tow MERCEDES-BENZ B-CLASS HATCHBACK 2014 Workshop Manual
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: MERCEDES-BENZ, Model Year: 2014, Model line: B-CLASS HATCHBACK, Model: MERCEDES-BENZ B-CLASS HATCHBACK 2014Pages: 405, PDF Size: 12.24 MB
Page 229 of 405

The maximum permissible speed for vehicle/
trailer combinations depends on the type of
trailer. Before beginning the journey, check
the trailer's documents to see what the max- imum permitted speed is. Observe the legally
prescribed maximum speed in the relevant
country.
For certain Mercedes-Benz vehicles, the max-
imum permissible rear axle load is increased
when towing a trailer. See the "Technical
data" section to find out whether this applies to your vehicle. If you utilise any of the added
maximum rear axle load when towing a trailer, the vehicle/trailer combination may not
exceed a maximum speed of 100 km/h for
reasons concerning the operating permit.
This also applies in countries in which the
permissible maximum speed for vehicle/
trailer combinations is above 100 km/h.
When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristics will be different in comparison to when driving without a trailer and it will
consume more fuel.
Change into a lower gear in good time on long
and steep downhill gradients. For vehicles
with automatic transmission, you need to
have selected manual drive program M
(Y page 175).
This also applies if you have activated cruise
control, SPEEDTRONIC or DISTRONIC PLUS.
This will use the braking effect of the engine,
so less braking will be required to maintain
vehicle speed. This relieves the load on the
brake system and prevents the brakes from
overheating and wearing too quickly. If you
need additional braking, depress the brake
pedal repeatedly rather than continuously.
Briefly depressing the accelerator pedal on
downhill gradients while the manual drive
program Mis temporarily activated (vehicles
with automatic transmission): the automatic
transmission may switch back to the last
active automatic drive program Eor S. The
automatic transmission may shift to a higher
gear. This can reduce the engine's braking
effect. Driving tips If the trailer swings from side to side:
X Do not accelerate.
X Do not countersteer.
X Brake if necessary.
R Maintain a greater distance to the vehicle in
front than when driving without a trailer.
R Avoid braking abruptly. If possible, brake
gently at first to allow the trailer to run on.
Then, increase the braking force rapidly.
R The values given for gradient-climbing
capabilities from a standstill refer to sea
level. When driving in mountainous areas,
note that the power output of the engine,
and consequently the vehicle's gradient-
climbing capability, decrease with increas-
ing altitude. Folding out the ball coupling
G
WARNING
If the ball coupling is not correctly engaged,
the trailer can detach. There is a risk of an
accident.
Always engage the ball coupling as described. G
WARNING
If you release the ball coupling or it does not
engage correctly when folding in, it will swing out. Within pivoting range of the ball coupling,
there is an increased risk of an accident and
injury.
Only release the ball coupling if the pivoting
range is unobstructed. Always make sure that the ball coupling engages when folding in.
Before you can tow a trailer with your vehicle, you must fold out the ball coupling.
The release wheel is located behind the left-
hand side trim panel in the boot. 226
Towing a trailerDriving and parking
Page 230 of 405

X
To open the cover: turn handle:anti-
clockwise, the fold down and remove
cover ;. X
Pull out release wheel =.
X Turn release wheel =anti-clockwise as far
as it will go.
The ball coupling disengages and folds out
behind the rear bumper. Indicator lamp ?
flashes. X
Pull the ball coupling in the direction of the
arrow until it engages in a vertical position.
The indicator lamp on the release wheel
goes out. The power socket folds down
automatically.
The multifunction display shows the
Check Check trailer
trailer hitch
hitchlock
lockdisplay mes-
sage until the ball coupling is engaged.
X Remove the protective covering from the
ball coupling and store it in a safe place.
X Make sure that the ball of the ball coupling
is clean and that it is either greased or dry
(grease free), depending on the instruc-
tions for the trailer. Coupling up a trailer
X Make sure that the transmission is in posi-
tion P.
X Apply the electric parking brake.
X Position the trailer horizontally behind the
vehicle.
X Couple up the trailer.
X Establish the electric connection between
the vehicle and the trailer.
X Check that the trailer lighting system is
working.
A connected trailer is only recognised when
the electrical connection is established
correctly and when the lighting system is
working properly. The function of other sys-
tems, such as ESP ®
or PARKTRONIC also
depends on this. Uncoupling a trailer
G
WARNING
If you uncouple a trailer with an engaged over- run brake, you could trap your hand between
the vehicle and the trailer drawbar. This poses a risk of injury.
Do not uncouple a trailer with an engaged
overrun brake. Towing a trailer
227Driving and parking Z
Page 231 of 405

