2018 MERCEDES-BENZ G-CLASS trailer

Towing a trailer
There are several legal requirements for towing
a trailer, e.g. the maximum permissible speed.
Make sure that your car/trailer combination
complies with the local regulations:
Rin your place of residence
Rat your destination
The police and local authorities can provide reli- able information.
In order to accumulate driving experience and
accustom yourself to the new handling charac-
teristics, practice the following at a location
where there is no traffic:
RCornering
RStopping
RBacking up
Before driving, check the following:
RTrailer tow hitch
RSafety switch for braked trailers
RSafety chains
RElectrical connections
RLighting system
RWheels and tires
RLoad-securing measures
Adjust the exterior mirrors to provide an unob-
structed view of the rear section of the trailer.
Trailers with electronically controlled
brakes: pull away carefully in the vehicle/trailer
combination, brake manually using the brake
controller and check whether the brakes func-
tion correctly.
Check the load securing measures on a regular
basis.
When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristics will be different in comparison
with when driving without a tra
iler.
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
Avoid sudden steering movements.
Avoid braking abruptly. If possible, brake gently
at first to allow the trailer to run on. Then,
increase the braking force rapidly. When overtaking, pay particular attention to the
extended length of your vehicle/trailer combi-
nation.
Due to the length of the vehicle/trailer combi-
nation, you require additional road space when
overtaking before you can change back to the
original lane.
If the automatic transmission repeatedly shifts
between gears on uphill or downhill gradients,
shift to a lower gear.
Driving in a lower gear and at a reduced speed
decreases the risk of engine damage.
Avoid constant braking. Otherwise, the vehicle
brakes and possibly also the trailer brakes may
overheat.
When driving downhill, shift to a lower gear to
utilize the engine's braking effect.
If the coolant temperature increases dramati-
cally while the air-conditioni ng s
ystem is
switched on, switch off the air-conditioning sys- tem.
Coolant heat can also be dissipated by opening
the windows and switching the ventilation
blower and the interior temperature to the high-
est level.
Decoupling 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.
XApply the parking brake.
XMake sure that the automatic transmission is
set to position P.
XSecure the vehicle and trailer against rolling
away.
XClose all doors, including the rear door.
XRemove the trailer cable.
XRemove the safety chains, if there are any.
XUncouple the trailer.
158Towing a trailer
Driving an d parking

Permissible trailer and drawbar loads
Weight specifications
The gross trailer weight is calculated as the
weight of the trailer plus the weight of the load
and the trailer's equipment.
You will find permissible trailer loads under
"Technical data" (
Ypage 291).
Loading a trailer
RWhen loading the trailer, make sure that nei-
ther the permissible gross trailer weight nor
the permissible gross vehicle weight are
exceeded. The permissible gross vehicle
weight is indicated on the identification plate on the B-pillar on the driver's side of the vehi-
cle.
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.
RThe 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 on the B-pil-
lar on the driver's side of the vehicle.
Mercedes-Benz recommends a trailer load
where the trailer drawbar noseweight accounts
for 8% to 15% of the permissible gross trailer
weight.
Additional accessories, passengers and load
reduce the permissible trailer load and nose-
weight that your vehicle can tow.
Checking the vehicle and trailer weight
RHave the towing vehicle, including the driver,
passengers and load, and completely loaded
trailer weighed on a suitable weighing
machine. This will allow you to ensure that the
weights of the towing vehicle and trailer com-
ply with the maximum permissible values.
RCheck the gross axle weight rating of the front
and rear axles, the gross weight of the trailer
and trailer drawbar load.
Trailer power supply
!
You can connect accessories with a maxi-
mum power consumption of 180 W to the
permanent power supply.
You must not charge a trailer battery using the
power supply.
The trailer socket of your vehicle is equipped at
the factory with a permanent power supply.
The permanent power supply is supplied via
trailer socket pin 9.
A qualified specialist workshop can provide
more information about installing the trailer
electrics.
Trailer with 7-pin connector
General notes
Trailers with 7-pin connector: you can make a
connection to the 13-pin connector on the ball
coupling using an adapter plug or, if necessary,
an adapter cable. Both can be obtained in a
qualified specialist workshop.
Installing the adapter
!Make sure that there is enough slack in the
cable for cornering so that the cable cannot
become detached.
XOpen the socket cover.
XInsert the connector with lug :into
groove ;on the socket and turn it clockwise
to the stop.
XMake the cover engage.
XIf you are using an adapter cable, secure the
cable to the trailer with cable ties.
When the socket is connected, PARKTRONIC is
deactivated.
Towing a trailer159
Driving and parking
Z

