R
It is important that you observe the described order of the battery terminals when connecting
and disconnecting a battery.
R When jump-starting, make sure that the battery poles with identical polarity are connected.
R It is particularly important to observe the described order when connecting and disconnecting
the jump leads.
R Never connect or disconnect the battery terminals while the engine is running. G
WARNING
A discharged battery can freeze at temperatures below freezing point. When jump-starting the
vehicle or charging the battery, gases can escape from the battery. There is a risk of an explosion.
Allow the frozen battery to thaw out before charging it or jump-starting.
If the indicator/warning lamps do not light up at low temperatures, it is very likely that the dis-
charged battery has frozen. In this case you may neither jump-start the vehicle nor charge the
battery. The service life of a battery that has been thawed may be reduced. The starting charac-
teristics may be impaired, especially at low temperatures. Have the thawed battery checked at a
qualified specialist workshop.
All vehicles:
! Avoid repeated and lengthy starting attempts. Otherwise, the catalytic converter could be
damaged by the non-combusted fuel.
Do not use a rapid charging device to start the vehicle. If your vehicle's battery is discharged, the
engine can be jump-started from another vehicle or from a second battery using jump leads.
Observe the following points:
R The battery is not accessible in all vehicles. If the other vehicle's battery is not accessible, jump-
start the vehicle using a second battery or a jump-starting device.
R You may only jump-start the vehicle when the engine and exhaust system are cold.
R All vehicles except vehicles with a lithium-ion battery: do not start the engine if the battery
is frozen. Let the battery thaw first.
R Jump-starting may only be performed using batteries with a nominal voltage of 12 V.
R Only use jump leads that have a sufficient cross-section and insulated terminal clamps.
R If the battery is fully discharged, leave the battery that is being used to jump-start connected for
a few minutes before attempting to start. This charges the empty battery a little.
R Make sure that the two vehicles do not touch.
Make sure that:
R The jump leads are not damaged.
R Non-insulated parts of the terminal clamps do not come into contact with other metal parts while
the jump leads are connected to the battery.
R the jump leads cannot come into contact with parts which can move when the engine is running,
such as the V-belt pulley or the fan.
X Secure the vehicle by applying the electric parking brake.
X Shift the transmission to position P.
X Make sure that the ignition is switched off . All indicator lamps in the instrument cluster must be
off. When using the key, turn the key to position 0in the ignition lock and remove it (Y page 103).
X Switch off all electrical consumers, e.g. rear window heating, lighting etc.
X Open the bonnet.
Vehicles with carbon engine cover: 254
Jump-startingBreakdown assistance
Vehicles with carbon engine cover:
X Replace the jump-starting connection point cover. Make sure all mountings for the fasteners are
positioned precisely behind the corresponding recesses in the cover.
X Press the fasteners into the mountings. Turn the fasteners by Õof a turn to engage.
All vehicles:
X Have the battery checked at a qualified specialist workshop.
Jump-starting is not considered to be a normal operating condition.
i Jump-starting cables and further information regarding jump starting can be obtained at any
qualified specialist workshop. Towing away and tow-starting
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
The rear axle locks when:
R the engine is not running
R the engine stalls while the vehicle is being
towed
R there is a malfunction in the voltage supply
or the vehicle's electrical system
There is a risk of an accident.
In the event of a breakdown, you should
always have the vehicle transported. G
WARNING
If the brake system or power steering is mal-
functioning and your vehicle is then towed
away, significantly more effort may be
required to steer and brake than is normally
required. There is a risk of an accident.
In such cases use a rigid towing bar. Before
towing away, make sure steering moves
freely. G
WARNING
When towing or tow-starting another vehicle
and its weight is greater than the permissible gross weight of your vehicle, the:
R towing eye may be torn off
R car/trailer combination may swerve or
even overturn
There is a risk of an accident. When towing or tow-starting another vehicle,
its weight should not be greater than the per- missible gross weight of your vehicle.
Details on the permissible gross vehicle weight
of your vehicle can be found on the vehicle iden-
tification plate (Y page 276).
