2001 MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class Towing

338 Spare wheel
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Spare wheel, vehicle tools, storage compartment
1Jack
2Luggage bowl with vehicle tool kit, towing eye bolt,
fuses, fuse extractor and fuse chart
3Storage tray
4Spare wheelLift trunk floor and engage handle in upper edge of
trunk.
Always lower trunk f loor before closing trunk lid.
To remove the spare wheel:
Take out the vehicle tool kit tray.
Turn the luggage bowl counterclockwise and remove the
spare wheel.
To store spare wheel:
Place spare wheel in wheel well and secure it with
luggage bowl. Turn luggage bowl clockwise to its stop.
Place vehicle tool kit tray in luggage bowl.
P40.10-0523-26
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4
3
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353 Towing the vehicle
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Towing the vehicleImportant!
When towing the vehicle, please, note the following:
With the automatic central locking activated and the
electronic key in starter switch position 2 (vehicles with
KEYLESS-GO: in “On” position, see page 228), the
vehicle doors lock if the left front wheel as well as the
right rear wheel are 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
“VEHICLE” under “Individual settings” on page 144.
Towing of the vehicle should only be done using the
properly installed towing eye bolt. Never attach tow
cable, tow rope or tow rod to vehicle chassis, frame
or suspension parts.
Note:
The selector lever will remain locked in position “P” and
the electronic key could not be turned in the starter
switch if the battery is disconnected or discharged. See
battery on page 349 or jump starting on page 351.
Wa r n i n g !
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on the
ground, make certain that the electronic key is in
starter switch position 2.If the electronic key is left in the starter switch
position 0 for an extended period of time, it can no
longer be turned in the switch. To unlock, remove
electronic key from starter switch and reinsert.

354 Towing the vehicle
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
1Cover on right side of front bumper
To remove cover:
Press mark on cover in direction of arrow and lift cover
off to reveal threaded hole for towing eye bolt. The
towing eye bolt is supplied with the tool kit (located in
trunk in spare wheel). Screw towing eye bolt in to its
stop and tighten with lug wrench.
To reinstall cover:
Fit cover and snap into place.2Cover right side of rear bumper
To remove cover:
Press mark on cover in direction of arrow and lift cover
off to reveal threaded hole for towing eye bolt. The
towing eye bolt is supplied with the tool kit (located in
trunk in spare wheel). Screw towing eye bolt in to its
stop and tighten with lug wrench.
To reinstall cover:
Fit cover and snap into place.
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P88.20-0408-26
P88.20-0410-26
2

355 Towing the vehicle
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index We recommend that the vehicle be transported using
flat bed equipment. This method is preferable to other
types of towing.
Important!
To prevent damage during transport, do not tie down
vehicle by its chassis or suspension parts.
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 km / h). The electronic key must be in starter switch
position 2.
To be certain to avoid a possibility of damage to the
transmission, however, we recommend the drive shaft
be disconnected at the rear axle drive f lange for any
towing beyond a short tow to a nearby garage.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment. Towing with
sling-type equipment over bumpy roads will damage
radiator and supports.
Use wheel lift, dolly, or flat bed equipment, with
electronic key in starter switch turned to position 0.Note:
To signal turns while being towed with hazard warning
flasher in use, turn electronic key in starter switch to
position 2 and activate combination switch for left or
right turn signal in usual manner – only the selected
turn signal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the hazard warning
flasher will operate again.
Caution!
If the vehicle is towed with the front axle raised, the
engine must be shut off (electronic key in starter switch
position 0 or 1). Otherwise, the ESP will immediately be
engaged and will apply the rear wheel brakes.
Switch off the tow-away alarm (see “VEHICLE” under
“Individual settings” on page 144) as well as the ESP
(see page 274).
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.

413 Index
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex Special Settings
(Automatic climate control) .................................... 169
SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) ......................... 92
Indicator lamp ...........................................................299
SRS malfunction ......................................................... 94
Standby bulb function ...................................................362
Start lock-out .................................................................... 32
Starter switch ........................................................ 226, 228
Starting and turning off the engine ............................ 231
Steering lock
See Starter switch ............................................ 226, 228
Steering wheel
Adjustment ................................................................ 105
Easy-entry/exit feature .............................................. 66
Storage compartment in the
rear passenger compartment .................................. 198
Storage compartments and armrests .......................... 193
Storing mirror positions ............................................... 107
Stowing things in the vehicle ......................................328
Sun visors ....................................................................... 191
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) ......................... 92
Indicator lamp ...........................................................299
SRS malfunction ......................................................... 94
TTachometer ...................................................................... 119
Technical data ................................................................ 388
Electrical system ...................................................... 392
Main dimensions ..................................................... 393
Rims and tires .......................................................... 390
Weights ...................................................................... 393
Tele Aid ............................................................................ 214
Emergency calls ........................................................ 215
Information ................................................................ 219
Initiating an emergency call manually .................. 217
Roadside Assistance ................................................. 218
TELE AID -
malfunction and warning messages ......................321
Telephone ........................................................................128
General notes .................................................... 205, 212
Incoming call ............................................................. 132
Redialing .................................................................... 130
Telephone book ......................................................... 128
TELEPHONE – FUNCTION -
malfunction and warning messages ..................... 323
Telephones and two-way radios ................................... 212

414 Index
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km) ................................ 213
Tire inflation pressure ..................................................348
Tire inflation pressure monitor ................................... 150
Inquiry of present tire
inflation pressure ................................................ 150
TIRE PRESSURE -
malfunction and warning messages ...................... 316
Tires
Driving instructions .................................................247
Rims and tires ...........................................................390
Rotating wheels ......................................................... 341
Tire inflation pressure .............................................348
Tire Replacement ......................................................340
Tire speed rating .......................................................249
Tire traction ...............................................................248
Winter driving instructions ....................................250
Tow-away alarm ................................................................ 64
Towing the vehicle .........................................................353
Traveling abroad ............................................................252
Trip computer ................................................................. 135
Trip odometer ..................................................................119
Trunk ................................................................................. 53
Opening ........................................................................ 37
Power closing assist ................................................... 50
Release switch ............................................................. 57
Release/close switch .................................................. 58Trunk lid closing feature ...........................................55
Trunk lamp .................................................................... 362
Trunk lid
Emergency release ...................................................... 61
Trunk lid release switch ................................................. 57
TRUNK OPEN -
malfunction and warning messages ..................... 308
Turn signal failure ......................................................... 160
Turn signals .................................................................... 160
UUnlocking with KEYLESS-GO-card ................................40VVanity mirrors ................................................................ 192
Vehicle jack .................................................................... 339
Vehicle keys ......................................................................28
Vehicle tools ................................................................... 338