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
Blind SpotAssistCurrently Unavaila‐ble
See Operator' sMan ‐ual
Blind Spot Assis tis temporarily inoperative. Possibl ecauses are:
RYou hav eestablished th eelectrical connection between th etrailer
and your vehicle.
RThe sensor sare dirty.
RFunction is impaire ddue to heav yrain or snow.
RThe radar sensor system is outside th eoperating temperature
range.
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 .
The yellow 9indicator lamp salso ligh tup in th eexterio rmirrors.
XWhe ntowin g atrailer ,confirm th edisplay message wit ha.
If you are drivin gwithout atrailer and th edisplay message does no t
disappear :
XPull overand stop th evehicl esafely as soo nas possible, payin g
attention to roa dand traffic conditions.
XApply th eparking brake.
XClean th esensor s (Ypage 239).
XRestart th eengine.
If th esystem detects that th esensor sare full yoperational, th edisplay
message disappears.
Blind Spot Assis tis operational again .
Blind SpotAssistNot Available Whe nTowingaTraile rSee Operator' sMan ‐ual
Blind Spot Assis tis deactivated while towin g atrailer .
You hav eestablished th eelectrical connection between th etrailer and
your vehicle.
XPress aon thesteering whee lto confirm th edisplay message .
Blind SpotAssist
Inoperative
Blind Spot Assis tis malfunctioning .
The yellow 9indicator lamp salso ligh tup in th eexterio rmirrors.
XVisit aqualified specialist workshop .
DISTRONIC PLUS
Off
DISTRONICPLU Shas been deactivated (Ypage 134).
If it was deactivated automatically, awarning tone also sounds.
DISTRONIC PLU S
Now Available
DISTRONICPLU Sis operational again after having been temporarily
unavailable .You can no wreactivat eDISTRONI CPLU S (Ypage 134).
Display messages185
On-board computer and displays
Z

XClean sensors:of the driving systems with
water, car shampoo and a soft cloth.
Cleaning the rear view camera
!Do not clean the camera lens and the area
around the rear view camera with a power
washer.
XUse clear water and a soft cloth to clean cam- era lens :.
Cleaning chrome parts
Impurities co mbinedwit h the effects of road grit
and corrosive environmental factors may cause flash rust to form on the surface. You can
restore the original shine of chrome parts by
cleaning them regularly, especially in winter and
after washing.
XClean chrome parts with a chrome care pro d-
uct tested and approved byMercedes-Benz.
Cleaning the exhaust pipe
GWARNING
The exhaust tail pipeand tail pipetrim can
become very hot. Ifyou come into contact
wit h these parts of the vehicle, you could burn
yourself. There isa risk of injury.
Always be particularly careful around the
exhaust tail pipeand the tail pipetrim. Allow
these components to cool downbefore touch-
ing them.
!Do not clean the exhaust pipe with acid-
based cleaning agents, such as bathroom
cleaner or wheel cleaner.
Impurities co mbined with the effects of road grit
and corrosive environmental factors may cause
flash rust to form on the surface. You can
restore the original shine of the exhaust pipeby
cleaning it regularly, especially in winter and
after washing.
XClean the exhaust pipe with a care product
tested and approved byMercedes-Benz.
Cleaning the trailer tow hitch
!Do not clean the ball coupling with a power
washer. Do not use solvents.
!Please note the care instructions in the
trailer coupling manufacturer's operating
instructions.
HEnvironm entalnote
Dispose of rags soaked in oil and grease in an
environmentally responsible manner.
The ball coupling must becleaned if it becomes
dirt y or corroded.
XRemove rust, e.g. with a wire brush.
XAfter cleaning, lightly oil or grease the ball
coupling.
XCheck that the vehicle's trailer tow hitch is
working properly.
You can also have the maintenance work on the
ball coupling and the trailer tow hitch carried out
by a qualified specialist workshop.
240Care
Maintenance and care

