2006 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 towing

414 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 (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 408) or on jump starting
(page 411).
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.

415 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 the direction of
arrow.

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

Take towing eye bolt and wheel wrench
out of trunk (
page 384).

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
approximately 9 mph (15 km/h) or
more.
Switch off the tow-away alarm
(
page 88).
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.

461 Index
Height adjustments
Vehicle level 230, 233
High beam 50
Replacing bulbs 395
High beam flasher 135
High beam headlamps
Messages in display 370
Switching on 135
High mounted brake lamp 395
High-performance brake system
(S 65 AMG only) 275
Hood 287
Closing 288
Message in display 368
Opening 287
Hydroplaning 277
I
Identification labels 422
Emission control information
label 422
Vacuum line routing diagram
label 422
Ignition 34, 36
Switching on 34, 46, 47Immobilizer 85
Activating 85
Deactivating 85
Indicator lamps see Lamps, indicator and
warning
Individual seats* 117
Head restraint height 118
Infant and child restraint systems 71
Installing 74
LATCH child seat anchors 75
Information
About service and warranty 10
Button for Tele Aid 259
Infrared reflecting windshield 269
Inside rear view mirror
Auto-dimming 186
Installing
Infant and child restraint systems 74
Towing eye bolt 415
Wiper blades 402
Instrument cluster 24, 140, 446
Cleaning 337
Coolant temperature gauge 141
Illumination 140Multifunction display 143
Outside temperature indicator 142
Selecting language 164
Integrated remote control
Canadian programming 267
Erasing memory 268
Hand-held transmitter 265
Operating 268
Rolling code programming 266
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
J
Jump starting 411

467 Index
Parking position
Exterior rear view mirrors 130, 170,
172, 187
Parktronic system* 235, 447
Parktronic*
Cleaning sensors 335
Malfunctioning 238
Warning indicators 236
Parts service 420
Passenger compartment 281
Fuse box in 417
Interior lighting 137
Interior rear view mirror 41
Parcel net in front passenger
footwell 247
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 338
Poly-V-belt drive 447
Positions (Memory function)
Recalling from memory 129
Positions (Memory function*)
Storing into memory 129
Potential problems associated with under-
inflated and overinflated tires 312
Power assistance 273
Power closing assist for doors and trunk
lid 112
Power folding exterior rear view
mirrors 188
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 folding down or placing
upright 117
Power tilt/sliding sunroof 212
Closing 212
Closing in an emergency 391
Messages in display 374
Opening 212
Opening in an emergency 391
Power train 447
Power washer 333
Power windows 208
Blocking of rear window operation 77
Closing 208, 209
Opening 208
Side windows 208
Synchronizing 210
Practical hints
First aid kit 384
Fuses 416
Lamp in center console 348
Lamps in instrument cluster 340
Towing the vehicle 413
Vehicle status messages in the multi-
function display 349
Vehicle tool kit 384

474 IndexTemperature
Display mode 163
Setting units in display 163
Tires 307
Tie-down hooks (Trunk) 240
Tightening torque 449
Tightening torque (Wheel bolts) 407
Tilt/sliding sunroof
Stopping 214
Synchronizing 214
TIN 325
Tire
Vehicle maximum load on 325
Tire and Loading Information 301
Tire and loading terminology 323
Tire care and maintenance 298
Tire Identification Number see TIN
Tire inflation pressure
Checking 286, 306, 308
Setting units 164
Tire inflation pressure see the placard on
the fuel filler flapTire inspection 298
Tire load rating 325
Tire ply composition and material
used 325
Tire speed rating 278, 315, 325
Tire terminology 323
Tire traction 278
Tires 297
Direction of rotation 300
Driving instructions 277
Messages in display 376–383
Retreads 297
Rotating 326
Service life 298
Temperature 307, 322
Tire inflation pressure monitor warning
lamp 346
Tread depth 299, 327
Wear pattern 326
Winter 327
Tools 384Tow-away alarm 88
Arming 88
Canceling alarm 89
Disarming 88
Disarming for transport 88
Towing eye bolt (vehicle tool kit) 385
Installing 415
Towing the vehicle 413
Traction 179, 325
Transmission see Automatic
transmission 293
Tread 325
Tread depth 299
Tread depth (tires) 327
Treadwear indicators 325
Trip computer 157
Trip odometer
Resetting 141

476 IndexUseful features 241
Ashtrays 249
Cigarette lighter 250
Document holder 241
Garage door opener 263
Heated steering wheel* 252
Storage compartments 242
Tele Aid 254
Telephone* 253
Vanity mirror in the rear 242
Vanity mirror in the sun visor 241
V
Vacuum line routing diagram label 422
Vanity mirror in the rear 242
Vanity mirror in the sun visor 241
Vehicle
Individual settings 160, 162
Locking in an emergency 389
Lowering 407
Service battery 408
Towing 413
Unlocking in an emergency 388
Vehicle battery 408
Vehicle capacity weight 325Vehicle care 332
Cup holder 337
Distronic* system sensor cover 335
Engine cleaning 334
Gear selector lever 337
Hard plastic trim items 337
Headlamps 334
Instrument cluster 337
Leather upholstery 338
Light alloy wheels 337
Ornamental moldings 334
Paintwork 333
Parktronic* system sensor 335
Plastic and rubber parts 338
Power washer 333
Seat belts 337
Side markers 334
Steering wheel 337
Tail lamps 334
Tar stains 333
Turn signals 334
Upholstery 338
Vehicle washing 334
Window cleaning 336
Wiper blades 335
Wood trims 338Vehicle data recording 19
Vehicle level 230, 233
Changing 231, 234
Setting 231, 234
Automatic 231, 234
Manual 231, 234
Vehicle level control 449
Vehicle lighting
Checking 286
Vehicle loading terminology 323
Vehicle maximum load on the tire 325
Vehicle status message memory 159
Calling up 159
Displaying 159
Vehicle submenu
Limiting opening height of trunk lid*
(Control system) 169
Vehicle tool kit 384, 385
Alignment bolt 385
Fuse chart 385
Fuse extractor 385
Gloves 385
Screwdriver 385
Spare fuses 385
Wheel wrench 385
Vehicle washing 334