power steering MERCEDES-BENZ GLE-Class 2016 W218 Owner's Manual

Battery (SmartKey)Checking .......................................... 81
Important safety notes .................... 81
Replacing ......................................... 81
Battery (vehicle)
Charging ........................................ 377
Display message ............................ 296
Important safety notes .................. 374
Jump starting ................................. 379
Overview ........................................ 374
Belt
see Seat belts
Blind Spot Assist
Activating/deactivating ................. 272
Display message ............................ 305
Notes/function .............................. 227
Trailer towing ................................. 229
see Active Blind Spot Assist
BlueTEC
Adding DEF .................................... 167
BlueTEC (DEF) .................................... 436
Brake Assist
see BAS (Brake Assist System)
Brake fluid
Display message ............................ 286
Notes ............................................. 438
Brake force distribution
see EBD (electronic brake force
distribution)
Brake lamps
Display message ............................ 293
Brake pedal
Pedal resistance/pedal travel .......... 44
Brakes
ABS .................................................. 66
Adaptive Brake Assist ...................... 70
BAS .................................................. 67
BAS PLUS with Cross-Traffic
Assist ............................................... 67
Brake fluid (notes) ......................... 438
Display message ............................ 281
High-performance brake system .... 185
Important safety notes .................. 183
Maintenance .................................. 184
Parking brake ................................ 179
RBS warning lamp .......................... 318
Recuperative Brake System ............. 44
Riding tips ...................................... 183 Warning lamp ................................. 317
Breakdown
Where will I find...? ........................ 369
see Flat tire
see Towing away
Brightness control (instrument
cluster lighting) ................................... 34
C
California
Important notice for retail cus-
tomers and lessees .......................... 26
Calling up a malfunction
see Display messages
Car
see Vehicle
Care
360° camera ................................. 366
Car wash ........................................ 361
Carpets .......................................... 368
Display ........................................... 367
Exhaust pipe .................................. 366
Exterior lights ................................ 365
Gear or selector lever .................... 367
Interior ........................................... 367
Matte finish ................................... 363
Notes ............................................. 361
Paint .............................................. 363
Plastic trim .................................... 367
Power washer ................................ 363
Rear view camera .......................... 365
Roof lining ...................................... 368
Seat belt ........................................ 368
Seat cover ..................................... 367
Sensors ......................................... 365
Side running board ........................ 365
Steering wheel ............................... 367
Trim pieces .................................... 367
Washing by hand ........................... 362
Wheels ........................................... 364
Windows ........................................ 364
Wiper blades .................................. 364
Wooden trim .................................. 367
Cargo compartment cover
Notes/how to use ......................... 334
Cargo compartment enlargement
Important safety notes .................. 332
Index5

Off-road ESP®..................................73
Off-Road program (vehicles with-
out Off-Road Engineering pack-
age) ............................................... 237
Off-road programs (vehicles with
Off-Road Engineering package) ...... 237
Oil
see Engine oil
On and Offroad menu (on-board
computer) .......................................... 276
On-board computer
AMG menu .....................................2 77
Assistance menu ........................... 271
Audio menu ................................... 269
Convenience submenu .................. 275
Display messages .......................... 280
Displaying a service message ........3 60
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 198
Factory settings submenu ............. 276
HYBRID menu ................................ 273
Important safety notes .................. 263
Instrument cluster submenu .......... 274
Lighting submenu .......................... 275
Menu overview .............................. 266
Message memory .......................... 280
Navigation menu ............................ 268
On and Offroad menu .................... 276
Operation ....................................... 264
RACETIMER ................................... 277
Service menu ................................. 273
Settings menu ............................... 273
Standard display ............................ 266
Telephone menu ............................ 270
Trip menu ...................................... 266
Vehicle submenu ........................... 275
Video DVD operation ..................... 270
Online access to the vehicle
Data protection .............................. 177
Functions ....................................... 178
General information ....................... 177
Internet .......................................... 178
Opening the fuel filler flap
(PLUG-IN HYBRID vehicles) ............ 164
Operating safety
Declaration of conformity ................ 29
Important safety notes .................... 28
Operating system
see On-board computer Operator's Manual
Vehicle equipme nt ........................... 26
Outside te

