Headlight adjustment
Towing a trailer can raise the front end of the vehicle so that the dipped beam dazzles other road users. Use the headlight range control
to lower the light cone as required. Vehicles with dynamic headlight range control are adjusted automatically.
Things to note when driving with a trailer
—If the trailer has an overrun brake, apply the brakes gently at first and then firmly. This will prevent the jerking that can be caused by
the trailer wheels locking.
—The combination weight causes the braking distance to increase.
—On downhill stretches, use the engine as an additional brake. The brake system could otherwise overheat and fail.
—Vehicles with a manual gearbox: Select a lower gear before downhill gradients.
Vehicles with an automatic gearbox: Select a lower gear in Tiptronic mode.
—The vehicle’s centre of gravity and in turn the vehicle handling will change because of the trailer load and the increased gross weight
of the vehicle and trailer.
—The weight distribution of a loaded trailer with an unladen towing vehicle is very unfavourable. When driving in this situation, drive
particularly carefully and slowly.
Pulling off on uphill gradients when towing a trailer
A vehicle towing a trailer is liable to roll back a short distance when moving off on an uphill slope depending on the gradient and the
gross weight of the trailer and vehicle.
When towing a trailer, pull off on uphill gradient as follows:
1. Depress and hold the brake pedal.
2. Apply the handbrake firmly.
3. Vehicles with a manual gearbox: fully depress the clutch pedal and engage 1st gear.
Vehicles with an automatic gearbox: engage the gear selector position for forward driving.
4. Unlock hand brake and carefully release while holding down lock button. At the same time, press the accelerator in a controlled
way.
Vehicles with a manual gearbox: release the clutch pedal until you can feel the vehicle moving forwards.
If necessary, observe the information on Hill Start Assist (→ Hill Start Assist).
5. Pull away slowly.
6. Release the handbrake lever only when the engine generates sufficient power to move off.
WARNING
Incorrect trailer towing can cause loss of vehicle control and serious or fatal injuries.
● Please note that the vehicle handling changes when towing a trailer and when transporting heavy or bulky objects.
● Always adapt your speed and driving style to the current visibility, weather and road or traffic conditions.
● Always pay attention to the road ahead and drive carefully.
● Take particular care when overtaking.
● Reduce your speed if the trailer shows even the slightest sign of snaking.
● Accelerate particularly carefully and gently.
● Brake earlier than usual because the braking distance may be longer than normal.
● Avoid abrupt and sudden driving and braking manoeuvres.
● Reduce speed particularly when driving downhill.
● Never try to stop a vehicle and trailer from snaking by increasing your speed.
● Keep to speed limits, which may be lower for vehicles with trailers than for vehicles without trailers.
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