Get Driving and parking -> Towing a trailer Guide for Mercedes GLE SUV First Generation (2016-2019)

Towing a trailer

230

Display messages

Possible causes/consequences and M Solutions

LOW RANGE Shifting

The gear change process was not carried out.

cancelled Please

X Maintain all gear change conditions and carry out the gear change

reactivate

process again.

LOW RANGE Stop

A warning tone also sounds. The gear change process has not been

Apply parking brake

completed. LOW RANGE is in the neutral position. There is no con-

nection between the engine and the drive wheels.

Driving and parking

! Do not drive any further. You could otherwise damage the vehi-

cle’s drive train.

X Stop the vehicle. Take into account the road and traffic conditions

when doing so.

X Apply the electric parking brake ( Y page 167).

X Repeat the gear change process.

If the gear change process has been carried out, the LOW RANGE

Stop Apply parking brake message disappears.

Driving dynamics display in the

Activating the driving dynamics display

COMAND display (vehicles with the Off-

Road Engineering package)

General notes

The driving dynamics display allows you to see

the selected drive program and additional infor-

mation about the vehicle's operating status on

the COMAND display.

X Switch on COMAND Online (see the Digital

Owner's Manual).

X Press button :.

The driving dynamics display appears in the

COMAND display.

Towing a trailer

: Drive program selected

; Status of the differential lock for the transfer

Important safety notes

case

G WARNING

= Accelerator pedal position shown as %

? Brake pedal position shown as %

Vehicles with level control:

A Status of the LOW RANGE off-road gear

The vehicle level may be changed uninten-

B Angle of inclination

tionally, e.g. by other persons. If this happens

C Steering angle

while you are coupling or decoupling a trailer,

D Uphill or downhill gradient as percentage

you could become trapped. In addition, other

E Level control

people could become trapped if their limbs

F Compass with angle scale

Towing a trailer

231

To avoid hazardous situations:

are between the vehicle body and the wheels

or underneath the vehicle. There is a risk of

R make sure to check the noseweight before

each journey

injury.

R use a drawbar noseweight as close as possi-

When coupling or decoupling a trailer, make

ble to the maximum noseweight

sure that no one:

R do not exceed the maximum permissible

R opens or closes the doors or the tailgate

noseweight

R initiates a level change or turns the

R do not use a noseweight lower than the min-

Driving and parking

imum noseweight

DYNAMIC SELECT Controller

When reversing the vehicle towards the trailer,

R locks or unlocks the vehicle

make sure there is nobody between the trailer

and the vehicle.

G WARNING

Couple and uncouple the trailer carefully. If you

You could lose control of the vehicle/trailer

do not couple the trailer to the towing vehicle

combination if it begins to swerve. The vehi-

correctly, the trailer could become detached.

cle/trailer combination could even overturn.

Make sure that the following values are not

exceeded:

There is a risk of an accident.

On no account should you attempt to

R the permissible trailer drawbar noseweight

straighten out the vehicle/trailer combina-

R the permissible trailer load

tion by increasing speed. Decrease your

R the permissible rear axle load of the towing

vehicle

speed and do not countersteer. Brake if nec-

essary.

R the maximum permissible gross vehicle

weight of both the towing vehicle and the

G WARNING

trailer

The applicable permissible values, which must

If the maximum permissible load for a carrier

not be exceeded, can be found:

system is exceeded, the carrier could come

R in your vehicle documents

loose from the vehicle and endanger other

R on the identification plates of the trailer tow

road users. There is a risk of an accident and

hitch and the trailer

injury.

R on the vehicle identification plate

Never exceed the maximum permissible load

If the values differ, the lowest value applies.

when using a carrier.

You will find the values approved by the manu-

facturer on the vehicle identification plates and

Exceeding the maximum permissible nose-

those for the towing vehicle under "Technical

weight of the trailer drawbar on the ball coupling

data" ( Y page 397).

may cause damage to the following:

When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling

R your vehicle

characteristics will be different in comparison to

R the trailer

when driving without a trailer.

