towing capacity Lancia Thesis 2008 Owner handbook (in English)

264
TOWING A
TRAILER
GENERAL NOTES
The car must be fitted with a
homologated tow hitch and suitable
electrical system for towing a cara-
van or a trailer. Have the tow hitch
fitted by an expert who will issue
specific documentation for use on
roads.
Fit special and/or additional
rearview mirrors in accordance with
the highway code.
Remember that towing a trailer
makes it harder for the car to climb
the maximum gradients specified,
increases braking and overtaking
distance, proportionally to the over-
all weight of the trailer.Engage a low gear when driving
downhill rather than constantly
braking.
The weight the trailer exerts on the
car’s tow hitch coupling reduces the
car’s loading capacity by the same
amount. In order to be sure you are
not exceeding the maximum towing
weight (as specified in the registra-
tion book), you have to take into
account the trailer’s fully laden
weight, including accessories and
personal luggage.
Do not exceed the speed limits for
towing a trailer in the country you
are driving in. In any case, do not
exceed the top speed of 100 km/h.
Trailer electrical connection shall
only be performed with ignition key
atSTOPor removed.
When trailer electrical connection
is on and you switch on the rear fog
lights, only the trailer rear fog lights
will come on.The ABS system will not
control the trailing brak-
ing system. Great care
should therefore be taken when
driving on slippery road surfaces.
Under no circumstances
modify the car’s braking
system for trailer braking
control. The trailer’s braking sys-
tem must be completely indepen-
dent of the car’s hydraulic sys-
tem.
The rear parking sensors
are automatically deacti-
vated when the plug of the
trailer’s electrical cable is insert-
ed in the car’s tow hitch socket.
The rear sensors activate auto-
matically when the trailer’s plug is
disconnected.