2018 MERCEDES-BENZ G-CLASS tow bar

Maximum tire load .........................272
Maximum tire load (definition) ....... 274
Optional equipment weight (defi-
nition) ............................................ 275
PSI (pounds per square inch) (def-
inition) ...........................................2 75
Replacing ....................................... 275
Service life ..................................... 258
Sidewall (definition) ....................... 275
Snow chains .................................. 259
Speed rating (definition) ................ 274
Storing ...........................................2 76
Structure and characteristics
(definition) ..................................... 273
Summer tires in winter .................. 259
Temperature .................................. 269
TIN (Tire Identification Number)
(definition) ..................................... 275
Tire bead (definition) ......................2 75
Tire pressure (definition) ................ 275
Tire pressures (recommended) ...... 274
Tire size (data) ............................... 279
Tire size designation, load-bearing
capacity, speed rating .................... 270
Tire tread ....................................... 258
Tire tread (definition) ..................... 275
Total load limit (definition) ............. 275
Traction ......................................... 269
Traction (definition) ....................... 275
Tread wear ..................................... 269
TWR (permissible trailer drawbar
noseweight) (definition) ................. 275
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards ...................................... 269
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (definition) .................... 273
Wear indicator (definition) ............. 275
Wheel and tire combination ........... 279
Wheel rim (definition) .................... 274
see Flat tire
Top Tether ............................................ 52
Tow-starting
Emergency engine starting ............ 254
Important safety notes .................. 251
Towing a trailer
Axle load, permi
ssible .................... 291
Cleaning the trailer tow hitch ......... 240
Coupling up a trailer ...................... 157 Decoupling a trailer ....................... 158
Driving tips .................................... 154
ESP
®(Electronic Stability Pro-
gram) ............................................... 61
Important safety notes .................. 153
Installing the ball coupling ............. 156
Lights display message .................. 180
Pulling away with a trailer .............. 107
Shift range ..................................... 115
Trailer loads ................................... 291
Trailer tow hitch ............................. 291
Towing away
Important safety guidelines ........... 251
In the event of malfunctions .......... 253
With both axles on the ground ....... 252
Towing eye
Front .............................................. 252
Rear ............................................... 252
Traffic reports
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual .................................................. 203
Trailer
7-pin connector ............................. 159
Power supply ................................. 159
Trailer coupling
see Towing a trailer
Trailer loads
Technical data ............................... 291
Trailer loads and drawbar nose-
weights ............................................... 159
Trailer tow hitch
Ball position ................................... 291
Trailer towing
PARKTRONIC ................................. 145
Permissible trailer loads and
drawbar noseweights ..................... 159
Transfer case
General notes ................................ 149
Shift range ..................................... 149
Shifting .......................................... 149
Shifting (general notes) .................. 149
Shifting (important safety notes) ... 149
Shifting to neutral .......................... 150
Switching off the off-road gear
ratio ............................................... 150
Switching on the off-road gear
ratio ............................................... 149
Index19