R the ball coupling

The vehicle/trailer combination:

R trailer tow hitch

R is heavier

The vehicle/trailer combination could become

R is restricted in its acceleration and gradient-

unstable.

climbing capability

If the noseweight used is lower than the mini-

R has an increased braking distance

mum permissible noseweight, the vehicle/

R is affected more by strong crosswinds

trailer combination could also become unstable.

R demands more sensitive steering

R has a larger turning circle

This can impair the vehicle's handling charac-

teristics. Adapt your driving style accordingly.

Maintain a safe distance. Drive carefully.

Towing a trailer

232

When towing a trailer, always adjust your speed

trailer combination may not exceed a maximum

to the current road and weather conditions. Do

speed of 100 km/h for reasons concerning the

not exceed the maximum permissible speed for

operating permit. This also applies in countries

your vehicle/trailer combination.

in which the maximum permissible speed for

vehicle/trailer combinations is above

100 km/h.

Notes on towing a trailer

When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling

characteristics will be different from when driv-

General notes

ing without a trailer and the vehicle will consume

Driving and parking

more fuel.

! If you have a trailer tow hitch retrofitted,

Use the left-hand gearshift paddle to shift to a

changes to the engine cooling system may be

lower gear on long and steep downhill gradients.

necessary, depending on the vehicle type.

This also applies if you have activated cruise

If you have a trailer tow hitch retrofitted,

control, the speed limiter or Distance Pilot

observe the anchorage points on the chassis.

DISTRONIC.

Check the tyre pressures when towing a trailer.

This will use the braking effect of the engine, so

You will find the values in the tyre pressure table

less braking will be required to maintain the

in the vehicle fuel filler flap ( Y page 370).

vehicle speed. This relieves the load on the

brake system and prevents the brakes from

Please note that when towing a trailer, the fol-

overheating and wearing too quickly. If you need

lowing driving systems have limited availability

additional braking, depress the brake pedal

or are not available at all:

repeatedly rather than continuously.

R Parking Assist PARKTRONIC ( Y page 198)

R Blind Spot Assist ( Y page 216)

Driving tips

R Active Lane Keeping Assist ( Y page 222)

If the trailer swings from side to side:

R Parking Pilot ( Y page 201)

On vehicles without level control, the height of

X Do not accelerate under any circumstances.

the ball coupling will alter according to the load

X Do not countersteer.

placed on the vehicle. If necessary, use a trailer

X Brake, if necessary.

with a height-adjustable drawbar.

R Maintain a greater distance to the vehicle in

You will find permissible trailer loads under

front than when driving without a trailer.

"Technical data" ( Y page 397).

R Avoid braking abruptly. If possible, brake gen-

tly at first to allow the trailer to run on. Then,

Driving tips

increase the braking force rapidly.

Observe the information on ESP ® trailer stabili-

R The values given for gradient-climbing capa-

sation ( Y page 76) and on pulling away with a

bilities from a standstill refer to sea level.

trailer ( Y page 147).

When driving in mountainous areas, note that

the power output of the engine, and conse-

Select the Comfort drive program using the

quently the vehicle's gradient-climbing capa-

DYNAMIC SELECT controller ( Y page 151).

bility from a standstill, decrease with increas-

The maximum permissible speed for vehicle/

ing altitude.

trailer combinations depends on the type of

trailer. Before beginning the journey, check the

trailer's documents to see what the maximum

Swivelling the ball coupling out/in

permissible speed is for your trailer. Observe the

legally permissible maximum speed in the rele-

Using the switch in the driver's door

vant country.

For certain Mercedes-Benz vehicles, the maxi-

Plug-in hybrid: be sure to read the separate

mum permissible rear axle load is increased

Owner's Manual.

when towing a trailer. See the "Technical data"

section to find out whether this applies to your

vehicle ( Y page 397). If when towing, the rear

axle load is increased even partly, the vehicle/

Towing a trailer

233

G WARNING

The ball coupling swivels back into the starting

position when:

If the ball coupling is not engaged, the trailer

R you drive off before the Trailer coupling

may come loose. There is a risk of an accident.

extending... display message has disap-

Make sure that the ball coupling is securely

peared from the multifunction display

engaged and locked in position.