XLift up cover:of positive terminal ;in the direction of the arrow.
XConnect positive terminal ;on your vehicle to positive terminal ?of donor battery Busing the
jumper cable. Always begin with positive terminal ;on your own vehicle first.
XStart the engine of the donor vehicle and run it at idling speed.
XConnect negative terminal Aof donor battery Bto ground point =of your vehicle using the
jumper cable, connecting the jumper cable to donor battery Bfirst.
XStart the engine.
XBefore disconnecting the jumper cables, let the engine run for several minutes.
XFirst, remove the jumper cables from ground point =and negative terminal A, then from pos-
itive clamp ;and positive terminal ?. Begin each time at the contacts on your own vehicle first.
XClose cover:of positive terminal ;after removing the jumper cables.
XHave the battery checked at a qualified specialist workshop.
Jump-starting is not considered to be a normal operating condition.
iJumper cables and further information regarding jump-starting can be obtained at any qualified
specialist workshop.
Towing and tow-starting
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Functions relevant to safety are restricted or
no longer available if:
Rthe engine is not running.
Rthe brake system or the power steering is
malfunctioning.
Rthere is a malfunction in the voltage supply or the vehicle's electrical system.
If your vehicle is being towed, much more
force may be necessary to steer or brake.
There is a risk of an accident.
In such cases, use a tow bar. Before towing,
make sure that the steering moves freely.
GWARNING
You can no longer steer the vehicle if the
steering wheel lock has been engaged. There
is a risk of an accident.
Always switch off the ignition when towing the
vehicle with a tow cable or a tow bar.
GWARNING
When towing or tow-starting another vehicle
and its weight is greater than the permissible
gross weight of your vehicle, the:
Rthe towing eye could detach itself
Rthe vehicle/trailer combination could roll-
over.
There is a risk of an accident.
When towing or tow-starting another vehicle,
its weight should not be greater than the per- missible gross weight of your vehicle.
Details on the permissible gross vehicle weight
of your vehicle can be found on the vehicle iden-
tification plate (
Ypage 282).
!When DISTRONIC PLUS or the HOLD func-
tion is activated, the vehicle brakes automat-
ically in certain situations.
To avoid damage to the vehicle, deactivate
DISTRONIC PLUS and the HOLD function in
the following or similar situations:
Rwhen towing the vehicle
Rin the car wash
!The vehicle can be towed a maximum of
30 miles (50km). The towing speed of 30 mph (50 km/h) must not be exceeded.
If the vehicle has to be towed more than
30 miles (50km), the entire vehicle must be
raised and transported.
Towing and tow-starting251
Breakdown assistance
Z

XWhen the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal and keep it depressed.
XShift the transfer case to positionNeutral
(Ypage 150).
XShift the automatic transmission to position
i.
XLeave the SmartKey in position 2in the igni-
tion lock.
XRelease the brake pedal.
XRelease the parking brake.
XSwitch on the hazard warning lamps
(Ypage 88).
In order to signal a change of direction when
towing the vehicle with the hazard warning
lamps switched on, use the combination switch
as usual. In this case, only the indicator lamps
for the direction of travel flash. After resetting
the combination switch, the hazard warning
lamp starts flashing again.
iThe automatic transmission can only
change gear when the battery has sufficient
charge.
If you cannot shift the automatic transmission
to position i, the propeller shafts to the
driven axles must be removed.
Transporting the vehicle
!When the vehicle is loaded for transport, the
front and rear axles must be stationary and on the same transportation vehicle. Positioning
over the connection point of the transport
vehicle is not permitted. The drive train may
otherwise be damaged.
!You may only secure the vehicle by the
wheels, not by parts of the vehicle such as
axle or steering components. Otherwise, the
vehicle could be damaged. The towing eyes can be used to pull the vehicle
onto a trailer or transporter if you wish to trans-
port it.
XTurn the SmartKey to position 2in the igni-
tion lock.
XShift the transfer case to position Neutral
(Ypage 150).
XShift the automatic transmission to position
i.
As soon as the vehicle has been loaded:
XApply the parking brake.
XShift the automatic transmission to position
j.
XTurn the SmartKey to position gin the igni-
tion lock and remove it.
XSecure the vehicle.
Recovering a vehicle that has become
stuck
!
When recovering a vehicle that has become
stuck, pull it as smoothly and evenly as pos-
sible. Excessive tractive power could damage
the vehicles.
If the drive wheels have become stuck in loose
or muddy ground, pull the vehicle out with
extreme caution, especially so if the vehicle is
loaded.
Never attempt to recover a stuck vehicle with a
trailer attached.
Pull out the vehicle backwards, if possible using the tracks it made when it became stuck.
Towing in the event of malfunctions
General notes
!If you are removing the propeller shaft, use
M10 nuts as spacers on the M8 bolts and
secure them with M8 nuts.
New self-locking nuts must be used when the
propeller shafts are refitted.
It is important that you observe the safety
instructions when towing away your vehicle
(
Ypage 251).
iConsult an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter.
Towing and tow-starting253
Breakdown assistance
Z

