Get Driving and parking -> Towing a trailer Guide for Mercedes B Class SUV First Generation (2005-2010)

When Standard is selected, no warning vibra-

tion occurs if:

you have switched on the turn signals. In

this event, the warnings are suppressed for

a certain period of time.

a driving safety system intervenes, such as

ABS, BAS or ESP

When Adaptive is selected, no warning vibra-

tion occurs if:

you have switched on the turn signals. In

this case, the warnings are suppressed for

a certain period of time.

a driving safety system intervenes, such as

ABS, BAS or ESP

you accelerate hard, e.g. kickdown.

you brake hard.

you steer actively, e.g. swerve to avoid an

obstacle or change lane quickly.

you cut the corner on a sharp bend.

In order that you are warned only when nec-

essary and in good time if you cross the lane

marking, the system recognises certain con-

ditions and warns you accordingly.

The warning vibration occurs earlier if:

you approach the outer lane marking on a

bend.

the road has very wide lanes, e.g. a motor-

way.

the system recognises solid lane markings.

The warning vibration occurs later if:

the road has narrow lanes.

you cut the corner on a bend.

Towing atrailer

Notes on towing atrailer

Important safety notes

WARNING

When reversing the vehicle towards the

trailer, make sure there is nobody between

the trailer and the vehicle.

Couple and uncouple the trailer carefully.If

you do notcouple the trailer to the towing

vehicle correctly, the trailer could become

detached.

Make sure that the following values are not

exceeded:

the permissible trailer drawbar noseweight

the permissible trailer load

the permissible rear axle load of the towing

vehicle

the maximum permissible gross vehicle

weight of both the towing vehicle and the

trailer

You will find the applicable permissible val-

ues, which must not be exceeded, in the vehi-

cle documents.

You will find the values approved by the man-

ufacturer on the vehicle identification plates

and those for the towing vehicle in the "Tech-

nical data" section.

WARNING

If the Check trailer hitch locking

mechanism message appears in the multi-

function display while the vehicle is in motion,

pull over immediately and check whether the

ball coupling is correctly engaged.

WARNING

When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling

characteristics will be different in comparison

to when driving without a trailer.

The vehicle/trailer combination:

is heavier

is restricted in its acceleration and gradi-

ent-climbing capability

has an increased braking distance

is affected more by strong crosswinds

demands more sensitive steering

has a larger turning circle

As a result, the handling characteristics may

be impaired and you may lose control of the

vehicle. This could lead to an accident with

serious or even fatal injuries.

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181

Driving and parking

When towing a trailer, always adjust your

speed to the currentroad and weather con-

ditions. Do not exceed the maximum permis-

sible speed for your vehicle/trailer combina-

tion.

WARNING

Never depress the brake pedal continuously

while the vehicle is in motion, e.g. never cause

the brakes to rub by applying constant slight

pedal pressure. This causes the brake system

to overheat, increases the braking distance

and can lead to the brakes failing completely.

WARNING

On no account should you attempt to draw the

vehicle/trailer combination out by increasing

speed.

WARNING

If you exceed the maximum noseweight when

using a carrier system on the ball coupling:

the carrier system may be thrown around.

the ball coupling and the carrier system

may become detached from the vehicle.

As a result, you may injure others or cause an

accident.

Do not exceed the maximum noseweight.

When driving with a loaded carrier system,

always adjust your driving style to the prevail-

ing road, traffic and weather conditions and

drive particularly carefully.

You can use carrier systems, e.g. bicycle

racks or load-bearing implements, on the ball

coupling. The maximum noseweight of 75kg

applies when using carrier systems on the ball

coupling.

General notes

Use a drawbar noseweight as close as

possible to the maximum permissible nose-

weight. Do not use a noseweight of less

than 50kg, otherwise the trailer may come

loose.

Note that the payload and the rear axle load

are reduced by the actual payload.

When towing a trailer, set the tyre pressure

on the rear axle of the towing vehicle for a

maximum load; see the tyre pressure table

in the fuel filler flap (Y page 295).