R the ball coupling encounters an obstacle in

the swivel range

! Do not attempt to speed the up the swing-

Swivelling in (all vehicles, except plug-in

out procedure by applying additional pressure

hybrid):

Driving and parking

with your foot. The system could otherwise be

X Make sure that the vehicle is stationary and

mechanically damaged.

the trailer cables are disconnected.

To swivel out the ball coupling, you have two

X Place the protective cap on the ball coupling.

options:

X Shift the transmission to position P.

R use the switch on the driver's door (all vehi-

X Switch the ignition on.

cles except plug-in hybrid vehicles)

X Pull switch : briefly.

R use the switch on the tailgate

After a short time, the ball coupling swivels in

The trailer socket is integrated into the ball cou-

under the rear bumper. It can take up to seven

pling and swivels out with it.

seconds before the ball coupling visibly swiv-

Release the ball coupling only when the swivel

els in.

range is unobstructed.

Until the ball coupling engages in a securely

locked position under the bumper:

R indicator lamp ; flashes

R the multifunction display shows the Trailer

coupling extending... display message

The ball coupling swivels back into the starting

position when:

R you drive off before the Trailer coupling

extending... display message has disap-

peared from the multifunction display

R the ball coupling encounters an obstacle in

the swivel range

Swivelling out (all vehicles, except plug-in

hybrid):

Using the switch on the tailgate

X Make sure that the vehicle is stationary.

X Shift the transmission to position P.

X Switch the ignition on.

X Pull switch : briefly.

After a short time, the ball coupling swivels

out from under the rear bumper. It can take up

to seven seconds before the ball coupling

visibly swivels out.

X Remove the protective cap from the ball cou-

pling and store it in a safe place.

Until the ball coupling vertically engages in a

securely locked position:

Swivelling out:

R indicator lamp ; flashes

R the multifunction display shows the Trailer

X Make sure that the vehicle is stationary.

coupling extending... display message

X Open the tailgate.

Towing a trailer

234

X Pull switch : briefly.

If you disconnect the trailer cable, the vehicle

After a short time, the ball coupling swivels

is lowered. This can cause you or others to

out from under the rear bumper. It can take up

become trapped between the vehicle body

to seven seconds before the ball coupling

and tyres, or underneath the vehicle. This

visibly swivels out.

poses a risk of injury.

X Remove the protective cap from the ball cou-

pling and store it in a safe place.

Make sure that no-one is in the immediate

Until the ball coupling vertically engages in a

vicinity of the wheel arch or underneath the

securely locked position:

vehicle when disconnecting the trailer cable.

Driving and parking

R indicator lamp ; flashes

R the multifunction display shows the Trailer

Steel-sprung vehicles

coupling extending... display message

X Shift the transmission to position P.

The ball coupling swivels back into the starting

X Apply the electric parking brake.

position when:

R you drive off before the Trailer coupling

X Position the trailer horizontally behind the

extending... display message has disap-

vehicle.

X Couple up the trailer.

peared from the multifunction display

X Establish the electrical connection between

R the ball coupling encounters an obstacle in

the vehicle and the trailer.

the swivel range

X Check that the trailer lighting system is work-

Swivelling in:

ing.

X Make sure that the vehicle is stationary and

X Push the combination switch upwards and

the trailer cables are disconnected.

downwards and check whether the corre-

X Place the protective cap on the ball coupling.

sponding turn signal indicator on the trailer is

X Open the tailgate.

flashing.

X Pull switch : briefly.

A connected trailer is detected only when the

After a short time, the ball coupling swivels in

electrical connection is established correctly

under the rear bumper. It can take up to seven

and when the lighting system is working prop-

seconds before the ball coupling visibly swiv-

erly. The function of other systems also depends

els in.

on this, for example:

Until the ball coupling engages in a securely

R ESP ®

locked position under the bumper:

R PARKTRONIC Parking Assist

R indicator lamp ; flashes

R Parking Pilot

R the multifunction display shows the Trailer

R Active Blind Spot Assist

coupling extending... display message

R Active Lane Keeping Assist

The ball coupling swivels back into the starting

position when:

Vehicles with the AIRMATIC package

R you drive off before the Trailer coupling

extending... display message has disap-

! Before beginning the journey, make sure

peared from the multifunction display

that the trailer support wheel is completely

raised. Otherwise, the trailer or the vehicle

R the ball coupling encounters an obstacle in

could be damaged by the lowered trailer sup-

the swivel range

port wheel during the journey.

