Trailer towing
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings
⇒
Introduction
Headlight adjustment
Towing a trailer can raise the front end of the vehicle enough for the dipped beam to blind other
road users. Use the headlight range control to lower the light cone as required. Vehicles with
automatic headlight range adjustment are adjusted automatically.
Things to note when driving with a trailer
• If the trailer has an
overrun brake
, apply the brakes
gently at first
and then firmly. This will
prevent the jerking that can be caused by the trailer wheels locking.
• The combination weight causes the braking distance to increase.
• Engage a lower gear prior to inclines (manual gearbox or Tiptronic mode of the automatic
gearbox) to additionally make use of engine braking. The brake system could otherwise
overheat and fail.
• The vehicle's centre of gravity and, in turn, the vehicle's handling, will change because of the
trailer load and the increased combined towing weight of the vehicle and trailer.
• The weight distribution of a loaded trailer with an unladen towing vehicle is very unfavourable.
When driving in this situation, drive particularly carefully and slowly.
Pulling off on slopes when towing a trailer
A vehicle towing a trailer is liable to roll back a short distance when moving off on a slope,
depending on the angle of the slope and the total weight of the trailer and vehicle.
When towing a trailer, pull off on slopes as follows:
• Depress and hold the brake pedal.
• Press button
once to switch off the electronic parking brake
⇒
Electronic parking
brake
.
• Manual gearbox: depress the clutch fully.
• Select first gear
⇒
Manual gearbox: selecting a gear
or selector lever position
D/S
⇒
DSG dual
clutch gearbox
.
• Pull on the
button and hold it in this position to hold the vehicle and trailer with the
electronic parking brake.
• Release the brake pedal.
• Pull away slowly. To do this, slowly release the clutch pedal for a manual gearbox.
• Only let go of the
button when the engine has sufficient power to move off.
Trailer stabilisation
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings
⇒
Introduction
The trailer stabilisation function can detect if an attached trailer is starting to lurch from side to side
and can provide countersteer.
Trailer stabilisation is a subsidiary function of the Electronic Stability Control (ESC).
®
Incorrect trailer towing can cause loss of vehicle control and serious personal injury.
• Towing a trailer and transporting heavy or bulky items can change the way the vehicle
handles and increase the braking distance.
• Always drive carefully and think ahead. Brake earlier than in normal driving.
• Always adapt your speed and driving style to suit visibility, weather, road and traffic
conditions. Reduce your speed, particularly when going downhill.
• Accelerate carefully and gently. Avoid abrupt and sudden driving and braking
manoeuvres.
• Take special care when overtaking. Reduce your speed immediately if the trailer shows
even the slightest sign of snaking.
• Never try to stop a trailer from snaking by increasing your speed.
• Keep to speed limits which may be lower for vehicles with trailers than for vehicles
without trailers.
WARNING
