Driv ing and pa rki ng, Towing a trailer – Mercedes-Benz GL-Class 2014 Owners Manual User Manual

Page 265

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uphill or downhill gradient in percentage

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on-road/off-road program selected

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condition of the differential lock for the

transfer case

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the LOW RANGE off-road gear is selected

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condition of the LOW RANGE off-road

gear

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the on-road trailer program is selected

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

manufacturer on the vehicle identification

plates and those for the towing vehicle under

"Technical data" (

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page 457).

G

WARNING

If the ball coupling is not installed correctly or

not secured with the bolt provided and the

corresponding spring cotter, the trailer may

come loose. There is a risk of an accident.
Always install and secure the ball coupling as

described. Before every journey, ensure that

the ball coupling is secured with the bolt and

the corresponding spring cotter.

G

WARNING

If you rest your foot on the brake pedal while

driving, the braking system can overheat. This

increases the stopping distance and can even

cause the braking system to fail. There is a

risk of an accident.
Never use the brake pedal as a footrest. Never

depress the brake pedal and the accelerator

pedal at the same time.

G

WARNING

When the vehicle/trailer combination begins

to lurch, you could lose control of it. The

vehicle/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.

!

Depressing the brake pedal constantly

results in excessive and premature wear to

the brake pads.

Please observe the manufacturer's operating

instructions for the trailer coupling if a

detachable trailer coupling is used.
Couple and uncouple the trailer carefully. If

you do not couple the trailer to the towing

vehicle correctly, the trailer could become

detached.
Make sure that the following values are not

exceeded:

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the permissible trailer drawbar noseweight

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the permissible trailer load

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the permissible rear axle load of the towing

vehicle

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the maximum permissible gross vehicle

weight of both the towing vehicle and the

trailer

The applicable permissible values, which

must not be exceeded, can be found:

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in the vehicle documents

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on the identification plates for the trailer

tow hitch and the trailer

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on the vehicle identification plate

If the values differ, the lowest value applies.

Towing a trailer

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