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Driving and operating205Trailer hitch
General information
Only use towing equipment that has
been approved for your vehicle. If
using non-factory fitted towing
equipment, deactivation of the hands- free tailgate operation may be
required 3 29.
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 light outage
when only a single 5 W light remains
or none remain.
Trailers equipped with LED lights are
not suitable for the wiring harness of
this trailer hitch.
Fitting of towing equipment could
cover the opening of the towing eye.
If this is the case use the coupling ballbar 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, lubricatethe 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 50 mph. A maximum speed
of 60 mph 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 3 266.
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 inclines 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 m of altitude. The
gross train weight does not have to be
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206Driving and operatingreduced 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
3 256.
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 (70 kg) 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 the
permissible rear axle load is
exceeded, a maximum speed of
60 mph applies.
Towing equipmentCaution
When operating without a trailer,
remove the coupling ball bar.
Fitting the coupling ball bar
Disengage and fold down the socket. Remove the sealing plug from the
opening for the coupling ball bar and
stow it.
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230Vehicle careVehicles with audio speaker system
The towing eye and the chocks are
located in a box below the floor cover in the load compartment.
Tyre repair kit 3 234.
Wheels and tyres
Tyre condition, wheel condition Drive over edges slowly and at right
angles if possible. Driving over sharp
edges can cause tyre and wheel
damage. Do not trap tyres on the kerb when parking.
Regularly check the wheels for
damage. Seek the assistance of a
workshop in the event of damage or
unusual wear.
Winter tyres
Winter tyres improve driving safety at temperatures below 7 °C and should
therefore be fitted on all wheels.
In accordance with country-specific
regulations, affix the speed sticker in
the driver's field of view.
All tyre sizes are permitted as winter
tyres 3 266.Tyre designations
E.g. 225/55 R 18 98 V225:tyre width, mm55:cross-section ratio (tyre height
to tyre width), %R:belt type: RadialRF:type: RunFlat18:wheel diameter, inches98:load index e.g. 98 is equivalent
to 750 kgV:speed code letter
Speed code letter:
Q:up to 100 mphS:up to 112 mphT:up to 118 mphH:up to 130 mphV:up to 150 mphW:up to 168 mph
Choose a tyre appropriate for the
maximum speed of your vehicle.
The maximum speed is achievable at kerb weight with driver (75 kg) plus
125 kg payload. Optional equipment
could reduce the maximum speed of
the vehicle.
Performance 3 263.
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Technical data257Information on identification label:1:manufacturer2:type approval number3:vehicle identification number4:permissible gross vehicle weightrating 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 3 260.
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.