Page 331 of 377

Jump-starting
328 Reconnecting the battery
! Always reconnect the battery in the
sequence described below. Never swap the
terminal clamps. You may otherwise dam-
age the vehicle electronics.
X Switch off all electrical consumers .
X Connect the positive terminal clamp and
secure the cover .
X Connect the negative terminal clamp.
X Connect the breather hose. Make sure that
a cell cap is fitted between the battery and
the breather hose.
X Close the boot/luggage compartment.
i If the battery power supply has been inter-
rupted (e.g. if it has been reconnected), you
must carry out the following tasks:
R Reset the function for folding the exterio r
mirrors in/out automatically* by folding
the mirrors out once (Y page 94). Jump-starting
Jump-starting your vehicle
If your vehicle's battery is discharged, the
engine can be jump-started from another
vehicle or from an external battery using jump
leads.
Observe the following points:
R Jump-starting must only be performed
when the engine and catalytic converte r
are cold.
R Do not start the engine if the battery ha s
frozen. Thaw the battery out first.
R Jump-starting may only be performed from
12V batteries .
R Only use jump leads which are protected
against polarity reversal and which have a
sufficient cross-section and insulated ter-
minal clamps.
i Jump leads which are protected against
polarity reversal and further informatio n
about jump-starting can be obtained from
any Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
! Avoid repeated and lengthy starting
attempts. Never start the vehicle using a rapid battery
charger. G
Risk of injury
There is a risk of acid burns when jump -
starting a vehicle due to the gases which
escape from the battery. Do not lean over
the battery while the engine is being jump-
started. G
Risk of explosion
Gases escaping from the battery during
jump-starting may cause minor explosions.
Avoid creating sparks. Keep naked flames
away from the battery, and do not smoke .
Comply with safety precautions and tak e
protective measures when handling batter-
ies. You will find these under “Battery” in
the index .
X Make sure that the two vehicles do not
touch.
X Depress the parking brake.
X Manual transmission: engage neutral.
X Automatic transmission*: move the
selector lever to P.
X All vehicles: switch off all electric consum-
ers . Practical advice
* optional
204_AKB; 2; 3, en-GB
mkalafa,
2007-06-26T23:11:51+02:00 - Seite 328
Page 332 of 377

Towing and tow-startin
g 329
The positive and negative contacts are loca-
ted on the front bulkhead on the right-han d
side of the vehicle. 1
Positive terminal of donor batter y
2 Cove r
3 Positive contact on your vehicle
4 Negative contact on your vehicle
5 Negative terminal of donor battery
X Slide cap 2of positive contact 3in the
direction of the arrow.
X Attaching the jump-start cable to the donor
battery first, connect positive terminal 1
of the donor battery and positive contact
on your vehicle 3.
X Start the engine of the donor vehicle and
run it at idling speed . X
Attaching the jump-start cable to the donor
battery first, connect negative terminal 5
of the donor battery and negative contact
on your vehicle 4.
X Start the engine.
X Electrical consumers can be switched on
again. Do not switch the lights on however ,
as this will overload the battery.
X First disconnect the jump lead from nega -
tive terminals 4and 5, then from positiv e
terminals 1and 3.
X Have the battery checked at a qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. a Mercedes-Benz
Service Centre. Towing and tow-starting
Points to remember
G
Risk of accident
If you tow the vehicle, you must use a rigid
towing bar if:
R the engine is not running
R there is a brake system malfunctio n
R the voltage supply or the vehicle's elec-
trical system is damage d
There is no power assistance for the steer-
ing when the engine is not running.
It is better to have the vehicle transported
than to have it towed.
When towing, observe the legal requirement s
in all countries concerned.
! You may tow the vehicle for a maximum
of 50 km. A towing speed of 50 km/h must
not be exceeded.
With towing distances over 50 km, the
entire vehicle needs to be lifted up and
transported.
! Only secure the tow cable or towing bar
to the towing eyes. You may otherwise
damage the vehicle. Practical advice
204_AKB; 2; 3, en-GB
mkalafa,
2007-06-26T23:11:51+02:00 - Seite 329
Page 333 of 377

Towing and tow-startin
g330
R
Vehicles with an automatic transmission*
must not be tow-started.
R If the engine does not start, try jump-start-
ing it (Y page 328).
R If it is not possible to jump-start the vehicle ,
have it towed to the nearest qualified spe-
cialist workshop, e.g. a Mercedes-Ben z
Service Centre.
R If the vehicle has suffered transmission
damage, only tow it with the propeller shaft
disconnected.
R The selector lever must be in position Non
vehicles with automatic transmission*.
R If you are towing the vehicle over a consid-
erable distance, this may only be done with
the rear axle raised.
R The ignition must be switched off if you are
towing the vehicle with the front/rear axle
raised. Intervention by ESP ®
could other-
wise damage the brake system.
R Vehicles with 4MATIC* may not be towed
with the front or rear axle raised.
R Before towing the vehicle, make sure that
the battery is connected and charged. Oth-
erwise : -
You cannot switch on the ignition
- You cannot move the selector lever
to N(on vehicles with automatic trans-
mission*)
- You have no support when braking
i Switch off the automatic locking feature
before the vehicle is towed. You could oth-
erwise be locked out when pushing or tow -
ing the vehicle.
Deactivate tow-away protection befor e
towing (Y page 71). Fitting the towing eye
Vehicles with a trailer coupling: your vehi-
cle does not have a rear threaded socket for
mounting the towing eye. If you intend to use
the vehicle for towing, fold out the ball cou-
pling and secure the towline to it
( Y page 220).
Opening the front cover The fixtures for the removable towing eyes
are located in the bumpers. They are locatedat the front and rear under the covers on the
right-hand side of the vehicle.
Front bumper
1
Cove r
X Press the mark on cover 1inwards.
X Take cover 1off the opening but do not
remove it. Practical advice
* optional
204_AKB; 2; 3, en-GB
mkalafa,
2007-06-26T23:11:51+02:00 - Seite 330
Page 334 of 377

Towing and tow-startin
g 331
Opening the rear cover
Rear bumper
1
Cove r
X Press the mark on cover 1inwards.
X Take cover 1off the opening but do not
remove it.
Securing the towing eye X
Take the towing eye and the wheel wrench
from the vehicle tool kit (Y page 234).
X Screw in the towing eye clockwise to the
stop .
X Insert the wheel wrench handle into the
towing eye and tighten. Towing the vehicle
! Vehicles with 4MATIC* may not be towed
with the front or rear axle raised.
! If the vehicle is to be towed with the front
or rear axle raised, the ignition must be
switched off (key in position 0or 1in the
ignition lock). Application of the brakes by
ESP ®
could otherwise destroy the brake
system on the front or rear axle.
Vehicles with manual transmission X
Turn the key to position 2in the ignition
lock .
X Shift to neutral .
Vehicles with automatic transmission * X
Turn the key to position 2in the ignition
lock .
X Move the selector lever to N. Tow-starting (emergency engine
starting )
Please note:
R Vehicles with an automatic transmission*
must not be tow-started.
R The battery must be connected.
R The engine and catalytic converter must be
cold.
R Avoid repeated and lengthy starting
attempts .
Vehicles with manual transmission X
Turn the key to position 2in the ignition
lock .
X Shift to neutral .
X Tow the vehicle or let it roll.
X Shift to a suitable gear and bring the clutch
pedal up slowly. Do not depress the accel-
erator pedal.
The engine is started. Practical advice
* optiona l
204_AKB; 2; 3, en-GB
mkalafa,
2007-06-26T23:11:51+02:00 - Seite 331