Activationconditions
You can activat eth eHOLD function if:
Rth evehicl eis stationary
Rth eengin eis runnin gor if it has been auto -
matically switched off by th eECO start/sto p
function
Rth edriver's door is closed or your seat belt is
fastene d
Rtheparking brak eis release d
Rthetransmission is in position h,kori
RDISTRONI CPLU Sis deactivated
Activating the HOLD function
XMak esur ethat th eactivation condition sare
met .
XDepress th ebrak epedal .
XQuickl ydepress th ebrak epedal further until
ë appear sin th emultifunction display.
The HOLD function is activated. You can
release th ebrak epedal .
If depressing th ebrak epedal th efirst time does
no tactivat eth eHOLD function ,wait briefl yand
then tr yagain .
Deactivating the HOLD function
The HOLD function is deactivated automatically
if:
Ryou depress th eaccelerato rand th etrans -
mission is in position hork
Rthetransmission is in position j
Ryou depress thebrak epedal again wit h acer-
tai namount of pressur euntil ë disap-
pear sfrom th emultifunction display
Ryou activat eDISTRONI CPLU S
On steep uphil lor downhill inclines or if there is
a malfunction ,th etransmission may also be
automatically shifte dint oposition j.
Permanent all-wheel drive
!
Never to wthevehicl ewit hon eaxl eraised.
This may damag eth etransfer case. Damage
of this sor tis no tcovered by th eMercedes-
Benz Limited Warranty. All wheels mus t
remain either on th eground or be fully raised.
Observ eth einstruction sfor towin gth evehi-
cle wit hall wheels in full contact wit hth e
ground .
!When testing th eparking brake, only oper -
ate th evehicl ebriefl y(fo r a maximum of te n
seconds) on abrak edynamometer. Turn th e
SmartKey to position gor1 in th eignition
lock. You could otherwise damag eth edrive
train or th ebrak esystem.
!A function or performance test should only
be carrie dout on atwo-axle dynamometer.
Befor eyou operate th evehicl eon suc h a
dynamometer, pleas econsult aqualified
workshop .You could otherwise damag eth e
drive train or th ebrak esystem.
The all-whee ldrive system ensures that all four
wheels are permanentl ydriven .The all-whee l
drive system improve svehicl etraction together
wit hES P
®and 4ETS if adrive whee lspin sdue to
insufficien tgrip.
If adrive whee lspin sdue to insufficien tgrip:
ROnly depress th eaccelerato rpedal as far as
necessar ywhen pullin gaway.
RTak eyour foo toff th eaccelerator, slowly,
while th evehicl eis in motion .
In wintr ydrivin gconditions, always use winte r
tires (M+ Stires )and if necessary, snow chain s
(
Ypage 259). Only in this way can th emaximum
effec tof all-whee ldrive be achieved.
Fo rinformation on drivin goff-road, see
(
Ypage 129).
PARKTRONIC
Import ant safety notes
PARKTRONI Cis an electronic parking aid wit h
ultrasonic sensors. It monitors th earea around
your vehicl eusin gsix sensor sin th efron t
bumper and four sensor sin th erear bumper.
PARKTRONI Cindicates visually and audibly th e
distanc ebetween your vehicl eand an object.
PARKTRONI Cis only an aid. It is no t areplace -
men tfor your attention to your immediat esur -
roundings. You are always responsibl efor saf e
maneuvering, parking and exiting aparking
space. Mak esur ethat there are no persons,
animals or objects in th emaneuverin garea
while maneuverin gand parking in/leaving park -
ing spaces.
!When parking ,pay particular attention to
objects abov eor belo wthesensors, suc has
flower pot sor trailer drawbars .PARKTRONI C
does no tdetec tsuc hobjects when they are in
Driving systems143
Driving and parking
Z

The field of vision and other functions of the rear
view camera may be restricted due to additionalaccessories on the rear of the vehicle (e.g.
license plate holder, bicycle rack).
Activating/deactivating the rear view
camera
XTo activate: make sure that the SmartKey is
in position 2in the ignition lock.
XMake sure that the "Rear view camera" func-
tion is selected in the multimedia system (see
Digital Operator's Manual).
XEngage reverse gear.
The multimedia system shows the area
behind the vehicle with guide lines. Sym-
bol :indicates that the "reverse parking"
function is active.
The image from the rear view camera is avail-
able throughout the maneuvering process.
XTo switch the function mode for vehicles
with trailer tow hitch: using the controller,
select symbol ;for "Coupling up a trailer".
Symbol ;is highlighted.
To deactivate: the rear view camera deacti-
vates if you shift the transmission to position j
or after driving forwards a short distance.
Displays in the multimedia system
The rear view camera may show a distorted view
of obstacles, show them incorrectly or not at all.
The rear view camera does not show objects in
the following positions:
Rvery close to the rear bumper
Runder the rear bumper
!Objects that are not at ground level appear
further away than they actually are, e.g.:
Rthe bumper of a parked vehicle
Rthe drawbar of a trailer
Rthe rear end of a truck
Ra post sticking up at an angle
Use the guide lines for orientation only. Do
not cross the lower guide line when approach-
ing objects.
:Yellow guide line at a distance of approx-
imately 13 ft (4.0 m) from the rear of the
vehicle
;White guide line without steering input –
vehicle width including the exterior mirrors
(static)
=Yellow guide line for the vehicle width
including the exterior mirrors, for current
steering wheel angle (dynamic)
?Yellow lane marking the course the tires will take at the current steering wheel angle
(dynamic)
AYellow guide line at a distance of approx-
imately 3 ft (1.0 m) from the rear of the vehi-
cle
BVehicle center axle (marker assistance)
CSpare wheel
DRed guide line at a distance of approximately
12 in (0.30 m)from the rear of the vehicle
When the transmission is shifted to position k,
guide lines appear in the camera image.
The distance specifications only apply to
objects that are at ground level.
Driving systems147
Driving and parking
Z

