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134 Driving and parking
gain driving experience and become accus‐
tomed to the new handling characteristics.
Before driving, check the following:
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that the trailer tow hitch and ball coupling
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are secure
that the safety switch for braked trailers is
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functioning correctly
that the safety chains are secure and
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undamaged
that the electrical connections are secure
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that the lights are functioning correctly
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the wheels for damage and correct tire
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pressure (
page 204)
/
Adjust the outside mirrors so that you have a
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clear view of the rear section of the trailer.
If the trailer is equipped with an individual
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braking system, check before each journey
whether the brakes are functioning correctly.
If the trailer has electronically controlled
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brakes, pull away carefully with the vehicle/
trailer combination. Brake manually using the
brake controller and check whether the
brakes are functioning correctly.
Secure the load on the trailer in line with the
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requirements and rules for load-securing
methods.
When driving with a trailer, check at regular
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intervals that the load is secure and that the
lights and brakes are functioning correctly.
Bear in mind that the handling characteristics
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are more unstable when towing a trailer than
when driving without a trailer. Avoid sudden
steering movements.
The vehicle/trailer combination is heavier,
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accelerates more slowly, has a reduced
climbing ability and an increased braking dis‐
tance. It is more susceptible to side winds
and requires careful steering.
If possible, do not brake suddenly, but rather
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moderately at first so that the trailer can acti‐
vate its brakes. Then increase the pressure on
the brake pedal.
If the automatic transmission shifts between
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gears on uphill or downhill gradients, restrict
the shift range. Select shift range 4, 3, 2 or 1.
A lower gear and reduced speed decrease the
risk of engine damage.
When driving on a downhill gradient, shift to a
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lower gear to use the engine's braking effect.
Avoid constant braking, as this could cause
the vehicle brakes and possibly also the
trailer brakes to overheat.
If the coolant temperature increases signifi‐
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cantly when the air-conditioning system is
switched on, switch the air-conditioning sys‐
tem off.
Coolant heat can also be dissipated by
switching the airflow and the temperature of
the heater or air conditioning to the maximum
level. Open the windows if necessary.
When overtaking, pay particular attention to
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the increased overtaking distance of your
vehicle/trailer combination.
Due to the length of your vehicle/trailer com‐
bination you will require a longer stretch of
road before switching back to the original
lane.
Permissible trailer loads and tongue weights
Weight information
& WARNING Risk of accident due to an
unbraked trailer with an excessive gross
weight
If you pull an unbraked trailer with a gross
trailer weight (GTW) of more than 1,653 lbs
(750 kg), the vehicle's brake system may
overheat.
This increases the braking distance and may
even cause the brake system to fail.
Always use a trailer with a separate
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braking system if you are pulling a gross
trailer weight (GTW) of more than
1,653 lbs (750 kg).
* NOTE Damage to the drive train, trans‐
mission or trailer tow hitch due to excess
gross combination weight
The permissible gross combination weight is
exceeded.
The drive train, the transmission or the trailer
tow hitch may be damaged.
Comply with the permissible gross com‐
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bination weight.
For vehicles with a permissible gross weight of
6,614 lbs (3,000 kg), the permissible gross com‐
bination weight is less than the sum of the per‐
missible gross vehicle weight and the permissible
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