parking brake MERCEDES-BENZ GLC 2018 Service Manual

while the vehicle is exiting the parking space.
You are responsible for braking in good time. X
Start the engine. X
Release the electric parking brake. X
Switch on the turn signal in the direction you
are pulling away. X
Shift the transmission to position [ or ^ .
The Start Parking Pilot? Yes: OK No:
8 message appears in the multifunction
display. X
To cancel the procedure: press the 8
button on the multifunction steering wheel or
pull away.
or X
To exit a parking space using Parking
Pilot: press the v button on the multi-
function steering wheel.
The Parking Pilot Active Accelerate
and Brake Observe Surroundings mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display. X
Let go of the multifunction steering wheel. X
Pull away, being ready to brake at all times. Do
not exceed a maximum speed of approx-
imately 6 mph (10 km/h) when exiting a park-
ing space. Otherwise, Parking Pilot is can-
celed immediately. X
Depending on the message or as required,
shift the transmission to position [ or ^ .
Parking Pilot immediately steers in the other
direction. The Parking Pilot Active
Accelerate and Brake Observe Sur‐
roundings message appears in the multi-
function display.
i You will achieve the best results by waiting
for the steering procedure to complete before
pulling away.
If you back up after activation, the steering
wheel is moved to the straight-ahead posi-
tion. X
Drive forwards and reverse as prompted by
Parking Assist PARKTRONIC warning dis-
plays, several times if necessary.
Once you have exited the parking space com-
pletely, the steering wheel is moved to the
straight-ahead position. You hear a tone and the
Parking Pilot Finished message appears in
the multifunction display. You will then have to
steer and merge into traffic on your own. Park-
ing Assist PARKTRONIC is still available. You can
take over the steering before the vehicle has
exited the parking space completely. This is useful if you recognize that it is already possible
to pull out of the parking space.
Canceling Active Parking Pilot X
Stop the movement of the multifunction
steering wheel or steer yourself.
Parking Pilot is canceled immediately. The
Parking Pilot Canceled message appears
on the multifunction display.
or X
Press the Parking Assist PARKTRONIC button
( Y
page 193).
Parking Assist PARKTRONIC is switched off
and Parking Pilot is immediately canceled.
The Parking Pilot Canceled message
appears on the multifunction display.
Parking Pilot is canceled automatically when: R
the electric parking brake is engaged R
transmission position ] is selectedR
parking using Parking Pilot is no longer pos-
sible R
you are driving faster than 6 mph (10 km/ h)R
a wheel spins, ESP ®
intervenes or fails. In
such cases the

are no persons, animals or objects in the maneu-
vering area while maneuvering and parking in/
leaving parking spaces.
! When parking, pay particular attention to
objects above or below the sensors, such as
flower pots or trailer drawbars. Parking Assist
PARKTRONIC does not detect such objects
when they are in the immediate vicinity of the
vehicle. You could damage the vehicle or the
objects.
The sensors may not detect snow and other
objects that absorb ultrasonic waves.
Ultrasonic sources such as an automatic car
wash, the compressed-air brakes of a truck or
a pneumatic drill could cause Parking Assist
PARKTRONIC to malfunction.
Parking Assist PARKTRONIC may not function
correctly on uneven terrain.
! If you do not need the trailer tow hitch,
remove the detachable ball coupling. Parking
Assist PARKTRONIC measures the minimum
detection range to an obstacle from the
bumper, not the ball coupling.
Parking Assist PARKTRONIC is activated auto-
matically when you: R
switch on the ignition R
shift the transmission to position [ , ^ or
\\
Parking Assist PARKTRONIC is deactivated at
speeds above 11 mph (18 km/ h) . It is reactiva-
ted at lower speeds.
Parking Assist PARKTRONIC is deactivated for
the rear area when you establish an electrical
connection between your vehicle and a trailer.
Range of the sensors Parking Assist PARKTRONIC does not take into
account obstacles located: R
below the detection range, such as persons,
animals or objects R
above the detection range, e.g. overhanging
loads, tail sections or loading ramps of trucks C
Sensors in the front bumper, left-hand side
(example)
C
Approx. 24 in (approx. 60 cm) (corners) D
Approx. 32 in (approx. 80 cm) (corners)

This function is available in the range between
40 mph and 120 mph (60 km/ ha nd 200 km/h).
A warning may be given if a front wheel passes
over a lane marking. It will warn you by means of
intermittent vibration in the steering wheel for
up to 1.5 seconds.
