138Driving and operatingTrailer hitch
General information
Only use towing equipment that has
been approved for your vehicle.
Vehicles with natural gas engine may
require special towing equipment.
Entrust retrofitting of towing
equipment to a workshop. It may be
necessary to make changes that
affect the cooling system, heat
shields or other equipment.
Fitting of towing equipment could
cover the opening of the towing eye.
If this is the case use the coupling ball bar for towing. Always keep the
coupling ball bar in the vehicle.
Driving characteristics and towing tips
Before attaching a trailer, lubricate the coupling ball. However, do not do so if a stabiliser, which acts on the
coupling ball, is being used to reduce
snaking movements.For trailers with low driving stability
and caravan trailers with a permitted
gross vehicle weight of more than
1300 kg the use of a stabiliser is
strongly recommended when driving
above 50 mph.
If the trailer starts snaking, drive more slowly, do not attempt to correct the
steering and brake sharply if
necessary.
When driving downhill, drive in the
same gear as if driving uphill and
drive at a similar speed.
Adjust tyre pressure to the value
specified for full load 3 191.
Trailer towing
Trailer loads The permissible trailer loads are
vehicle and engine-dependent
maximum values which must not be
exceeded. The actual trailer load is the difference between the actual
gross weight of the trailer and the
actual coupling socket load with the
trailer coupled.The permissible trailer loads are
specified in the vehicle documents. In general, they are valid for gradients
up to max. 12%.
The permitted trailer load applies up to the specified incline and up to an
altitude of 1000 metres above sea
level. Since engine power decreases
as altitude increases due to the air
becoming thinner, therefore reducing
climbing ability, the permissible gross
train weight also decreases by 10%
for every 1000 metres of additional
altitude. The gross train weight does
not have to be reduced when driving
on roads with slight inclines (less than
8%, e.g. motorways).
The permissible gross train weight
must not be exceeded. This weight is specified on the identification plate
3 181.
Vertical coupling load
The vertical coupling load is the load
exerted by the trailer on the coupling
ball. It can be varied by changing the
weight distribution when loading the
trailer.
198GGauges ......................................... 76
Gear shifting ................................. 85
General information ...................138
Generic warning .............81, 96, 115
Glovebox ..................................... 61
Gross Vehicle Weight ...................67
H
Halogen headlights ....................149
Hand brake ................................. 127
Hazard warning flashers ............100
Headlamp washer......................... 72
Headlight flash ............................. 99
Headlight range adjustment ......100
Headlights..................................... 99
Headlights when driving abroad 100
Head restraint adjustment .............8
Head restraints ............................ 34
Heated mirrors ............................. 30
Heated rear window ..................... 33
Heating ........................................ 39
Heating and ventilation system . 106
High beam ............................. 89, 99
Hill start assist ...................... 85, 127
Horn ....................................... 13, 70
I Identification plate .....................181
Ignition switch positions .............114
Immobiliser ............................ 28, 89Indicators...................................... 76
Information displays...................... 90
Initial drive information.................... 6
Installing seats .............................. 41
Instrument cluster ........................76
Instrument panel fuse box .........157
Instrument panel illumination .....154
Instrument panel illumination control .................................... 102
Instrument panel overview ........... 10
Instrument panel storage ..............60
Interior care ............................... 175
Interior lighting ......................90, 102
Interior lights ...................... 103, 153
Interior mirrors .............................. 30
Introduction .................................... 3
ISOFIX .......................................... 54
J Jump starting ............................. 170
K Kerb weight................................... 67Key number .................................. 19
Keys ............................................. 19
Keys, locks ................................... 19
L
Language ..................................... 90
Lashing eyes ......................... 65, 67
Laying up the vehicle ..................146Light switch .................................. 99
Load compartment ................27, 62
Load compartment cover .............63
Load compartment grille ...............66
Load compartment lighting .........104
Loading ............................. 37, 40, 41
Loading information .............67, 188
Loadspace dimensions ...............188
Lock cylinders ............................... 19
Low engine oil level .....................88
Low fuel ....................................... 88
Luggage floor net .........................65
Lumbar support ............................ 36
M Malfunction indicator light ............83
Manual adjustment ......................29
Manual anti-dazzle ......................30
Manual door locks ........................21
Manual mode ............................. 124
Manual transmission .................. 121
Manual transmission automated 122
Manual windows ..........................31
Mirror adjustment ........................... 8
Misted light covers .....................102
Multifunction display .....................90
N
Natural gas ................................. 190
New vehicle running-in ..............114
Number plate light .....................152
