Tow bar programming

[easyonthegas]

CSteve220
I have had coded all 3 of my MB cars using dedicated electrics as I tow a caravan, often in the EU. I did that simply as I did not error messages whilst driving, and retain all the features that the car's software would provide. However if you are just towing a mall trailer (to the tip and back) then possibly you may not want to spend the extra cash.
The towbar people can now code for around £80, whilst the dealer charges double that.

Whatever system you install - check your lights after installation and before setting off (on holiday). FYI I had a Volvo towbar fitted by the dealer and the trailer stop lights would not work after installation!

 

[CSteve220]

Yes

No, just potential benefits of enabling the trailer option when fitted.

Immaterial as the OP has not been back.

I have been back, and I’ve enjoyed reading the posts.
My C220 shows errors and already seems to know when a trailer is attached. One of my trailers had a short I the wiring which came up on the display as a fault. I’m in the middle of changing the whole loom, I took the old one off today and made a copy so next dry weekend day it will be fitted. The next service is a big one so I might add it on to that.
Regarding Insurance, no one can prove the tow bar was not fitted when I bought the car, so the argument is immaterial.

 

[JHS]

Regarding Insurance, no one can prove the tow bar was not fitted when I bought the car, so the argument is immaterial.

As the towbar is a modification it SHOULD be mentioned to the insurance company. But fear not, a towbar is a "no loading" modification with no additional premium. At least mine was with Tesco Bank.

ps. They never asked if the electrics had been coded!! Why on earth would they be interested?

 

[ru16976]

No, just potential benefits of enabling the trailer option when fitted.

Immaterial as the OP has not been back.

Do you code the electrics yourself? Is it through Star or would a decent Snap On type plug in system have the capability? I have a Viano which has had a towbar fitted from new ( 2011 ), all these years later i've just recently hooked up a trailer and the electrics don't work!

 

[GmanHampshire]

2024 nudge on this thread which seems to have wandered a little..

Has anyone recoded their ECUs on an S205 (2019 C43 in my case) to work with a "heavy trailer"(read: c@r@van)?
I have just fitted (in the UK) a Tow Trust TM19VK swan-neck detachable bar to the above but I can't find anyone to recode the car ECU's yet as per the very-detailed instructions in the dedicated electrics pack.

I need to modify the following: EZS, SAM-rear, SAM-front, combined instrument, headunit, 360 camera.
Mercedes say they wont touch it as it's aftermarket (?!) and the indie near the office (Automerc) don't normally do this, they steer me to tow bar fitters....
My iCarsoft MB2.0 doesnt seem to support at first attempts

Has anyone done it successfully? Via software? Dashboard menus? Dealer?

(no need to reply about whether or not I should do it, just how-to or who-to please )

Thanks all

 

[Uky]

You may already know this but...

From certain model years, the presence of a towing system electronics needs to be
added to the car's feature list at Mercedes vehicle support server systems in Stuttgart.

You can try ECS Electronics UK. They do have kits with wiring and CAN-bus aware controllers
and possibly point you to someone who can assist with that "Stuttgart-thing".

Once the towing system electronics has been added to the vehicle feature list, it can and has to be activated using Xentry.

The rear sensors/radars needs to be disabled when connecting a trailer. A CAN-bus aware intelligent
controller detect wether a Trailer system is attached and first tests all lights and then instructs
the car to turn off all rear sensors.

 

[GmanHampshire]

You may already know this but...

From certain model years, the presence of a towing system electronics needs to be
added to the car's feature list at Mercedes vehicle support server systems in Stuttgart.

You can try ECS Electronics UK. They do have kits with wiring and CAN-bus aware controllers
and possibly point you to someone who can assist with that "Stuttgart-thing".

Once the towing system electronics has been added to the vehicle feature list, it can and has to be activated using Xentry.

The rear sensors/radars needs to be disabled when connecting a trailer. A CAN-bus aware intelligent
controller detect wether a Trailer system is attached and first tests all lights and then instructs
the car to turn off all rear sensors.

Thanks @Uky, i did not know about any database and coupled Mercedes Service line did not mention this when I tried to get this coding done through the MB network. They refused to offer any coding service at all as it was aftermarket....
I 'believe' that the Westfalia codes above (EZS, SAM-rear, SAM-front, combined instrument, headunit, 360 camera) equate to what you mentioned (rear fogs, sensors, ABS compensation, bulb tests etc)

But from today's update:
According to PF Jones, the ECU coding instructions provided in the dedicated wiring pack (29040543) that I referred to above are specific to Westfalia coding tools, not MB Star. So you have to hunt down a tow bar installer locally who has the Westfalia tool, most seem to.
Tip: Westfalia website does not show any dealers in the UK (?!) so ignore that, search for "Tow bar coding" in any popular search engine to find someone local. Should be about GBP60 and an hours work max.

I have booked a slot at Salop Towing in the UK next week to get this done. Will advise back.