2005 MERCEDES-BENZ CL55AMG towing

391 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Towing the vehicle
Mercedes-Benz recommends that the vehi-
cle be transported with all wheels off the
ground using flatbed or appropriate wheel
lift/dolly equipment. This method is pref-
erable to other types of towing.When circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the vehi-
cle may be towed with all wheels on the
ground or front wheels raised 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 SmartKey in 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 87) and the automatic central
locking (
page 162).
Do not tow-start the vehicle.
!If the vehicle is towed with the front
axle raised, the engine must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position0
or1). Otherwise, the ESP will immedi-
ately be engaged and will apply the rear
wheel brakes.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, the selector lever must
be in positionN 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 dis-
tances up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a
speed not to exceed 30 mph
(50 km/h).

392 Practical hintsTowing the vehicle
!
To be certain to avoid a possibility of
damage to the drive train, however, we
recommend the drive shaft be discon-
nected at the rear axle drive flange 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 sup-
ply or in the vehicle’s electrical system
as that will be necessary to adequately con-
trol the towed vehicle.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make certain that the SmartKey
is in starter switch position2.
If the SmartKey is left in starter switch posi-
tion 0 for an extended period of time, it can
no longer be turned in the switch. In this
case, the steering is locked. To unlock, re-
move SmartKey from starter switch and re-
insert.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.iThe gear selector lever will remain
locked in positionP and the SmartKey
will not turn in the starter switch if the
battery is disconnected or discharged.
See information on the battery
(page 386) or on jump starting
(page 389).
iTo signal turns while being towed with
the hazard warning flasher in use, turn
SmartKey in starter switch to
position2 and activate the combina-
tion switch for the left or right turn sig-
nal in the usual manner – only the
selected turn signal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the haz-
ard warning flasher will operate again.

393 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Installing towing eye bolt
1Cover on right side of front bumper
2Cover on right side of rear bumperRemoving cover

Press mark on cover in direction of ar-
row.

L i f t c o v e r o f f t o r e v e a l t h r e a d e d h o l e f o r
towing eye bolt.
Installing towing eye bolt

Take towing eye bolt and wheel wrench
out of trunk (
page 365).

Screw towing eye bolt clockwise into
its stop and tighten with wheel wrench.
Removing towing eye bolt

Loosen towing eye bolt counterclock-
wise with wheel wrench.

Unscrew towing eye bolt.

Store towing eye bolt and wheel
wrench in trunk.
Installing cover

Fit cover and snap into place.
!When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, please note the follow-
ing:
With the automatic central locking acti-
vated and the SmartKey in starter
switch position2, or KEYLESS-GO*
start/stop button (
page 35) in
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 87).
To prevent the vehicle door locks from
locking, deactivate the automatic cen-
tral locking (
page 162).
Towing of the vehicle should only be
done using the properly installed tow-
ing eye bolt. Never attach tow cable,
tow rope or tow rod to the vehicle chas-
sis, frame or suspension parts.

450 IndexTightening torque 424
Tightening torque (Wheel bolts) 385
Tilt/sliding sunroof
Closing in an emergency 370
Opening in an emergency 370
Stopping 204
Synchronizing 204
TIN 311
Tire
Vehicle maximum load on 311
Tire and Loading Information 287
Tire and loading terminology 309
Tire care and maintenance 284
Tire Identification Number see TIN
Tire inflation pressure
Checking 272, 292, 294
Setting units 157
Tire inflation pressure see the placard on
the fuel filler flap
Tire inspection 284
Tire load rating 311Tire ply composition and material
used 311
Tire speed rating 264, 301, 311, 424
Tire terminology 309
Tire traction 264
Tires 283
Direction of rotation 286
Driving instructions 263
Messages in display 358, ??–364
Retreads 283
Rotating 312
Service life 284
Temperature 293, 308
Tire inflation pressure monitor warning
lamp 332
Tread depth 285, 313
Wear pattern 312
Winter 313
Tools 365
Tow-away alarm 27, 87
Arming 87
Disarming 87
Disarming for transport 87Towing eye bolt (vehicle tool kit) 365
Installing 393
Towing the vehicle 391
Traction 171, 311, 424
Transmission see Automatic
transmission 279
Tread 311
Tread depth 285
Tread depth (tires) 313
Treadwear indicators 311
Trip computer 150
Trip odometer
Resetting 134
Trunk
Auxiliary fuse box 395
Closing 103
Closing from the inside* 103
Lighting 131, 132
Lock button 99
Lock button, KEYLESS-GO* 99

452 IndexV
Vacuum line routing diagram label 400
Vanity mirror in the sun visor 231
Vehicle
Individual settings 153, 155
Locking in an emergency 368
Lowering 384
Service battery 386
Towing 391
Unlocking in an emergency 367
Vehicle battery 386
Vehicle capacity weight 311
Vehicle care 317
Cup holder 322
Distronic* system sensor cover 320
Engine cleaning 319
Gear selector lever 322
Hard plastic trim items 322
Headlamps 319
Instrument cluster 322
Leather upholstery 323
Light alloy wheels 322
Nubuck leather upholstery 323Ornamental moldings 319
Paintwork 318
Parktronic* system sensor 320
Plastic and rubber parts 323
Power-wash 318
Seat belts 322
Side markers 319
Steering wheel 322
Tail lamps 319
Tar stains 318
Turn signals 319
Upholstery 323
Vehicle washing 319
Window cleaning 321
Wiper blades 320
Wood trims 323
Vehicle data recording 19
Vehicle level 221
Changing 222
Setting 222
Automatic 222
Manual 222Vehicle lighting
Checking 272
Vehicle loading terminology 309
Vehicle maximum load on the tire 311
Vehicle status message memory 152
Calling up 152
Displaying 152
Vehicle submenu
Limiting opening height of trunk lid
(Control system) 162
Vehicle tool kit 365
Alignment bolt 365
Fuse chart 365
Fuse extractor 365
Gloves 365
Screwdriver 365
Spare fuses 365
Wheel bolt wrench with socket
wrench 365
Vehicle washing 319
VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) 424
Voice control system* 424
Hands-free microphone 29