Mercedes-Benz 2014 GLK Class - Manual (Page 217)

X Couple up the trailer.
X Establish all electrical connections.
Towing a trailer
There are numerous legal requirements
concerning the towing of a trailer, e.g. speed
restrictions. Make sure that your car/trailer
combination complies with the local
regulations:
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in your place of residence
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in the location to which you are driving
The police and local authorities can provide
reliable information.
Observe the following when towing a trailer:
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To gain driving experience and to become
accustomed to the new handling
characteristics, you should practice the
following in a traffic-free location:
-
cornering
- stopping
-
backing up
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Before driving, check:
-
the trailer tow hitch
- the safety switch for braked trailers
-
the safety chains
- electrical connections
- the lights
- the wheels
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Adjust the exterior mirrors to provide an
unobstructed view of the rear section of the
trailer.
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If the trailer has electronically controlled
brakes, pull away carefully. Brake manually
using the brake controller and check
whether the brakes function correctly.
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Secure any objects on the trailer to prevent
the cargo from slipping when the vehicle is
in motion.
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When you couple up a trailer, check at
regular intervals that the load is firmly
secured. If the trailer is equipped with
trailer lights and brakes, check the trailer
to ensure that these are working.
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Bear in mind that the handling will be less
stable when towing a trailer than when
driving without one. Avoid sudden steering
movements.
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The 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.
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If possible, avoid abrupt braking. Depress
the brake pedal moderately at first, so that
the trailer can activate its own brakes. Then
increase the pressure on the brake pedal.
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If the automatic transmission repeatedly
shifts between gears on uphill or downhill
gradients, shift to a lower gear using the
left-hand steering wheel paddle shifter.
A lower gear and lower speed reduce the
risk of engine failure.
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When driving downhill, shift to a lower gear
to utilize the engine's braking effect.
Avoid continuous brake application as this
may overheat the vehicle brakes and, if
installed, the trailer brakes.
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If the coolant temperature increases
dramatically while the air-conditioning
system is switched on, switch off the air-
conditioning system.
Coolant heat can additionally be dissipated
by opening the windows and by setting the
blower fan and the interior temperature to
maximum.
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When overtaking, pay particular attention
to the extended length of your vehicle/
trailer combination.
Due to the length of the vehicle/trailer
combination, you require additional road
space in relation to the vehicle you are
overtaking, before you can change back to
the original lane.
Towing a trailer
215
Driving and parking
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