2018 MERCEDES-BENZ METRIS tow bar

TIN (Tire Identification Number)
(definition) .....................................298
Tire bead (definition) ......................2 97
Tire pressure (definition) ................ 297
Tire pressures (recommended) ...... 296
Tire size designation, load-bearing
capacity, speed rating .................... 293
Tire tread ....................................... 280
Tire tread (definition) ..................... 297
Total load limit (definition) ............. 298
Traction (definition) ....................... 298
TWR (permissible trailer drawbar
noseweight) (definition) ................. 298
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (definition) .................... 296
Wear indicator (definition) ............. 298
Wheel and tire combination ........... 302
Wheel rim (definition) .................... 296
Wheel/tire combinations ...............3 02
Tool
see Vehicle tool kit
Top Tether ............................................ 61
Tow-starting
Emergency engine starting ............ 278
Important safety notes .................. 276
Towing
If the vehicle is stuck ..................... 278
Installing/removing the towing
eye ................................................. 277
Towing a trailer
Active Parking Assist ..................... 156
Axle load, permissible .................... 316
Cleaning the trailer tow hitch ......... 269
Coupling up a trailer ......................1 67
Decoupling a trailer ....................... 168
Driving tips ....................................1 65
Notes on retrofitting ......................3 15
Power supply ................................. 170
Trailer loads ................................... 316
Towing away
Important safety guidelines ........... 276
With both axles on the ground ....... 278
With the rear axle raised ................ 277
Towing eye ......................................... 272
Trailer coupling
see Towing a trailer
Trailer loads and drawbar nose-
weights ............................................... 169 Trailer operation
Lights display messages (vehicle
with steering wheel buttons) ......... 211
Lights display messages (vehicle
without steering wheel buttons) .... 198
Trailer towing
Blind Spot Assist ............................ 150
ESP
®................................................ 67
PARKTRONIC ................................. 156
Permissible trailer loads and
drawbar noseweights ..................... 169
Transmission
see Automatic transmission
Transmission oil ........................ 310, 311
Transmission positions
Automatic transmission ................. 129
Display (DIRECT SELECT lever) ...... 130
Transport
Lashing straps ............................... 247
Loading guidelines ......................... 244
Stickers ......................................... 247
Vehicle ...........................................2 78
Transport by rail ................................ 139
Transportation
Rail ................................................ 139
Transportation aids
Load protection net ....................... 249
Transporting
Cargo compartment variations ...... 246
Load distribution ............................ 245
Securing a load .............................. 246
Trim pieces (cleaning instruc-
tions) .................................................. 270
Trip computer
Displaying (vehicle with steering
wheel buttons) ............................... 181
Displaying (vehicle without steer-
ing wheel buttons) ......................... 174
Resetting (vehicle with steering
wheel buttons) ............................... 181
Resetting (vehicle without steer-
ing wheel buttons) ......................... 174
Selecting the display units (vehi-
cle with steering wheel buttons) .... 188
Selecting the display units (vehi-
cle without steering wheel but-
tons) .............................................. 177
Index23

parking and pulling away. Make sure that there
are no persons, animals or objects in the maneu-
vering area while maneuvering and parking in/
leaving parking spaces.
!Pay particular attention to obstacles above
or below the sensors when parking, such as
flower pots or trailer towbars. PARKTRONIC
does not recognize such objects when they
are in the immediate vicinity of the vehicle.
You could damage the vehicle or objects.
PARKTRONIC can suffer interference from:
Rultrasonic sources such as a truck's
compressed-air brakes, an automatic car
wash or a pneumatic drill
Rattachments to the vehicle, e.g. rear moun-
ted racks
Rnumber plates (vehicle license plates) that
are not affixed flat against the bumper
Rdirty or icy sensors
Remove a detachable trailer coupling if it is no
longer required. PARKTRONIC measures the
minimum detection range to an obstacle from
the bumper, not the ball coupling.
Range of the sensors
PARKTRONIC does not account for obstacles
that are:
Rbeneath its detection range, e.g. persons, ani-
mals or objects
Rabove its detection range, e.g. overhanging
loads, overhangs or truck loading ramps
The sensors must be free of dirt, ice or slush.
Otherwise, they cannot function correctly.
Clean the sensors regularly, taking care not to
scratch or damage them (
Ypage 268).
Front sensors
CenterApprox. 39 in
(100 cm)
CornersApprox. 24 in (60 cm)
Rear sensors
CenterApprox. 47 in
(120 cm)
CornersApprox. 31 in (80 cm)
Minimum distance
CenterApprox. 8 in (20 cm)
CornersApprox. 8 in (20 cm)
If an obstacle is within this range, the corre-
sponding segments of the warning displays light
up and you hear a warning tone. If the distance
falls below the minimum, the distance from an
obstacle may no longer be shown.
154Driving systems
Driving and parking