:Front warning display
;Additional vehicle icon: PARKTRONIC meas-
urement operational readiness indicator
=Rear warning display
Vehicles with PARKTRONIC: when PARKTRONIC
is operational (
Ypage 144), additional meas-
urement operational readiness indicator ;
appears in the multimedia system. If the
PARKTRONIC warning displays are active or
light up, warning displays :and =are also
active or light up correspondingly in the multi-
media system.
"Coupling up a trailer" function
:Trailer drawbar
This function is only available on vehicles with a
trailer tow hitch.
XBefore coupling up a 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 :.
:Red guide line at a distance of approximately
12 in (0.30 m) fromthe ball coupling
;Trailer drawbar marker assistant
=Trailer drawbar
?Symbol for the "Coupling up a trailer" func-
tion
iThe trailer tow hitch is not visible in the mul-
timedia system display, as the spare tire cov-
ers the ball coupling of the trailer tow hitch.
XSelect symbol ?using the controller.
The "Coupling up a trailer" function is selec-
ted. The distance specifications now only
apply to objects that are at the same level as
the ball coupling.
XReverse carefully, making sure that trailer
drawbar locating aid ;points approximately
in the direction of trailer drawbar =.
XReverse carefully until trailer drawbar =rea-
ches red guide line :.Do not drive any fur-
ther.
The distance between trailer drawbar =and
red guide line :is now approximately 12 in
(0.30 m).
XCoupleup the trailer (Ypage 154).
180° view
:Symbol for the 180° view function
;Your vehicle
=PARKTRONIC warning displays
148Driving system s
Driving an d parking

Disengaging thedifferential lock s
You can disengage th edifferential locks in th e
followin gorder :; ,? ,= .
XTo simultaneously disengage all differen-
tial locks: press switch =.
Yellow activation indicator lamp sA and red
function indicator lamp s: go out .
Afte rapproximately three seconds of normal
driving, ABS, 4ETS ,ES P
®and BA Sare activa-
ted.
The Differential Locks Active ABS
and ESP Not Availablemessag edisap-
pear sin th emultifunction display and th e
å!÷warning lamps in the instru-
ment cluster go out.
XShift the transfer case to the HIGH RANGE
on-road position (Ypage 149).
If red function indicator lamps :do not go out
when disengaging the differential locks, stop
the vehicle safely in accordance with the traffic
conditions and then drive on. The load change
can disengage the differential locks.
Towing a trailer
Important safety notes
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.
GWARNING
If you install a ball coupling other than the one
delivered with the vehicle, the trailer tow hitch
and the rear axle may be overloaded. This
applies especially if the ball coupling in ques-
tion 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.
Only install the ball coupling delivered with
the vehicle or a ball coupling that is designed to meet your trailer towing requirements. Do
not modify the ball coupling or the trailer tow
hitch.
GWARNING
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.
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.
!If you have a trailer tow hitch retrofitted,
changes to the engine cooling system may be
necessary, depending on the vehicle type.
If you have a trailer tow hitch retrofitted,
observe the anchorage points on the chassis
frame.
The installation of a trailer tow hitch is only per-
missible if a towing weight is specified in your
vehicle documents. If this is not the case, then
the vehicle is not approved for the towing of a
trailer.
For more information, please contact a qualified
specialist workshop.
Please observe the manufacturer's operating
instructions for the trailer coupling if a detach-
able trailer coupling is used.
Exceeding the maximum permissible nose-
weight of the trailer drawbar on the ball coupling may cause damage.
Damage may be caused to the following:
RTowing vehicle
RTrailer
RBall coupling
RTrailer tow hitch
The vehicle/trailer combination could become
unstable.
If the noseweight used is lower than the mini-
mum permissible noseweight, the vehicle/
trailer combination could also become unstable.
Towing a trailer153
Driving and parking
Z