mperature display ........... 264
Overhead control panel ......................40
Override feature
Rear side windows ........................... 65
P
Paddle shifterssee Steering wheel paddle shifters
Paint code number ............................432
Paintwork (cleaning instructions) ... 363
Panic alarm .......................................... 44
Panorama roof with power tilt/
sliding panel
Important safety notes .................... 95
Opening/closing the roller sun-
blind ................................................. 98
Operating ......................................... 97
Operating the roller sunblinds for
the sliding sunroof ........................... 97
Problem (malfunction) ..................... 99
Reversing feature .............................9 6
Parking
Important safety notes .................. 178
Parking brake ................................ 179
Position of exterior mirror, front-
passenger side ...............................1 12
Rear view camera .......................... 217
see PARKTRONIC
Parking aid
Active Parking Assist ..................... 213
see 360° camera
see Exterior mirrors
see PARKTRONIC
Parking assistance
see PARKTRONIC
Parking brake
Display message ............................ 284
Electric parking brake .................... 179
Warning lamp ................................. 324
Parking lamps
Switching on/off ........................... 115
PARKTRONIC
Deactivating/activating ................. 212
Driving system ............................... 210
Function/notes .............................2 10
Index15

Side marker lamp (display mes-
sage)................................................... 294
Side windows
Cleaning ......................................... 364
Convenience closing feature ............ 92
Convenience opening feature ..........9 2
Important safety information ........... 91
Opening/closing .............................. 91
Overview .......................................... 91
Problem (malfunction) .....................9 5
Resettin g........................................ .93
Reversin gfeature ............................ .91
Sliding sunroof
Important safety notes .................... 95
Opening/closing .............................. 96
Problem (malfunction) ..................... 99
Resetting ......................................... 97
see Panorama roof with power
tilt/sliding panel
SmartKey
Changing the battery ....................... 81
Changing the programming .............8 0
Checking the battery ...................... .81
Convenience closing feature ............ 93
Convenience opening feature .......... 92
Dis play message ............................ 314
Door central locking/unlocking ...... .78
Important safety notes .................... 78
KEYLESS-GO start function .............. 80
Loss .................................................8 3
Mechanical key ................................ 80
Overview .......................................... 78
Positions (ignition lock) ................. 145
Problem (malfunction) ............ ......... 83
Starting the engine ........................ 147
Smartphone
Starting the engine ........................ 148
Snow chains
Informat

ion .................................... 390
Sockets
Center console .............................. 343
General notes ................................ 343
Luggage compartment ...................3 43
Rear compartment ......................... 343
Special seat belt retractor .................. 60
Specialist workshop ............................ 29
Speed, controlling
see Cruise control Speedometer
Digital ............................................ 267
In the Instrument cluster ................. 34
Segments ...................................... 263
Selecting the display unit ...............2 74
Standing lamps
Display message ............................ 293
Switching on/off ........................... 115
Start/stop function
see ECO start/stop function
Starting (engine) ................................ 147
STEER CONTROL .................................. 76
Steering
Display message ............................ 313
Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot
(DISTRONIC PLUS)
Activating/deactivating ................. 272
Display message ............................ 308
Steering assistant STEER CON-
TROL
see STEER CONTROL
Steering wheel
Adjusting (electrically) ................... 108
Adjusting (manually) ...................... 107
Button overview ............................... 36
Buttons (on-board computer) ......... 264
Cleaning ......................................... 367
Important safety notes .................. 107
Steering wheel heating .................. 108
Storing settings (memory func-
tion) ............................................... 113
Steering wheel heating
Problem (malfunction) ................... 109
Switching on/off ........................... 108
Steering wheel paddle shifters ........ 159
Stopwatch (RACETIMER) ................... 277
Stowage areas ................................... 329
Stowage compartments
Armrest (under) ............................. 330
Center console .............................. 331
C

enter console (rear) ..................... 331
Cup holders ................................... 339
Eyeglasses compartment ............... 331
Glove box ....................................... 330
Important safety information ......... 330
Stowage net ................................... 331
Stowage net ....................................... 331
Index19

