401 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 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 equipment,
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.
Use the towing eyes.
Switch off the ESP
® (page 94), the tow-away
alarm (
page 98) and the automatic central
locking (
page 155).
!Do not tow-start the vehicle.
!When towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, the gear selector lever must be in
neutral positionN and the SmartKey must be in
starter switch position2.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels on the
ground, 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).
If the vehicle is towed with one axle raised
(observe instructions regarding flexible drive
shaft and propeller shafts), the engine must be
shut off and the SmartKey must be in starter
switch position1. Otherwise, the 4-ETS may
become engaged which may cause loss of
towing control.
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 brake sys-
tem
there is a malfunction in the power
supply or in the vehicle’s electrical
system
This is 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 the 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.
432 Index
Air pressure 304
Air pressure see Tire inflation pressure
Air recirculation mode 188
Activating 188
Deactivating 189
Air vents, Rear
Climate control 191
Air volume
Adjusting 186
Alarm
Audible 87, 96
Canceling 97, 98
Visual 96
Alarm system
Anti-theft 96
Anticorrosion/antifreeze 428
Anti-theft alarm system
Arming 97
Canceling alarm 97
Disarming 97
Anti-theft systems 96
Anti-theft alarm system 96
Tow-away alarm 98
Aquaplaning see HydroplaningArmrest
Storage box in front of 217
Storage compartments below 216
Telephone* tray below 216
Ashtrays 220
In center console 220
In rear passenger compartment 221
Aspect ratio 304
At the gas station 264
ATF (automatic transmission fluid) 273
Audio menu 141
Selecting radio station 141
Audio search function 155
Auto-dimming for rear view mirror 177
Automatic central locking
Activating/deactivating (control
system) 155
Automatic headlamp mode 118
Automatic locking when driving 106
Automatic operation
Interior lighting control 125Automatic transmission 162
Accelerator position 166
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 169
Fluid level 273
Gear ranges 167
Gear selector lever 162
Gear selector lever position 163, 164
Gear shifting malfunctions 169
Kickdown 166
One-touch gearshifting 168
Shifting procedure 163
Transmission fluid 273
B
BabySmart
TM
Air bag deactivation system 81
Compatible child seats 81
Self-test 82
Backup lamp
Message in display 357
Backup lamps
Bulbs 378
Replacing bulbs 386
Bar 304
BAS 88, 90
