Mercedes-Benz A Series 2015 Owner's Manual page 233

Towing a trailer
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road users. There is a risk of an accident and
injury.
Never exceed the maximum permissible load
when using a carrier.
Exceeding the maximum permissible nose-
weight of the trailer drawbar on the ball cou-
pling may cause damage to the following:
your vehicle
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the trailer
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the ball coupling
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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 noseweight
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 your vehicle documents
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on the identification plates of the trailer tow
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hitch and the trailer
on the vehicle identification plate
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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" ( page 406).
Y
G WARNING
If you release the ball coupling or it does not
engage correctly when folding in, it will swing
out. Within pivoting range of the ball coupling,
there is an increased risk of an accident and
injury.
Only release the ball coupling if the pivoting
range is unobstructed. Always make sure that
the ball coupling engages when folding in.
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.
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 driving style 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.