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, e.g. from fluorescent lamps 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.
Rthe camera lens is dirty or obstructed.
Observe the notes on cleaning.
(
Ypage 269)
Rif the rear of the vehicle is damaged. In this case, have the camera position and
setting checked at a qualified specialist work-
shop.
Rthe display has pixel errors.
Have the display repaired or replaced if usa-
bility is significantly reduced due to pixel
errors.
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 ot

her 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-mounted 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 279). 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
Driving systems161
Driving and parking
Z

XTo activate:make sure that the key is in
position 2in the ignition lock.
XShift the transmission to position k.
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.
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 iorh.
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 position
j.
In vehicles wit
h 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 156).
Messages in the multimedia system dis-
play
: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 k.
The distance specifications only apply to
objects that are at ground level.
162Driving systems
Driving and parking

;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.
164Driving 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 165).
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 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 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.
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
Towing a trailer165
Driving and parking
Z

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 305)
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 316).
Your vehicle behaves differently with a trailer
than without one.
The vehicle/trailer combination:
Ris heavier
Ris restricted in its acceleration and gradient-
climbing capability
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 dista nce.
If y

ou 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.
Yo u w
ill find weight information under "Techni-
cal data" (Ypage 316).
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.
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 need
to brake additionally, to not depress the brake
pedal constantly, but periodically.
Observe the notes on ESP
®trailer stabilization
(Ypage 67).
166Towing a trailer
Driving an d parking

Drivingtips
If th etrailer begin sto swin gfrom sid eto side:
XDo no taccelerate.
XDo no tcounter-steer .
XBrakeif necessary.
iYou can reduce th eris kof th etrailer swing-
in gand rockin gby retrofitting anti-roll bar sor
trailer stability programs .Further information
is available at your authorized Mercedes-Ben z
Van Dealer .
RMaintainagreater distanc ethan you would
when drivin gwithout towin g atrailer .
RAvoid sudden braking .Apply th ebrake sgen -
tl y at first to allow th etrailer brake to overrun.
Then, increase th ebrake forc equickly.
RThe figure sfo rth egradient climbin gcapabil-
ities from astandstill refer to sea level. Whe n
drivin gin mountainous areas, note that th e
powe routput of th eengine, and wit hit it s
gradient climbin gcapability, decrease wit h
increasing altitude.
Coupling up atrailer
Trailer couple dready fo ruse
XMak esur ethat th eselecto rlever of th eauto-
matic transmissio nis in position P.
XOn vehicles wit han automatic transmission,
ensur ethat th etransmissio nis in position P.
XEngage thevehicle' sparking brake .
XCloseall doors .
XPosition th etrailer horizontally behin dyour
vehicle.
XCoupl eth etrailer .
XEstablis hall electrical and other connection s
to th etrailer .Whe ndoin gso, hoo kth ebreak -
away cable of th etrailer into th eeyele ton th e
ball coupling.
XRemov eth eobjects that are preventing th e
trailer from rolling, e.g. whee lchocks .
XRelease th etrailer parking brake .
Observ eth emaximum permissible trailer
dimensions (widt hand length).
Mos tfederal states and all Canadian province s
require by law:
Rsafet ychain sbetween th etowin gvehicle and
th etrailer .The chain sshould be cross-woun d
under th etrailer drawbar .The ymus tbe fas -
tene dto th evehicle' strailer coupling, no tto
th ebumper or th eaxle.
Leave enough slac kin th echains. Thi sallow s
you to drive round tight corners .
Raseparat ebrake syste mforcertain types of
tra
iler .
Rasafet yshut-of ffo rbrake dtrailers. Fin dout
th especific requirements accordin gto th e
applicable laws.
If th etrailer becomes detached from th etow-
in g vehicle, th esafet yshut-of fapplies th e
trailer brakes.
Towing atrailer
There are numerous lega lrequirements con-
cernin gth etowin gof atrailer ,e.g. speed restric -
tions. Man ystates require aseparat efunctional
braking system fo ryour trailer once acertain
weight limit is exceeded. Fo rreason sof safety,
it is recommended that all trailer suse asepa-
rat efunctional braking system. Mak esur eyour
vehicle/trailer combination complies wit hlocal
laws. Thi sno tonly means wher eyou live, but
also anywher eyou are drivin gto .Information on
this can be obtained from th epolice and local
authorities .
Observ eth efollowin gwhen towin g atrailer :
RPractic edrivin garound bends, stoppin gand
backing up at aplac ewher ethere is no traffic .
Towing a trailer167
Driving and parking
Z