Driving Tips - Mercedes-Benz Citan 2015 Operating Instructions Manual

Trailer towing
120
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 that may not
be exceeded can be found:
in your vehicle documents
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on the type plates of the trailer tow hitch and
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the trailer
on the vehicle identification plate
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Where the values differ, the lowest is valid.
You will find the values approved by the manu-
facturer on the vehicle identification plates and
those for the towing vehicle in the "Technical
data" section.
Follow the manufacturer's operating instruc-
tions for the trailer tow hitch when using a
detachable trailer tow hitch.
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 gradient-
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climbing capability
has an increased braking distance
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is more susceptible to strong crosswinds
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requires more sensitive steering
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has a larger turning circle
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This may impair the handling characteristics.
Adapt your style of driving accordingly. Maintain
a safe distance. Drive carefully.
When towing a trailer, always adjust your speed
to suit the road and weather conditions. Do not
exceed the maximum permissible speed for
your vehicle/trailer combination.
General notes
! Use a drawbar noseweight as close as pos-
sible to the maximum permissible nose-
weight. Do not use a noseweight of less than
50kg, otherwise the trailer may come loose.
Note that the payload and the rear axle load
are reduced by the actual payload.
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When towing a trailer, take extra care to
ensure that the tyre pressures of the towing
vehicle and the trailer are correct.
You will find information about installation
dimensions and loads in the "Technical data"
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section ( page 209).
The maximum permissible trailer drawbar nose-
weight on the ball coupling is 75 kg. However,
the actual noseweight must not exceed the
value given on the trailer tow hitch and trailer
identification plates. The lowest weight applies.
Bear in mind that the reversing aid must be
deactivated when towing a trailer (
i The height of the ball coupling changes with
the load of the vehicle. If necessary, use a
trailer with a height-adjustable drawbar.
On vehicles with rear doors these cannot always
be opened if a trailer is attached.
Whether the rear doors can be opened depends
on the model:
of the trailer
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of the trailer drawbar
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of the trailer coupling
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Driving tips

The maximum permissible speed for vehicle/
trailer combinations depends on the type of
trailer. Before beginning the journey, check the
trailer's documents for the maximum permitted
speed. Observe the legally prescribed maximum
speed in the respective country.
For certain Mercedes-Benz vehicles, the maxi-
mum permissible rear axle load is increased
when towing a trailer. Refer to the "Technical
data" section to find out whether this applies to
your vehicle. If you utilise any of the added max-
imum rear axle load when towing a trailer, the
vehicle/trailer combination may not exceed a
maximum speed of 100 km/h for reasons con-
cerning the operating permit. This also applies in
countries in which the permissible maximum
speed for vehicle/trailer combinations is above
100 km/h.
When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristics will be different in comparison to
when driving without a trailer and it will con-
sume more fuel.
On long and steep downhill gradients, you
should change down to a lower gear in good
time.
That way, you make use of the braking effect of
the engine and do not have to brake as often to
maintain your speed. This relieves the load on
the brake system and prevents the brakes from
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page 117).