Page 367 of 442
365 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Towing the vehicle
Mercedes-Benz recommends that the
vehicle be transported with all wheels off
the ground using flatbed or appropriate
wheel lift/dolly equipment. This method is
preferable to other types of towing.When circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the
vehicle may be towed with all wheels on
the ground or front wheels raised (except
vehicles with 4MATIC) only so far as
necessary to have the vehicle moved to a
safe location where the recommended
towing methods can be employed.
!Use flatbed or wheel lift/dolly equip-
ment with the SmartKey in the starter
switch turned to position0.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
Towing with sling-type equipment over
bumpy roads will damage radiator and
supports.
To prevent damage during transport,
do not tie down vehicle by its chassis or
suspension parts.
Switch off the tow-away alarm*
(page 85) and deactivate the auto-
matic central locking (
page 145).
!Vehicles with automatic transmission
and/or 4MATIC:
Do not tow-start the vehicle.!Vehicles with 4MATIC:
Do not tow with one axle raised. Doing
so could damage the transfer case,
which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
All wheels must be on or off the ground.
Observe instructions for towing the
vehicle with all wheels on the ground.
!If the vehicle is towed with the front
axle raised (not permissible for vehicles
with 4MATIC), the engine must be shut
off (SmartKey in starter switch
position0 or1). Otherwise the ESP will
immediately be engaged and will apply
the rear wheel brakes.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, the gear selector lever
must be in positionN (manual trans-
mission: gears disengaged) and the
SmartKey must be in starter switch
position2.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground or the front axle raised,
the vehicle may be towed only for
distances up to 30 miles (50 km) and
at a speed not to exceed 30 mph
(50 km/h).
Page 368 of 442
366 Practical hintsTowing the vehicle
!
To be certain to avoid a possibility of
damage to the drivetrain, however, we
recommend the drive shaft be discon-
nected at the rear axle drive flange
(vehicles with 4MATIC: disconnected at
the front and rear axle drive flanges) for
any towing beyond a short tow to a
nearby garage.
Warning!
G
If circumstances require towing the vehicle
with all wheels on the ground, always tow
with a tow bar if:
the engine will not run
there is a malfunction in the power
supply or in the vehicle’s electrical
system
as that will be necessary to adequately
control the towed vehicle.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make sure the SmartKey is in
starter switch position2.
If the SmartKey is left in starter switch
position0 for an extended period of time, it
can no longer be turned in the switch. In this
case, the steering is locked. To unlock,
remove SmartKey from starter switch and
reinsert.
iTo signal turns while being towed with
the hazard warning flasher in use,
switch on ignition and activate the
combination switch for the left or right
turn signal in the usual manner – only
the selected turn signal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the
hazard warning flasher will operate
again.
Page 369 of 442
367 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Warning!
G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake 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 ve-
hicle. Adapt your driving accordingly.
!When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, please note the
following:
With the automatic central locking
activated and the SmartKey in starter
switch position2, the vehicle doors
lock if the left front wheel as well as the
right rear wheel are turning at vehicle
speeds of approx. 9 mph (15 km/h) or
more.
Switch off the tow-away alarm*
(page 85).
To prevent the vehicle doors from
locking, deactivate the automatic
central locking (
page 145).
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.
iIf the battery is disconnected or
discharged
the SmartKey will not turn in the
starter switch. For more informa-
tion, see “Battery” (
page 360)
and “Jump starting” (page 363).
the gear selector lever will remain
locked in positionP. For informa-
tion on manually unlocking the
transmission gear selector lever
see (
page 340).
Page 370 of 442
368 Practical hintsTowing the vehicleInstalling towing eye bolt
1Cover on right side of front bumper.2Cover on right side of rear bumper.Removing cover
Press mark on cover1 or2 in
direction of arrows.
Lift cover off to reveal threaded hole for
towing eye bolt.
The towing eye bolt is supplied with the
tool kit (located in the compartment under-
neath the trunk floor).
Screw towing eye bolt in to its stop and
tighten with lug wrench.
Reinstalling cover
Fit cover1 or2 and snap into place.
