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Driving instructions
286
Do not attempt to straighten out the tow
vehicle and trailer by increasing the speed.
R
If the transmission shifts between gears on
inclines repeatedly, shift to a lower gear
range manually (Y page 140). Select 4, 3,
2 or 1.
A lower gear and reduction of speed
reduces the chance of engine overloading
and/or overheating.
R
When going down an incline, shift into a
lower gear and use the engine’s braking
effect.
Avoid riding the brakes, thus overheating
the vehicle and trailer brakes (if so
equipped).
R
If the engine coolant rises to an extremely
high temperature when the air conditioning
is on, turn off the air conditioning system.
Engine coolant heat can be additionally
vented by opening the windows, switching
the climate control fan speed to high and
setting the temperature control to the
maximum.
R
Extreme care must be exercised since your
vehicle with a trailer will require additional
passing distance ahead than when driving
without a trailer.
Because your vehicle and trailer is longer
than your vehicle alone, you will also need
to go much farther ahead of the passed
vehicle before you can return to your lane.
Decoupling the trailer
G
Warning!
Vehicles with AIRMATIC: While you are
coupling or decoupling a trailer, make sure
nobody locks or unlocks the vehicle and/
or opens or closes doors or the tailgate.
The vehicle’s level could change and you
could endanger yourself and/or others as
a result.
Make sure that you do not operate the ADS
switch or the vehicle level control system
when coupling/decoupling the trailer.
X
Make sure the automatic transmission is in
park position P (Y page 137).
X
Engage the parking brake for the vehicle
(Y page 134).
X
Start the engine (Y page 129).
X
Close all doors and the tailgate.
X
Engage the parking brake for the trailer.
G
Warning!
Vehicles with AIRMATIC: As soon as you
disconnect the electrical connection
between the trailer and the vehicle, the
vehicle will lower. To help avoid personal
injury, make sure no one is near the wheel
housing or underneath the vehicle before
the electrical connection is disconnected.
When you decouple the trailer, the vehicle
is temporarily raised because the springs
are relieved of load. Be especially careful
during this process, as you could otherwise
injure yourself and/or others. Make sure
that any persons remaining in the vehicle
do not press the switches for vehicle level
control or the ADS.
X
Disconnect all electrical plug connectors.
X
Decouple the trailer.
X
Make sure that the trailer coupling is free
of load.
X
Turn off the engine (Y page 134).
Operation