Mercedes-Benz 2013 C-Class W204 Sedan Owner's Manual page 230

Towing a trailer
228
If you exceed the maximum permissible nose-
weight of the trailer drawbar on the ball cou-
pling, the following may become damaged:
your vehicle
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the trailer
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the ball coupling
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the trailer tow hitch
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The vehicle/trailer combination could
become unstable.
If the noseweight used is lower than the min-
imum permissible noseweight, the vehicle/
trailer combination could also become unsta-
ble.
To avoid hazardous situations:
make sure to check the noseweight before
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each journey.
use a drawbar noseweight as close as pos-
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sible to the maximum noseweight.
do not exceed the maximum permissible
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noseweight.
do not use a noseweight lower than the
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minimum permissible trailer drawbar nose-
weight.
When reversing the vehicle towards the
trailer, make sure there is nobody between
the trailer and the vehicle.
Couple and uncouple the trailer carefully. If
you do not couple the trailer to the towing
vehicle correctly, the trailer could become
detached.
Make sure that the following values are not
exceeded:
the permissible trailer drawbar noseweight
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the permissible trailer load
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the permissible rear axle load of the towing
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vehicle
the maximum permissible gross vehicle
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weight of both the towing vehicle and the
trailer
The applicable permissible values, which
must not be exceeded, can be found:
in the vehicle documents
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on the identification plates of the trailer tow
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hitch, the trailer and the vehicle
If the values differ, the lowest value applies.
You will find the values approved by the man-
ufacturer on the vehicle identification plates
and those for the towing vehicle under "Tech-
nical data" ( Y page 407).
When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristics will be different in comparison
to when driving without a trailer.
The vehicle/trailer combination:
is heavier
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is restricted in its acceleration and gradi-
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ent-climbing capability
has an increased braking distance
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is affected more by strong crosswinds
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demands more sensitive steering
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has a larger turning circle
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This can impair the vehicle's handling char-
acteristics. Adapt your style of driving accord-
ingly. Maintain a safe distance. Drive care-
fully.
When towing a trailer, always adjust your
speed to the current road and weather con-
ditions. Do not exceed the maximum permis-
sible speed for your vehicle/trailer combina-
tion.
General notes
i When towing a trailer, set the tyre pres-
sure on the rear axle of the towing vehicle
for a maximum load; see the tyre pressure
table in the fuel filler flap (
Please note that when towing a trailer, PARK-
TRONIC ( Y page 209), Parking Guidance
( Y page 212) and Blind Spot Assist
( Y page 218) are only available with limita-
tions, or not at all.
i
The height of the ball coupling changes
with the load of the vehicle. If necessary,
Y
page 372).