!Check the snow chains for damage before
mounting them. Damaged or worn snow
chains may snap and damage the following
components:
Rwheel
Rwheel housing
Rwheel suspension
For this reason, you must use only snow
chains that are free of defects. Observe the
manufacturer's mounting instructions.
For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends that you only use snow chains that have
been specially approved for your vehicle by
Mercedes-Benz, or are of a corresponding
standard of quality. For more information,
please contact a qualified specialist workshop.
If you intend to mount snow chains, please bear
the following points in mind:
RSnow chains may not be mounted on all
wheel/tire combinations. Observe the infor-
mation regarding permitted wheel/tire com-
binations (
Ypage 279).
RInstall the snow chains on all four wheels for
maximum tractive power and driving stability.
If you only have two snow chains, install these
as a pair on the rear wheels. The vehicle then
remains more stable under braking.
ROnly use snow chains when driving on roads
completely covered by snow. Remove the
snow chains as soon as possible when you
come to a road that is not snow-covered.
RLocal regulations may restrict the use of snow
chains. Observe the appropriate regulations if
you wish to mount snow chains.
RDo not exceed the maximum permissible
speed of 30 mph (50 km/h).
You may wish to deactivate ESP
®when pulling
away with snow chains installed (Ypage 59).
You can thereby allow the wheels to spin in a
controlled manner, achieving an increased driv- ing force (cutting action).
Tire pressure
Tire pressure specifications
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Underinflated or overinflated tires pose the
following risks:
Rthe tires may burst, especially as the load
and vehicle speed increase.
Rthe tires may wear excessively and/or
unevenly, which may greatly impair tire
traction.
Rthe driving characteristics, as well as steer-
ing and braking, may be greatly impaired.
There is a risk of an accident.
Follow recommended tire inflation pressures
and check the pressure of all the tires includ-
ing the spare wheel:
Rmonthly, at least
Rif the load changes
Rbefore beginning a long journey
Runder different operating conditions, e.g.
off-road driving
If necessary, correct the tire pressure.
The data on the Tire and Loading Information
placard and tire pressure table shown here are
examples. Tire pressure specifications are vehi-
cle-specific and may deviate from the data
shown here. The tire pressure specifications
that are valid for your vehicle can be found on
the Tire and Loading Information placard and
tire pressure table on the vehicle.
General notes
The recommended tire pressures for the tires
mounted at the factory can be found on the
labels described here.
Operation with a trailer: the applicable value
for the rear axle is the maximum tire pressure
value stated in the table inside the fuel filler flap.
Further information on tire pressures can be
obtained at a qualified specialist workshop.
260Tire pressure
Wheels and tires

Radio type approval for the tire pres-
sure monitor
CountryRadio type approval number
USAFCC ID: MRXGG4
FCC ID: MRXMC34MA4
CanadaIC: 2546A-GG4
Loading the vehicle
Instruction labels for tires and loads
GWARNING
Overloaded tires can overheat, causing a
blowout. Overloaded tires can also impair the steering and driving characteristics and lead
to brake failure. There is a risk of accident.
Observe the load rating of the tires. The load
rating must be at least half of the GAWR of
your vehicle. Never overload the tires by
exceeding the maximum load.
Two instruction labels on your vehicle show the maximum possible load.
(1) The Tire and Loading Information placard is on the B-pillar on the driver's side. The Tire
and Loading Information placard shows the
maximum permissible number of occu-
pants and the maximum permissible vehicle
load. It also contains details of the tire sizes
and corresponding pressures for tires
mounted at the factory.
(2) The vehicle identification plate is on the B- pillar on the driver's side. The vehicle iden-
tification plate informs you of the gross
vehicle weight rating. It is made up of the
vehicle weight, all vehicle occupants, the
fuel and the cargo. You can also find infor-
mation about the maximum gross axle
weight rating on the front and rear axle.
The maximum gross axle weight rating is
the maximum weight that can be carried by
one axle (front or rear axle). Do not exceed
the maximum gross vehicle we ight o
r the
maximum gross axle weight rating for the
front or rear axle.
:B-pillar, driver's side
Maximum permissible gross mass
XSpecification for maximum permissible
load :is listed on the Tire and Loading Infor-
mation placard: "The combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed
XXX kilograms or XXX lbs."
The gross weight of all vehicle occupants, cargo,
luggage and trailer load/noseweight (if applica-
ble) must not exceed the specified value.
iThe specifications shown on the Tire and
Loading Information placard in the illustration are examples. The maximum permissible load
is vehicle-specific and may deviate from the
data shown here. The maximum permissible
load that applies for your vehicle can be found
on your vehicle's Tire and Loading Informa-
tion placard.
266Loading the vehicle
Wheels and tires