded. ..,.
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Glossary of tire and loading
terminology
Accessory weight
means the combined we ight (in
excess of those standard items
which may be replaced) of auto matic transmission, power steer
ing, power brakes, power win
dows, power seats, radio, and
heater, to the extent that these
items a re available as factory- in
stalled equipment (whether in
stalled or not) .
Aspect ratio
means the ratio of the height to
the width o f the tire in percent .
Numbers of 55 or lower indicate a
low s idewal l for improved steer
ing response and better overall
handling on dry pavement.
Bead
means the part of the t ire that is
made of steel wires, wrapped or
reinforced by ply cords and that is
shaped to fit the rim .
Bead separation
means a breakdown of the bond
between components in the bead .
Wheels
Cord
means the strands forming the
plies in the tire.
Cold tire inflation pressure
means the tir e pressure recom
mended by the vehicle manufac
tu rer for a tire of a designated
size that has not been driven for
more than a couple of m iles (k ilo
meters) at low speeds in the
three hour period before the t ire
pressure is measured or adjusted .
Curb weight
means the weight of a motor ve
hicle with standard equipment in
cluding the maximum capacity of
f u el, o il, and coolant, a ir cond i
tioning and additional weight of
optio nal eq uipment .
Extra load tire
means a tire designed to operate
at higher loads and at higher in
flat ion pressu res than the corre
sponding standard tire . Extra load
tires may be ident ified as "X L",
"xl", "EXTRA LOAD", or "RF" on
the sidewall. .,.
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