If the vehicle has to be towed more than
30 miles (
50km),
the entire vehicle must be
raised and transported.
! Only secure the tow cable or tow bar to
the towing eyes. You could otherwise
damage the vehicle.
! Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
This could damage the vehicle.
! Do not use the towing eyes for recovery
purposes as this could damage the vehicle.
If in doubt, recover the vehicle with a crane.
! When towing, pull away slowly and
smoothly. If the tractive power is too high,
the vehicles could be damaged.
! Your vehicles is equipped with an
automatic transmission. Therefore, you
must not have the vehicle tow-started. The
transmission may otherwise be damaged. G
WARNING
If the weight of the vehicle to be towed or tow-
started is greater than the permissible gross
weight of your vehicle:
R the towing eye could detach itself
R the vehicle/trailer combination could
rollover.
There is a risk of an accident.
When towing or tow-starting another vehicle,
its weight should not be greater than the
permissible gross weight of your vehicle.
Information on your vehicle's gross vehicle
weight rating can be found on the vehicle
identification plate ( Y page 349).
It is better to have the vehicle transported
than to have it towed.
If the transfer case
can be shifted into neutral
N, you can tow the vehicle. If the transfer case cannot be shifted into
neutral N, you can tow the vehicle with one
axle raised. Please
bear
the following in mind:
R remove the propeller shaft between the
transfer case and the rolling axle.
R turn the SmartKey to position 1 in the
ignition lock (Y page 139).
The battery must be connected and charged.
Otherwise, you:
R cannot turn the SmartKey in the ignition
lock to position 2(Y page 139)
R cannot shift the automatic transmission to
position N
i Deactivate the automatic locking feature
(Y page 75). You could otherwise be locked
out when pushing or towing the vehicle. Towing eyes
Towing eyes, front 0043
Towing eyes, front
Towing eye, rear Towing and tow-starting
311
Breakdown assistance Z
Rear towing eye
0043 is located under the
bumper, on the left-hand
side when viewed in
the direction of travel. Towing a vehicle with both axles on
the ground
It is important that you observe the safety
instructions when towing away your vehicle
(Y page 310).
X Switch on the hazard warning lamps
(Y page 104).
i In order to signal a change of direction
when towing the vehicle with the hazard
warning lamps switched on, use the
combination switch as usual. In this case,
only the turn signals for the desired
direction flash. When you reset the
combination switch, the hazard warning
lamps start flashing again.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock (Y page 139).
X When the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal and keep it depressed.
X Shift the transfer case to
neutral (Y page 200).
X Shift the automatic transmission to
position N.
X Release the brake pedal.
X Release the parking brake ( Y page 157).
i The transmission can only change gear if
the battery has sufficient charge.
If you cannot move
the selector lever to N,
the propeller shafts to the driven axles
must be removed. Transporting the vehicle
! Only lash the vehicle
down by the wheels
or wheel rims, not by parts of the vehicle
such as axle or steering components.
Otherwise, the vehicle could be damaged. Use the towing eyes to pull the vehicle if it
needs to be transported on a trailer or
transporter (
Y page 311).
X Apply the parking brake.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock (Y page 139).
X Move the selector lever to N.
X Shift the transfer case to
neutral (Y page 200).
X Secure the towing cable to the towing eyes
(Y page 311).
X Make sure that the vehicle cannot roll
away.
X Release the parking brake.
X Load the vehicle onto the transporter.
As soon as the vehicle is loaded:
X Apply the parking brake.
X Shift the automatic transmission to
position P.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 0 in the
ignition lock (Y page 139) and remove it.
X Secure the vehicle. Recovering a vehicle that has become
stuck
! Pull away smoothly, slowly, and in a
straight line when pulling
out a vehicle that
has become stuck. Excessive tractive
power could damage the vehicles.
If the drive wheels get trapped on loose or
muddy ground, recover the vehicle with the
utmost care, especially so if the vehicle is
laden.
Never attempt to recover a vehicle with a
trailer attached.
Pull out the vehicle backwards, if possible,
using the tracks it made when it became
stuck. 312
Towing and tow-starting
Breakdown assistance
