Decoupling A Trailer - Mercedes-Benz 2015 GLK Operator's Manual

Towing a trailer
216
When you couple up a trailer, check at reg-
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ular intervals that the load is firmly secured.
If the trailer is equipped with trailer lights
and brakes, check the trailer to ensure that
these are working.
Bear in mind that the handling will be less
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stable when towing a trailer than when driv-
ing without one. Avoid sudden steering
movements.
The vehicle/trailer combination is heavier,
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accelerates more slowly, has a decreased
gradient climbing capability and a longer
braking distance.
It is more susceptible to side winds and
requires more careful steering.
If possible, avoid abrupt braking. Depress
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the brake pedal moderately at first, so that
the trailer can activate its own brakes. Then
increase the pressure on the brake pedal.
If the automatic transmission repeatedly
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shifts between gears on uphill or downhill
gradients, shift to a lower gear using the
left-hand steering wheel paddle shifter.
A lower gear and lower speed reduce the
risk of engine failure.
When driving downhill, shift to a lower gear
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to utilize the engine's braking effect.
Avoid continuous brake application as this
may overheat the vehicle brakes and, if
installed, the trailer brakes.
If the coolant temperature increases dra-
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matically while the air-conditioning system
is switched on, switch off the air-condition-
ing system.
Coolant heat can additionally be dissipated
by opening the windows and by setting the
blower fan and the interior temperature to
maximum.
When overtaking, pay particular attention
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to the extended length of your vehicle/
trailer combination.
Due to the length of the vehicle/trailer
combination, you require additional road
space in relation to the vehicle you are
overtaking, before you can change back to
the original lane.

Decoupling a trailer

G WARNING
If you uncouple a trailer with the overrun
brake engaged, you could trap your hand
between the vehicle and the trailer drawbar.
There is a risk of injury.
Do not uncouple a trailer if the overrun brake
is engaged.
! Do not disconnect a trailer with an
engaged overrun brake. Otherwise, your
vehicle could be damaged by the rebound-
ing of the overrun brake.
Make sure that the automatic transmission
X
is set to position P.
Apply the vehicle's parking brake.
X
Close all doors and the tailgate.
X
Apply the trailer's parking brake.
X
Remove the trailer cable and decouple the
X
trailer.
Permissible trailer loads and drawbar
loads
Weight specifications
The gross trailer weight is calculated by add-
ing the weight of the trailer to the weight of
the load and equipment on the trailer.
You will find installing dimensions and loads
under "Technical data" (
Loading a trailer
When loading the trailer, make sure that
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neither the permissible gross weight of the
trailer nor the gross vehicle weight is
exceeded. The permissible gross vehicle
weight is indicated on the identification
plate on the B-pillar on the driver's side of
the vehicle.
You can find the maximum permissible val-
ues on the type plates of your vehicle and
the trailer. When calculating how much
weight the vehicle and trailer may carry,
page 381).
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