ECU MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 2016 MY16 Operator’s Manual
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: MERCEDES-BENZ, Model Year: 2016, Model line: SPRINTER, Model: MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 2016Pages: 290, PDF Size: 6.44 MB
Page 88 of 290

Changing bulbs
Important safety notes
GDANGER
Xenon bulbs carry a high voltage. You can get an electric shock if you remove the cover of
the Xenon bulb and touch the electrical con-
tacts. There is a risk of fatal injury.
Never touch the parts or the electrical con-
tacts of the Xenon bulb. Always have work on
the Xenon bulbs carried out at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
GWARNING
Bulbs, lamps and connectors can get very hot
when operating. If you change a bulb, you
could burn yourself on these components.
There is a risk of injury.
Allow these components to cool down before
changing a bulb.
!Make sure the bulbs are always securely
installed.
If your vehicle is equipped with Bi-Xenon bulbs,
you can recognize this by the following: the cone
of light from the Xenon bulbs moves from the
top to the bottom and back again when you start
the engine. For this to be observed, the low-
beam headlamps must be switched on before
starting the engine.
The bulbs and lamps are an essential compo-
nent of vehicle safety. You must therefore make
sure that these function correctly at all times.
Have the headlamp setting checked regularly.
RAlways switch off the vehicle's lighting sys-
tem before changing a bulb.
This will prevent a short circuit.
RDo not touch the glass tube of new bulbs with your bare hands. Always use a clean, lint-free
cloth or only touch the base of the bulb when
installing.
Even minor contamination can burn into the
glass surface and reduce the service life of the
bulbs.
RDo not use a bulb that has been dropped or
that has scratches on its glass tube.
The bulb could explode.
ROnly use bulbs in closed lamps which have
been designed for this purpose.
ROnly use spare bulbs of the same type and
with the prescribed voltage
RProtect the bulbs from moisture when in use.
If the new bulb still does not light up, consult a
qualified specialist workshop.
RHave the LEDs and bulbs of the following
lamps changed at a qualified specialist work-
shop:
-the additional turn signals in the exterior
mirrors
-the high-mounted brake lamp
-LED daytime running lamps (Bi-Xenon
headlamps)
-Bi-Xenon lamps (Bi-Xenon headlamps)
-front fog lamps
If you require assistance changing bulbs, con-
sult a qualified specialist workshop.
Front bulbs
Overview of bulb replacement – bulb
types
The following bulbs can be replaced. Bulb types can be found in the legend.
Vehicle swit hhalogen headlamps
:
Turn signal: PY21W
;Daytime running lamps: W21W
=Low-beam headlamps: H7 55W
?High-beam headlamps: H7 55W
AParking lamps/standing lamps: W5W
86Changing bulbs
Lights and windshield wipers
Page 122 of 290

On vehicles with a battery main switch, you must
first switch on the power supply (Ypage 118).
iTo unlock the steering, move the steering
wheel slightly while turning the key to position
1.
Preparing for a journey
Visual check of the vehicle exterior
XIn particular, check the following components
on the vehicle, and on the trailer as necessary:
Rlicense plates, vehicle lighting, turn signals,
brake lamps and wiper blades for dirt and
damage
Rtires and wheels for firm seating, correct
tire pressure and general condition
Rtrailer tow hitch for play and security
The trailer coupling is one of the most
important vehicle parts with regard to road
safety. The separate instructions issued by
the manufacturer pertaining to operation,
care and maintenance should be observed.
Rthat contour markings on attachments and
bodies are in good condition
XRectify any noticeable defects before com-
mencing the journey.
Checks in the vehicle
Emergency equipment and first-aid kit
XCheck the equipment to make sure that it is
accessible, complete and ready for use.
The first aid and breakdown assistance equip-
ment is in the front door stowage compartments
and behind the driver's seat.
Vehicle lighting
XTurn the key to position 2in the ignition lock.
XCheck the lighting system with the aid of a
second person.
XReplace defective bulbs (Ypage 86).
Before driving off
GWARNING
Objects in the driver's footwell may restrict
the clearance around the pedals or block a
depressed pedal. This jeopardizes the oper-
ating and road safety of the vehicle. There is a risk of an accident.
Stow all objects securely in the vehicle so that
they do not get into the driver's footwell.
