Driving and operating 159The specification of CO2 emission isalso a constituent of the directive.The figures given must not be takenas a guarantee for the actual fuelconsumption of a particular vehicle.Furthermore, fuel consumption isdependent on personal driving styleas well as road and traffic conditions.All values are based on the EU basemodel with standard equipment.The calculation of fuel consumptiontakes into account the vehicle’s kerbweight, ascertained in accordancewith the regulations. Optionalequipment may result in slightlyhigher fuel consumption andCO2 emission levels and a lowermaximum speed.Fuel consumption, CO2 emissions3 217.TowingGeneral informationOnly use towing equipment that hasbeen approved for your vehicle.Entrust retrofitting of towingequipment to a workshop. It may benecessary to make changes thataffect the cooling system, heatshields or other equipment.Fitting of towing equipment couldcover the opening of the towing eye.If this is the case use the coupling ballbar for towing. Always keep thecoupling ball bar in the vehicle.Installation dimensions of factory-fitted towing equipment 3 230.Driving characteristics andtowing tipsBefore attaching a trailer, lubricatethe coupling ball. However, do not doso if a stabiliser, which acts on thecoupling ball, is being used to reducesnaking movements.For trailers with low driving stabilityand caravan trailers with a permittedgross vehicle weight of more than1300 kg the use of a stabiliser isstrongly recommended when drivingabove 50 mph.If the trailer starts snaking, drive moreslowly, do not attempt to correct thesteering and brake sharply ifnecessary.When driving downhill, drive in thesame gear as if driving uphill anddrive at a similar speed.Adjust tyre pressure to the valuespecified for full load 3 225.Trailer towingTrailer loadsThe permissible trailer loads arevehicle and engine-dependentmaximum values which must not beexceeded. The actual trailer load isthe difference between the actualgross weight of the trailer and theactual coupling socket load with thetrailer coupled.