Get Driving and parking -> Trailer hitch Guide for Mercedes GLE SUV Fourth Generation (2020-2026)

To activate the straightening manoeuvre:

select 2.

The system calculates the articulation angle in

such a way that the direction of the trailer at

the time of activation is maintained. There is a

short countersteering movement of the trailer

while the vehicle is reversing to guide it back

to the desired line. This allows the vehicle to

align with the trailer, while at the same time

maintaining the trailer's direction.

To activate the 90° manoeuvre:

Align the vehicle in the same direction

(line) as the trailer.

Select

3 (le or right).

The system calculates the articulation angle

so that a trailer can be manoeuvred into a

driveway at the most acute angle possible

when it is perpendicular to its own vehicle.

Aer the manoeuvre, the vehicle is aligned

again in the trailer's direction.

Accelerate and brake as required.

The maximum articulation angle depends on

the length of the trailer. The system calculates

this by driving the vehicle forwards, including

cornering. Before the trailer length has been

calculated, the maximum articulation angle is

approximately 23°. The longer the trailer, the

greater the maximum articulation angle (max.

approximately 60°).

Be aware of all surroundings and always

remain ready to brake.

Trailer hitch

Notes on trailer operation

NOTE The operating permit may be invali-

dated due to the illegal installation of

trailer hitches

The installation – including retrotting – of a

non-folding or non-removable trailer hitch that

even partially conceals the license plate or the

lighting system is prohibited.

Observe the applicable legal regulations

for the installation of trailer hitches.

WARNING Risk of accident due to car/

trailer combination swerving

If you drive too fast in trailer operation, the

car/trailer combination may start to swerve.

This could cause you to lose control of the

car/trailer combination. The car/trailer com-

bination may even overturn.

Under no circumstances should you try

to straighten the car/trailer combination

by increasing your speed.

Reduce the speed and do not counter-

steer.

Brake if necessary.

NOTE Damage to the engine due to over-

heating

If you have a trailer hitch retrotted,

modications to the engine cooling sys-

tem may be necessary depending on the

vehicle type.

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If you have a trailer tow hitch retrotted,

observe the fastening points on the vehicle

frame.

Retrotting a trailer hitch is permissible only if a

trailer load is specied in your vehicle documents.

If this is not the case, the vehicle is not approved

for trailer operation.

Further information can be obtained at a qualied

specialist workshop.

Observe the following notes on the tongue weight:

do not use a tongue weight that exceeds or

falls below the permissible tongue weight

use a tongue weight as close as possible to

the maximum tongue weight

Do not exceed the following values:

Permissible trailer load

Permissible rear axle load of the towing vehi-

cle

Permissible gross mass of the towing vehicle

Permissible gross mass of the trailer

Maximum permissible speed of the trailer

Ensure the following before starting a journey:

the tyre pressure on the rear axle of the tow-

ing vehicle is set for a maximum load

the lighting of the connected trailer is opera-

tional

In the event of increased rear axle load, the car/

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 permissible maximum speed for car/

trailer combinations is above 100 km/h.

Vehicles with AIRMATIC or E-ACTIVE BODY CON-

TROL: if the socket of the trailer hitch is occupied

(e.g. by a trailer or rear bicycle rack), the vehicle

is set to the normal level at speeds greater than

30 km/h, regardless of the drive program.

When you are reversing with a trailer, remem-

ber to use the Trailer Manoeuvring Assist

function (/ page 445).

Extending and retracting the ball neck fully electri-

cally

WARNING Risk of accident due to the ball

neck not being engaged

If the ball neck is not engaged, the trailer may

come loose.

Make sure that the ball neck securely

engages and locks into place.

NOTE Damage to the all-electric trailer

hitch due to additional pressure

The all-electric trailer hitch could be mechani-

cally damaged by applying additional pressure

when the ball neck is being extended or

retracted.

Do not make the ball neck extend/

retract faster by applying additional pres-

sure.