Important safety notes
G WARNING
Lane Keeping Assist cannot always clearly
detect lane markings.
In such cases, Lane Keeping Assist can: R
give an unnecessary warning R
not give a warning
There is a risk of an accident.
Always pay particular attention to the traffic
situation and keep within the lane, especially
if Lane Keeping Assist alerts you.
G WARNING
The Lane Keeping Assist warning does not
return the vehicle to the original lane. There is
a risk of an accident.
You should always steer, brake or accelerate
yourself, in particular if warned by Lane Keep-
ing Assist.
Lane Keeping Assist can neither reduce the risk
of an accident if you fail to adapt your driving
style nor override the laws of physics. Lane
Keeping Assist cannot take into account the
road, traffic and weather conditions. Lane Keep-
ing Assist is merely an aid. You are responsible
for the distance to the vehicle in front, for vehi-
cle speed, for braking in good time and for stay-
ing in your lane.
The Lane Keeping Assist does not keep the vehi-
cle in the lane.
The system may be impaired or may not function
if: R
there is poor visibility, e.g. due to insufficient
illumination of the road, or due to snow, rain,
fog or spray R
there is glare, e.g. from oncoming traffic, the
sun or reflection from other vehicles (e.g. if
the road surface is wet) R
the windshield is dirty, fogged up, damaged or
covered, for instance by a sticker, in the vicin-
ity of the camera R
there are no, several or unclear lane markings
for a lane, e.g. in areas with road construction
work R
the lane markings are worn away, dark or cov-
e red up, e.g. by dirt or snow R
the distance to the vehicle in front is too small
and the lane markings thus cannot be detec-
ted R
the lane markings change quickly, e.g. lanes
branch off, cross one another or merge R
the road is narrow and winding R
there are highly variable shade conditions on
the roadway
Activating/deactivating Lane Keeping
Assist
X
To activate: press button D .
Indicator lamp C lights up. The Lane Keep‐
ing Assist On message appears in the mul-
tifunction display. If all conditions have been
satisfied, there may be a warning.
If you drive at speeds above 40 mph
(60 km/h) and lane markings are detected,
the lines in the assistance graphics display
( Y
page 231) are shown in green. Lane Keep-
ing Assist is ready for use. X
To deactivate: press button D .
Indicator lamp C goes out. Lane Keeping
Assist is deactivated. The Lane Keeping
Assist Off message appears in the multi-
function display.
Selecting Standard or Adaptive setting X
In the DriveAssist menu on the on-board
computer, select the Lane Keeping Assist
function ( Y
page 233). X
Select Standard or Adaptive .
Standard208
Driving systems
Driving an d parking

When Standard is selected, no warning vibra-
tion occurs if: R
you switch on the turn signals. In this event,
the warnings are suppressed for a certain
period of time. R
a driving safety system intervenes, e.g. ABS,
BAS or ESP ®
.
Adaptive
When Adaptive is selected, no warning vibra-
tion occurs if: R
you switch on the turn signals. In this event,
the warnings are suppressed for a certain
period of time. R
a driving safety system intervenes, e.g. ABS,
BAS or ESP ®
.R
you accelerate hard, e.g. kickdown. R
you brake hard. R
you steer actively, e.g. swerve to avoid an
obstacle or change lanes quickly. R
you cut the corner on a sharp bend.
In order that you are warned only when neces-
sary and in good time if you cross the lane mark-
ing, the system recognizes certain conditions
and warns you accordingly.
The warning vibration occurs earlier if: R
you approach the outer lane marking on a
bend. R
the road has very wide lanes, e.g. a freeway. R
the system detects solid lane markings.
The warning vibration occurs later if: R
the road has narrow lanes R
you cut the corner on a bend
Driving Assistance Plus package
General notes The Driving Assistance Plus package consists of
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC ( Y
page 170), Active
Blind Spot Assist ( Y
page 209) and Active Lane
Keeping Assist ( Y
page 212).
Active Blind Spot Assist
General notes
Active Blind Spot Assist uses a radar sensor
system, pointed toward the rear of the vehicle,
to monitor the area to the sides of the vehicle
which the driver is unable to see. A warning lamp lights up in the exterior mirrors and draws your
attention to vehicles detected in the monitored
area. If you then switch on the corresponding
turn signal to change lane, you will also receive
an optical and audible warning. If a risk of lateral
collision is detected, corrective braking may
help you avoid a collision. Before a course-cor-
recting brake application, Active Blind Spot
Assist evaluates the space in the direction of
travel and at the sides of the vehicle. For this,
Active Blind Spot Assist uses the forward-facing
radar sensors.