Summer tires.....................................3 89
Sun visor ............................................ 340
Suspension setting
AMG adaptive sport suspension
system ...........................................2 09
Suspension settings
SETUP (on-board computer) .......... 277
SUV
(Sport Utility Vehicle) ....................... 28
Switching air-recirculation mode
on/off ................................................. 138
T
Tachometer ........................................ 263
Tail lamps
Display message ............................ 293
Tailgate
Display message ............................ 312
Emergency unlocking ....................... 90
Important safety notes .................... 87
Limiting the opening angle ...............9 0
Opening dimensions ......................4 41
Opening/closing (automatically
from inside) ...................................... 89
Opening/closing (automatically
from outside) ................................... 88
Opening/closing (from outside) ....... 88
Power closing .................................. 86
Tank
see Fuel tank
Tank content
Fuel gauge ....................................... 34
Technical data
Capacities ...................................... 433
Emergency spare wheel ................. 430
Information ....................................4 31
Tires/wheels ................................. 413
Trailer loads ................................... 445
Vehicle data ................................... 441
Telephone
Accepting a call (multifunction
steering wheel) .............................. 270
Display message ............................ 314
Menu (on-board computer) ............ 270
Number from the phone book ........2 70
Redialing ........................................ 271
Rejecting/ending a call ................. 270 Temperature
Coolant (display in the instrument
cluster) .......................................... 264
Coolant (on-board computer,
Mercedes-AMG vehicles) ...............2 77
Coolant (on-board computer) ......... 273
Engine oil (on-board computer,
Mercedes-AMG vehicles) ...............2 77
Outside temperature ......................2 64
Setting (climate control) ................ 134
Transmission oil (on-board com-
puter, Mercedes-AMG vehicles) ..... 277
Through-loading feature ................... 332
Time
see separate operating instructions
Timing (RACETIMER) ......................... 277
Tire pressure
Calling up (on-board computer) ..... 394
Checking manually ........................ 393
Displ ay message ............................ 309
Ma

ximum ....................................... 393
Not reached (TIREFIT) .................... 373
Notes ............................................. 392
Reached (TIREFIT) .......................... 373
Recommended ............................... 390
Tire pressure loss warning system
General notes ................................ 393
Important safety notes .................. 394
Restarting ...................................... 394
Tire pressure monitor
Checking the tire pressure elec-
tronically ........................................ 396
Function/notes .............................3 94
General notes ................................ 394
Important safety notes .................. 395
Radio type approval for the tire
pressure monitor ........................... 397
Restarting ...................................... 397
Warning lamp ................................. 328
Warning message .......................... 396
TIREFIT kit .......................................... 371
Important safety notes .................. 371
Storage location ............................ 369
Tire pressure not reached .............. 373
Tire pressure reached .................... 373
Tires
Aspect ratio (definition) ................. 407
20Index

Function
XTo activate/deactivate:activateor deacti -
vat ePRE-SAF E®Brake in th eon-board com-
puter (Ypage 272).
If th ePRE-SAF E®Brake is no tactivated, th e
æ symbol appear sin th emultifunction dis-
play.
If you have activated DS R (
Ypage 236), PRE-
SAFE®Brake is deactivated.
Starting at aspee dof aroun d 4mph (7 km/h),
this function warn syou if you rapidly approac h a
vehicl ein front. An intermittent warning tone
will then soun dand th e· distanc ewarning
lamp will ligh tup in th einstrumen tcluster.
XBrake immediately to defuse th esituation .
or
XTak eevasive action provide dit is saf eto do
so.
PRE-SAF E
®Brake can also brak eth evehicl e
automatically under th efollowin gconditions:
Rth edriver and front-passenger have their seat
belt sfastene d
and
Rth evehicl espee dis between approximately
4 mph (7 km/h) and 12 4mph (20 0km/h)
At speeds of up to approximately 44 mph
(70 km/h) PRE-SAF E
®Brake can also detect :
Rstationary objectsin th epat hof your vehicle,
e.g. stoppe dor parked vehicles
Rpedestrian sin th epat hof your vehicl e
iIf there is an increased ris kof acollision ,
preventive passenger protection measures
(PRE-SAF E
®)are triggered (Ypage 58).
If th eris kof collision wit hth evehicl ein fron t
remain sand you do no tbrake, tak eevasive
action or accelerate significantly, th evehicl e
may perfor mautomatic emergenc ybraking ,up
to th epoin tof full brak eapplication .Automatic
emergenc ybraking is no tperformed until imme-
diately prio rto an imminent accident.
You can preven tth eintervention of th ePRE -
SAFE
®Brake at any time by:
Rdepressing th eaccelerato rpedal further.
Ractivating kickdown .
Rreleasingth ebrak epedal. The braking action of PRE-SAF
E
®Brake is ended
automatically if:
Ryou maneuve rto avoi dth eobstacle .
Rthere is no longer any danger of acollision .
Rthere is no longer an obstacle detected in
frontof your vehicle.
STEER CONTROL
General information
STEE RCONTROL help syou by transmitting a
noticeable steering force to th esteering whee l
in th edirection require dfor vehicl estabilization .
This steering assistanc eis provide din particular
if:
Rbot hright wheels or bot hlef twheels are on a
wet or slippery road surface when you brake.
Rth evehicl estart sto skid.
Important safety notes
iObserv eth e"Importan tsafet ynotes" sec -
tion (Ypage 66) .
No steering support is provide dfrom STEE R
CONTROL, if:
RES P®is deactivated
RESP®is malfunctioning .
Rthelighting is faulty.
If ES P®is malfunctioning ,you will be assisted
further by th eelectrical power steering .
Protection against theft
Immobilizer
XTo activate with theSmartKey :remove th e
SmartKey from th eignition lock.
XTo activate with KEYLESS-GO: switch the
ignition off and open th edriver' sdoor .
XTo deactivate: switch on theignition .
The immobilize rprevents your vehicl efrom
bein gstarted without th ecorrect SmartKey.
When leaving th evehicle, always tak eth e
SmartKey wit hyou and loc kth evehicle. Anyon e
can start th eengin eif avalid SmartKey has been
lef tinside th evehicle.
76Protection against theft
Safety

