2017 Mercedes-Benz G-CLASS Owner’s Manual

The 2017 Mercedes-Benz G-Class, also called the G-Wagon, is an iconic luxury SUV known for its rugged design and great off-road skills. The G-Class was first made for the military, but it has since become a sign of luxury and excitement. The G-Class gives off an air of toughness and polish with its boxy, classic design. It has a choice of strong engines that give it a commanding performance on and off the road. The interior shows how committed Mercedes-Benz is to luxury by using high-quality materials, cutting-edge technology, and a roomy space that can fit up to five people. The 2017 Mercedes-Benz G-Class is a great example of how luxury and off-road capability can work well together. It is a great choice for drivers who want a unique and unforgettable driving experience.

Towing a trailer

Notes on towing a trailer
General notes

• Do not exceed the maximum permissible speed for vehicle/trailer combinations in the relevant country.
  This lowers the risk of an accident.
• Only install an approved trailer coupling on your vehicle.
  Further information on availability and on installation is available from any authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
• The bumpers of your vehicle are not suitable for installing detachable trailer couplings.
  Do not install hired trailer couplings or other detachable trailer couplings on the bumpers of your vehicle.
• If you do not need the ball coupling, remove the ball coupling from the ball coupling recess. This will reduce the risk of damage to the ball coupling.

When towing atrailer, set the tire pressure on the rear axle of the towing vehicle for the maximum load. Further information on the tire pres-
sure table in the fuel filler flap (Y page 119). Please note that when towing a trailer,
PARKTRONIC (Y page 140) and Blind Spot Assist (Y page 137) availability is limited or not available at all.
The height of the ball coupling changes with the load of the vehicle. If necessary, use atrailer with a height-adjustable drawbar.
You will find permissible trailer loads under “Technical data” (Y page 284).

Driving tips

• Observe the notes on ESP® trailer stabilization (Y page 60).
• On long and steep downhill gradients,select shift range 1, 2 or 3(Y page 114) in good time. This also applies if you have activated cruise control or the speed limiter.
• If necessary, shift the transfer case to LOW RANGE (Y page 146).
  This will use the braking effect of the engine, so that less braking will be required to maintain the speed. This relieves the load on the brake system and prevents the brakes from overheating and wearing too quickly. If you need additional braking, depress the brake pedal repeatedly rather than continuously.

The maximum permissible speed for vehicle/trailer combinations depends on the type of trailer. Before beginning the journey, check the trailer’s documents to see what the maximum permitted speed is. Observe the maximum permissible speed in the relevant country.
For certain Mercedes-Benz vehicles, the maximum permissible rear axle load is increased when towing a trailer. See the “Technical data” section to find out whether this applies to your
vehicle (Y page 284). In the event of increased rear axle load, the car/trailer combination may not exceed a maximum speed of 60 mph
(100 km/h) for reasons concerning the operating permit. This also applies in countries in which the maximum permissible speed for car/trailer combinations is greater than 60 mph
(100 km/h).
When towing atrailer, your vehicle’s handling characteristics will be different in comparison to when driving without a trailer and it will consume more fuel.

• Maintain a greater distance from the vehicle in front than when driving without a trailer.
• Avoid braking abruptly. If possible, brake gently at first to allow the trailer to run on. Then, increase the braking force rapidly.
• The values given for gradient-climbing capabilities from a standstill refer to sea level.
  When driving in mountainous areas, note that the power output of the engine and, consequently, the vehicle’s gradient-climbing capability, decreases with increasing altitude.
  If the trailer swings from side to side:

   

  • Do not accelerate.
  • Do not counter-steer.
  • Brake if necessary.

Assembling the ball coupling
WARNING The ball coupling can be damaged if the nut on the ball coupling is tightened using the incorrect torque. As a result,the trailer may detach. There is a risk of an accident.
Immediately after installation, have the tightening torque checked at a qualified specialist workshop.

Coupling up atrailer
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.

Observe the maximum permissible trailer dimensions (width and length).

• Apply the vehicle’s parking brake.
• Make sure that the automatic transmission is set to position P.
• Position the trailer horizontally behind the vehicle.
• Couple up the trailer.
• Establish the electrical connection between the vehicle and the trailer.
• Check that the trailer lighting system is working.
• Push the combination switch upwards/downwards and check whether the corresponding turn signal on the trailer flashes.