You will find installation dimensions and loads

in the "Technical data" section

(Y page 318).

The maximum noseweight of the trailer draw-

bar on the ball coupling is 75 kg. The actual

noseweight may however not be higher than

the value which is given on the trailer tow

hitch or trailer identification plates. The low-

est weight applies.

Please note that when towing a trailer, PARK-

TRONIC (Y page 163) and Blind Spot Assist

(Y page 177) are only available with limita-

tions, or not at all.

The height of the ball coupling changes

with the load of the vehicle. If necessary,

use a trailer with a height-adjustable draw-

bar.

Driving tips

Observe the notes on ESP

trailer stabi-

lisation (Y page 67).

The maximum permissible speed for vehicle/

trailer combinations depends on the type of

trailer. Before beginning the journey, check

the trailer's documents to see what the max-

imum permitted speed is. Observe the legally

prescribed maximum speed in the relevant

country.

For certain Mercedes-Benz vehicles, the max-

imum permissible rear axle load is increased

when towing a trailer. Refer to the "Technical

data" section to find out whether this applies

to your vehicle. If you utilise any of the added

maximum rear axle load when towing a trailer,

the vehicle/trailer combination may not

exceed a maximum speed of 100 km/h for

reasons concerning the operating permit.

This also applies in countries in which the

182

Towing atrailer

Driving and parking

permissible maximum speed for vehicle/

trailer combinations is above 100 km/h.

When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling

characteristics will be differentincomparison

to when driving without a trailer and it will

consume more fuel.

Change into a lower gear in good time on long

and steep downhill gradients. Vehicles with

automatic transmission: in order to do so, you

will need to have switched to manual drive

program M in advance (Y page 139).

This also applies if you have activated

cruise control, SPEEDTRONIC or DIS-

TRONIC PLUS.

This will use the braking effect of the engine,

so less braking will be required to prevent the

vehicle from gaining speed. This relieves the

load on the brake system and prevents the

brakes from overheating and wearing too

quickly. If you need additional braking,

depress the brake pedal repeatedly rather

than continuously.

Vehicles with automatic transmis-

sion: if the accelerator pedal is depressed

briefly on downhill gradients while manual

drive program M is temporarily activated,

the automatic transmission may switch

back to the last active automatic drive pro-

gram E or S.The automatic transmission

may shift to a higher gear. This can reduce

the engine's braking effect.

Driving tips

If the trailer swings from side to side:

Do not accelerate.

Do not counter-steer.

Brake if necessary.

Maintain a greater distance from the vehi-

cle in front than when driving without a

trailer.

Avoid braking abruptly. If possible, brake

gently at first to allow the trailer to run on.

Then, increase the braking force rapidly.

The values given for gradient-climbing

capabilities from a standstill refer to sea

level. When driving in mountainous areas,

note that the power output of the engine,

and consequently the vehicle's gradient-

climbing capability, decrease with increas-

ing altitude.

Folding out the ball coupling

WARNING

Make sure that the ball coupling is engaged,

either in its folded-out or folded-in position,

and that the indicator lamp is off.

Do not turn the release wheel when a trailer

is coupled up. Otherwise, the trailer might

detach.

Before you can tow a trailer with your vehicle,

you must fold out the ball coupling.

The release wheel is located behind the left-

hand side trim panel in the boot.

To open the cover: turn handle : anti-

clockwise and fold down cover ; and

remove it.

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183

Driving and parking

Pull out release wheel =.

Turn release wheel = anti-clockwise as far

as it will go.

The ball coupling disengages and folds out

behind the rear bumper. Indicator

lamp ? flashes.

Pull the ball coupling in the direction of the

arrow until it engages in a vertical position.

Indicator lamp ? goes out. The power

socket folds down automatically.

The multifunction display shows the

Check trailer hitch lock display mes-

sage until the ball coupling is engaged.

Remove the protective covering from the

ball coupling and store it in a safe place.

