172  
					Driving and operating  
					Driving characteristics and  
					towing tips  
					Trailer towing  
					Trailer loads  
					Trailer hitch  
					General information  
					Before attaching a trailer, lubricate  
					the coupling ball. However, do not do  
					so if a stabiliser, which acts on the  
					coupling ball, is being used to reduce  
					snaking movements.  
					The permissible trailer loads are  
					vehicle and engine-dependent  
					maximum values which must not be  
					exceeded. The actual trailer load is  
					the difference between the actual  
					gross weight of the trailer and the  
					actual coupling socket load with the  
					trailer coupled.  
					The permissible trailer loads are  
					specified in the vehicle documents. In  
					general, they are valid for gradients  
					up to max. 12%.  
					The permitted trailer loads apply up to  
					the specified incline and up to an  
					altitude of 1000 metres above sea  
					level. Since engine power decreases  
					as altitude increases due to the air  
					becoming thinner, therefore reducing  
					climbing ability, the permissible gross  
					train weight also decreases by 10%  
					for every 1000 metres of additional  
					altitude. The gross train weight does  
					not have to be reduced when driving  
					on roads with slight inclines (less than  
					8%, e.g. motorways).  
					Only use towing equipment that has  
					been approved for your vehicle.  
					Entrust retrofitting of towing  
					equipment to a workshop. It may be  
					necessary to make changes that  
					affect the cooling system, heat  
					shields or other equipment.  
					For trailers with low driving stability  
					and caravan trailers with a permitted  
					gross vehicle weight of more than  
					1000 kg a speed of 50 mph must not  
					be exceeded; the use of a stabiliser is  
					recommended.  
					If the trailer starts snaking, drive more  
					slowly, do not attempt to correct the  
					steering and brake sharply if  
					necessary.  
					When driving downhill, drive in the  
					same gear as if driving uphill and  
					drive at a similar speed.  
					Adjust tyre pressure to the value  
					specified for full load 3 230.  
					The bulb outage detection function for  
					trailer brake light cannot detect a  
					partial bulb outage, e.g. in case of four  
					times five watt bulbs, the function only  
					detects lamp outage when only a  
					single five Watt lamp remains or none  
					remain.  
					Fitting of towing equipment could  
					cover the opening of the towing eye.  
					If this is the case, use the coupling ball  
					bar for towing. Always keep the  
					coupling ball bar in the vehicle when  
					not in use.