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NOTE Increased risk of damage to prop-

erty due to folded-out ball neck

When the trailer is not coupled or the

bicycle rack is attached, fold in the ball

neck or, in the case of a fully electric

trailer hitch, retract the ball neck.

NOTE Damage to the vehicle due to incor-

rect use of the trailer hitch

If a trailer hitch is used to recover the vehicle,

the vehicle or the trailer hitch itself may be

damaged in the process.

Use the trailer hitch only for pulling a

trailer or attaching approved carrier sys-

tems (e.g. a bicycle rack).

Exception: Since vehicles with a trailer

hitch do not have a xture for a towing

eye at the rear, towing or tow-starting is

permitted.

When towing or tow-starting with the

trailer hitch, observe the information in

the section "Fitting and removing the

towing eye."

Extending the ball neck fully electrically

Secure the vehicle against rolling away.

Keep the swivel range clear.

Pull button 1.

Indicator lamp

2 will ash and the message

Trailer coupling in motion will appear on the

driver's display.

The ball neck will extend fully electrically.

Wait until the ball neck has locked in place.

When indicator lamp 2 is continuously lit, the

ball neck is securely locked in place.

If the ball neck is not securely locked in place,

indicator lamp

2 will ash and the message

Trailer coupling Check lock will appear on the

driver's display.

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Retracting the ball neck fully electrically

Remove the trailer cable or adapter plug.

Pull button 1.

Indicator lamp

2 will ash and the message

Trailer coupling in motion will appear on the

driver's display.

The ball neck will retract fully electrically.

Wait until the ball neck has locked in place.

When indicator lamp 2 goes out, the ball

neck is securely locked in place.

If the ball neck is not securely locked in place,

indicator lamp

2 will ash and the message

Trailer coupling Check lock will appear on the

driver's display.

Observe the information about indicators on the

driver's display:

Indicator and warning lamps (/ page 952)

Display messages (/ page 861)

Extending and retracting the ball neck fully electri-

cally (multimedia system)

WARNING Risk of accident due to the ball

neck not being engaged

If the ball neck is not engaged, the trailer may

come loose.

Always engage the ball neck as descri-

bed.

NOTE Damage to the all-electric trailer

hitch due to additional pressure

The all-electric trailer hitch could be mechani-

cally damaged by applying additional pressure

when the ball neck is being extended or

retracted.

Do not make the ball neck extend/

retract faster by applying additional pres-

sure.

Requirements

The vehicle is secured against rolling away.

The swivel range is clear.

The trailer cables or adapter plugs have been

removed.

Multimedia system:

Extending the ball neck fully electrically

Select Ü.

The

Trailer coupling in motion display mes-

sage will appear on the driver display.

The ball neck will extend fully electrically.

Wait until the ball neck has locked in place.

If the ball neck is not securely locked in place, the

Trailer coupling Check lock message will appear

on the driver display.

Retracting the ball neck fully electrically

Select Ü.

The

Trailer coupling in motion display mes-

sage will appear on the driver display.

The ball neck will retract fully electrically.

Wait until the ball neck has locked in place.

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If the ball neck is not securely locked in place, the

Trailer coupling Check lock message will appear

on the driver display.

Observe the information about the indicators on

the instrument cluster:

Indicator and warning lamps (/ page 952)

Display messages (/ page 861)

Coupling up/uncoupling a trailer

WARNING Risk of injury due to a change

in vehicle level

Vehicles with level control system: the vehicle

level may be changed unintentionally, e.g. by

other persons. If you couple or uncouple the

trailer during this time, you may become trap-

ped. In addition, other people could become

trapped if their limbs are between the vehicle

body and the tyres or underneath the vehicle.

Observe the following when coupling or

uncoupling:

Do not open or close any doors or the

tailgate.

Do not initiate the level control system

and do not operate DYNAMIC SELECT.

Do not lock or unlock the vehicle.