When using floormats or carpets, make sure
that they are properly secured so that they do not slip or obstruct the pedals. Do not place
several floormats or carpets on top of one
another.
GWARNING
Unsuitable footwear can hinder correct usage of the pedals, e.g.:
Rshoes with thick soles
Rshoes with high heels
Rslippers
There is a risk of an accident.
Wear suitable footwear to ensure correct
usage of the pedals.
XSecure the load as per the loading guidelines
(Ypage 212).
XStow luggage items securely. Secure the load
as per the loading guidelines (Ypage 212).
XMake sure that the floormats and carpets are
properly secured so that they cannot slip and
obstruct the pedals.
XClose all doors.
Starting the engine
GWARNING
Combustion engines emit poisonous exhaust
gases such as carbon monoxide. Inhaling
these exhaust gases leads to poisoning. There
is a risk of fatal injury. Therefore never leave
the engine running in enclosed spaces with-
out sufficient ventilation.
!Do not depress the accelerator pedal when
starting the engine.
XBefore starting the engine, make sure that:
120Driving
Driving and parking
Page 133 of 290

Always park your vehicle safely and according to
legal requirements and secure it against rolling
away.
To ensure that the vehicle is properly secured
against rolling away unintentionally:
Rthe parking brake must be firmly applied
Rthe selector lever must be in positionPand
the key must be removed from the ignition
lock
Ron steep uphill or downhill gradients, the front
wheels must be turned towards the curb
Rthe rear axle must be secured, e.g. with a
wheel chock, on steep uphill or downhill gra-
dients
Use the wheel chock (
Ypage 132) to do so.
If you leave the vehicle parked for more than
three weeks:
Rconnect the batteries to a trickle charger or
Rdisconnect the vehicle's starter battery or
Rswitch off the electrical system using the bat-
tery main switch (Ypage 118) and
Rdisconnect the vehicle's auxiliary battery
Otherwise, you need to check the battery's con-
dition of charge every three weeks, since
standby power consumption can drain the bat-
tery. If the battery voltage is lower than 12.2 V,
the battery must be charged. Otherwise, the
battery may be damaged by exhaustive dis-
charging.
Be sure to observe the notes on disconnecting
and chargi ng th
e batteries under "Bat-
tery“ (Ypage 227). You can obtain information
about trickle chargers from a qualified specialist
workshop.
Parking brake
GWARNING
If you leave children unsupervised in the vehi-
cle, they could set it in motion by, for example:
Rrelease the parking brake.
Rshift the automatic transmission out of the
parking position P.
Rstart the engine.
In addition, they may operate vehicle equip-
ment and become trapped. There is a risk of
an accident and injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children unsupervised in the vehicle.
GWARNING
If you must brake the vehicle with the parking brake, the braking distance is considerably
longer and the wheels could lock. There is an
increased danger of skidding and accidents.
Only use the parking brake to brake the vehi-
cle when the service brake is faulty. Do not
apply the parking brake too firmly. If the
wheels lock, release the parking brake until
the wheels begin turning again.
The brake lamps are not illuminated when you
brake the vehicle using the parking brake.
As a rule, you may only apply the parking brake
when the vehicle is stationary.
XTo apply the parking brake: pull brake
lever :up as far as the last possible detent.
The c warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up if the engine is running.
iOn vehicles with a folding brake lever, you
can then press lever :down to the stop.
XTo release the parking brake: on vehicles
with a folding brake lever, first pull brake
lever :up to the stop.
XRaise brake lever :slightly and press
release knob ;.
XGuide brake lever :down to the stop.
The c indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out.
Parking131
Driving an d parking
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Page 134 of 290

Exceptionally, if the service brake fails, the park-
ing brake can be used to brake the vehicle in an
emergency.
XEmergency braking: press and hold release
button ;and carefully apply brake lever :.
Switching off the engine
GWARNING
The automatic transmission switches to neu-
tral position Nwhen you switch off the engine.
The vehicle may roll away. There is a risk of an
accident.
After switching off the engine, always switch
to parking position P. Prevent the parked vehi-
cle from rolling away by applying the parking
brake.
!If the coolant temperature is very high, e.g.
after driving on hilly roads, leave the engine
running at idle speed for about two minutes
before turning it off.
This allows the coolant temperature to return
to normal.
XStop the vehicle.
