2005 MERCEDES-BENZ S CLASS towing

408 Practical hintsTowing the vehicleMercedes-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 (except vehi-
cles with 4MATIC) only so far as necessary
to have the vehicle moved to a safe loca-
tion 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 89) and the automatic central
locking (
page 112).
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 ve-
hicle 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 or 1). 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 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).

409 Practical hints
Towing 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 (ve-
hicles 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 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 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, 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 403) or on jump starting
(page 406).
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.

410 Practical hintsTowing 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.

Lift cover off to reveal threaded hole for
towing eye bolt.
Installing towing eye bolt

Take towing eye bolt and wheel wrench
out of trunk (
page 379).

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
le ft f ront whe el as wel l a s t he rig ht rea r
wheel are turning at vehicle speeds of
approximately 9 mph (15 km/h) or
more.
Switch off the tow-away alarm
(
page 89).
To prevent the vehicle doors from lock-
ing, deactivate the automatic central
locking (
page 112).
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 vehicle chassis,
frame or suspension parts.

454 IndexHeight adjustments
Vehicle level 230, 232
High beam 50
Replacing bulbs 390
High beam flasher 135
High beam headlamps
Messages in display 366
Switching on 135
High mounted brake lamp 390
Hood 286
Closing 287
Message in display 364
Opening 286
Hydroplaning 277
I
Identification labels 418
Emission control information
label 418
Vacuum line routing diagram
label 418
Ignition 34, 36
Switching on 34, 46, 47Immobilizer 86
Activating 86
Deactivating 86
Indicator lamps see Lamps, indicator and
warning
Individual seats* 117
Head restraint height 118
Infant and child restraint systems 71
Installing 75
LATCH child seat anchors 76
Information
About service and warranty 10
Button for Tele Aid* 260
Infrared reflecting windshield 270
Inside rear view mirror
Auto-dimming 186
Installing
Infant and child restraint systems 75
Towing eye bolt 410
Wiper blades 397Instrument cluster 24, 140, 439
Cleaning 335
Coolant temperature gauge 141
Illumination 140
Multifunction display 143
Outside temperature indicator 142
Selecting language 164
Integrated remote control
Canadian programming 268
Erasing memory 269
Hand-held transmitter 266
Operating 269
Rolling code programming 267
Interior illumination
Delayed switch-off 167
Interior lighting 137
Activating automatic control 137
Deactivating automatic control 137
Manual operation 137
Reading lamps in the front 138
Reading lamps in the rear 138
Interior rear view mirror
Adjusting 41

460 IndexParking position
Exterior rear view mirrors 130, 171,
187
Parktronic system* 235, 440
Parktronic*
Cleaning sensors 333
Malfunctioning 239
Warning indicators 237
Parts service 416
Passenger compartment 280
Fuse box in 412
Interior lighting 137
Interior rear view mirror 41
Parcel net in front passenger
footwell 250
Passenger safety see Occupant
safety 60
Passenger seat fore and aft
adjustment 119
Passenger seat head restraint
height 119
Passenger seat height 119
Pedals 273
Phone book*
Loading 154
Quick search 154Phone number*
Dialing 154
Redialing 155
Plastic and rubber parts
Cleaning 336
Poly-V-belt drive 440
Positions (Memory function)
Recalling from memory 129
Positions (Memory function*)
Storing into memory 129
Potential problems associated with under-
inflated and overinflated tires 311
Power assistance 273
Power closing assist for doors and trunk
lid 112
Power seat
Adjusting backrest tilt 38
Adjusting head restraint height 39
Adjusting head restraint tilt 39
Adjusting seat cushion depth 38
Adjusting seat cushion tilt 38
Adjusting seat height 38
Front seat head restraints 116
Seat fore and aft adjustment 38Power seat bench* 117
Head restraint height 117
Power tilt/sliding sunroof 211
Closing 211
Closing in an emergency 386
Messages in display 370
Opening 211
Opening in an emergency 386
Power train 441
Power windows 207
Blocking of rear window operation 78
Closing 207, 208
Opening 207
Side windows 207
Synchronizing 209
Power-wash 331
Practical hints
First aid kit 379
Fuses 411
Lamp in center console 346
Lamps in instrument cluster 338
Towing the vehicle 408
Vehicle status messages in the multi-
function display 347
Vehicle tool kit 379

467 Index
Tightening torque (Wheel bolts) 402
Tilt/sliding sunroof
Stopping 213
Synchronizing 213
TIN 324
Tire
Vehicle maximum load on 324
Tire and Loading Information 300
Tire and loading terminology 322
Tire care and maintenance 297
Tire Identification Number see TIN
Tire inflation pressure
Checking 285, 305, 307
Setting units 164
Tire inflation pressure see the placard on
the fuel filler flap
Tire inspection 297
Tire load rating 324
Tire ply composition and material
used 324
Tire speed rating 278, 314, 324, 442
Tire terminology 322
Tire traction 277Tires 296
Direction of rotation 299
Driving instructions 276
Messages in display 372–378
Retreads 296
Rotating 325
Service life 297
Temperature 306, 321
Tire inflation pressure monitor warning
lamp 344
Tread depth 298, 326
Wear pattern 325
Winter 326
Tools 379
Tow-away alarm 89
Arming 89
Disarming 89
Disarming for transport 89
Towing eye bolt (vehicle tool kit) 380
Installing 410
Towing the vehicle 408
Traction 179, 324, 442
Transmission see Automatic
transmission 292
Tread 324
Tread depth 298Tread depth (tires) 326
Treadwear indicators 324
Trip computer 157
Trip odometer
Resetting 141
Trunk
Auxiliary fuse box 412
Closing 105
Closing from the inside
automatically* 105
Lighting 138, 139
Lock button, KEYLESS-GO* 101
Message in display 371
Opening 103
Opening from inside vehicle 104
Opening with SmartKey 95
Parcel net 250
Tie-down hooks 241
Trunk lid 103, 105
Trunk lock 384
Unlocking with SmartKey 95
Unlocking with SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 102
Trunk lid
Limiting opening height* 105
Trunk lid emergency release 111

468 IndexTrunk lid opening/closing system* 105,
107, 108
Turn signal lamps
Replacing bulbs 390
Turn signals 51
Additional in mirrors 390
Cleaning lenses 332
Front bulbs 390, 393
Rear bulbs 390, 395
Turning off
Engine 57
Turning off the engine 57
U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards 324
Units
Setting speedometer units 163
Setting temperature units 163
Unlock button
SmartKey 92
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 96
Trunk lid 96Unlocking 32, 92
Driver’s door in an emergency 383
Fuel filler flap 283
Global 94
Global (SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*) 99
Glove box 244
In an emergency 383
Selective settings 94, 100
Trunk lid 96
Trunk lid with SmartKey 95
Trunk lid with SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 102
Vehicle in an emergency 262
With the SmartKey 32
With the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 33, 96
Upgrade scenario
Tele Aid* 261
Uphill driving
Cruise control 215
Upholstery
Cleaning 336
Upshifting 175Useful features 242
Ashtrays 251
Cigarette lighter 252
Document holder 242
Garage door opener 264
Heated steering wheel* 253
Storage compartments 243
Tele Aid 255
Telephone* 254
Vanity mirror in the rear 243
Vanity mirror in the sun visor 242
V
Vacuum line routing diagram label 418
Vanity mirror in the rear 243
Vanity mirror in the sun visor 242
Vehicle
Individual settings 160, 162
Locking in an emergency 384
Lowering 402
Service battery 403
Towing 408
Unlocking in an emergency 383
Vehicle battery 403
Vehicle capacity weight 324