2006 MERCEDES-BENZ C55AMG towing

417 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 only so
far as necessary to have the vehicle moved
to a safe location where the recommended
towing methods can be employed.
!
Do not tow-start the vehicle.
!
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 90) and deactivate the auto-
matic central locking (
page 147).
!
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 gear 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
distances up to 30 miles (50 km) and
at a speed not to exceed 30 mph
(50 km/h).
!
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 for
any towing beyond a short tow to a
nearby garage.

418 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
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.
i
To signal turns while being towed with
the hazard warning flasher in use,
switch on the 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.
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 90).
To prevent the vehicle doors from
locking, deactivate the automatic
central locking (
page 147).
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.

419 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Installing 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 the 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.
i
If the battery is disconnected or
discharged

the SmartKey will not turn in the
starter switch. For more informa-
tion, see “Battery” (
page 411)
and “Jump starting” (
page 415).

the gear selector lever will remain
locked in positionP. For informa-
tion on manually unlocking the
transmission gear selector lever
(
page 388).

453 Index
Driving
Abroad 290
Hydroplaning 287
In winter 288
Instructions 42, 283
Problems 52
Safety systems 82
Systems 245
Through standing water 289
Driving safety systems
ABS 82
BAS 84
ESP
®84
E
Easy-entry/exit feature 39, 148
Electrical fuses see Fuses
Electrical outlet 263
Electrical system, Technical data 434
Electronic Stability Program see ESP
®
Emergency calls
911 calls 235
Tele Aid* calls 266, 267, 271
Emergency operation
(Limp-Home Mode) 168Emergency operations
Gear selector lever, Unlocking 388
Locking/unlocking the vehicle 386
Power tilt/sliding sunroof*,
Manual operation 389
Remote door unlock 272
Trunk lid, Releasing from inside 102
Trunk lid, Unlocking 387
Emergency Tensioning Device see ETD
Emergency, in case of
Battery, Jump starting 415
First aid kit 350, 380
Flat tire, Changing 404
Fuses 420
Hazard warning flasher 119
Instrument cluster,
Indicator lamps 350–356
Roadside Assistance 12, 268
Towing the vehicle 417
Emission control 291
Information label 426
System warranties 10Engine
Belt layout 427
Block heater (Canada only) 337
Brake-in recommendations 282
Cleaning 343
Compartment 297
Malfunction indicator lamp 25, 352
Maximum engine speed 428
Number 426
Starting 46
Technical data 428
Turning 56
Engine coolant see coolant
Engine number 444
Engine oil 298, 437
Adding 300
Additives 437
Changing 436
Checking level 299
Consumption 298
Display messages 299
Filler neck 301
Messages in display 299, 371, 372
Recommended engine and
oil filter 371
Viscosity 444

464 Index
Tires 305, 429
Air pressure 331
Care and maintenance 306
Chains 337
Cleaning 307, 342
Direction of rotation 308
Driving instructions 286
Important notes, Tire inflation
pressure 316
Inflation pressure 295, 315, 317
Information Placard 309
Inspection 306
Load rating 334
Ply composition and material
used 334
Problems under-/overinflation 320
Retreads 305
Rims and tires 429
Rotating 335
Run Flat Indicator* (Canada
only) 318
Service life 306
Sizes 429
Speed rating 288, 324, 334
Temperature 316, 330
Terminology 331Tire Identification Number see TIN
Traction 287
Tread 334
Tread depth 307, 336
Treadwear indicators 334
Vehicle maximum load on 334
Wear pattern 335
Winter 336
Tools 380
Top tether
Children in the vehicle 77
Tow-away alarm* 90
Towing eye bolt 419
Towing the vehicle 417
Tow-start 415, 417
Traction 161, 334
Transmission gear selector lever see Gear
selector lever
Transmission see Automatic transmission
Traveling abroad 290
Tread 334
Tread depth 307, 336
Treadwear indicators 334
Trip computer 150
Trip odometer 123Trunk
Closing the lid 101
Fuse box 422
Lamp 121
Message in display 379
Opening 98, 99, 100
Tie-down rings 255
Trunk emergency release 102
Unlocking in an emergency 102
Turn signal lamps
Messages in display 377
Replacing bulbs 395, 396
Turn signals 49
Additional in mirrors 395
Bulbs 395, 396
Cleaning lenses 344
Indicator lamps 25
Turning off engine 56
U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards 334
Units, Setting
Speedometer 138
Upholstery, Cleaning 347
Useful features 256

465 Index
V
Vacuum line routing diagram label 426
Valet locking 103
Vehicle
Battery 411
Breaking-in the vehicle 282
Care 341
Dimensions 435
Individual settings 135, 137
Locking/unlocking 104
Locking/unlocking in an
emergency 386, 387
Lowering 410
Modifications and alterations,
Operating safety 16
Towing 417
Washing 342, 343
Weights 435
Vehicle capacity weight 334
Vehicle Identification Number see VIN
Vehicle jack 381Vehicle loading
Cargo tie-down rings* 255
Instructions 254, 308
Load limit 435
Roof rack* 248
Split rear bench seat* 252
Terminology 331
Vehicle maximum load on the tire 334
Vehicle recovery services, Stolen
(Tele Aid*) 264
Vehicle status message memory 134
Vehicle tool kit 380
Removing 380
VIN 426, 448
Voice control system*,
Hands-free microphone 29
W
Warning lamps see Lamps, indicator and
warning
Warning sounds
Driver or front passenger seat belt 69
Parking brake 47
Seat belt telltale 355
Warranty coverage 10, 425
Washer fluid see Windshield washer fluid
Washer reservoir level 295Washing the vehicle 341
Wear pattern (tires) 335
Weights, Vehicle 435
Wheel
Bolts 385
Removing 406
Spare 383, 433
Tightening torque 410
Wheels, Tires 305
Window curtain air bags 66
Windows see Power windows
Windshield
Cleaning 345
Defogging 180, 191
Replacing wiper blades 402
Washer fluid 304, 442
Washer system 442
Windshield washer fluid 442
Message in display 379
Mixing ratio 442
Refilling 304
Wiping with 51
Windshield washer system 442
Windshield wipers 50
Cleaning 345
Replacing wiper blades 402