GWARNING
If you switch off the ignition while driving,
safety-relevant functions are only available
with limitations, or not at all. This could affect, for example, the power steering and the brake
boosting effect. You will require considerably
more effort to steer and brake. There is a risk
of an accident.
Do not switch off the ignition while driving.
GWARNING
If the parking brake has not been fully
released when driving, the parking brake can:
Roverheat and cause a fire
Rlose its hold function.
There is a risk of fire and an accident. Release
the parking brake fully before driving off.
!Do not warm up the engine with the vehicle
stationary. Drive off immediately. Avoid high
engine speeds and driving at full throttle until
the engine has reached its operating temper-
ature.
Only shift the automatic transmission to the
desired drive position when the vehicle is sta-
tionary.
Where possible, avoid spinning the drive
wheels when pulling away on slippery roads.
You could otherwise damage the drive train.
!Mercedes-AMG vehicles: at low engine oil
temperatures below 68 ‡ (+20 †), the max-
imum engine speed is restricted in order to
protect the engine. To protect the engine and
maintain smooth engine operation, avoid driv-
ing at full throttle when the engine is cold.
Observe the important safety notes for PLUG-IN
HYBRID vehicles (
Ypage 42).
SmartKey positions
SmartKey
gTo remove the SmartKey
1Power supply for some consumers, such as
the windshield wipers
2Ignition (power supply for all consumers)
and drive position
3To start the engine
As soon as the ignition is switched on, all the
indicator lamps in the instrument cluster light
up. Further information on situations where an
indicator lamp either fails to go out after starting
the engine or lights up while driving
(
Ypage 317).
If the SmartKey is in position 0in the ignition
lock for an extended period of time, it can no
longer be turned in the ignition lock. The steer-
ing is then locked. To unlock, remove the Smart-
Key and reinsert it into the ignition lock.
The steering is locked when you remove the
SmartKey from the ignition lock.
XRemove the SmartKey when the engine is
switched off.
The starter battery could otherwise be dis-
charged.
If you cannot turn the SmartKey in the ignition
lock, the starter battery may not be charged
sufficiently.
XCheck the starter battery and charge it if nec-
essary (Ypage 377).
or
XJump-start the vehicle (Ypage 379).
iThe SmartKey can be turned in the ignition
lock even if it is not the correct SmartKey for
the vehicle. The ignition is not switched on.
The engine cannot be started.
Driving145
Driving and parking
Z

