Page 396 of 466

!
Only secure the tow rope or tow bar at the
towing eyes. Otherwise, the vehicle could
be damaged.
! Do not use the trailer tow hitch for recov-
ery 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.
Excessive tractive power could damage the
vehicles.
i When towing, it is preferable to use a rigid
towing bar as opposed to a tow rope. A rigid
towing bar helps to keep the tractive power low.
! When towing vehicles with KEYLESS-GO,
use the key instead of the Start/Stop but-
ton. Otherwise, the automatic transmission
may shift to position Pwhen the driver's or
front-passenger door are opened, which
could lead to damage to the transmission.
! Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
This could damage the vehicle.
! 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 otherwise be damaged.
! The vehicle can be towed a maximum of
30 miles (50km). The towing speed of
30 mph (50 km/h) must not be exceeded.
If the vehicle has to be towed more than
30 miles (50km), the entire vehicle must be
raised and transported.
! If you tow or tow-start another vehicle, its
weight must not exceed the maximum per- missible gross vehicle weight of your vehi-
cle.
i Information on your vehicle's gross vehi-
cle weight rating can be found on the vehi-
cle identification plate (Y page 446).It is better to have the vehicle transported
than to have it towed.
If the vehicle has suffered transmission dam-
age, have it transported on a transporter or
trailer.
The automatic transmission must be in posi-
tion Nwhen the vehicle is being towed.
The battery must be connected and charged.
Otherwise, you:
R cannot turn the SmartKey to position 2in
the ignition lock
R cannot release the electric parking brake
R cannot shift the automatic transmission to
position N
i Disarm the automatic locking feature
before the vehicle is towed (Y page 279).
You could otherwise be locked out when
pushing or towing the vehicle. Installing/removing the towing eye
Installing the towing eye Example: towing eye mounting covers
0043 Front cover
0044 Back cover
The brackets for the screw-in towing eyes are
located in the bumpers. They are at the front and at the rear, behind the covers. 394
Towing and tow-startingBreakdown assistance
Page 462 of 466

Trailer loads
Trailer loads, trailer drawbar noseweights and axle loads Missing values were not available at time of going to print.
ML 250 BlueTEC 4MATIC
Permissible trailer load, unbraked
Permissible trailer load, braked (at a min-
imum gradient-climbing capability of
12% from a standstill) 6613 lbs (3000 kg)
Maximum drawbar noseweight (the
drawbar noseweight is not included in
the trailer load)
529 lbs (240 kg)
Permissible rear axle load when towing a
trailer 3637 lbs (1650 kg)
ML 350 and ML 400
Permissible trailer load, unbraked
Permissible trailer load, braked (at a min-
imum gradient-climbing capability of
12% from a standstill) 6613 lbs (3000 kg)
Maximum drawbar noseweight (the
drawbar noseweight is not included in
the trailer load)
529 lbs (240 kg)
Permissible rear axle load when towing a
trailer 3527 lbs (1600 kg)
ML 350 4MATIC, ML 400 4MATIC and
ML 550 4MATIC Permissible trailer load, unbraked
Permissible trailer load, braked (at a min-
imum gradient-climbing capability of
12% from a standstill) 7198 lbs (3265 kg)
Maximum drawbar noseweight (the
drawbar noseweight is not included in
the trailer load)
575 lbs (261 kg)
Permissible rear axle load when towing a
trailer 3527 lbs (1600 kg)460
Trailer tow hitchTechnical data
Page 463 of 466

ML 63 AMG 4MATIC
Permissible trailer load, unbraked
Permissible trailer load, braked (at a min-
imum gradient-climbing capability of
12% from a standstill) 6724 lbs (3050 kg)
Maximum drawbar noseweight (the
drawbar noseweight is not included in
the trailer load)
309 lbs (140 kg)
Permissible rear axle load when towing a
trailer 3858 lbs (1750 kg)
ML 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC
Permissible trailer load, unbraked
Permissible trailer load, braked (at a min-
imum gradient-climbing capability of
12% from a standstill) 7198 lbs (3265 kg)
Maximum drawbar noseweight (the
drawbar noseweight is not included in
the trailer load)
575 lbs (261 kg)
Permissible rear axle load when towing a
trailer 3637 lbs (1650 kg)
The actual noseweight may not be higher than the value which is given. The value can be found
on the trailer tow hitch or trailer identification plates. The lowest weight applies.
The maximum permissible trailer drawbar noseweight is the maximum weight with which the
trailer drawbar can be loaded. Limit for Mercedes-Benz-approved trailer couplings.
Ball position Ball position of the ball coupling When choosing a ball coupling, the dimen-
sions stated in the illustration must not be
exceeded. Trailer tow hitch
461Technical data Z