2011 MERCEDES-BENZ SLS tow

Towing the vehicle
Safety notes
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.
! To prevent damage during transport, do
not tie down vehicle by its chassis or
suspension parts.
If circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the vehicle
may be towed with all wheels on the ground
or rear axle raised only so far as necessary to
have the vehicle moved to a safe location
where the recommended towing methods
can be employed.
! Before towing the vehicle observe the
following instructions:
RDo not tow-start the vehicle. You could
otherwise seriously damage the
transmission which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
RDo not tow with sling-type equipment.
Towing with sling-type equipment over
bumpy roads will damage radiator and
supports.
RTowing of the vehicle should only be
done using the properly installed towing
eye bolt. Never attach a tow cable, tow
rope or tow rod to the vehicle chassis,
frame or suspension parts.
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.
! Avoid pulling the vehicle abruptly or
diagonally, since it could result in damage
to the chassis alignment.
! Do not use the towing eye bolt for
recovery, as this could damage the vehicle.
If in doubt, recover the vehicle with a crane.
iIf the battery is disconnected or
discharged
Rthe transmission will remain in park
position P
Rthe SmartKey will not turn in the starter
switch
For more information see “Battery”
(Y page 410) or “Jump starting”
(Y page 413).
Installing towing eye bolt
The towing eye bolt is supplied with the
vehicle tool kit, located in the storage
compartment underneath the trunk floor
(Y page 362).
XTake the towing eye bolt and the wheel
wrench out of the trunk.
Your vehicle is equipped with a front towing
eye bolt only. You cannot tow other vehicles
with your vehicle.
Removing cover in front bumper
XPull off cover :.XRemove cover : from the opening.
Cover : is tethered with a plastic strap.
Towing the vehicle415Practical hintsBA 197 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 27, en-UShereepeVersion: 3.0.3.52010-03-24T15:31:10+01:00 - Seite 415Z

Fixing towing eye boltXScrew towing eye bolt ; clockwise into
threaded hole to its stop.XInsert wheel wrench into towing eye and
tighten towing eye bolt ; by turning it
clockwise.
Removing towing eye bolt
XLoosen towing eye bolt ; by turning it
counterclockwise.XUnscrew towing eye bolt ;.XReinstalling cover: Engage cover :
( Y page 415) at bottom and press at top.XStore the towing eye bolt ; and wheel
wrench back into the vehicle tool kit.
Towing with rear 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).
When towing the vehicle with the rear axle
raised, the wheels on the ground have to
move freely. Therefore follow the respective
steps below, after the rear axle being raised:
XSwitch on the hazard warning flasher
( Y page 252).XMake sure the transmission remains in
neutral position N. Observe instructions,
see “Shifting into neutral position N”
( Y page 263).!
Because the ESC operates automatically,
the engine and ignition must be shut off
(KEYLESS-GO start/stop button in position
0 or 1, or SmartKey in starter switch
position 0 or 1) when the electronic parking
brake is being tested on a brake test
dynamometer or when the vehicle is being
towed with the rear axle raised.
Active braking action through the ESC may
otherwise seriously damage the brake
system which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
! Keep in mind that it is important for the
SmartKey to be left in starter switch with
the ignition switched off. As soon as the
SmartKey is removed from the starter
switch the transmission will shift to park
position P.
Towing with all wheels on the ground
GWarning!
When there is a malfunction in the brake
system, the vehicle must be towed using a tow
bar.
Before towing make sure the steering wheel
is unlocked and can be moved.
The vehicle must not be towed when the
power supply or the vehicle’s electrical
system are malfunctioning.
GWarning!
While the vehicle is being towed,
R the engine may turn off
R the electrical system may fail
R the battery voltage may drop too far.
All or any of this will block the rear axle.
This could cause an accident and injure you
and/or others.
! You must not use the KEYLESS-GO start/
stop button when towing the vehicle. Use
the SmartKey instead.
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Leave the engine running under all
circumstances.
Removing the SmartKey from the starter
switch or opening a door with the ignition
switched off will automatically shift the into
park position P.XStart the engine ( Y page 259).XWith the vehicle at a standstill, depress the
brake pedal and keep it pressed.XShift the transmission into neutral position
N .XCheck the transmission position in the
instrument cluster ( Y page 265).XRelease the brake pedal.XIf engaged, release the electronic parking
brake.XSwitch on the hazard warning flasher
( Y page 252).XLeave the engine running throughout the
entire towing procedure.
! 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).
! Make sure the electronic parking brake is
released. If the electronic parking brake is
malfunctioning, contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
! While towing, check the temperature of
the transmission fluid via the control
system in the AMG menu. The transmission
fluid temperature may not rise above 248‡
(120†). Otherwise, the towing procedure
must be stopped immediately.
i While being towed with the hazard
warning flasher in use, use the combination
switch in the usual manner to signal turns.
Only the selected turn signal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the hazard
warning flasher will operate again.
Fuses
Introduction
The electrical fuses in your vehicle serve to
switch off malfunctioning power circuits.
If a fuse is blown, the components and
systems secured by that fuse will stop
operating.
GWarning!
Only use fuses approved by Mercedes-Benz
with the specified amperage for the system in
question and do not attempt to repair or
bridge a blown fuse. Using other than
approved fuses or using repaired or bridged
fuses may cause an overload leading to a fire,
and/or cause damage to electrical
components and/or systems. Have the cause
determined and remedied by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
A blown fuse must be replaced by an
appropriate spare fuse (recognizable by its
color or the fuse rating given on the fuse) of
the amperage recommended in the fuse
chart. Any Mercedes-Benz Center will be glad
to advise you on this subject.
i In case of a blown fuse contact Roadside
Assistance or an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center.
If a newly inserted fuse blows again, have the
cause determined and rectified by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
The fuse chart is located in the trunk with the
vehicle tool kit ( Y page 362). The fuse chart
explains the fuse allocation and fuse
amperages.
Before replacing fuses
XEngage the electronic parking brake.XMake sure the transmission is in park
position P.XSwitch off all electrical consumers.XTurn off the engine.Fuses417Practical hintsBA 197 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 27, en-UShereepeVersion: 3.0.3.52010-03-24T15:31:10+01:00 - Seite 417Z