Active Blind Spot Assist supports you from a
speed of approximately 20 mph (30 km/ h) .
Important safety notes Active Blin d Spot Assist is only an aid and is not
a substitute for attentive driving.
G WARNING
Active Blind Spot Assist does not react to: R
vehicles overtaken too closely on the side,
placing them in the blind spot area R
vehicles which appr oach with a large speed
differential and overtake your vehicle
As a result, Active Blin d Spot Assist may ne i-
ther give warnings nor intervene in such sit-
uations. There is a risk of an accident.
Always observe the traffic conditions care-
fully, and maintain a safe lateral distance.
i USA only: This device has been appr oved by
the FCC as a "Vehicular Radar System". The
radar sensor is intended for use in an auto-
motive radar system only. Removal, tamper-
ing, or altering of the device will void any war-
ranties, and is not permitted by the FCC. Do
not tamper with, alter, or use in any non-
appr oved way.
Any unauthorized modification to this device
could void the user's authority to operate the
equipment.
i Canada only: This device complies wit h
RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is
subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference,
and
2. This device must accept any interference
rec eived, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the device.Driving systems 209
Driving and parking Z

If you select the reverse gear, Active Blind Spot
Assist is not operational.
The brightness of the warning lamps is auto-
matically adapted to the brightness of the sur-
roundings.
When Active Blind Spot Assist is activated, gray
radar waves propagating backward appear next
to the vehicle in the assistance display in the
multifunction display. Above a speed of 20 mph
(30 km/h), the color of the radar waves in the
assistance display changes to green D . Active
Blind Spot Assist is then ready for use.
Visual and acoustic collision warning If you switch on the turn signals to change lanes
and a vehicle is detected in the side monitoring
range, you receive a visual and acoustic collision
warning. You will then hear a double warning
tone and red warning lamp C flashes. If the turn
signal remains on, detected vehicles are indica-
ted by the flashing of red warning lamp C .
There are no further warning tones.
Course-correcting brake application
If Active Blind Spot Assist detects a risk of a lat-
eral collision in the monitoring range, a course-
correcting brake application is carried out. This
is meant to assist you in avoiding a collision.
G WARNING
A course-correcting brake application cannot
always prevent a collision. There is a risk of an
accident.
Always steer, brake or accelerate yourself,
especially if Active Blind Spot Assist warns
you or makes a course-correcting brake appli-
cation. Always maintain a safe distance at the
sides. If a course-correcting brake application occurs,
red warning lamp C flashes in the exterior mir-
ror and a double warning tone sounds. In addi-
tion, a display underlining the danger of a side
collision appears in the multifunction display.
In very rare cases, the system may make an
inappropriate brake application. A course-cor-
recting brake application may be interrupted at
any time by countersteering slightly or acceler-
ating.
The course-correcting brake application is avail-
able in the speed range between 20 mph
(30 km/h) and 120 mph (200 km/h).
Either no braking application, or a course-cor-
recting brake application adapted to the driving
situation occurs if: R
there are vehicles or obstacles, e.g. crash
barriers, located on both sides of your vehicle. R
a vehicle approaches you too closely at the
side. R
you have adopted a sporty driving style with
high cornering speeds. R
you clearly brake or accelerate. R
a driving safety system intervenes, e.g. ESP ®
or PRE-SAFE ®
Brake. R
ESP ®
is switched off. R
a loss of tire pressure or a defective tire is
detected.
Switching on Active Blind Spot Assist X
Make sure that Active Blind Spot Assist is
activated in the on-board computer
( Y
page 232). X
Switch on the ignition.
Warning lamps C in the exterior mirrors light
up red for approximately 1.5 seconds.
Gray radar waves propagating backwards
appear next to the vehicle in the assistance
graphic in the multifunction display D .
Above a speed of 20 mph (30 km/h), the color
of the radar waves in the assistance display
changes to green D . Active Blind Spot Assist
is then ready for use.Driving systems 211
Driving and parking Z

Active Lane Keeping Assist Genera l notes
Active Lan e Keepin g Assis t monitors th e area in
fron t of your vehicl e by mean s of multifunction
camera C at th e to p of th e windshield. Various
differen t areas to th e front, rear and side of your
vehicl e are also monitore d wit h th e aid of th e
radar sensor system. Active Lan e Keepin g
Assis t detects lan e marking s on th e road and
can warn you before you leav e your lan e unin-
tentionally. If you do no t reac t to th e warning , a
lane-correcting application of th e brakes can
bring th e vehicl e bac k int o th e original lane.
