08 Starting and driving
Driving with a trailer* - manual
gearbox
Driving with a trailer* - automatic
gearbox
IMPORTANT
See also the specific information on slow
driving with a trailer for cars with the
Powershift automatic transmission, see
Automatic gearbox -- Powershift* (p. 278).
When driving with a trailer in hilly terrain in a
hot climate there may be a risk of overheating.
When driving with a trailer in hilly terrain in a
hot climate there may be a risk of overheating.
An automatic gearbox selects the opti-
mum gear related to load and engine
speed.
•
Overheating
When driving with a trailer in hilly terrain in a
hot climate there may be a risk of overheat-
ing.
Starting on a hill
1. Depress the foot brake.
In the event of overheating a warning
•
symbol is illuminated in the combined
instrument panel with a message that is
shown in the information display - follow
the recommendation given.
2. Move the gear selector to driving posi-
tion D.
Do not run the engine at higher revolu-
•
tions than 4500 rpm (diesel engines:
3500 rpm) - otherwise the oil temperature
may become too high.
3. Release the parking brake.
4. Release the foot brake and start driving
off.
Steep inclines
Do not lock the automatic transmission in
Diesel engine 5-cyl
In the event of a risk of overheating the
•
•
a higher gear than the engine "can cope
with" - it is not always a good idea to
drive at a high gear with low engine revo-
lutions.
Related information
Automatic gearbox -- Geartronic* (p. 274)
optimal speed for the engine is
2300-3000 rpm for optimal circulation of
the coolant.
•
Related information
Driving with a trailer* (p. 311)
Parking on a hill
1. Depress the foot brake.
•
2. Activate the parking brake.
3. Move the gear selector to position P.
4. Release the foot brake.
Move the gear selector to park position P
•
when parking an automatic car with a
hitched trailer. Always use the parking
brake.
08
Block the wheels with chocks when park-
ing a car with hitched trailer on a hill.
•
313
* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
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