Get Driving and parking -> Trailer hitch Guide for Mercedes C Class 4 Door 2023

Driving and parking

421

To activate the straightening manoeuvre:

select 1.

The maximum articulation angle depends on

the length of the trailer. The system calculates

this by driving the vehicle forwards, including

cornering. Before the trailer length has been

calculated, the maximum articulation angle is

approximately 23°. The longer the trailer is,

the higher the maximum articulation angle

(max. approximately 60°).

WARNING Risk of accident due to car/

trailer combination swerving

The system calculates the articulation angle in

such a way that the direction of the trailer at

the time of activation is maintained. There is a

short countersteering movement of the trailer

while the vehicle is reversed, guiding it back to

the desired line. In this way, the vehicle is

aligned straight with the trailer, and, at the

same time, the trailer's direction is main-

tained.

If you drive too fast in trailer operation, the

car/trailer combination may start to swerve.

This could cause you to lose control of the

car/trailer combination. The car/trailer com-

bination may even overturn.

Be aware of all surroundings and always

remain ready to brake.

Under no circumstances should you try

to straighten the car/trailer combination

by increasing your speed.

Reduce the speed and do not counter-

steer.

Trailer hitch

Notes on trailer operation

To activate the 90° manoeuvre:

Align the vehicle in the same direction

(line) as the trailer.

Brake if necessary.

NOTE The operating permit may be invali-

dated due to the illegal installation of

trailer hitches

Select (leꢀ or right) 2.

NOTE Damage to the engine due to over-

heating

The system calculates the articulation angle

so you can manoeuvre the trailer at the small-

est possible angle into a driveway perpendicu-

lar to your vehicle. Aꢀer the manoeuvre, the

vehicle is aligned again in the trailer's direc-

tion.

If you have a trailer hitch retroﬁtted,

modiﬁcations to the engine cooling sys-

tem may be necessary depending on the

vehicle type.

The installation – including retroﬁtting – of a

non-folding or non-removable trailer hitch that

even partially conceals the license plate or the

lighting system is prohibited.

Observe the applicable legal regulations

for the installation of trailer hitches.

Accelerate and brake as required.

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Driving and parking

422

Ensure the following before starting a journey:

Always engage the ball neck as descri-

bed.

If you have a trailer tow hitch retroﬁtted,

observe the fastening points on the vehicle

frame.

The tyre pressure on the rear axle of the tow-

ing vehicle is set for a maximum load

The lighting of the connected trailer is opera-

tional

WARNING Risk of injury from ball neck

swinging outwards

Retroﬁtting a trailer hitch is permissible only if a

trailer load is speciﬁed in your vehicle documents.

If this is not the case, the vehicle is not approved

for trailer operation.

Further information can be obtained at a qualiﬁed

specialist workshop.

The ball neck may swing outwards when

unlocking or when it has not been properly

engaged.

There is a risk of injury within the ball neck's

range of movement!

In the event of increased rear axle load, the car/

trailer combination must not exceed a maximum

speed of 100 km/h for reasons concerning the

operating permit. This also applies in countries in

which the permissible maximum speed for car/

trailer combinations is above 100 km/h.

Observe the following notes on the tongue weight:

Unlock the ball neck only when its range

of movement is unobstructed.

Always be sure the ball neck is engaged

when folding inwards.

Do not use a tongue weight that exceeds or

falls below the permissible tongue weight

When you are reversing with a trailer, remem-

ber to use the Trailer Manoeuvring Assist

function (/ page 419).

Use a tongue weight as close as possible to

the maximum tongue weight

Folding the ball neck out and in

NOTE Increased risk of damage to prop-

erty due to folded-out ball neck

Do not exceed the following values:

Permissible towing capacity

WARNING Risk of accident due to the ball

neck not being engaged

When the trailer is not coupled or the

bicycle rack is attached, fold in the ball

neck or, in the case of a fully electric

trailer hitch, retract the ball neck.

Permissible rear axle load of the towing vehi-

cle

If the ball neck is not engaged, the trailer may

come loose.

Permissible gross weight of the towing vehicle

Permissible gross weight of the trailer

Maximum permissible speed of the trailer

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Driving and parking

423

Folding the ball neck out

NOTE Damage to the vehicle due to incor-

rect use of the trailer hitch

If a trailer hitch is used to recover the vehicle,

the vehicle or the trailer hitch itself may be

damaged in the process.

Use the trailer hitch only for pulling a

trailer or attaching approved carrier sys-

tems (e.g. a bicycle rack).

Exception: Since vehicles with a trailer

hitch do not have a ﬁxture for a towing

eye at the rear, towing or tow-starting is

permitted.

When towing or tow-starting with the

trailer hitch, observe the information in

the section "Fitting and removing the

towing eye."

Pull the ball neck in the direction of the arrow

until it engages audibly in a vertical position.

Indicator lamp 1 on the ball neck release

switch will go out.

If the ball neck is not securely locked in place,

a message reading Trailer coupling Check

lock will appear on the driver's display.

Secure the vehicle against rolling away.

Keep the swivel range clear.

Remove the trailer cable or adapter plug.

