trailer MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS ESTATE 2012 Owner's Guide

Notes on towing
atrailer
General notes !
Use a drawbar noseweigh tas close as
possible to the maximum permissible nose-
weight. Do not use a noseweight of less
than 50kg, otherwise the trailer may come
loose.
Note that the payload and the rear axle load
are reduced by the actual payload.
i When towing a trailer, set the tyre pres-
sure on the rear axle of the towing vehicle
for a maximum load; see the tyre pressure
table in the fuel filler flap (Y page 383).
You will find installation dimensions and loads
in the "Technical data" section
(Y page 447).
The maximum noseweight of the trailer draw-
bar on the ball coupling is 84 kg. The actual
noseweight may however not be higher than
the value which is given on the trailer tow
hitch or trailer identification plates. The low-
est weight applies.
Missing values for the E300 model were not
available at the time of going to print.
Please note that whe ntowing a trailer, PARK-
TRONIC (Y page 211), Parking Guidance
(Y page 215) and Blind Spot Assist
(Y page 225) are only available with limita-
tions, or not at all.
i On vehicles without level control, the
height of the ball coupling will alter accord-
ing to the load placed on the vehicle. If nec-
essary, use a trailer with a height-adjusta-
ble drawbar.
Driving tips i
Observe the notes on ESP ®
trailer stabi-
lisation (Y page 75).
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. Refer to 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.
On long and steep downhill gradients, espe-
cially if the vehicle is laden or towing a trailer,
you must select shift range
1,2or 3.
i This also applies if you have activated
cruise control, SPEEDTRONIC or DIS-
TRONIC PLUS.
This will use the braking effect of the engine,
so less braking will be required to prevent the
vehicle from gaining 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.
Driving tips If the trailer swings from side to side:
X
Do not accelerate.
X Do not countersteer.
X Brake if necessary. 236
Towing
atrailerDriving an d parking

R
Maintain a greater distance from the vehi-
cle 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. G
WARNING
Vehicles with HYBRID: ensure that you read
the "HYBRID" supplement. You may otherwise
fail to recognise dangers. Saloon
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/luggage
compartment.
To open the cover (Saloon):
X
Slide luggage net ;down.
X Turn handle :anti-clockwise and fold
down cover =. Estate
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/luggage
compartment.
To open the cover (Estate):
X
Pull handle :in the direction of the arrow
and fold down cover ;. Towing
atrailer
237Driving an d parking Z

Saloon
To release and fol dout the ball coupling
(Saloon):
X Grip release wheel Aso that you rthumb
lies on the thumb rest.
X Turn release wheel Aanti-clockwise until
the ball coupling releases and folds out
from under the rear bumper. Indicator
lamp ?flashes. Estate
To release and fold out the ball coupling
(Estate):
X Grip release wheel ?so that your thumb
lies on the thumb rest.
X Turn release wheel ?anti-clockwise until
the ball coupling releases and folds out
from under the rear bumper. Indicator lamp
= flashes. X
Pull the ball coupling in the direction of the
arrow until it engages in a vertical position.
Saloon: indicator lamp ?goes out.
Estate: indicator lamp =goes out.
The multifunction display shows the
Check trailer hitch lock message
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 greased.
The power socket is integrated in the ball
coupling. Coupling up 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.
X Make sure that the transmission is in posi-
tion P.
X Apply the parking brake.
X Position the trailer level behind the vehicle.
X Couple up the trailer.
X Establish the electrical connection
between the vehicle and the trailer.
X Check that the trailer lighting system is
working. 238
Towing
atrailerDriving an d parking