X Shift the transmission to position P.

Coupling up a trailer

X Apply the electric parking brake.

X Start the engine.

Important safety notes

X Vehicles with the Off-Road Engineering

G WARNING

package: set the vehicle level to normal level

( Y page 190).

Vehicles with level control:

Towing a trailer

235

X Vehicles without the Off-Road Engineer-

Uncoupling a trailer

ing package: select the Comfort drive pro-

Important safety notes

gram using the DYNAMIC SELECT controller

( Y page 194).

G WARNING

X Switch off the engine.

X Close the doors and tailgate.

If you uncouple a trailer with an engaged over-

X Position the trailer horizontally behind the

run brake, you could trap your hand between

vehicle.

the vehicle and the trailer drawbar. This poses

Driving and parking

X Couple up the trailer.

a risk of injury.

X Establish the electrical connection between

Do not uncouple a trailer with an engaged

the vehicle and the trailer.

overrun brake.

X Check that the trailer lighting system is work-

ing.

G WARNING

X Push the combination switch upwards and

Vehicles with level control:

downwards and check whether the corre-

sponding turn signal indicator on the trailer is

If you disconnect the trailer cable, the vehicle

flashing.

is lowered. This can cause you or others to

A connected trailer is detected only when the

become trapped between the vehicle body

electrical connection is established correctly

and tyres, or underneath the vehicle. This

and when the lighting system is working prop-

poses a risk of injury.

erly. The function of other systems also depends

Make sure that no-one is in the immediate

on this, for example:

vicinity of the wheel arch or underneath the

R ESP ®

vehicle when disconnecting the trailer cable.

R PARKTRONIC Parking Assist

R Parking Pilot

! Do not disconnect a trailer with an engaged

R Active Blind Spot Assist

overrun brake. Otherwise, your vehicle could

be damaged by the rebounding of the overrun

R Active Lane Keeping Assist

brake.

i Vehicles with the AIRMATIC package: if

! Remove the adapter cable before folding in

you couple up a trailer, the vehicle initially

the ball coupling. You could otherwise dam-

remains at the selected level of the drive pro-

age the rear bumper and the adapter cable.

gram set. Observe the following when cou-

pling up a trailer:

Steel-sprung vehicles

R If the normal level was not selected previ-

ously, the vehicle automatically adopts the

X Shift the transmission to position P.

normal level starting from a speed of

30 km/h. Even at higher speeds, it does not

X Apply the electric parking brake.

drop below the normal level.

X Secure the trailer against rolling away.

R Vehicle levels below the normal level are

X Remove the trailer cable and decouple the

not available.

trailer.

R The raised level is available up to a speed of

30 km/h.

Vehicles with the AIRMATIC package

R This also applies when using accessories

X Shift the transmission to position P.

that are plugged into the socket of the

trailer tow hitch (e.g. a bicycle rack).

X Apply the electric parking brake.

R Before driving with a trailer, please observe

X Start the engine.

the information on the trailer support

X Close the doors and tailgate.

wheel.

X Secure the trailer against rolling away.

Towing a trailer

236

X Remove the trailer cable and decouple the

Trailer with 7-pin connector

trailer.

General notes

X Switch off the engine.

Trailer with 7-pin connector: you can connect

to the 13-pin socket on the ball coupling using

Trailer power supply

an adapter or, if necessary, an adapter cable.

Both can be obtained at a qualified specialist

! You can connect accessories with a power

workshop.

rating of up to 180 W to the permanent power

Driving and parking

supply and with a power rating of up to 180 W

Fitting the adapter

to the power supply that is switched on via the

ignition lock.

! Make sure that there is sufficient cable play

The trailer battery may not be charged from

so that the cable cannot become detached

the power supply.

when cornering.