If your seat belt is not fastened, the following
conditions must be fulfilled to automatically
release the electric parking brake:
Rthe driver's door is closed.
Ryou have shifted out of transmission position
Por you have previously driven faster than
2 mph (3 km/h).
iEnsure that you do not depress the accel-
erator pedal unintentionally. Otherwise the
parking brake will be released and the vehicle
will start to move.
Emergency braking
The vehicle can also be braked during an emer-
gency by using the electric parking brake.
XWhile driving, push handle :of the electric
parking brake.
The vehicle is braked for as long as the handle
of the electric parking brake is pressed. The
longer the electric parking brake handle is
depressed, the greater the braking force.
During braking:
Ra warning tone sounds
Rthe ReleasePark.Brakemessage appears
Rthe red F(USA only) or !(Canada
only) indicator lamp in the instrument cluster flashes
When the vehicle has been braked to a stand-
still, the electric parking brake is engaged.
Parking the vehicle for a long period
If you leave the vehicle parked for longer than
four weeks, the battery may be damaged by
exhaustive discharging. If you leave the vehicle parked for longer than six
weeks, the vehicle may suffer damage as a
result of lack of use.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop and seek
advice.
iYou can obtain information about trickle
chargers from a qualified specialist work-
shop.
PLUG-IN HYBRID vehicles: observe the impor-
tant safety notes for the high-voltage battery
(
Ypage 376).
Driving tips
General notes
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If you switch off the ignition while driving,
safety-relevant functions are only available
with limitations, or not at all. This could affect, for example, the power steering and the brake
boosting effect. You will require considerably
more effort to steer and brake. There is a risk
of an accident.
Do not switch off the ignition while driving.
GWARNING
If you operate mobile communication equip-
ment while driving, you will be distracted from traffic conditions. You could also lose control
of the vehicle. There is a risk of an accident.
Only operate this equipment when the vehicle
is stationary.
Observe the legal requirements for the country
in which you are driving. Some jurisdictions pro-
hibit the driver from using a mobile phone while
driving a vehicle.
If you make a call while driving, always use
hands-free mode. Only operate the telephone
when the traffic situation permits. If you are
unsure, pull over to a safe location and stop
before operating the telephone.
Bear in mind that at a speed of only 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), the vehicle covers a
distance of 44 ft (approximately 14 m)per sec-
ond.
Driving tips181
Driving and parking
Z

Charging the high-voltage battery when
stationary
The engine and electric motor are switched off.
The arrows for the energy flow are not shown.
Further information on charging the high-volt-
age battery via:
Ra mains socket (Ypage 172)
Ra charging station (Ypage 175)
Ra wallbox (Ypage 175)
Displaying the total range and electrical
range
The approximate range is based on the current
driving style.
XPress the=or; button on the steering
wheel to select the Tripmenu.
XConfirm by pressing aon the steering
wheel.
XPress :or9 to select the approximate
total range and electrical range.
Displaying fuel consumption and gen-
erated electricity
:Fuel consumption
;Electrical energy generated
Every bar of the graph displays the average
value for one minute.
Fuel consumption indicator :may differ from
the indicator in the From
Starttrip computer in
the Tripmenu.
To reset values: the values are reset along with
the From Start
trip computer (Ypage 266).
XTo select Consumption: turn and press the
controller.
The display of the multimedia system shows
fuel consumption :and electrical energy
generated ;for the past 15 minute sof driv-
ing.
Starting the engine
The vehicle starts in electric mode without the
internal combustion engine (noiseless start).
The internal combustion engine starts only after
the power demanded by the driver exceeds the
available power that the electric motor can cur-
rently provide.
Noiseless start operation is dependent on the
outside temperature and the operating temper-
ature of the internal combustion engine. If not all
conditions for noiseless start operation are ful-
filled, the vehicle starts with the internal com-
bustion engine.
250PLUG-IN HYBRID operation
Driving and parking