Uncoupling
atrailer G
WARNING
If you uncouple a trailer with an engaged over-
ru nb rake, you could trap yourh and between
the vehicle and the trailer drawbar .This poses
a risk of injury.
Do not uncouple a trailer with an engaged
overrun brake. G
WARNING
Vehicles with level control:
If you disconnectt he trailer cable, the vehicle
is lowered. This can cause you or others to
become trapped between the vehicle body
and tyres, or underneath the vehicle. This
poses a risk of injury.
Make sure that no-one is in the immediate
vicinity of the wheel arch or underneath the
vehicle when disconnecting the trailer cable.
! Do not disconnect a trailer with an
engaged overrun brake. Otherwise, your
vehicle could be damaged by the rebound-
ing of the overrun brake.
X Make sure that the transmission is in posi-
tion P.
X Apply the 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. X
Place the protective covering on the ball
coupling. Saloon
The release wheel is located behind the left-
hand side trim panel in the boot/luggage
compartment.
To open the cover (Saloon):
X
Slide luggage net ;down.
X Turn handle :anti-clockwise and fold
down cover =. Estate
The release wheel is located behind the left-
hand side trim panel in the boot/luggage
compartment.
To open the cover (Estate):
X
Pull handle :in the direction of the arrow
and fold down cover ;. Towing
atrailer
239Driving an d parking Z

Saloon
To release and lowe
rthe ball coupling
(Saloon):
X Grasp release wheel Awith you rhand
such that the thumb is in the thumb rest
and turn it anti-clockwise.
The ball coupling unlocks and lowers. Indi-
cator lamp ?flashes. Estate
To release and lower the ball coupling
(Estate):
X Grasp release wheel ?with your hand
such that the thumb is in the thumb rest
and turn it anti-clockwise.
The ball coupling unlocks and lowers. Indi-
cator lamp =flashes. X
Press the ball coupling in the direction of
the arrow until it engages behind the
bumper.
Saloon: indicator lamp ?and the display
in the multifunction display go out.
Estate: indicator lamp =and the display
in the multifunction display go out.
i Fold the ball coupling back in if you are
no tu sing the trailer tow hitch. 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.
The trailer battery may not be charged from
the power supply.
X To switch the connected power supply
on or off: turn the key in the ignition lock
to position 2or 0respectively
(Y page 161).
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. 240
Towing
atrailerDriving an d parking

The trailer's permanen
tpower 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 instal-
ling the trailer electric sataqualified special-
ist workshop. Bulb failure indicator for LED lamps
i If LED lamps are fitted in the trailer, an
error message may appear in the multi-
function display even if there is no fault. The
reason for the error message could be that
the curren thas falle nbelow the minimum
of 50 mA.
To ensure reliable operation of the bulb 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 Trailers with 7-pin connector:
you can
make a connection to the 13-pin connector
on the ball coupling using an adapter plug or,
if necessary, an adapter cable. Both can be
obtained in a qualified specialist workshop.
Fitting the adapter !
Make sure that there is sufficien tcable
play so that the cable canno tbecome
detached when cornering. X
Open the socket cover.
X Insert connector with lug :into
groove ;of the socket. Turn the connec-
tor 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
atrailer
241Driving an d parking Z

Safety systems
Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
!÷
currently unavail‐
able See Owner's
Manual ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), ESP
®
(Electronic Stability Pro-
gram), BAS (Brake Assist), PRE-SAFE ®
, the HOLD function, hill
start assist and ESP ®
trailer stabilisation are temporarily unavail-
able.
The adaptive brake lights, BAS PLUS and PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may
also have failed.
In addition, the ä,åand! warning lamps light up in
the instrument cluster.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
For example, the on-board voltage may be insufficient.
G WARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
The steerability and braking characteristics may be severely affec-
ted. The braking distance in an emergency braking situation can
increase.
If ESP ®
is not operational, ESP ®
is unable to stabilise the vehicle.
The danger of skidding and having an accident increases.
X Drive on carefully.
If the display message disappears, the functions mentioned
above are available again.
If the display message continues to be displayed:
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. !÷
inoperative See
Owner's Manual ABS, ESP
®
, BAS, PRE-SAFE ®
, the HOLD function, hill start assist
and ESP ®
trailer stabilisation are unavailable due to a malfunction.
The adaptive brake lights, BAS PLUS and PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may
also have failed.
In addition, the J,ä,åand! warning lamps light
up in the instrument cluster.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
G WARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example. Display messages
269On-board computer and displays Z

