When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristics will be different in comparison
to when driving without a trailer.
The vehicle/trailer combination:
R
is heavier
R
is restricted in its acceleration and gradi-
ent-climbing capability
R
has an increased braking distance
R
is affected more by strong crosswinds
R
demands more sensitive steering
R
consumes more fuel
On long and steep downhill gradients, you
must select shift range 1, 2 or 3 in good time.
i
This also applies if you have activated
cruise control, Distronic*/Distronic Plus*
or Speedtronic.
This will use the braking effect of the engine,
so less braking will be required to maintain
the speed. This relieves the load on the brake
system and prevents the brakes from over-
heating and wearing too quickly. If you need
additional braking, depress the brake pedal
repeatedly rather than continuously.
G
Risk of accident
Never depress the brake pedal continuously
while the vehicle is in motion, e.g. never cause
the brakes to rub by applying constant slight
pedal pressure. This causes the brake system
to overheat, increases the braking distance
and can lead to the brakes failing completely.
Driving tips
R
Maintain a greater distance from the vehi-
cle in front than when driving without a
trailer.
R
Avoid braking abruptly. If possible, brake
gently at first to allow the trailer to run on.
Then, increase the braking force rapidly.
R
The values given for gradient-climbing
capabilities from a standstill refer to sea
level. When driving in mountainous areas,
note that the power output of the engine,
and consequently the vehicle's gradient-
climbing capability, decrease with increas-
ing altitude.
If the trailer swings from side to side:
X
Do not accelerate.
X
Do not counter-steer.
X
Brake if necessary.
G
Risk of accident
On no account should you attempt to draw the
vehicle/trailer combination out by increasing
speed.
Folding in the ball coupling
i
Fold the ball coupling back in if you are
not using the trailer tow hitch.
X
Place the protective cap on the ball cou-
pling.
G
Risk of injury
Make sure that no persons or animals are in
the pivoting range of the ball coupling. Other-
wise, they could be injured.
X
Pull telescopic lever
:
slightly upwards.
X
Pull telescopic lever
:
out forwards.
X
Pull telescopic lever
:
fully upwards.
The ball coupling disengages and folds out
from under the rear bumper. Indicator
lamp
;
flashes.
X
Guide telescopic lever
:
back again.
330
Trailer towing*
Operation
* optional
221_AKB; 2; 3, en-GB
bjanott,
Version: 2.11.7.7
2009-02-27T14:56:10+01:00 - Seite 330
Dateiname: 6515231002_buchblock.pdf; erzeugt am 03. Mar 2009 15:18:27; WK