This function is available in th e range between
40 mph and 12 0 mph (60 km/h and 20 0 km/h).
Important safety notes If you fail to adapt your drivin g style, Active Lan e
Keepin g Assis t can neither reduce th e ris k of an
acciden t no r override th e laws of physics . Active
Lan e Keepin g Assis t canno t tak e accoun t of
road and weather conditions. It may no t recog-
niz e traffic situations. Active Lan e Keepin g
Assis t is only an aid. You are responsibl e for th e
distanc e to th e vehicl e in front, for vehicl e
speed, for braking in goo d time and for stayin g in
your lane.
Active Lan e Keepin g Assis t canno t continuously
keep your vehicl e in it s lane.
G WARNIN G
Active Lan e Keepin g Assis t canno t always
clearly detec t lan e markings. In suc h cases, Active Lan e Keepin g Assis t
can : R
giv e an unnecessary warning and then
mak e a course-correcting brak e application
to th e vehicl e R
no t giv e a warning or interven e
There is a ris k of an accident.
Always pay particular attention to th e traffic
situation and keep within th e lane, especially
if Active Lan e Keepin g Assis t alerts you. Ter -
minate th e intervention in a non-critical driv-
ing situation .
The system may be impaire d or may no t function
if: R
there is poor visibility, e.g. due to insufficien t
illumination of th e road , or due to snow, rain ,
fog or heav y spray R
there is glare, e.g. from oncomin g traffic, th e
sun or reflection from other vehicles (e.g. if
th e road surfac e is wet )R
th e windshield is dirty, fogged up, damaged or
covered, for instance by a sticker, in th e vicin-
it y of th e camera R
th e radar sensor s in th e fron t or rear bumpers
or th e radiato r trim are dirty, e.g. obscured by
snow R
there are no or several unclear lan e marking s
for on e lane, e.g. roadworks R
th e lan e marking s are wor n away, dark or cov-
ere d up, e.g. by dir t or snowR
th e distanc e to th e vehicl e in fron t is to o short
and thus th e l an e ma rking s canno t be detec -
te d R
th e lan e marking s chang e quickly, e.g. lanes
branch off , cross on e another or mergeR
th e road is narrow and windin gR
there are highly variable shad e condition s on
th e roadway
If no vehicl e is detecte d in th e adjacent lan e and
broke n lan e marking s are detected, no lane-cor-
recting brak e application is made .
Warning vibration in th e steering wheel
A warning may be given if a fron t whee l passes
ove r a lan e marking . It will warn you by mean s of
intermittent vibration in th e steering whee l for
up to 1. 5 seconds.212
Driving systems
Driving and parking

Lane-correcting brake application If you leave your lane, under certain circumstan-
ces the vehicle will brake briefly on one side.
This is meant to assist you in bringing the vehicle
back to the original lane.
G WARNING
A lane-correcting brake application cannot
always bring the vehicle back into the original
lane. There is a risk of an accident.
Always steer, brake or accelerate yourself,
especially if Active Lane Keeping Assist warns
you or makes a lane-correcting brake appli-
cation.
If a lane-correcting brake application occurs,
display C appears in the multifunction display.
The brake application also slightly reduces vehi-
cle speed.
A lane-correcting brake application can be made
after driving over a lane marking recognized as
being solid or broken. Before this, a warning
must be given by means of intermittent vibration
in the steering wheel. In addition, a lane with
lane markings on both sides must have been
detected.
In the case of a broken lane marking being
detected, a lane-correcting brake application
can only be made if a vehicle has been detected
in the adjacent lane. Oncoming vehicles, over-
taking vehicles and vehicles in adjacent lanes
can be detected.
A further lane-correcting brake application can
only occur after your vehicle has returned to the
original lane.
No lane-correcting brake application occurs if: R
you clearly and actively steer, brake or accel-
erate. R
you cut the corner on a sharp bend R
you have switched on the turn signal R
a driving safety system intervenes, e.g. ESP ®
,
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake or Active Blind Spot Assist R
you have adopted a sporty driving style with
high cornering speeds or high rates of accel-
eration R
ESP ®
is switched off R
the transmission is not in position [ .R
on vehicles with a trailer tow hitch, the elec-
trical connection to the trailer has been cor-
rect ly established R
a loss of tire pressure or a defective tire has
been detected and displayed. R
an obstacle has been detected in the lane in
which you are driving
Active Lane Keeping Assist may not detect other
road users or traffic situations. An inappropriate
brake application may be interrupted at any time
if you: R
steer slightly in the opposite direction R
switch on the turn signal R
you brake or accelerate significantly.