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
The steerability and brakin
gcharacteristics may be severely affec-
ted. The braking distance in an emergency braking situation can
increase.
If ESP ®
is not operational, ESP ®
is unable to stabilise the vehicle.
The danger of skidding and having an accident increases.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop immediately. ÷
inoperative See
Owner's Manual ESP
®
, BAS, PRE-SAFE ®
, the HOLD function, hill start assist and
ESP ®
trailer stabilisation are unavailable due to a malfunction.
The adaptive brake lights, BAS PLUS and PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may
also have failed.
In addition, the äandå warning lamps light up in the
instrument cluster.
The self-diagnosis function may not be complete, for example.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
G WARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above.
The braking distance in an emergency braking situation can thus
increase.
If ESP ®
is not operational, ESP ®
is unable to stabilise the vehicle.
The danger of skidding and having an accident increases.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 270
Display messagesOn-board computer and displays

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
T!
÷
inoperative See
Owner's Manual EBD (electronic brake force distribution), ABS, ESP
®
, BAS, PRE-
SAFE ®
, the HOLD function ,hill start assist and ESP ®
trailer stabi-
lisatio nare unavailable due to a malfunction.
The adaptive brake lights, BAS PLUS and PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may
also have failed.
In addition, the ä,åand! warning lamps light up in
the instrument cluster and a warning tone sounds.
G WARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but withou tthe
functions listed above. The front and rear wheels could therefore
lock if you brake hard, for example.
The steerability and braking characteristics may be severely affec-
ted. The braking distance in an emergency braking situation can
increase.
If ESP ®
is not operational, ESP ®
is unable to stabilise the vehicle.
The danger of skidding and having an accident increases.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop immediately. J
Release parking
brake You are driving with the parking brake applied.
Awarning tone also
sounds.
X Release the parking brake. J
Brake immediately or
Vehicles with manual transmission
:with the HOL Dfunction acti-
vated, you have either:
R opened the driver's door and released the seat belt or
R switched off the engine or
R opened the bonnet.
At one may also sound at regular intervals. If you attempt to lock
the vehicle, the tone becomes louder.
You cannot start the engine.
X Paying attention to the traffic situation, immediately depress the
brake pedal firmly and hold until the display message disap-
pears.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 183).
You can restart the engine. Display messages
271On-board computer and displays Z

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
6
Rear centre mal‐
function Consult
workshop G
WARNING
The airbags or belt tensioners may either be triggered uninten-
tionally or, in the event of an accident, may no tbe triggered.
This poses an increased risk of injury.
SRS has malfunctioned at the rear centre. The 6warning lamp
also lights up in the instrument cluster.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 6
Left
windowbag mal‐
function Consult
workshop or
Right windowbag malfunc‐
tion Consult work‐
shop There is a malfunction in the left-hand and/or right-hand window-
bag.
The
6 warning lamp also lights up in the instrument cluster.
G WARNING
The left or right windowbag may either be triggered unintentionally
or, in the event of an accident, may not be triggered.
This poses an increased risk of injury.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. lights
i Display messages about LEDs:
This display message will only appear if all LEDs have failed. Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
b
Left cornering
light or
Right cor‐ nering light The left or right-hand cornering light is faulty.
X
Check whether you are permitted to replace the bulb yourself
(Y page 135).
or
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. b
Left dipped beam
or
Right dipped beam The left or right-hand dipped-beam headlamp is faulty.
X
Check whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
(Y page 135).
or
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. b
Trailer left tail
lamp or
Trailer right tail lamp The left or right-hand trailer tail lamp is faulty.
X
Check whether you are permitted to replace the bulb yourself.
or
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Display messages
275On-board computer and displays Z