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Towing bracket device
●
Alwa
ys correctly load the trailer.
●
Always secure loads correctly with suitable
and undamaged attachment rope or straps.
Driving with a trailer
Adjusting the headlights
When tow
ing a trailer, the front of the vehicle
may rise and so the dipped beam headlights
may blind other drivers. Use the headlight
range control to lower the cone of light. If you
do not have headlight range control, have
the headlights adjusted by a specialised
workshop. Vehicles with high-intensity dis-
charge lamps adapt automatically and do not
require adjustment.
Things to note when towing a trailer or cara-
van
●
If the trailer has an overru
n brake, apply
the brakes gently at first and then, firmly.
This will prevent the jerking that can be
caused by the trailer wheels locking.
●
As of the combined vehicle and trailer
mass, braking distances will be greater.
●
Select a low gear before driving down a
steep hill to use the engine braking effect to
slow down the vehicle. Otherwise, the brak-
ing system could overheat and fail.
●
The vehicle centre of gravity and handling
change because of the trailer load and be-
cause of the increased combined mass of the
vehicle and trailer.
●
If the towing vehicle is empty and the trail-
er loaded then the load distribution is incor-
rect. If you must travel in these conditions,
drive carefully and reduce your speed accord-
ingly.
Hill starts with a trailer
Depending on the hill and the gross com-
bined weight, it is possible that the com-
bined vehicle and trailer “move backwards”
slightly.
For a hill start with a trailer, proceed as fol-
lows:
●
Press and hold the brake pedal.
●
Press the button once to turn off the
electric parking brake ››› page 188.
●
Press and hold the button to hold the
vehicle and trailer combination using the
parking brake.
●
With a manual gearbox: press the clutch
pedal to the floor.
●
Engage first gear or the gear range D
››› page 193, Gearbox.
●
Release the brake pedal.
●
Move off slowly. To do this, gently release
the clutch pedal (for manual gearbox).
●
Release the button only when the en-
gine provides sufficient power to move the
vehicle and trailer combination.
WARNING
Jerking the trailer in an unsuitable manner
coul
d cause loss of vehicle control with the
subsequent serious consequences.
●
Driving with a trailer and transporting
heavy or a large objects will change the vehi-
cle handling and braking distances.
●
Anticipate traffic and be extremely cau-
tious. Brake early.
●
Adjust your speed and driving style to visi-
bility, road, traffic and weather conditions.
Reduce your speed, especially on steep hills.
●
Accelerate gently and carefully. Avoid brus-
que manoeuvres and sudden braking.
●
Always take the following precautions seri-
ously. Reduce your speed immediately if you
observe the trailer rocking from side to side.
●
Never try to stop the “snaking” by increas-
ing speed.
●
Always take the speed limits for vehicles
with and without trailers into account.
243
Technical dataAdviceOperationEmergenciesSafety
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