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The distribution of the weight is very poor if your vehicle is unladen and the trail-
er is laden. Maintain a particularly low speed if you cannot avoid driving with this
combination.
Tyre pressure
Correct the tyre inflation pressure on your vehicle for a "full load"
Service life of tyres.
Trailer load
The permissible trailer load must not be exceeded under any circumstan-
ces
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195, Technical data.
The trailer loads specified apply only to altitudes up to 1 000 metres above mean
sea level.
The engine output falls as altitude increases, as does the ability to climb. There-
fore, for every additional 1000 m in height (or part), the maximum permissible
towed weight must be reduced by 10 %.
The towed weight comprises the actual weights of the (loaded) towing vehicle
and the (loaded) trailer.
The trailer and drawbar load information on the type plate of the towing equip-
ment are merely test data for the towing equipment. The vehicle-specific values
are detailed in the vehicle documents.
WARNING
Do not exceed the maximum permissible axle and drawbar load and the
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maximum permissible total or towed weight of the vehicle and the trailer –
there is the risk of an accident and serious injury.
Slipping loads can significantly affect the stability and safety of the vehicle/
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trailer combination – there is the risk of an accident and serious injury.
Towing a trailer
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings
on page 120.
Exterior mirrors
You have to have additional exterior mirrors fitted if you are not able to see the
traffic behind the trailer with the standard rear-view mirrors. The national legal
requirements must be observed.
Headlights
The front of the vehicle can be lifted when a trailer is being towed and the head-
lights can dazzle other road users.
Adjust the headlight setting on the headlight range control
beam adjustment.
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170,
Driving speed
For safety reasons, do not drive faster than 80 km/h when towing a trailer.
Immediately reduce your speed as soon as even the slightest swaying of the trail-
er is detected. Never attempt to stop the trailer from "swaying" by accelerating.
Brakes
Apply the brakes in good time! If the trailer is fitted with a trailer brake, apply the
brakes gently at first, then brake firmly. This will avoid brake jolts resulting from
the trailer wheels locking.
On downhill sections shift down a gear in good time to also use the engine as a
brake.
Engine overheating
If the needle for the coolant temperature gauge moves into the right-hand area
or the red area of the scale, the speed must be reduced immediately.
Stop and switch off the engine if the warning light
starts to flash. Wait a few minutes and check the level of coolant
Checking the coolant level.
The following guidelines must be observed
coolant level.
The coolant temperature can be reduced by switching on the heating.
WARNING
Adapt your speed to the conditions of the road surface and to the traffic sit-
■
uation.
Improper or incorrectly connected electric cables can energise the trailer and
■
cause functional faults to the vehicle's entire electrical system as well as acci-
dents and severe injuries.
Work on the electrical system must only be carried out by specialist garages.
■
Never directly connect the trailer's electrical system with the electrical con-
■
nections for the tail lights or other current sources.
» page
39, Headlight
in the instrument cluster
» page
163,
» page
19, Coolant temperature,
121
Towing a trailer
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