XShift the automatic transmission to position
P .
XApply the parking brake.
XTurn the key to position 0in the ignition lock
and remove it.
The immobilizer is activated.
XSecure the vehicle to prevent it from rolling
away (Ypage 130).
Wheel chock
Use the wheel chock or a similar object to pre-
vent the vehicle from rolling away, e.g. when
parking or changing a wheel.
Wheel chock in the load/passenger compartment
XTo remove the wheel chock on Cargo
Vans/Passenger Vans: pull restraining
cable :down a little and remove it from
retainer ;.
XRemove the chock.
iWhen stowing the wheel chock, make sure
that restraining cable :is holding it securely
in retainer ;.
Wheel chock to the rear of the chassis on the left
side of the vehicle (example)
XTo remove the wheel chock on Cab Chas-
sis:pull the locking springs down and remove
the wheel chock.
iWhen stowing the wheel chock, make sure
that it is secured in the retainer with the lock-
ing springs.
Parking the vehicle for a long period
If you park your vehicle for longer than
three weeks:
Rconnect the batteries to a trickle charger or
Rdisconnect the vehicle's starter battery or
132Parking
Driving an d parking
Page 141 of 290

Rules for driving off-road
!Always bear the vehicle's ground clearance
in mind and avoid obstacles, e.g. deep ruts.
Obstacles may damage the following parts of
the vehicle:
Rthe chassis
Rthe drive train
Rthe fuel and supply tanks
For this reason, you should always drive
slowly when driving off-road. If you have to
drive over obstacles, have the front
passenger direct you.
iWe recommend that you additionally carry a
shovel and a recovery rope with shackle in the
vehicle.
REnsure that loads and items of luggage are
securely stowed or lashed down
(
Ypage 212).
RBefore driving off-road, stop the vehicle and
shift to a low gear.
RIf the surface demands it, temporarily deacti-
vate ASR when pulling away (Ypage 53).
ROnly drive off-road with the engine running
and a gear engaged.
RDrive slowly and smoothly. Walking pace is
necessary in many situations.
RAvoid spinning the drive wheels.
RMake sure that the wheels always remain in
contact with the ground.
RDrive with extreme care over unknown terrain
where you can only see for a short distance.
As a precaution, get out of the vehicle to take
a look at the route to be taken in advance.
RCheck the water depth before fording.
RWatch out for obstacles (e.g. rocks, holes,
tree stumps and ruts).
RAvoid edges where the surface could crumble
or break away.
Checklist after driving off-road
!If you detect damage to the vehicle after
driving off-road, have the vehicle checked
immediately at a qualified specialist work-
shop.
Off-road driving places a higher demand on your
vehicle than normal road operation. Check your
vehicle after driving on rough terrain. By doing
so you will notice any damage in good time and reduce the risk of an accident for yourself and
other road users. Clean your vehicle thoroughly
before driving on public roads.
Observe the following points after driving off-
road, on construction sites and before driving on
public roads:
XVehicles with all-wheel drive:
deactivate
all-wheel drive (Ypage 148).
XActivate ASR (Ypage 53).
XClean the headlamps and tail lamps and
check them for damage.
XClean the front and rear license plates.
XClean the windshield, windows and exterior
mirrors.
XClean the steps, door sills and grab handles.
This increases safety of footing.
XClean the wheels and tires, wheel arches and
the underbody of the vehicle with a water jet.
This increases road grip, especially on wet
road surfaces.
XCheck the wheels and tires and wheel arches
for trapped foreign objects and remove them.
Trapped foreign objects can damage the
wheels and tires or may be fl
ung out from the
vehicle when you continue driving.
XCheck the underbody for trapped branches or
other parts of plants and remove them.
Trapped branches or other parts of plants
increase the risk of fire and can cause dam-
age to fuel lines, brake hoses and the rubber
bellows of axle joints and drive shafts.
XClean the brake disks, brake pads and axle
joints, particularly after operation in sand,
mud, grit and gravel, water or similarly dirty
conditions.
XCheck the entire floor assembly, the tires,
wheels, bodywork structure, brakes, steering,
chassis and exhaust system for any damage.
XCheck the service brake for operating safety,
e.g. carry out a brake test.
XIf you notice strong vibrations after driving off-
road, check the wheels and drive train for for-
eign objects again. Remove any foreign
objects which can lead to imbalances and
thus cause vibrations.
