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168Driving and operatingDepressing the foot brake or
accelerator will also cause the system to be deactivated.
If the speed exceeds 70 km/h, the
system is automatically deactivated.
The LED in the button estinguishes.
Fault
If the green control indicator ò does
not illuminate or flash after pressing
the button, there is a fault in the
system.
Seek the assistance of a workshop.
Selective ride controlCaution
The vehicle is designed to drive
principally on-road, but it also
enables driving off-road
occasionally.
However, do not drive on terrain
where the vehicle could be
damaged due to obstacles, such
as rocks among others and on
terrain with steep inclines and
poor grip.
Do not cross waters.Caution
When driving off-road, sudden
motion and manoeuvres can
cause a collision or losing control.
Selective ride control is designed to
optimise traction in low-grip
conditions (snow, mud and sand).
It adapts to the terrain by acting on the
front wheels, in doing so this saves
the weight normally associated with a more conventional four wheel drive
system.Selective ride control allows to
choose between five driving modes:
● ESC off mode 9
● standard mode 2
● snow mode 3
● mud mode 4
● sand mode 1
The several modes can be activated
by turning the control.
A LED illuminates and a status
message appears in the Driver
Information Centre to confirm the
chosen mode.
Page 210 of 283

208Driving and operatingTrailer hitch
General information
Only use towing equipment that has
been approved for your vehicle.
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.
The bulb outage detection function for trailer brake light cannot detect a
partial bulb outage e.g. in case of four
bulbs with a power of 5 W each, the
function only detects lamp outage
when only a single 5 W lamp remains
or none remain.
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 to have
it on hand if needed.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.
During trailer towing do not exceed a
speed of 80 km/h. A maximum speed
of 100 km/h is only appropriate if an
oscillation damper is used and the
permissible gross trailer weight does
not exceed the vehicle’s curb weight.
For trailers with low driving stability
and caravan trailers, the use of an
oscillation damper is strongly
recommended.
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 3 265.Trailer towing
Trailer loadsThe 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 12%.
The permissible trailer load applies
up to the specified incline and at 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 altitude. The gross train weight does not have to be
reduced when driving on roads with
slight inclines (less than 8%, e.g.
motorways).
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Driving and operating209The permissible gross train weight
must not be exceeded. This weight is
specified on the identification plate
3 257.
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.
The maximum permissible vertical
coupling load is specified on the
towing equipment identification plate
and in the vehicle documents.
Always aim for the maximum vertical
coupling load, especially in the case
of heavy trailers. The vertical coupling load should never fall below 25 kg.
Rear axle load When the trailer is coupled and the
towing vehicle fully loaded, the
permissible rear axle load (see
identification plate or vehicle
documents) may be exceeded by
60 kg , the gross vehicle weight rating
must not be exceeded. If thepermissible rear axle load is
exceeded, a maximum speed of
100 km/h applies.
Towing equipment Depending on version the vehicle canbe fitted with a detachable or a fixed
coupling ball bar.
Type ACaution
When operating without a trailer,
remove the coupling ball bar.
Fitting the coupling ball bar
1. Move the lever to the rear
position.
2. Clean the contact points with asoft clean cloth.
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258Technical dataInformation on identification label:1:manufacturer2:type approval number3:vehicle identification number4:permissible gross vehicle weight
rating in kg5:permissible gross train weight
in kg6:maximum permissible front axle
load in kg7:maximum permissible rear axle
load in kg8:vehicle-specific or country-
specific data
The combined total of front and rear
axle loads must not exceed the
permissible gross vehicle weight.
Vehicle's kerb weight depends on the
specification of the vehicle, e.g.
optional equipment and accessories. Refer to the EEC Certificate of
Conformity provided with your vehicle
or other national registration
documents.
The technical data is determined in
accordance with European
Community standards. We reserve
the right to make modifications.
Specifications in the vehicle
documents always have priority over
those given in this manual.
Engine identification
The technical data tables show the
engine identifier code.
Engine data 3 262.
To identify the respective engine,
refer to the engine power in the EEC
Certificate of Conformity provided
with your vehicle or other national
registration documents.