Mercedes-Benz Metris Operator's Manual page 134

132 Driving and parking
132
is more susceptible to side winds and requires
careful steering.
If possible, do not brake suddenly, but rather
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moderately at rst so that the trailer can acti-
vate its brakes. Then increase the pressure on
the brake pedal.
If the automatic transmission shi s between
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gears on uphill or downhill gradients, restrict
the shi range. Select shi range 4, 3, 2 or 1.
A lower gear and reduced speed decrease the
risk of engine damage.
When driving on a downhill gradient, shi to a
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lower gear to use the engine's braking e ect.
Avoid constant braking, as this could cause the
vehicle brakes and possibly also the trailer
brakes to overheat.
If the coolant temperature increases signi -
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cantly when the air-conditioning system is
switched on, switch the air-conditioning sys-
tem o .
Coolant heat can also be dissipated by switch-
ing the air ow 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 vehi-
cle/trailer combination.
Due to the length of your vehicle/trailer combi-
nation you will require a longer stretch of road
before switching back to the original lane.
P P er ermissible tr missible trailer loads and t ailer loads and tongue w
W W eight inf eight infor ormation mation
& W W ARNING
ARNING 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 over-
heat.
This increases the braking distance and may
even cause the brake system to fail.
Always use a trailer with a separate brak-
#
ing system if you are pulling a gross
trailer weight (GTW) of more than
1,653 lbs (750 kg).
* N N O O TE TE Damage to the drive train, transmis-
The permissible gross combination weight is
exceeded.
The drive train, the transmission or the trailer
tow hitch may be damaged.
#
For vehicles with a permissible gross weight of
6,614 lbs (3,000 kg), the permissible gross combi-
nation weight is less than the sum of the permissi-
ble gross vehicle weight and the permissible trailer
load. If either the vehicle or the trailer is fully
laden, the permitted gross vehicle weight or the
permitted trailer load values are reduced accord-
ingly. In this case, you may only partially load the
trailer or the vehicle.
The gross trailer weight (GTW) is calculated by
adding the weight of the trailer to the weight of its
load and equipment. If the trailer is equipped with
a separate braking system, the permissible gross
trailer weight is 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg).
The maximum drawbar tongue weight on the ball
head (TWR) is 500 lbs (227 kg). However, the
actual tongue weight must not exceed the value
given on the trailer hitch or trailer identi cation
plates. Where the values di er, the lowest shall
always apply.
The gross combined weight rating (GCWR) is calcu-
lated on the basis of the gross trailer weight plus
ongue weights eights
the gross vehicle weight, including a driver's
weight of approximately 150 lbs (68 kg). The maxi-
mum permissible gross combination weight is vehi-
cle-speci c and equipment-dependent. When driv-
ing with a trailer, you should not exceed the maxi-
mum permissible gross combination weight rating
(GCWR).
The permissible values, which must not be excee-
ded, can be found in your vehicle documents and
on the identi cation plates of the trailer hitch, the
trailer and the vehicle. The values approved by the
manufacturer can also be found in the "Technical
data" section. Where the values di er, the lowest
shall always apply.
Loading the tr Loading t
Use a tongue weight that is as close as possible to
the maximum permissible tongue weight. Do not
undershoot the minimum permissible tongue
weight. Otherwise, the trailer may become
detached.
sion or trailer tow hitch due to excess
gross combination weight
Comply with the permissible gross com-
bination weight.
he trailer ailer