To avoid hazardous situations:
Rmake sure to check the noseweight before
each journey
Ruse a drawbar noseweight as close as possi-
ble to the maximum noseweight
Rdo not exceed the maximum permissible
noseweight
Rthe noseweight must not be lower than the
minimum permissible noseweight
Make sure that the following values are not
exceeded:
Rthe permissible trailer drawbar 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
When backing up the vehicle towards the trailer,
make sure there is nobody between the trailer
and the vehicle.
The applicable permissible values, which must
not be exceeded, can be found:
Rin your vehicle documents
Ron the type plate for the trailer
Ron the vehicle identification plate
If the values differ, the lowest value applies.
You will find the values approved by the manu-
facturer on the vehicle identification plates and
those for the towing vehicle under "Technical
data" (
Ypage 291).
When backing up the vehicle towards the trailer,
make sure there is nobody between the trailer
and the vehicle.
Couple and uncouple the trailer carefully. If you
do not couple the trailer to the towing vehicle
correctly, the trailer could become detached.
When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristics will be different in comparison
with when driving without a trailer.
The vehicle/trailer combination:
Ris heavier
Ris restricted in its acceleration and gradient-
climbing capability
Rhas an increased braking distance
Ris affected more by strong crosswinds
Rdemands more sensitive steering
Rhas a larger turning radius This could impair the handling characteristics.
Adapt your driving style accordingly. Maintain a
safe distance. Drive carefully.
When towing a trailer, always adjust your speed
to the current road and weather conditions. Do
not exceed the maximum permissible speed for
your vehicle/trailer combination.
Notes on towing a trailer
General notes
RDo not exceed the maximum permissible
speed for vehicle/trailer combinations in the
relevant country.
This lowers the risk of an accident.
ROnly install an approved trailer coupling on
your vehicle.
Further information on availability and on
installation is available from any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
RThe bumpers of your vehicle are not suitable
for installing detachable trailer couplings.
RDo not install hired trailer couplings or other
detachable trailer couplings on the bumpers
of your vehicle.
RIf you do not need the ball coupling, remove
the ball coupling from the ball coupling
recess. This will reduce the risk of damage to the ball coupling.
When towing a trailer, set the tire pressure on
the rear axle of the towing vehicle for the max-
imum load. Further information on the tire pres-
sure table in the fuel filler flap (
Ypage 120).
Please note that when towing a trailer,
PARKTRONIC (
Ypage 143) and Blind Spot
Assist (Ypage 140) availability is limited or not
available at all.
The height of the ball coupling changes with the
load of the vehicle. If necessary, use a trailer
with a height-adjustable drawbar.
You will find permissible trailer loads under
"Technical data" (
Ypage 291).
Driving tips
XObserve the notes on ESP®trailer stabiliza-
tion (Ypage 61).
XOn long and steep downhill gradients, select
shift range 1,2or 3(Ypage 116) in good
time.
154Towing a trailer
Driving and parking

This also applies if you have activated cruise
control or the speed limiter.
XIf necessary, shift the transfer case toLOW
RANGE (Ypage 149).
This will use the braking effect of the engine,
so that less braking will be required to main-
tain the speed. This relieves the load on the
brake system and prevents the brakes from
overheating and wearing too quickly. If you
need additional braking, depress the brake
pedal repeatedly rather than continuously.
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
permitted speed is. Observe the maximum per-
missible speed in the relevant country.
For certain Mercedes-Benz vehicles, the maxi-
mum permissible rear axle load is increased
when towing a trailer. See the "Technical data"
section to find out whether this applies to your
vehicle (
Ypage 291). In the event of increased
rear axle load, the car/trailer combination may
not exceed a maximum speed of 60 mph
(100 km/h) for reasons concerning the operat-
ing permit. This also applies in countries in
which the maximum permissible speed for car/ trailer combinations is greater than 60 mph
(100 km/h).
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.
Driving tips
RMaintain a greater distance from the vehicle
in front than when driving without a trailer.
RAvoid braking abruptly. If possible, brake gen-tly at first to allow the trailer to run on. Then,
increase the braking force rapidly.
RThe 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.
If the trailer swings from side to side:
XDo not accelerate.
XDo not counter-steer.
XBrake if necessary.
Assembling the ball coupling
GWARNING
The ball coupling can be damaged if the nut on
the ball coupling is tightened using the incor-
rect torque. As a result, the trailer may
detach. There is a risk of an accident.
Immediately after installing, have the tighten-
ing torque checked at a qualified specialist
workshop.
!Mercedes-Benz recommends that you only
use ball couplings tested and approved for
use on Mercedes-Benz vehicles. This helps to avoid damage to the vehicle.
Observe the manufacturer's installation
instructions if you use a ball coupling other
than the one supplied.
XSlide ball coupling :through the hole in ball
coupling carrier bar ;to the stop.
XSlide lock washer ?onto the thread of ball
coupling =to the stop.
XScrew on nut Aas far as it will go.
Towing a trailer155
Driving and parking
Z

XUsing a torque wrench, tighten nutBwith a
torque of 516 lb-ft (700 Nm) .
XCheck that the length of overhanging thread
Cbeneath nut Bis at least 0.32 in (8 mm) .
XCheck that the assembled ball coupling has
been assembled correctly.
Also observe the height of the trailer coupling
and the trailer manufacturer's instructions.
Depending on the height of the trailer coupling,
it may be necessary to rotate the ball coupling
by 180° when assembling on the ball coupling
carrier bar. The assembly process is identical.
Installing the ball coupling
GWARNING
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.
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.
GWARNING
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.
XPull protective cap =in the direction of the
arrow, out of the ball coupling recess.
XInsert the ball coupling horizontally into ball
coupling recess ?in the direction of the
arrow.
XMake sure that the hole in ball coupling Ais
in line with the hole in ball coupling recess B.
156Towing a trailer
Driving and parking