Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Operating Instructions Manual page 167

Your vehicle will behave differently with a trailer
relative to without a trailer, and will consume
more fuel. In the case of a long and steep
descent, you must select shift range 3, 2 or 1 in
good time.
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This also applies if the cruise control is
switched on.
You will thereby make use of the engine's braking
effect and will not have to brake as often to con‐
trol the speed. This will take some of the strain
off the brake system and prevent the brakes from
overheating and wearing too quickly. If you need
additional braking, depress the brake pedal inter‐
mittently rather than continuously.
Driving tips
If the trailer sways, remember the following
points:
Do not accelerate under any circumstances.
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Do not countersteer.
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If necessary, apply the brakes.
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You can prevent the trailer from swaying and
rocking by retrofitting stabilizer bar or trailer
stability programs. You can obtain further
information from an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center.
When you are driving with a trailer, comply with
the following points:
Maintain a greater distance than when driving
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without a trailer.
Avoid braking abruptly. If possible, brake gen‐
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tly first of all so that the trailer closes up
behind your vehicle. Then, increase the brak‐
ing force rapidly.
The values given for start-off gradeability
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refer to sea level. When driving in mountain‐
ous areas, note that engine output, and there‐
fore start-off gradeability, will decrease with
increasing altitude.
Coupling/uncoupling a trailer
Coupling a trailer
* NOTE Damage to the vehicle battery due
to full discharge
Charging the trailer battery using the power
supply of the trailer can damage the vehicle
battery.
Do not use the vehicle's power supply
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to charge the trailer battery.
Shift the selector lever to position j.
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Apply the vehicle's parking brake.
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Close all the doors.
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Position the trailer on a level surface behind
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the vehicle.
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The ball head height changes depending on
the vehicle's load. In this case, use a trailer
with a height-adjustable trailer drawbar.
Couple up the trailer.
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Establish all electrical and other connections
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to the trailer.
Remove objects or devices which prevent the
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trailer from rolling, e.g. wheel chocks.
Release the trailer's parking brake.
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The vehicle harness has a cable connection
to the brake light indicator lamp.
Observe the maximum permissible trailer dimen‐
sions (width and length).
Most US states and all Canadian provinces pre‐
scribe the following points, and you are urgently
recommended to comply with these:
Safety chains between the towing vehicle and
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the trailer. The chains should be routed in a
criss-cross pattern under the trailer drawbar.
They must be connected to the trailer tow
hitch and not to the bumper or to the vehicle
axle.
Leave sufficient slack in the chains. This
allows for even sharp cornering.
A separate brake system is required for cer‐
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tain trailers.
A safety feature is required for braked trailers.
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Determine the specific requirements accord‐
ing to the relevant laws.
If the trailer becomes detached from the tow‐
ing vehicle, the safety feature triggers the
trailer brakes and can thus reduce the danger.
Uncoupling a trailer
& WARNING Risk of being crushed and
becoming trapped when uncoupling a
trailer
When uncoupling a trailer with an engaged
inertia-activated brake, your hand may
Driving and parking 165