
GWarning
Failure to follow these instructions can result
in severe injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting.
You might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water and seek
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking etc.
GWarning
Do not place any metal objects on the battery
as this could result in a short circuit.
Use leak-proof batteries only to avoid the risk
of acid burns in the event of an accident.
Take care that you do not become statically
charged, e.g. by wearing synthetic clothing or
rubbing against textiles. For this reason, you
also should not pull or push the battery over
carpets or other synthetic materials.
Never touch the battery first. First, touch the
outside body of the vehicle in order to release
any possible electrostatic charges.
Do not rub the battery with rags or cloths. The
battery could explode if touched due to
electrostatic charge or due to spark
formation.
! Switch off the engine and remove the key
before disconnecting the terminal clamps
from the battery. On vehicles with
KEYLESS-GO, make sure that the ignition is
switched off. Check that all the indicator
lamps in the instrument cluster are off. You
may otherwise destroy electronic
components, such as the alternator.
! Like other batteries, the vehicle battery
may discharge over time if you do not use
the vehicle. In this case, have the battery
disconnected at a qualified specialist
workshop, e.g. an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center. You can also charge the
battery with a charger recommended by
Mercedes-Benz. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for further
information.
The battery, breather hose and cover of the
positive terminal clamp must be installed
securely during operation.
i Remove the key if you park the vehicle
and do not require any electrical
consumers. The vehicle will then use very
little energy, thus conserving battery
power.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you do not
carry out work on batteries yourself, e.g.
removing, charging or replacing. Always have
this work performed at a qualified specialist
workshop, e.g. an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Charging the battery
GWarning
Never charge a battery while still installed in
the vehicle unless the accessory battery
charge unit approved by Mercedes-Benz is
being used. Gases may escape during
charging and cause explosions that may
result in paint damage, corrosion or personal
injury.
An accessory battery charge unit specially
adapted for Mercedes-Benz vehicles and
tested and approved by Mercedes-Benz is
available. It permits the charging of the
battery in its installed position. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for
information and availability.
Charge the battery in accordance with the
separate instructions for the accessory
battery charger.
GWarning!
There is a risk of acid burns during the
charging process due to the gases which
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Towing and tow-starting
Important safety notes
GWarning
If you tow the vehicle, you must use a rigid
towing bar if:
R the engine will not run.
R there is a malfunction in the brake system.
R there is a malfunction in the power supply
or the vehicle's electrical system.
With the engine not running, there is no power
assistance for the brake and steering
systems. You will then need considerably
more force to steer and to brake and the
brake pedal travel will be longer. If necessary,
depress the brake pedal with maximum force.
Before towing away, make sure that the
steering can be moved and is not locked.
If you tow or tow-start another vehicle, its
weight must not exceed the maximum
permissible gross vehicle weight of your
vehicle.
GWarning
The vehicle is braked when the HOLD function
or DISTRONIC PLUS is activated. Therefore,
deactivate HOLD and DISTRONIC PLUS if the
vehicle is to be towed.
It is better to have the vehicle transported
than to have it towed.
! You may only tow the vehicle a maximum
distance of 30 miles (50 km). A towing
speed of 30 mph (50 km/h) must not be
exceeded.
For towing distances over 30 miles
(50 km), the vehicle must loaded onto a
transporter.
! Only secure the tow rope or tow bar at the
towing eyes. Otherwise, the vehicle could
be damaged.
! Do not use the towing eye for recovery,
as this could damage the vehicle. If in
doubt, recover the vehicle with a crane.
! Drive slowly and smoothly when towing.
Excessive tractive power could otherwise
damage the vehicles.
! Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
This could damage the vehicle.
! On vehicles with KEYLESS-GO, use the
SmartKey instead of the Start/Stop
button. Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in
the ignition lock and shift the automatic
transmission to N. Then, turn the SmartKey
back to 0 and leave it in the ignition lock.
! Vehicles with automatic transmission
must not be started by tow-starting. This
could otherwise damage the transmission.
The automatic transmission must be in
position N when the vehicle is being towed.
Make sure that the battery is connected and
charged. You will otherwise not be able to:
R turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.
R shift the automatic transmission to
position N.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
manually release the selector lever lock in
position P (Y page 162).
i Switch off the automatic locking feature
before the vehicle is towed ( Y page 81).
Otherwise, you could lock yourself out of
the vehicle when pushing or towing the
vehicle.
Installing/removing the towing eye
Installing the towing eye
XRemove the towing eye from the vehicle
tool kit ( Y page 287).GWarning
The exhaust tail pipe may be hot. You could
burn yourself if you touch the tail pipe. Be
particularly careful when removing the rear
cover.
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The mountings for the removable towing eyes
are located in the bumpers. They are at the
front and at the rear, behind the covers.
Example: Cabriolet
XPress the mark on cover : inwards, in the
direction of the arrow.
XTake cover : off the opening.XScrew in and tighten the towing eye
clockwise to the stop.
Removing the towing eye
XUnscrew and remove the towing eye.XAttach cover : to the bumper and press
until it engages.
XPlace the towing eye in the vehicle tool kit.
Towing the vehicle with the rear axle
raised
When having your vehicle towed with the rear
axle raised, observe the important safety
notes (Y page 298).
! The ignition must be switched off if you
are towing the vehicle with the rear axle
raised. Intervention by ESP® could
otherwise damage the brake system.
XSwitch on the hazard warning flashers
(Y page 124).
XTurn the SmartKey to position 0 in the
ignition lock and remove the SmartKey.
XWhen leaving the vehicle, take the
SmartKey or the KEYLESS-GO key with you.
Towing the vehicle with both axles on
the ground
When having your vehicle towed, observe the
important safety notes (Y page 298).
GWarning
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
vehicle. Adapt your driving accordingly.
XTurn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.
XWhen the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal and hold it down.
XRelease the brake pedal.XRelease the parking brake.XSwitch on the hazard warning flashers
(Y page 124).
iWhen towing with the hazard warning
flashers switched on, use the combination
switch as usual to signal in which direction
you are changing. In this case, only the
indicator lamps for the direction of travel
flash. When you reset the combination
switch, the hazard warning flashers start
flashing again.
Transporting the vehicle
The towing eye can be used to pull the vehicle
onto a trailer or transporter for transporting
purposes.
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