tance a distance so that the tow rope does
not sag.
R Do not use steel cables or chains to tow
your vehicle. You could otherwise damage
the vehicle.
! Do not use the trailer tow hitch for recovery
or towing. Do not use the towing eye for
recovery. This could damage the vehicle. If in doubt, have the vehicle recovered using a
crane.
! When towing, pull away slowly and
smoothly. Pull the towed vehicle as straight as possible and not at an acute angle. If the trac-
tive power is too high, the vehicles could be
damaged.
When towing, it is preferable to use a rigid tow- ing bar as opposed to a tow rope. A rigid towing
bar helps to keep the tractive power low.
! To tow vehicles with KEYLESS-GO, use the
key instead of the Start/Stop button. The
automatic transmission may otherwise
switch to position Pwhen you open the driv-
er's or front-passenger door which could
damage the transmission.
! Vehicles with differential locks: make sure
the differential locks are in automatic mode.
When towing, the differential locks must not
be switched on. The transmission may other- wise be damaged.
! You may tow the vehicle for a maximum of
50km. A towing speed of 50 km/h must not
be exceeded.
For towing distances over 50 km, the entire
vehicle must be lifted up and transported.
Observe the legal requirements for the relevant countries when towing.
It is better to have the vehicle transported than
to have it towed.
If the vehicle has suffered transmission damage, have it transported on a transporter or trailer.
The automatic transmission must be in position
N when the vehicle is being towed away.
The battery must be connected and charged.
Otherwise, you:
R cannot turn the key to position 2in the igni-
tion lock
R cannot release the electric parking brake
R cannot shift the automatic transmission to
position N Deactivate the automatic locking feature before
towing the vehicle (Y page 247). You could oth-
erwise be locked out when pushing or towing
the vehicle.
Deactivate tow-away protection before the vehi-
cle is towed away (Y page 75). Fitting/removing the towing eye
Fitting the towing eye The mountings for the removable towing eyes
are located in the bumpers. They are at the front and rear behind covers :;.
X Remove the towing eye from the vehicle tool
kit (Y page 332).
X Press the mark on cover :or; inwards in
the direction of the arrow.
X Take cover :or; off the opening.
X Screw in the towing eye clockwise as far as it
will go and tighten it.
Removing the towing eye X
Loosen the towing eye and unscrew it.
X Front cover: position the left-hand side of
cover :in the bumper and press it in on the
right-hand side until it engages.
X Rear cover: position the top side of cover ;
in the bumper and press it in at the bottom
until it engages.
X Place the towing eye in the vehicle tool kit. 344
Towing away and tow-startingBreakdown assistance