Driving tips139
Driving and parking
Z
Page 156 of 290

Problems with PARKTRONIC
ProblemPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
Only the red segments in
the PARKTRONIC warn-
ing displays are lit.
A warning tone also
sounds for approx-
imately 2 seconds.
PARKTRONIC is deacti-
vated after approx-
imately 20 seconds.
The indicator lamp of the
f button lights up
and the red segments in
the PARKTRONIC warn-
ing display go out.PARKTRONIC has malfunctioned and has switched itself off.
XIf problems persist, have PARKTRONIC checked at a qualified spe- cialist workshop.
The PARKTRONIC warn-
ing displays implausible
distances.
For example, all the seg-
ments may be lit even
though there is no obsta-
cle present.The PARKTRONIC sensors are dirty or iced up.
XClean the PARKTRONIC sensors (Ypage 236).
XTurn the key to position 2again in the ignition lock.
The license plate or other parts attached near the sensors may not be
secured correctly.
XCheck the license plate and attachment parts near the sensors for
correct seating.
An external radio or ultrasonic source may be causing interference.
XCheck PARKTRONIC functions in a different location.
Rear view camera
Important safety notes
The rear view camera is only an aid. It cannot
replace your own awareness of the immediate
surroundings. You are responsible for safe
maneuvering, parking and pulling away. When
maneuvering, parking and pulling away, make
sure that there are no persons, animals or
objects in the maneuvering area.
The rear view camera is a visual parking aid.
Information on operation can be found in the
separate Audio 15 supplement.
The camera is in the middle of the roof above the
high-mounted brake lamp (
Ypage 236).
You can find information on cleaning the camera
in the "Maintenance and care" section
(
Ypage 236).
Working mode
ADR (working speed governor)
General notes
When activated, ADR automatically increases
the engine speed to a preset speed or a speed
you have set.
iAfter a cold start, the idling speed of the
engine is increased automatically. If the pre-
set working speed is lower than the increased idling speed, the working speed is only
reached once the engine has completed the
warm-up phase.
It is only possible to activate ADR with the
vehicle stationary and the parking brake
applied.
The selector lever of the automatic transmis-
sion must be in position P.
154Working mode
Driving and parking
Page 157 of 290

Switching ADR on and off
XTo activate:press upper section :of the
E switch while the engine is running.
The indicator lamp in the switch comes on.
The K indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up or the display shows the fol-
lowing message: Operating speed gover‐
nor active.
XTo deactivate:press lower section ;of the
E switch while the engine is running.
The indicator lamp in the switch goes out.
ADR is automatically deactivated if:
Ryou release the parking brake.
Rthe brake pedal is depressed.
Rthe vehicle moves.
Rthe control unit detects a malfunction.
Setting the working speed
XActivate ADR.
XTo increase: press theEbutton.
XTo decrease: press theFbutton.
Towing a trailer
Notes on trailer towing
Important safety notes
GWARNING
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.
GWARNING
If you use a ball coupling that is not approved
for your vehicle, it may cause excessive strain
on the trailer tow hitch. This can cause dam-
age to the vehicle and the trailer may come
loose during the journey. The handling may be
impaired and the rear axle may be overloaded.
This may lead to an accident involving serious
or even fatal injury.
Therefore note the following:
ROnly install a ball coupling that is approved for your vehicle.
RBefore the journey, make sure that the ballcoupling is correctly installed and secured.
To do this, observe the operating instruc-
tions of the ball coupling manufacturer.
RDo not make any modifications to the ball
coupling or the trailer tow hitch.
You must observe the operating instructions
of the trailer tow hitch or ball coupling manu-
facturer.
GWARNING
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.
Towing a trailer155
Driving and parking
Z
Page 158 of 290

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.
GWARNING
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.
Always observe the operating instructions pro-
vided by the manufacturers of the trailer cou-
pling and the ball coupling.
Couple and decouple the trailer carefully. When backing up the towing vehicle, make sure
nobody is standing between the vehicle and the
trailer.
A trailer which is incorrectly coupled to the tow-
ing vehicle could break away. A correctly cou-
pled trailer must be positioned horizontally
behind the towing vehicle.