The trailer will be correctly detected by the vehi-

cle only if the following conditions are met:

The ball neck is extended and engaged in a

securely locked position.

Vehicles with level control system: ensure that

the vehicle is at the normal level

(/ page 408).

Use the normal level in trailer operation. Driv-

ing with the vehicle raised is not permitted in

trailer operation on public roads.

Trailers with a 7-pin plug can be connected to the

vehicle with the following adapters:

adapter plug

adapter cable

The trailer will be correctly detected by the vehi-

cle only if the following conditions are met:

the trailer is connected correctly

the trailer lighting system is in working order

A correctly connected trailer inuences, among

other things, the functions of the following sys-

tems:

ESP

trailer stabilisation

Trailer Manoeuvring Assist

Active Lane Keeping Assist

Parking Assist PARKTRONIC

Active Parking Assist

Blind Spot Assist

Active Blind Spot Assist

Drive Away Assist

Cross Trac Alert

Manoeuvring brake function

Reversing camera

360° Camera

AIRMATIC

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E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL

Coupling up a trailer

NOTE Damage to the starter battery due

to full discharge

Charging the trailer battery using the power

supply of the trailer can damage the starter

battery.

Do not use the vehicle's power supply to

charge the trailer battery.

Secure the vehicle against rolling away.

Remove the cover cap from the ball head and

store it in a safe place.

Position the trailer on a level surface behind

the vehicle and couple it up to the vehicle.

Open the socket cap.

Insert the plug with lug 1 in groove 3 on

the socket.

Turn bayonet coupling 2 to the right as far as

it will go.

Let the cap engage.

Secure the cable to the trailer with cable ties

(only if you are using an adapter cable).

Make sure that the cable is always slack for

ease of movement during cornering.

In the following circumstances, a message may

appear on the driver's display even if the trailer

has been connected correctly:

LEDs have been installed in the trailer lighting

system.

The current has fallen below the trailer lighting

system's minimum current (50 mA).

Accessories can be connected to the perma-

nent power supply up to 180 W and to the

power supply that is switched on via the igni-

tion lock.

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

become trapped between the vehicle and the

trailer drawbar.

Do not uncouple trailers with an engaged

overrun brake.

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NOTE Damage during uncoupling with an

engaged overrun brake

The vehicle may be damaged if you uncouple

with an engaged overrun brake.

Do not uncouple trailers with an engaged

overrun brake.

WARNING Risk of becoming trapped when

disconnecting the trailer cable

Vehicles with level control system: the vehicle

may lower when you disconnect the trailer

cable.

This could result in other people becoming

trapped if their limbs are between the vehicle

body and the tyres or underneath the vehicle.

Make sure nobody is underneath the

vehicle or in the immediate vicinity of the

wheel arches when you disconnect the

trailer cable.

NOTE Damage to the rear bumper from

installing adapter cables or adapter plugs

The following parts could be damaged when

swiveling the ball neck fully electrically:

Bumper

Adapter cable

Adapter plug

Always remove the adapter cable or

adapter plug before swiveling the ball

neck fully electrically.

Secure the vehicle against rolling away.

Disconnect the electrical connection between

the vehicle and the trailer.

Uncouple the trailer.

Place the cover on the ball head.

Trailers with LED lighting: aer uncoupling the

trailer, switch the vehicle on and then o

again.

Selecting a trailer type

Multimedia system:

Settings

Vehicle

Driving

Trailer type

Conguring settings for a trailer

The settings on this menu make it possible to cal-

culate a route suitable for the selected trailer and

optimise the calculated arrival time.

Select the desired trailer type.

Select the maximum permissible speed of the

selected trailer.

To save changes: select Confirm.

When contact with the trailer socket is estab-

lished (trailer/rear bicycle rack), a menu will

automatically appear on the display.

The following options are available:

Bicycle rack

Small trailer

Large trailer

Driving and parking

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Driving and parking -> Trailer hitch for Your Mercedes GLE SUV Fourth Generation (2020-2026)

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