When it leaves the factory, your vehicle's trailer

! Remove the adapter cable before folding in

socket is equipped with a permanent power

the ball coupling. You could otherwise dam-

supply and a power supply that is switched on

age the rear bumper and the adapter cable.

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.

The trailer's permanent power supply is

switched off in the event of low on-board voltage

and after six hours at the latest.

You can find more information about installing

the trailer electrics at a qualified specialist work-

shop.

X To switch the connected power supply on

or off: turn the key in the ignition lock to

X Open the socket cover.

position 2 or u( Y page 144).

X Insert the plug connector with lug : into

groove = on the socket.

X Turn bayonet connection ; clockwise to the

Failure check for LEDs

stop.

X Let the cover engage.

If LED lamps are fitted in the trailer, a malfunc-

tion message may appear in the multifunction

X If you are using an adapter cable, secure the

display even if there is no fault. The reason for

cable to the trailer with cable ties.

the error message may be that the current has

fallen below the minimum of 50 mA.

To ensure reliable indication of the failure, each

LED chain in the trailer lighting must be guaran-

teed a minimum current of 50 mA.

Towing a trailer

237

Problems towing a trailer

Problem

Possible causes/consequences and M Solutions

The displaced ball cou-

R The indicator lamp on the button flashes.

R The Check trailer hitch lock message appears on the multi-

pling does not reach the

securely locked position.

function display.

X Initiate a new swivelling procedure.

Driving and parking

If the ball coupling does not reach the securely locked position as a

result:

X Start the engine.

X Pull and hold the switch during the whole swivelling procedure.

If the unlocked ball coupling does not reach the securely locked posi-

tion even after several attempts:

X Make sure that there is sufficient ground clearance before continu-

ing the journey.

X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.

As long as the Check trailer hitch lock display message is

shown on the multifunction display, no trailer should be attached.

Unlocking using the

The on-board voltage is too low

button on the tailgate: X Start the engine.

The ball coupling does

not swivel, even though: If the ball coupling still does not unlock:

X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.

R the vehicle is station-

ary

R no trailer cable is con-

nected

R the switch was briefly

pulled

Bicycle rack

238

Problem

Possible causes/consequences and M Solutions

Unlocking using the

The on-board voltage is too low

button in the driver's

X Engage parking position j .

door (all vehicles

except plug-in hybrid): X Switch on the power supply.

The ball coupling does

not swivel, even though: X Start the engine.

If the ball coupling still does not unlock:

Driving and parking

R the vehicle is station-

ary

X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.

R no trailer cable is con-

nected

The ball coupling does

There is a malfunction in the release electronics.

not swivel. The indicator X When the ball coupling is swivelled in: pull and hold the switch

lamp in the switch is

on the tailgate until the ball coupling vertically engages in a securely

flashing permanently.

locked position and then engages again under the bumper.

The Check trailer

hitch lock message

When

the ball coupling is swivelled out: pull and hold the switch

on the tailgate until the ball coupling engages under the bumper.

appears on the multi-

function display.

If the ball coupling still does not unlock:

X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.

To transport bicycles with a gross weight

Bicycle rack

between 75 kg and 100 kg, use only bicycle

General notes

racks with additional anchorage on guide pin ;.

Important safety notes

G WARNING

The bicycle rack can detach from the vehicle if

you

R exceed the permissible payload of the

trailer tow hitch

R use the bicycle rack incorrectly

R attach the bicycle rack to the ball coupling

Trailer tow hitch (example with additional

beneath the ball head

guide pin)

There is a risk of an accident.

Depending on the bicycle rack's design, you can

For your safety and that of other road users,

transport up to four bicycles on it:

observe the following:

R When attached by clamping onto the ball cou-

R Always observe the permissible payload of

pling :, the maximum payload is 75 kg. You

can transport up to three bicycles.

the trailer tow hitch.

R When attached to ball coupling : and also

R Use the bicycle rack only to transport bicy-

guide pin ;, the maximum payload is 100 kg.

cles.

You can transport up to four bicycles.

The payload is calculated from the weight of the

bicycle rack and the load on the bicycle rack.

Driving and parking -> Towing a trailer for Your Mercedes GLE SUV First Generation (2016-2019)

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