A trailer that is connected is recognized only when the electrical connection is established correctly and when the lighting system is working properly. The function of other systems also depends on this, for example:

• ESP®
• PARKTRONIC

These restrictions apply to accessories that are supplied with power via the trailer socket in your vehicle, e.g. a rear bicycle rack.
Observe the maximum permissible trailer dimensions (width and length).
Most U.S. states and all Canadian provinces require by law:

• Safety chains between the towing vehicle and the trailer. The chains should be cross-wound under the trailer drawbar. They must be fastened to the vehicle’s trailer coupling, not to the bumper or the axle.
  Leave enough play in the chains to make tight cornering possible.
• A separate brake system for certain types of trailer.
• Safety switch for braked trailers. Check the specific legal requirements applicable to your state.
  If the trailer becomes detached from the towing vehicle, the safety feature brakes the trailer.

Towing a trailer
There are several legal requirements for towing a trailer, e.g. the maximum permissible speed.
Make sure that your car/trailer combination complies with the local regulations:

• in your place of residence
• at your destination
  The police and local authorities can provide reliable information.

In order to accumulate driving experience and accustom yourself to the new handling characteristics,
practice the following at a location where there is no traffic:

• Cornering
• Stopping
• Backing up
  Before driving, check the following:
• Trailer tow hitch
• Safety switch for braked trailers
• Safety chains
• Electrical connections
• Lighting system
• Wheels and tires
• Load-securing measures
  Adjust the exterior mirrors to provide an unobstructed view of the rear section of the trailer.

Trailers with electronically controlled brakes: pull away carefully in the vehicle/trailer
combination, brake manually using the brake controller and check whether the brakes function correctly.
Check the load-securing measures on a regular basis.
When towing a trailer, your vehicle’s handling characteristics will be different in comparison with when driving without a trailer.
The vehicle/trailer combination:

• is heavier
• is restricted in its acceleration and gradient climbing capability
• has an increased braking distance
• is affected more by strong crosswinds
• demands more sensitive steering
• has a larger turning radius

Avoid sudden steering movements. Avoid braking abruptly. If possible, brake gently at first to allow the trailer to run on. Then, increase the braking force rapidly.
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 when overtaking before you can change back to the original lane.
If the automatic transmission repeatedly shifts between gears on uphill or downhill gradients, shift to a lower gear. Driving in a lower gear and at a reduced speed
decreases the risk of engine damage. Avoid constant braking. Otherwise, the vehicle brakes and possibly also the trailer brakes may overheat.
When driving downhill, shift to a lower gear to utilize the engine’s braking effect.
If the coolant temperature increases dramatically while the air-conditioning system is switched on, switch off the air-conditioning system.
Coolant heat can also be dissipated by opening the windows and switching the ventilation blower and the interior temperature to the highest level.

Decoupling atrailer
G WARNING
If you uncouple a trailer with the overrun brake engaged, you could trap your hand between the vehicle and the trailer drawbar.
There is a risk of injury.
Do not uncouple a trailer if the overrun brake is engaged.

Do not disconnect a trailer with an engaged overrun brake.
Otherwise, your vehicle could be damaged by the rebounding of the overrun brake.

• Apply the parking brake.
• Make sure that the automatic transmission is set to position P.
• Secure the vehicle and trailer against rolling away.
• Close all doors, including the rear door.
• Remove the trailer cable.
• Remove the safety chains, if there are any.
• Uncouple the trailer.

Permissible trailer and drawbar loads
Weight specifications
The gross trailer weight is calculated as the weight of the trailer plus the weight of the load and the trailer’s equipment. You will find permissible trailer loads under
“Technical data” (Y page 284).

Loading a trailer

• When loading the trailer, make sure that neither the permissible gross trailer weight nor the permissible gross vehicle weight are exceeded. The permissible gross vehicle weight is indicated on the identification plate on the B-pillar on the driver’s side of the vehicle. You can find the maximum permissible values on the type plates of your vehicle and the trailer. When calculating how much weight the vehicle and trailer may carry, pay attention to the respective lowest values.
• The trailer drawbar load on the ball coupling must be added to the rear axle load to avoid exceeding the permissible gross axle weight.
  The permissible gross vehicle weight is indicated on the identification plate on the B-pillar on the driver’s side of the vehicle.
  Mercedes-Benz recommends a trailer load where the trailer drawbar nose weight accounts for 8% to 15% of the permissible gross trailer weight.
  Additional accessories, passengers and load reduce the permissible trailer load and nose weight that your vehicle can tow.

FAQ