!
Do not disconnect a trailer with an
engaged overrun brake. Otherwise, your
vehicle could be damaged by the rebound- ing of the overrun brake.
! Remove the installed adapter cable
before folding in the ball coupling. Other-
wise, damage may occur to the rear
bumper and the adapter cable.
X Make sure that the transmission is in posi-
tion P.
X Apply the electric parking brake.
X Secure the trailer against rolling away.
X Remove the trailer cable and decouple the
trailer. Folding in the ball coupling
G
WARNING
If you release the ball coupling or it does not
engage correctly when folding in, it will swing out. Within pivoting range of the ball coupling,
there is an increased risk of an accident and
injury.
Only release the ball coupling if the pivoting
range is unobstructed. Always make sure that the ball coupling engages when folding in.
Fold the ball coupling back in if you are not
using the trailer tow hitch.
The release wheel is located behind the left-
hand side trim panel in the boot.
X Place the protective covering on the ball
coupling. X
To open the cover: turn handle:anti-
clockwise, then fold down and remove
cover ;. X
Pull out release wheel =.
X Turn release wheel =anti-clockwise as far
as it will go.
The ball coupling disengages and folds in
behind the rear bumper. Indicator lamp ?
flashes. X
Press the ball coupling in the direction of
the arrow until it engages behind the
bumper.
The indicator lamp on the release knob and
the message in the multifunction display go
out. Trailer power supply
! You can connect accessories with a
power rating of up to 240 W to the perma-
nent power supply and with a power rating of up to 180 W to the power supply that is
switched on via the ignition lock. 228
Towing a trailerDriving and parking
Page 232 of 405

The trailer battery may not be charged from
the power supply.
When it leaves the factory, your vehicle's
trailer socket is equipped with a permanent
power supply and a power supply that is
switched on via the ignition lock.
The permanent power supply is supplied via
trailer socket pin 9.
The power supply that is switched on via the
ignition lock is supplied via trailer socket pin
10.
The trailer's permanent power supply is
switched off in the event of low vehicle supply
voltage and after six hours at the latest.
You can find more information about fitting
the trailer electrics at a qualified specialist
workshop.
X To switch the connected power supply
on or off: turn the key to position 2or 0
respectively (Y page 159). Failure check for LEDs
If LED lamps are fitted in the trailer, a mal-
function message may appear in the multi-
function display even if there is no fault. The
reason for the error message may be that the
current has fallen below the minimum of
50 mA.
To ensure reliable operation of the failure
indicator, each LED chain in the trailer lighting
must be guaranteed a minimum current of
50 mA. Trailer with 7-pin connector
General notes Trailer with 7-pin connector:
you can con-
nect to the 13-pin socket on the ball coupling
using an adapter or, if necessary, an adapter
cable. Both can be obtained at a qualified
specialist workshop. Fitting the adapter !
Make sure that there is sufficient cable
play so that the cable cannot become
detached when cornering.
! Remove the installed adapter cable
before folding in the ball coupling. Other-
wise, damage may occur to the rear
bumper and the adapter cable. X
Open the socket cover.
X Insert the plug connector with lug :into
groove =on the socket.
X Turn bayonet connection ;clockwise to
the stop.
X Let the cover engage.
X If you are using an adapter cable, secure
the cable to the trailer with cable ties. Towing a trailer
229Driving and parking Z
Page 241 of 405

