Coupling up a trailer
WARNING
Vehicles with air suspension program: 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.
WARNING
Do not disconnect a trailer with an engaged
overrun brake. Otherwise, your hand could
become trapped between the bumper and
trailer drawbar.
Observe the maximum permissible trailer dimensions (width and length).
Most federal states and all Canadian
provinces require by law:
- safety chains between the towing vehicle
and the trailer. The chains should be crosswound
under the trailer drawbar. They must
be fastened to the vehicle's trailer
coupling, not to the bumper or the axle.
Allow for enough play in the chains to
facilitate turning tight corners.
- a separate brake system for certain types
of trailer.
- a safety switch for braked trailers. Check
the specific legal requirements applicable
to your federal state.
If the trailer detaches from the towing
vehicle, the safety switch applies the
trailer's brakes.
Do not connect the trailer's brake system (if featured) to the hydraulic brake system of the towing vehicle, as the latter is equipped with an anti-lock brake system.
Doing so will result in a loss of function of the brake systems of both the vehicle and the trailer.
– Make sure that the automatic transmission
is set to position P.
– Apply the vehicle's electric parking brake.
– Start the engine.
– Vehicles with the AIRMATIC package:
select highway level.
– Vehicles with the adaptive damping
system: set ADS to AUTO or COMF.
– Switch off the engine.
– Close all doors and the tailgate.
– Couple up the trailer.
– Establish all electrical connections.
Vehicles with the AIRMATIC package:
if you couple up a trailer, the vehicle always
remains at highway level. When coupling up
a trailer, please observe the following:
- if highway level has not been set
manually, the vehicle will automatically
sink to highway level as soon as it
reaches a speed of 5 mph (8 km/h).
high-speed level is not available.
These restrictions apply to all accessories
powered through a connection to the trailer
power socket of your vehicle, e.g. a bicycle
carrier.
See also:
Opening and closing
Overhead control panel
To open
To open
To close
Turn the SmartKey to position 1 or 2 in the ignition lock.
Press or pull the switch
in the corresponding direction.
If you press ...
Override feature for the rear side
windows
WARNING
When children ride on the vehicle's rear seats,
activate the override switch. Otherwise, the
children could be injured, e.g. by trapping
themselves in the rear side window.
- To act ...
Important safety notes
WARNING
The PARKTRONIC is a supplemental system. It is not intended to, nor does it replace,
the need for extreme care. The responsibility during parking and other critical
maneuvers always ...