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255 Towing
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Tow in g t h e ve hic l e
Important!
When towing the vehicle, please, note the following:
With the automatic central locking activated and the
engine running, the vehicle doors lock if the left front
wheel is turning at vehicle speeds of approximately
9 mph (15 km / h) or more.
To prevent the vehicle door locks from locking,
deactivate the automatic central locking, see page 32.The front towing eye is located on the passenger side
below the bumper.
1To w i n g eye , f r o n t
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on the
ground, make certain that the key is in steering
lock position 2.
P88.20-2160-26
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256 Towing
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
ML 320, ML 430The rear towing eye is located behind the right side
cover in the bumper panel.
2To w i n g eye , r e a r
Cover removal:
Using a flat blade screwdriver pry out the cover.
Cover installation:
Engage cover at bottom and press in top securely.
Page 307 of 4133
257 Towing
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index ML 55 AMG
The rear towing eye is located behind the right side
cover (1) in the bumper panel.
3Cover
4Towing eye, rearCover removal:
Grip cover at bottom and pull out.
Cover installation:
Engage cover and press in securely.
We recommend that the vehicle be transported using
flat bed equipment. This method is preferable to other
types of towing.
The vehicle may be towed with all wheels on the ground
and the selector lever in position “N” for distances up to
30 miles (50 km) and at a speed not to exceed 30 mph
(50 k m / h). The key mu st be in stee ring lo ck p o sitio n 2.
Wa r n i n g !
In order to avoid possible serious burns or injury,
use extreme caution when removing the cover,
because the rear exhaust pipe is extremely hot.
Page 308 of 4133

258 Towing
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To be certain to avoid additional damage to the vehicle
powertrain, however you should d o the following:
•With damage to front axle, raise front axle. Remove
flexible drive shaft between rear axle and transfer
case
•With damage to rear axle, raise rear axle and tow
vehicle with wheel lift or dolly placed under front
wheels.
•With damage to transfer case, remove flexible drive
shafts to the drive axles.
Note:
Always install new self-locking nuts when reinstalling
the flexible drive shaft.Caution!
If the vehicle is towed with the front axle raised, the
engine must be shut off (key in steering lock position 1).
Otherwise, the 4-ETS+ may become engaged which may
cause loss of towing control. Switch off the tow-away
alarm (see page 36) as well as the ESP (see page 207).
Note:
To signal turns while being towed with hazard warning
flasher in use, turn key in steering lock to position 2
and activate combination switch for left or right turn
signal in usual manner. Now deactivate the hazard
warning flasher, only the selected turn signal will
operate. Upon canceling the turn signal, the hazard
warning flasher must be activated again.
Wa r n i n g !
With the engine not running, there is no power
assistance for the braking and steering systems. In
this case, it is important to keep in mind that a
considerably higher degree of effort is necessary to
brake and steer the vehicle.
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259 Towing
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Transmission selector lever, manually unlocking
In the case of power failure the transmission selector
lever can be manually unlocked, e.g. to tow the vehicle.
To do so, insert a pin (1), e.g. ball point pen, into the
covered opening below the position “D” of the shift
pattern. While pushing the pin down, move selector
lever from position “P”.
After removal of the pin from the opening, the cover will
not close fully. Only after moving the selector lever to
positions “D+” and “D–” does the cover return to its
closed position.Stranded vehicle
Freeing a stranded vehicle, on which the wheels are dug
into sand or mud, should be done with the greatest of
care, especially if the vehicle is heavily loaded.
Avoid pulling the vehicle jerkily or diagonally, since it
could result in damage to the chassis alignment.
Never try to free a vehicle that is still coupled to a
trailer.
If possible, a vehicle equipped with trailer hitch receiver
should be pulled backward in its own previously made
tracks.
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260 Exterior lamps
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Exterior lamps
Headlamp adjustment
Correct headlamp adjustment is extremely important.
Check and readjust headlamps at regular intervals and
when a bulb has been replaced.
For adjusting headlamp aim see page 268.Replacing bulbs
To prevent a possible electrical short circuit, switch off
lamp prior to replacing a bulb.
When replacing bulbs, install only 12 volt bulbs with
the specified watt rating.
When replacing halogen bulbs do not touch glass
portion of bulb with bare hands. Use plain paper or a
clean cloth.
Wa r n i n g !
Bulbs and bulb holders can be very hot. Allow the
lamp to cool down before changing a bulb.
Halogen lamps contain pressurized gas. A bulb can
explode if you:
• touch or move it when hot,
•drop the bulb,
•scratch the bulb.Wear eye and hand protection.
Wa r n i n g !
Because of high voltage in Xenon lamps, it is
dangerous to replace the bulb of repair the lamp
and its components. We recommend that you have
such work done by a qualified technician.
Page 311 of 4133
261 Exterior lamps
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Headlamp assembly (Halogen)
1Headlamp vertical adjustment screw
2Headlamp horizontal adjustment screw
3Headlamp cover with locking tab
4Bulb socket for turn signal, parking, standing, and
side marker lamp5Electrical connector for low beam headlamp bulb
6Electrical connector for high beam headlamp bulb
7Level for headlamp vertical adjustment
8Scale for headlamp horizontal adjustment
9Auxiliary fog lamp (if so equipped)
Page 312 of 4133
262 Exterior lamps
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Headlamp assembly (Xenon)
1Headlamp vertical adjustment screw
2Headlamp horizontal adjustment screw
3Headlamp cover with locking tab
4Bulb socket for turn signal, parking, standing, and
side marker lamp5Electrical connector for low beam headlamp bulb
6Electrical connector for high beam headlamp bulb
7Auxiliary fog lamp (if so equipped)