Pull switch 2 until the ball neck unlocks.

The ball neck will fold out from under the rear

bumper.

Remove the cover cap from the ball head and

store it in a safe place.

Indicator lamp 1 will ﬂash.

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Driving and parking

424

Make sure that the ball on the ball neck is clean.

Check that it is either greased or dry (grease-

free), depending on the instructions for the trailer.

Coupling up/uncoupling a trailer

WARNING Risk of injury due to a change

in vehicle level

Folding the ball neck in

Vehicles with rear axle level control system:

the vehicle level may be changed unintention-

ally, e.g. by other persons. If you couple or

uncouple the trailer during this time, you may

become trapped. In addition, other people

could become trapped if their limbs are

between the vehicle body and the tyres or

underneath the vehicle.

Observe the following when coupling or

uncoupling:

Do not open or close any doors or the

boot lid.

Push the ball neck in the direction of the

arrow until it engages audibly behind the

bumper.

Do not initiate the level control system

and do not operate DYNAMIC SELECT.

Indicator lamp 1 will go out and the message

on the driver's display will disappear.

Observe the information about indicators on the

driver's display:

Do not lock or unlock the vehicle.

Pull switch 2 until the ball neck unlocks.

The ball neck will fold up under the rear

bumper.

The trailer will be correctly detected by the vehi-

cle only if the following conditions are met:

Indicator and warning lamps (/ page 904)

The ball neck is extended and engaged in a

securely locked position.

Indicator lamp 1 will ﬂash.

Display messages (/ page 806)

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Driving and parking

425

Vehicles with rear axle level control system:

ensure the vehicle is at the normal level

(/ page 385).

Active Parking Assist

Blind Spot Assist or Active Blind Spot Assist

Drive Away Assist

Cross traﬃc warning

Manoeuvring brake function

Reversing camera

Use the normal level in trailer operation. High-

level driving is not permitted in trailer opera-

tion on public roads.

Trailers with a 7-pin plug can be connected to the

vehicle with the following adapters:

360° camera

Adapter plug

Coupling up a trailer

Open the socket cap.

Insert the plug with lug 1 into groove 3 on

the socket.

Turn bayonet coupling 2 to the right as far as

it will go.

Let the cap engage.

Secure the cable to the trailer with cable ties

(only if you are using an adapter cable).

Adapter cable

NOTE Damage to the starter battery due

to full discharge

The trailer will be correctly detected by the vehi-

cle only if the following conditions are met:

Charging the trailer battery using the power

supply of the trailer can damage the starter

battery.

The trailer is connected correctly.

The trailer lighting system is in working order.

Do not use the vehicle's power supply to

charge the trailer battery.

A correctly connected trailer inﬂuences, among

other things, the functions of the following sys-

tems:

Make sure that the cable is always slack for

ease of movement during cornering.

Secure the vehicle against rolling away.

ESP^®trailer stabilisation

Trailer Manoeuvring Assist

Active Lane Keeping Assist

Parking Assist PARKTRONIC

Remove the cover cap from the ball head and

store it in a safe place.

Position the trailer on a level surface behind

the vehicle and couple it up to the vehicle.

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Driving and parking

426

In the following circumstances, a message may

appear on the driver's display even if the trailer

has been connected correctly:

Disconnect the electrical connection between

the vehicle and the trailer.

Uncouple the trailer.

NOTE Damage during uncoupling with an

engaged overrun brake

The vehicle may be damaged if you uncouple

with an engaged overrun brake.

LEDs have been installed in the trailer lighting

system.

Place the cover cap on the ball head.

Trailers with LED lighting: aꢀer uncoupling the

trailer, switch the vehicle on and then oﬀ

again.

Do not uncouple trailers with an engaged

overrun brake.

The current has fallen below the trailer lighting

system's minimum current (50 mA).

Accessories can be connected to the perma-

nent power supply up to 180 W and to the

power supply that is switched on via the igni-

tion lock.

WARNING Risk of becoming trapped when

disconnecting the trailer cable

Making settings for trailer operation

Multimedia system:

Vehicles with rear axle level control system:

the vehicle may lower when you disconnect

the trailer cable.

Settings

Vehicle

Driving

Uncoupling a trailer

Trailer type

This could result in other people becoming

trapped if their limbs are between the vehicle

body and the tyres or underneath the vehicle.

WARNING Risk of being crushed and

becoming trapped when uncoupling a

trailer

Making settings for a trailer

The settings in this menu enable the calculation of

a route suitable for the selected trailer and opti-

mise the calculated arrival time.

Make sure nobody is underneath the

When uncoupling a trailer with an engaged

inertia-activated brake, your hand may

become trapped between the vehicle and the

trailer drawbar.

vehicle or in the immediate vicinity of the

wheel arches when you disconnect the

trailer cable.

Select the desired trailer type.

Enter the maximum permissible speed of the

selected trailer.

Do not uncouple trailers with an engaged

overrun brake.

Secure the vehicle against rolling away.

To save changes: select Confirm.

F206 0105 02

Driving and parking -> Trailer hitch for Your Mercedes C Class 4 Door 2023

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