Ensure that the following weights are not excee-
ded:
Rthe permissible noseweight
Rthe permissible trailer load
Rthe permissible rear axle load of the towing
vehicle
Rthe permissible gross weight of both the tow-
ing vehicle and the trailer
Rthe permissible gross combination weight
The applicable permissible values that may not
be exceeded can be found:
Rin your vehicle documents
Ron the type plates for the trailer tow hitch
Ron the type plates for the trailer
Ron the vehicle identification plate
(Ypage 276).
Where the values differ, the lowest is valid.
You will find values approved by the manufac-
turer on the identification plates and those for
the towing vehicle in the "Permissible trailer loads and trailer drawbar noseweights" section
(
Ypage 159).
Your vehicle behaves differently with a trailer
than without one.
The vehicle/trailer combination:
Ris heavier
Ris restricted in its acceleration and gradient-
climbing capability
Rhas an increased braking distance
Ris more susceptible to strong crosswinds
Rrequires more sensitive steering
Rhas a larger turning circle
This may impair the handling characteristics.
When towing a trailer, always adjust your speed
to suit the road and w
eather conditions. Drive
carefully. Maintain a safe distance.
If you require any further explanation of the
information contained in the Operator's Manual,
please contact an authorized Sprinter dealer.
General notes
RObserve the legally prescribed maximum
speed for vehicle/trailer combinations in the
relevant country, state or Canadian province. Before setting off, check the vehicle docu-
ments of the your trailer to find out the per-
missible maximum speed.
This reduces the risk of accidents.
RInstall only an approved trailer coupling on
your vehicle. Only use a ball coupling that is
approved for your vehicle and Sprinter trailer
tow hitch. More information on the availabil-
ity, mounting and installation of the trailer
electrics is available at any qualified specialist
workshop.
RThe trailer coupling is one of the most impor-
tant vehicle parts with regard to road safety.
The notes on operation, care and mainte-
nance issued by the manufacturer should be
observed.
RThe bumpers of your vehicle are not suitable
for installing detachable trailer couplings.
RDo not attach rented trailer tow hitches or
other detachable trailer tow hitches to the
bumper.
RMinimize the risk of damage to the ball cou-
pling. If you do not require the ball coupling,
remove it from the ball coupling recess.
156Towing a trailer
Driving and parking
Page 160 of 290

Most federal states and all Canadian provinces
require by law:
Rsafety chains between the towing vehicle andthe 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 slack in the chains. This allows you to drive round tight corners.
Ra separate brake system for certain types of
trailer.
Ra safety shut-off for braked trailers. Find out
the specific requirements according to the
applicable laws.
If the trailer becomes detached from the tow-
ing vehicle, the safety feature 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 your vehicle/trailer combina-
tion complies with local laws. This not only
means where you live, but also anywhere you
are driving to. Information is available from the
police and local authorities.
Observe the following when towing a trailer:
RPractice driving around bends, stopping and
backing up at a place where there is no traffic.
This enables you to gain experience and get
used to the new handling characteristics.
RBefore driving, check:
-that the trailer tow hitch and ball coupling
are secure
-that the safety switch for a braked trailer is
functioning properly
-that the safety chains are secure and not
damaged
-that the electrical connections are secure
-that the lights are working
-that the wheels are in good order and the
tire pressure is correct
RAdjust the exterior mirrors to provide an
unobstructed view of the rear section of the
trailer.
RIf the trailer has electronically controlled
brakes, pull the vehicle/trailer combination
away carefully. Brake manually using the
brake controller and check that the brakes
are working.
RSecure the load on the trailer according to the
applicable specifications and current stand-
ards on securing loads (
Ypage 214).
RWhen driving with a trailer, check at regular
intervals that the load is secured and that the
brakes and lights 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 and has a decreased
gradient climbing capability and a longer
braking distance.
It is more susceptible to crosswinds and
requires cautious steering.
RIf possible, do not brake suddenly, but rather
moderately at first so that the trailer can acti-
vate its brakes. Then increase the force on the
brake pedal.
RIf the automatic transmission repeatedly
shifts between gears when driving on inclines,
restrict the shift range. Select shift range 4,3,
2 or 1.
Driving in a low gear and at a low speed
reduces the risk of damaging the engine.
RWhen driving on a downhill gradient, shift to a
low gear and take advantage of the engine's
braking effect.