A lane-correcting brake application is interrup-
ted automatically if: R
a driving safety system intervenes, e.g. ESP ®
,
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake or Active Blind Spot Assist R
lane markings are no longer detected
Activating/deactivating Active Lane
Keeping Assist
X
To activate: press button D .
Indicator lamp C lights up. The Lane Keep‐
ing Assist On message appears in the mul-
tifunction display. If all conditions have been
satisfied, a warning or steering intervention
may be made.
If you drive at speeds above 40 mph
(60 km/h) and lane markings are detected,Driving systems 213
Driving and parking Z

the lines on the assistance graphic display are
shown in green ( Y
page 231). Active Lane
Keeping Assist is ready for use. X
To deactivate: press button D .
Indicator lamp C goes out. The Active Lane
Keeping Assist is deactivated. The Lane
Keeping Assist Off message appears in
the multifunction display.
Selecting Standard or Adaptive setting X
In the DriveAssist menu on the on-board
computer, select the Active Lane Keep‐
ing Assist function ( Y
page 233).X
Select setting Standard or Adaptive .
When Standard is selected, no warning vibra-
tion occurs if: R
you switch on the turn signals. In this event,
the warnings are suppressed for a certain
period of time R
a driving safety system intervenes, such as
ABS, BAS or ESP ®
When Adaptive is selected, no warning vibra-
tion occurs if: R
you switch on the turn signals. In this event,
the warnings are suppressed for a certain
period of time. R
a driving safety system intervenes, e.g.
ABS, BAS or ESP ®
R
you accelerate hard, e.g. kickdown. R
you brake hard R
you steer actively, e.g. swerve to avoid an
obstacle or change lanes quickly R
you cut the corner on a sharp bend
To ensure that you are warned only when nec-
essary and in good time if you cross the lane
markings, the system detects certain conditions
and warns you accordingly.
The warning vibration occurs earlier if: R
you approach the outer lane marking on a
bend R
the road has very wide lanes, e.g. a freeway R
the system detects solid lane markings
The warning vibration occurs later if: R
the road has narrow lanes R
you cut the corner on a bend
Towing a trailer
When you attach a trailer, make sure you have
correctly established the electrical connection. This can be accomplished by checking the trailer
lighting.
Towing a trailer
Important safety notes
G WARNING
Installing an unsuitable ball coupling may
result in overloading of the trailer tow hitch
and the rear axle. This applies especially if the
ball coupling in question is longer or angled
differently. This could seriously impair the
driving characteristics and the trailer can
come loose. There is a risk of an accident.
You should only ever install a ball coupling
that has the permissible dimensions and that
is designed to meet your trailer-towing
requirements. Do not modify the ball coupling
or the trailer tow hitch.
You will find the values approved by the manu-
facturer on the vehicle identification plates and
those for the towing vehicle under "Technical
data" ( Y
page 384).
G WARNING
When the vehicle/trailer combination begins
to lurch, you could lose control of it. The vehi-
cle/trailer combination could even rollover.
There is a risk of an accident.
On no account should you attempt to
straighten up the vehicle/trailer combination
by increasing the speed. Reduce vehicle
speed and do not countersteer. Apply the
brake as necessary.
! If you have a trailer tow hitch retrofitted,
changes to the engine cooling system may be
necessary, depending on the vehicle type.
If you have a trailer tow hitch retrofitted,
observe the anchorage points on the chassis
frame.
The installation of a trailer tow hitch is only per-
missible if a towing weight is specified in your
vehicle documents. If this is not the case, then
the vehicle is not approved for the towing of a
trailer.214
Towing a trailer
Driving an d parking

which the maximum permissible speed for vehi-
cle/trailer combinations is above 60 mph
(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 con-
sume more fuel.
Shift to a lower gear on long and steep downhill
gradients.
This also applies to: R
activated DISTRONIC PLUS R
activated cruise control
This will use the braking effect of the engine, so
that less braking will be required to maintain the
speed. This relieves the load on the brake sys-
tem 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 counter-steer. X
Brake if necessary. R
Maintain a greater distance from the vehicle
in front than when driving without a trailer. R
Avoid braking abruptly. If possible, brake gen-
tly at first to allow the trailer to run on. Then,
increase the braking force rapidly. R
The values given for gradient-climbing capa-
bilities from a standstill refer to sea level.