Make sure that the ball of the ball coupling

is clean and that it is either greased or dry

(grease free), depending on the instruc-

tions for the trailer.

Coupling up a trailer

WARNING

Do not disconnect a trailer with an engaged

overrun brake. Otherwise, your hand could

become trapped between the bumper and

trailer drawbar.

Make sure that the transmission is in posi-

tion P.

Engage the electric parking brake.

Position the trailer level behind the vehicle.

Couple up the trailer.

Establish the electrical connection

between the vehicle and the trailer.

Check that the trailer lighting system is

working.

Decoupling atrailer

WARNING

As soon as you raise the trailer drawbar, the

unladen vehicle rises slightly. The vehicle then

lowers to driving level.

Make sure thatnobody is in the vicinity of the

wheel arch or the underbody. You could oth-

erwise trap yourself or others.

WARNING

The vehicle is lowered as soon as you discon-

nect the trailer cable. Make sure that nobody

is in the vicinity of the wheel arch or the

underbody. You could otherwise trap yourself

or others.

As soon as you decouple the trailer, the unla-

den vehicle rises slightly. Make sure that you

or others are not injured in the process.

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 transmission is in posi-

tion P.

Engage the electric parking brake.

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Towing atrailer

Driving and parking

Secure the traileragainst rolling away.

Remove the trailer cable and decouple the

trailer.

Folding in the ball coupling

WARNING

Make sure that no persons or animals are in

the pivoting range of the ball coupling. Other-

wise, they could be injured.

Fold the ball coupling back in if you are not

using the trailer tow hitch.

Place the protective covering on the ball

coupling.

The release wheel is located behind the left-

hand side trim panel in the boot.

To open the cover: turn handle : anti-

clockwise and fold down cover ; and

remove it.

Pull out release wheel =.

Turn release wheel = anti-clockwise as far

as it will go.

The ball coupling disengages and folds out

behind the rear bumper. Indicator

lamp ? flashes.

Press the ball coupling in the direction of

the arrow until it engages behind the

bumper.

Indicator lamp ? goes out and the mes-

sage in the multifunction display disap-

pears.

Trailer power supply

You can connect accessories with a

power rating of up to 240 W to the perma-

nent power supply and with a power rating

of up to 180 W to the power supply that is

switched on via the ignition lock.

The trailer battery may not be charged from

the power supply.

To switch the connected power supply

on or off: turn the key in the ignition lock

to position 2 or 0 respectively.

When it leaves the factory, your vehicle's

trailer socket is equipped with a permanent

power supply and a power supply that is

switched on via the ignition lock.

The permanent power supply is supplied via

trailer socket pin 9.

The power supply that is switched on via the

ignition lock is supplied via trailer socket pin

10.

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185

Driving and parking

The trailer's permanentpower supply is

switched off in the event of low vehicle supply

voltage and after six hours at the latest.

You can find more information about instal-

ling the trailer electricsataqualified special-

ist workshop.

Bulb failure indicator for LED lamps

If LED lamps are fitted in the trailer, an

error message may appear in the multi-

function display even if there is no fault. The

reason for the error message could be that

the currenthas fallenbelow the minimum

of 50 mA.

To ensure reliable operation of the bulb failure

indicator, each LED chain in the trailer lighting

must be guaranteed a minimum current of

50 mA.

Trailer with 7-pin connector

General notes

If your trailer has a 7-pin connector, you can

connect it to the 13-pin socket on the ball

coupling using an adapter or, if necessary, an

adapter cable. Both can be obtained in a

qualified specialist workshop.

Fitting the adapter

Make sure that there is sufficientcable

play so that the cable cannotbecome

detached when cornering.

Open the socket cover.

Insert the connector with lug : into

groove ; on the socket and turn the con-

nector clockwise to the stop.

Let the cover engage.

If you are using an adapter cable, secure

the cable to the trailer with cable ties.

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Towing atrailer

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Driving and parking -> Towing a trailer for Your Mercedes B Class SUV First Generation (2005-2010)

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