Avoid continuous brake application as this
may overheat the vehicle brakes and, if inst
al-
led, the trailer brakes.
RIf the coolant temperature increases dramat-
ically while the air-conditioning system is
switched on, switch off the air-conditioning
system.
Coolant heat can also be dissipated by
switching the airflow and the temperature of
the heater/air conditioning to the maximum
level. Open the windows if necessary.
RWhen overtaking, pay particular attention to
the extended length of your vehicle/trailer
combination.
Due to the length of your vehicle/trailer com- bination you need an additional distance
before you can return to your original lane.
158Towing a trailer
Driving and parking
Page 161 of 290

Uncoupling a trailer
GWARNING
If you uncouple a trailer with the overrun
brake engaged, you could trap your hand
between the vehicle and the trailer drawbar.
There is a risk of injury.
Do not uncouple a trailer if the overrun brake
is engaged.
!Do not disconnect a trailer with an engaged
overrun brake. Otherwise, your vehicle could
be damaged by the rebounding of the overrun
brake.
XMake sure the selector lever of the automatic
transmission is in position P.
XApply the parking brake of the vehicle.
XClose all doors.
XApply the parking brake of the trailer.
XIn addition, secure the trailer against rolling
away with a wheel chock or similar object.
XRemove the trailer cable and safety chains
and decouple the trailer.
Permissible trailer loads and trailer
drawbar noseweights
Weight information
!On vehicles with a permissible gross vehicle
weight of 11030 lbs (5003 kg), the permissi-
ble gross combination weight is less than the total of the permissible gross vehicle weight
and the permissible trailer load. Exceeding
the permissible gross combination weight can
lead to damage to the drivetrain, to the trans-
mission or to the trailer tow hitch.
If the vehicle or the trailer is fully laden, the
relevant value for the permissible gross vehi-
cle weight or the permissible trailer load is
therefore lower. In this case, the trailer or the
vehicle may only be partially loaded.
The gross trailer weight (GTW) is calculated by
adding the weight of the trailer to the weight of
the load and equipment.
The maximum gross vehicle weight is vehicle-
specific and equipment-dependent: 5,000 lbs
(2,268 kg) or 7,500 lbs (3,402 kg).
The maximum permissible trailer drawbar nose- weight on the ball coupling is 500 lbs (227 kg) or 750 lbs (340 kg). The actual noseweight may not
exceed the value given on the identification
plates of the trailer tow hitch or the trailer. If the
values vary, the lowest value always applies.
The gross combination weight rating (GCWR) is
calculated by adding the gross weight of the
trailer to the gross vehicle weight including a
driver's weight of approximately 150 lbs (68 kg).
The permissible Gross Combination Weight Rat-
ing is vehicle-specific and depends on the equip-
ment level.
When driving with a trailer, you should not
exceed the permitted Gross Combination
Weight Rating (GCWR).
The permissible values, which must not be
exceeded, can be found in your vehicle docu-
ments and on the trailer tow hitch type plates for
the trailer and the vehicle (
Ypage 276). The
basic values approved by the manufacturer can
also be found in the "Technical data" section
(
Ypage 286). If the values vary, the lowest
value always applies.
Loading a trailer
!Utilize the maximum permissible nose-
weight as fully as possible. Do not allow the
weight to fall below the minimum permissible
noseweight, otherwise the trailer may come
loose.
RYou must distribute the load on the vehicle
and trailer so that the permitted maximum
values for the gross vehicle weight (GVWR),
gross trailer weight (GTW) and gross com-
bined weight (GCWR) as well as permitted
gross axle loads (GAWR) and noseweight
(TWR) of your vehicle are not exceeded.
RAdd the drawbar noseweight on the ball cou-
pling (TWR) to the rear axle load. This will pre-
vent you from exceeding the permissible
gross axle weight (GAWR).
RAdd the drawbar noseweight on the ball cou-
pling (TWR) to the vehicle payload. This will
prevent you from exceeding the permissible
gross vehicle weight (GVWR).
Checking the vehicle and trailer weight
RMake sure the weights of the towing vehicle
and the trailer comply with the maximum per-
missible values. Have the vehicle/trailer com-
bination weighed on a calibrated weigh-
bridge. The vehicle/trailer combination con-
sists of the towing vehicle including the driver,
Towing a trailer159
Driving and parking
Z