WARNING
Accidents and serious injuries can occur if you exceed the vehicle's maximum permitted gross axle weight rating,
drawbar load, gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating.
● Never exceed the stated values.
● Never exceed the maximum gross axle weight rating with the current weight on the front and rear axles.
● Never exceed the maximum permissible gross weight with the front and rear weight of the vehicle.
Driving with a trailer
Headlight adjustment
Towing a trailer can raise the front end of the vehicle enough for the dipped beam to blind other road users. Use the
headlight range control to lower the light cone as required. If you do not have headlight range control, the headlights
should be adjusted by a correspondingly qualified workshop.
Things to note when driving with a trailer
—If the trailer has an overrun brake, apply the brakesgently 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.
—Select a low gear before driving down a slope. This enables you to use the engine braking effect to slow down the
vehicle. The brake system could otherwise overheat and fail.
—The vehicle's centre of gravity and in turn the vehicle's 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 slopes when towing a trailer
Depending on the steepness of the slope and the total weight of the trailer and vehicle, a vehicle towing a trailer
could roll back a short distance when moving off on a hill.
When towing a trailer, pull off on slopes as follows:
1. Depress and hold the brake pedal.
2. In vehicles with a manual gearbox: Fully depress the clutch pedal.
3. 1st Select a gear or the D position.
4. Switch the electronic parking brake off.
5. Gently depress the accelerator and, in a manual vehicle, release the clutch pedal until you feel the vehicle
moving forwards. If necessary, observe the information on Hill Start Assist (→ Hill Start Assist).
6. Pull away slowly.
WARNING
Incorrect trailer towing can cause loss of vehicle control and serious personal injury.
● Towing a trailer and transporting heavy or bulky items can change the way the vehicle handles and increase the
braking distance.
● Always drive carefully and ensure that you think ahead. Brake earlier than usual.
● Adapt your speed and driving style to the current visibility, weather and road or traffic conditions. Reduce your
speed, particularly when driving downhill.
● Accelerate particularly carefully and gently. Avoid abrupt and sudden driving and braking manoeuvres.
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