Further information on navigation can be
found in the separate Audio 20 or COMAND
Online operating instructions.
X Switch on Audio 20 or COMAND Online;
see the separate operating instructions.
X Press the =or; button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the Navi
Navi menu.
Route guidance not active :
Direction of travel
; Current road
Route guidance active No change of direction announced
:
Distance to the destination
; Distance to the next change of direction
= Current road
? Symbol indicating "follow the road's
course" Change of direction without lane recom-
mendation :
Road to which the change of direction
leads
; Distance to change of direction and visual
distance display
= Change-of-direction symbol
When a change of direction is to be made, you will see symbol =for the change of direction
and distance graphic ;. This shortens
towards the top of the display as you
approach the point of the announced change
of direction. The change of direction starts
once the distance display reaches zero.
Change of direction announced with a
lane recommendation :
Road to which the change of direction
leads
; Distance to change of direction and visual
distance display
= Lanes not recommended
? Recommended lane and new lane during a
change of direction
A Change-of-direction symbol
On multilane roads, new lane recommenda-
tions can be displayed for the next change of
direction if the digital map supports this data. During the change of direction, new lanes
may be added. 238
Menus and submenusOn-board computer and displays
Page 259 of 405

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions The yellow
!warning lamp and the red !indicator lamp are
lit.
The electric parking brake is malfunctioning.
To release:
X Switch off the ignition and turn it back on.
X Release the electric parking brake manually.
or X Vehicles with manual transmission (automatic emergency
release): insert the seat belt in the belt buckle and accelerate
slightly more when pulling away.
X Vehicles with automatic transmission: release the electric
parking brake automatically (Y page 182).
If the electric parking brake still cannot be released: X Do not drive on.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The red
!indicator lamp flashes and the yellow !warning
lamp is lit.
The electric parking brake is malfunctioning.
To release:
X Switch off the ignition and turn it back on.
X Release the electric parking brake manually.
To apply:
X Switch off the ignition and turn it back on.
X Apply the electric parking brake manually.
If the red !indicator lamp continues to flash:
X Do not drive on.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 363).
X Vehicles with manual transmission: engage first gear.
X Vehicles with automatic transmission: shift the selector
lever to P.
X Turn the front wheels towards the kerb.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. 256
Display
messagesOn-board computer and displays
Page 260 of 405

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions The yellow
!warning lamp lights up. The red !indicator
lamp flashes for about ten seconds after the electric parking brake
has been applied or released. It then goes out or remains lit.
The electric parking brake is malfunctioning.
X Switch off the ignition and turn it back on.
X Apply the electric parking brake.
If it is not possible to apply the electric parking brake:
X Vehicles with manual transmission: engage first gear.
X Vehicles with automatic transmission: shift the selector
lever to P.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop.
If it is not possible to release the electric parking brake: X Vehicles with manual transmission (automatic emergency
release): insert the seat belt in the belt buckle and accelerate
slightly more when pulling away.
X Vehicles with automatic transmission: release the electric
parking brake automatically (Y page 182).
If the electric parking brake still cannot be released:
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The yellow
!warning lamp lights up. If you manually apply or
release the electric parking brake, the red !indicator lamp
flashes.
The electric parking brake is malfunctioning. It is not possible to
apply the electric parking brake manually.
X Vehicles with manual transmission: switch off the ignition.
The electric parking brake is applied automatically.
or
X Insert the seat belt in the belt buckle and accelerate slightly
more when pulling away (automatic emergency release).
X Vehicles with automatic transmission: shift the selector
lever to P, as the electric parking brake is not applied automat-
ically.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop.
If you do not wish the electric parking brake to be applied, leave the ignition switched on, e.g. when washing the vehicle in an auto-
matic car wash or when having the vehicle towed. Display
messages
257On-board computer and displays Z
Page 270 of 405