Activating when driving with the electric motor:
XPull the left or right steering wheel paddle
shifter (Ypage 159).
The combustion engine is switched on. Man-
ual gearshifting is activated temporarily. The
selected gear and Mappear in the multifunc-
tion display.
Activating when driving with the combustion
engine:
XPull the left or right steering wheel paddle
shifter (Ypage 159).
Manual gearshifting is activated temporarily.
The selected gear and Mappear in the multi-
function display.
The ECO start/stop function is not available
when manually changing gear.
For further information on the manual drive pro-
gram (
Ypage 159).
Driving tips
General driving tips
Drive carefully and maintain a safe distance
from the vehicle in front. Avoid frequent and
sudden acceleration as well as abrupt braking.
During partial electric driving, pulling away and
acceleration, the electric motor supports the
internal combustion engine.
During overrun in transmission position Dand
braking, the electric motor will operate as a gen-
erator.
Further information on the ECO start/stop func-
tion (
Ypage 253).
Additional driving tips (
Ypage 181).
Stationary vehicle
If the vehicle is stopped, the combustion engine
is, for the most part, switched off. Automatic
climate control continues to function. The elec-
tromechanically assisted steering gear allows
you to use the power steering without reduced
comfort.
Acceleration
Depending on the operating mode, pulling away
and driving under low load conditions are per-
formed:
Rentirely by electric propulsion
Rin combination with the internal combustion
engine When accelerating rapidly under increased or
full load, increased boost mode is utilized. The
electric motor supports the combustion engine
by providing additional drive torque.
Overrun mode or braking
There are three possible operating modes when
the hybrid vehicle is decelerating:
Renergy recovery takes place even when the
vehicle is decelerating purely in overrun mode
(
Ypage 242). The electric motor operates as
a generator and stores the recovered energy
in the high-voltage battery.
Rwhen the brakes are applied lightly, the vehi-
cle is slowed down further by the electric
motor. This increases the energy recovery
taking place (
Ypage 242). The electric motor
operates as a generator and stores the recov- ered energy in the high-voltage battery.
Rwhen the brakes are applied with greater
force, the service brakes are also used to slow
the vehicle down. The two systems work
together.
Urban driving
In city traffic, energy is recuperated during fre-
quent deceleration phases.
The vehicle can be driven by the electric motor
alone up to a speed of approximately 80 mph
(130 km/h).
The vehicle is driven by the electric motor alone
only when all conditions for the automatic
engine switch-off are fulfilled.
Further information on the automatic engine
switch-off (
Ypage 253).
Driving on inter-urban roads
The following phases are possible when driving
on inter-urban roads:
Rrapid acceleration (boost mode)
Renergy recuperation
Relectric operation mode
The vehicle can be driven by the electric motor
alone up to a speed of approximately 74 mph
(120 km/h).
A great deal of recovered energy may be avail-
able, depending on the route profile. This
reduces consumption and emissions.
252PLUG-IN HYBRID operation
Driving an d parking

XEstablish the electrical connection between
the vehicle and the trailer.
XCheck that the trailer lighting system is work-
ing.
XPush 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:
RESP®
RPARKTRONIC
RActive Parking Assist
RActive Blind Spot Assist
RActive Lane Keeping Assist
iVehicles with the AIRMATIC package: if you
couple up a trailer, the vehicle always remains
at normal level. When coupling up a trailer,
please observe the following:
RIf the normal level has not been set man-
ually, the vehicle is automatically lowered
to normal level. This is the case if a speed of
5 mph (8 km/h) is reached.
RThe Sport drive program is not available.
These restrictions apply to all accessories
powered through a connection to the trailer
power socket of your vehicle, e.g. a bicycle
carrier.
Observe the maximum permissible trailer
dimensions (width and leng
th).
Most U.S. states and all Canadian provinces
require by law:
RSafety 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.
RA separate brake system for certain types of
trailer.
RSafety 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 switch applies the
trailer brakes.
Towing a trailer
There are numerous legal requirements con-
cerning the towing of a trailer, e.g. speed restric- tions. Make sure that your car/trailer combina-
tion complies with the local regulations:
Rin your place of residence
Rin the location to which you are driving
The police and local authorities can provide reli- able information.
Observe the following when towing a trailer:
RTo gain driving experience and to become
accustomed to the new handling characteris-
tics, you should practice the following in a
traffic-free location:
-cornering
-stopping
-backing up
RBefore driving, check:
-trailer tow hitch
-safety switch for braked trailers
-safety chains
-electrical connections
-lights
-wheels
RAdjust the exterior mirrors to provide an
unobstructed view of the rear section of the
trailer.
RIf the trailer has electronically controlled
brakes, pull away carefully. Brake manually
using the brake controller and check whether
the brakes function correctly.
RSecure any objects on the trailer to prevent
the cargo from slipping when the vehicle is in
motion.
RWhen you couple up a trailer, check at regular
intervals that the load is firmly secured. If the
tra
iler is equipped with trailer lights and
brakes, check the trailer to ensure that these
are working.
RBear in mind that the handling will be less
stable when towing a trailer than when driving
without one. Avoid sudden steering move-
ments.
RThe vehicle/trailer combination is heavier,
accelerates more slowly, has a decreased
gradient climbing capability and a longer
braking distance.
It is more susceptible to side winds and
requires more careful steering.
260Towing a trailer
Driving an d parking