When driving in mountainous areas, note that
the power output of the engine and, conse-
quently, the vehicle's gradient-climbing capa-
bility, decreases with increasing altitude.
Installing the ball coupling
G WARNING
If the ball coupling is not correctly installed
and secured, it could come loose while driving
and endanger other road users. There is a risk
of an accident and injury.
Install and secure the ball coupling as descri-
bed in the ball coupling manufacturer's instal-
lation instructions. Make sure that the ball coupling is correctly installed and secured
before every journey.
G WARNING
If the ball coupling is not installed and secured
correctly the trailer may come loose. There is
a risk of an accident.
Install and secure the ball coupling as descri-
bed in the ball coupling installation instruc-
tions. Make sure that the ball coupling is
installed and secured correctly before every
journey.
X
Pull protective cap C in the direction of the
arrow, out of the ball coupling recess. X
Stow protective cap C so that it cannot be
thrown around. X
Observe the manufacturer's installation
instructions.
Observe the loading guidelines ( Y
page 290)
and the safety notes regarding stowage
spaces ( Y
page 290).
Coupling up a trailer
! Do not connect the trailer's brake system (if
featured) to the hydraulic brake system of the
towing vehicle, as the latter is equipped with
an anti-lock brake system. Doing so will result
in a loss of function of the brake systems of
both the vehicle and the trailer. X
Apply the vehicle's electric parking brake
manually. X
Start the engine. X
Shift the transmission to position ] .X
Vehicles with AIR BODY CONTROL: select
the Comfort drive program.216
Towing a trailer
Driving and parking

X
Switch off the engine. X
Close the doors and tailgate. X
Couple up the trailer. X
Establish the electrical connection between
the vehicle and the trailer. X
Check that the trailer lighting system is work-
ing. X
Push the combination switch upwards/down-
wards and check whether the corresponding
turn signal on the trailer flashes.
A trailer that is connected is recognized only
when the electrical connection is established
correctly and when the lighting system is work-
ing properly. The function of other systems also
depends on this, for example: R
ESP ®
R
PARKTRONIC R
Active Parking Assist R
Active Blind Spot Assist R
Active Lane Keeping Assist
Vehicles with AIR BODY CONTROL: if you couple
up a trailer, the vehicle always remains at high-
way level. Observe the following note when cou-
pling up a trailer: R
Unless highway level has been set manually,
the vehicle is automatically lowered to high-
way level. If a speed of 5 mph (8 km/h) has
been reached, this may be the case.
These restrictions apply to accessories that are
supplied with power via the trailer socket in your
vehicle, e.g. a rear bicycle rack.
Observe the maximum permissible trailer
dimensions (width and length).
Most U.S. states and all Canadian provinces
require by law: R
Safety chains between the towing vehicle and
the trailer. The chains should be cross-wound
under the trailer drawbar. They must be fas-
tened to the vehicle's trailer coupling, not to
the bumper or the axle.
Leave enough play in the chains to make tight
cornering possible. R
A separate brake system for certain types of
trailer. R
Safety switch for braked trailers. Check the
specific legal requirements applicable to your
state.
If the trailer becomes detached from the tow-
ing vehicle, the safety feature applies the
trailer brakes. Towing a trailer There are several legal requirements for towing
a trailer, e.g. the maximum permissible speed.
Make sure that your car/trailer combination
complies with the local regulations: R
in your place of residence R
at your destination
The police and local authorities can provide reli-
able information.
To accumulate driving experience and accustom
yourself to the new handling characteristics,
practice the following at a location where there
is no traffic: R
Cornering R
Stopping R
Backing up
Check the following before the journey: R
Trailer tow hitch R
Safety switch for braked trailers R
Safety chains R
Electrical connections R
Lighting system R
Wheels and tires R
Load securing
Adjust the exterior mirrors so that you have a
clear view of the rear section of the trailer.
If the trailer is equipped with electronically con-
trolled brakes, pull away carefully in the car/
trailer combination. Brake manually using the
brake controller and check whether the brakes
function correctly.
Regularly check that the load is secure.
When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristics will be different in comparison
with when driving without a trailer.
The vehicle/trailer combination: R
is heavier R
is restricted in its acceleration and gradient-
climbing capability R
has an increased braking distance R
is affected more by strong crosswinds R
demands more sensitive steering R
has a larger turning circle
Avoid sudden steering movements.
Avoid braking abruptly. If possible, brake gently
at first to allow the trailer to run on. Then,
increase the braking force rapidly.Towing a trailer 217
Driving and parking Z