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions b
Rear fog lamp
Rear fog lamp The rear foglamp is faulty.
X Tail lamps (vehicles with halogen headlamps): replace the
bulb (Y page 128).
X Tail lamps (vehicles with LED headlamps): visit a qualified
specialist workshop. b
Front Front
left
leftparking
parking
lamp
lamp orFront
Front
right parking lamp
right parking lamp The front left or front right parking lamp is faulty.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. b
Reversing light Reversing light The reversing lamp is faulty.
X Tail lamps (vehicles with halogen headlamps): replace the
bulb (Y page 128).
X Tail lamps (vehicles with LED headlamps): visit a qualified
specialist workshop. b
Left tail lamp Left tail lamp
or
Right tail lamp
Right tail lamp The left or right-hand tail lamp is faulty.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. b
Left daytime driv‐ Left daytime driv‐
ing lamp ing lamp
orRight
Right
daytime driving
daytime driving
lamp lamp The left or right-hand daytime driving lamp is faulty.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. b
Malfunction See Malfunction See
Owner's Manual Owner's Manual The exterior lighting is faulty.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Vehicles with trailer tow hitch: a fuse may have blown.
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 181).
X Check the fuses (Y page 349).
X If necessary, replace the blown fuse. Observe the warning notes
as you do so.
If the display message continues to be displayed: X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Display
messages
267On-board computer and displays Z
Page 276 of 405

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions Active Blind Spot
Active Blind Spot
Assist not availa‐ Assist not availa‐
ble when towing a ble when towing a
trailer See Own‐ trailer See Own‐
er's Manual er's Manual
. Blind Spot Assist is deactivated while towing a trailer.
You have established the electrical connection between the trailer
and your vehicle.
X Press aon the steering wheel to confirm the display mes-
sage. Blind Spot Assist Blind Spot Assist
inoperative inoperative Blind Spot Assist is faulty.
The yellow
9indicator lamps also light up in the exterior mir-
rors.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Park Park
Assist
Assist cancel‐
cancel‐
led
led The driver's door is open and the driver's seat belt has not been
fastened.
X Repeat the parking process with the seat belt fastened and the
driver's door closed. You inadvertently touched the multifunction steering wheel while
steering intervention was active.
X While steering intervention is active, make sure not to touch the
multifunction steering wheel. The vehicle has started to skid and ESP
®
has intervened.
X Use Active Parking Assist again later (Y page 206).Park Park
Assist
Assist inoper‐
inoper‐
ative
ative You have just carried out a large number of turning or parking
manoeuvres.
Active Parking Assist will become available again after approx-
imately ten minutes (Y
page 206).
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Switch off and restart the engine.
If the display message continues to be displayed: X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. PARKTRONIC is faulty.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Park Assist Park Assist
switched off switched off The vehicle is parked. A warning tone also sounds.
The display message disappears automatically. Display
messages
273On-board computer and displays Z
Page 284 of 405

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions 4matic inoperative
4matic inoperative 4MATIC is malfunctioning. The vehicle is only driven by the front
wheels.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. A The tailgate is open.
G WARNING
When the engine is running, exhaust gases can enter the vehicle
interior if the tailgate is open.
There is a risk of poisoning.
X Close the tailgate. ? The bonnet is open.
A warning tone also sounds.
G WARNING
The open bonnet may then block your view when the vehicle is in
motion.
There is a risk of an accident.
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 181).
X Close the bonnet. C At least one door is open. A warning tone also sounds.
X Close all doors. j
Check trailer Check trailer
hitch lock hitch lock The trailer tow hitch is not correctly engaged.
A warning tone also sounds.
G WARNING
If the ball coupling is not engaged, the trailer may come loose.
There is a risk of an accident. X Stop the vehicle immediately, paying attention to road and traf-
fic conditions, and switch off the engine.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 181).
X Engage the trailer coupling's ball coupling in the end position
(Y page 226). Display
messages
281On-board computer and displays Z