Page 420 of 442
418 IndexIgnition 33
Switching on,
automatic transmission* 47
Switching on,
manual transmission 46
Immobilizer 83
Activating 83
Deactivating 83
Indicator lamps see
Lamps, indicator and warning
Infant and child restraint systems 67
Installing 72
LATCH-type child seat anchors 73
Information
About service and warranty 10
Inside door handle 92
Installing
Infant and child restraint systems 72
Ski sack* (Canada only) 237
Towing eye bolt 368
Wiper blades 352Instrument cluster 24, 117, 401
Cleaning 298
Coolant temperature gauge 118
Illumination 117
Lamps in 302–307
Multifunction display 121
Outside temperature indicator 119
Selecting language 136
Instrument lighting 117
Instruments and controls see Cockpit
Interior lighting 115
Activating automatic control 115
Deactivating automatic control 115
Delayed shut-off 145
Manual operation 115
Interior rear view mirror
Adjusting 41
Antiglare 168Interior storage spaces 241
Armrest 242
Cup holder in rear seat armrest 244
Cup holders in front of
seat armrest 243
Glove box 241
Parcel net in
front passenger footwell 245
Intermittent wiping 52
J
Jack 329
Jump starting 363
K
Key 191
Key dependency memory
Settings 147
Key positions in starter switch 33
Key, mechanical 337
Page 426 of 442
424 IndexPassenger compartment 272
Interior lighting 115
Interior rear view mirror 41
Main fuse box in 370
Parcel net in front passenger
footwell 245
Passenger safety see Occupant safety
Pedals 265
Performance
In cold weather 393
In hot weather 393
Phone book*
Loading 152
Quick search 153
Phone number*
Dialing 152
Redialing 153
Plastic and rubber parts
Cleaning 300
Playing
CDs 204Poly-V-belt drive 401
Layout 377
Positions (Memory function*)
Recalling from memory 107
Storing into memory 107
Power assistance 265
Power seat*
Adjusting backrest tilt 38
Adjusting head restraint height 38
Adjusting head restraint tilt 39
Adjusting seat cushion tilt 38
Adjusting seat height 38
Memory function* 106
Removing/installing front
head restraints 100
Seat fore and aft adjustment 38
Power tilt/sliding sunroof* 227
Power train 402
Power washer 296Power windows 223
Blocking of rear door
window operation 75
Side windows 223
Synchronizing 226
Practical hints
Collapsible tire (C 55 AMG only) 334
Collapsible wheel chock 332
First aid kit 329
Fuses 369
Lamp in center console 308
Lamps in instrument cluster 302
Minispare wheel
(except C 55 AMG) 333
Spare wheel bolts 336
Symbol messages 314
Text messages 310
Towing the vehicle 365
Vehicle jack 329, 331
Vehicle status messages
in the display 309
Vehicle tool kit 329
Page 434 of 442
432 IndexTime
Setting hours 137
Setting minutes 138
Time display
Setting 139
Time synchronization*
With head unit 137
Tire inflation pressure
Checking 277, 287
Tire speed rating 269, 403
Tire traction 269
Tires 286, 380
Consumer information 397
Direction of rotation 287
Driving instructions 268
Retreads 286
Rims and tires 380
Rotating 289
Service life 287
Temperature 288
Temperature grades 398Traction 397
Tread depth 290
Wear pattern 289
Winter 290
Tools 329
Tow away alarm*
Canceling alarm 86
Tow-away alarm* 85
Arming 85
Disarming 85
Disarming for transport 85
Towing eye bolt (vehicle tool kit)
Installing 368
Towing the vehicle 365
Traction 162, 403
Traction (Tires) 397
Transmission gear selector lever
Unlocking manually 340
Transmission see
Automatic* or Manual transmission
Traveling abroad 272Tread depth (tires) 290
Tread Wear 397
Trip computer 148
Trip odometer
Resetting 119
Trunk
Closing the lid 94
Fuse box in 371
Lamp 116
Opening 91
Opening from inside vehicle 93
Opening from outside vehicle 92
Tie-down rings 240
Trunk lid emergency release 95
Trunk lid
Closing 94
Emergency release 95
Message in display 328
Turn signal lamps, front
Messages in display 326
Replacing bulbs 345
Page 435 of 442
433 Index
Turn signal lamps, in mirrors
Messages in display 326
Turn signal lamps, rear
Messages in display 326
Replacing bulbs 345
Turn signals 50
Additional in mirrors 345
Cleaning lenses 297
Front bulbs 345
Indicator lamps 25
Rear bulbs 345
Turning inward
Swiveling cup holder,
in front of seat armrest 244
Turning off
Engine 56
Turning outward
Swiveling cup holder,
in front of seat armrest 244U
Units
Setting speedometer units 135
Setting temperature units 135
Unlocking 32, 88
Centrally from inside 96
Driver’s door in an emergency 337
Fuel filler flap 275
Global 89
Glove box 241
In an emergency 337
Selective settings 89
Transmission gear selector
lever manually 340
Trunk in an emergency 338
Vehicle in an emergency 255
With the SmartKey 32
Upgrade scenario
Tele Aid* 254
Uphill driving
Cruise control 232
Upholstery
Cleaning 299Upshifting 158
Useful features 241
Ashtrays 245
Cigarette lighter 246
Electrical outlet 247
Interior storage spaces 241
Tele Aid* 248
Telephone* 247
V
Vacuum line routing diagram label 376
Vehicle
Individual settings 132, 134
Locking 97
Locking in an emergency 338
Lowering 359
Performance in cold weather 393
Performance in hot weather 393
Service battery 360
Towing 365
Unlocking 97
Unlocking in an emergency 337
With flexible fuel 392