! Use the key instead of the Start/Stop but-
ton when towing the vehicle.
Start the engine and keep it running. Turn the key to position 2in the ignition. Set the trans-
mission to Nusing the E-SELECT lever. Make
sure that you then leave the key in position 2.
Check the transmission position in the instru-
ment cluster.
! Make sure that the electric parking brake is
released. If the electric parking brake is faulty,
visit a qualified specialist workshop.
! Secure the tow rope or tow bar to the towing
eye only. The vehicle may otherwise be dam-
aged.
! When Active Brake Assist, Distance Pilot
DISTRONIC or the HOLD function is activated, the vehicle brakes automatically in certain
situations.
To avoid damage to the vehicle, deactivate
these systems in the following or similar sit-
uations:
R when towing away
R in a car wash
! Observe the following points when towing
with a tow rope:
R secure the tow rope on the same side on
both vehicles.
R make sure that the tow rope is not longer
than legally permitted. Mark the tow rope in 256
Towing away and tow-startingBreakdown assistance
the middle, e.g. with a white cloth
(30 x 30 cm). This makes other road users
aware that a vehicle is being towed.
R only secure the tow rope to the towing eye.
R observe the brake lamps of the towing vehi-
cle while driving. Always maintain a dis-
tance 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 towing eyes for recovery pur-
poses 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.
! Shift the automatic transmission to
Nand
do not open the driver's or front passenger's
door during towing. The automatic transmis-
sion may otherwise shift to position P, which
could damage both vehicles.
! 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 transmission fluid temperature
(AMG menu) in the on-board computer when
towing. The transmission fluid temperature
must not exceed 120 †. If this occurs, you
must stop towing immediately.
! Tow-starting the vehicle is not permitted.
The transmission may otherwise be damaged.
Also observe the following notes: R Observe the legal requirements in each indi-
vidual country when towing.
R If the engine does not start, try jump-starting
it (Y page 253). Tow-starting the vehicle is not
permitted.
R If it is not possible to jump-start the vehicle,
have it transported to the nearest qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. a Mercedes-Benz
Service Centre.
If the vehicle can no longer be driven because of an accident or breakdown, you have the follow-
ing options:
R transporting the vehicle As a rule, you should have the vehicle trans-
ported.
R towing the vehicle with a tow rope or tow bar
Only tow the vehicle in exceptional cases. The
engine must be running if you tow the vehicle with a tow rope or tow bar.
If the vehicle has suffered transmission damage, have it transported on a transporter or trailer.
Observe the display messages in the instrument
cluster.
The battery must be connected and charged.
Otherwise, you:
R will not be able to switch on the ignition with
the Start/Stop button
R cannot start the engine
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 70). 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 61). Fitting/removing the towing eye
Fitting the towing eye The bracket for the screw-in towing eye is
behind the radiator trim.
X Remove the towing eye from the vehicle tool
kit (Y page 246). X
Fold cover :forwards and leave it to hang
from the retaining strap.
X Lever off the cover behind it using a flat tool
and fold it out.
X Screw in the towing eye clockwise to the stop. Towing away and tow-starting
257Breakdown assistance Z
Removing the towing eye
X
Loosen the towing eye and unscrew it.
X Fold down the inner cover until it engages.
X Attach cover at the bottom and press it in at
the top until it engages.
X Put the towing eye back into the vehicle tool
kit. Towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground
It is important that you observe the safety
instructions when towing away your vehicle
(Y page 256).
The automatic transmission automatically shifts to position Pwhen you open the driver's or front-
passenger door or when you remove the key
from the ignition lock. In order to ensure that the automatic transmission stays in position N
when towing away the vehicle, you must
observe the following points:
X Insert the key into the ignition lock. You must
use the key instead of the Start/Stop button
(Y page 103).
X Start the engine and leave it running during
the entire towing procedure.
X Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X Move the transmission to position Nwith the
E-SELECT lever.
X Check the transmission position using the
indicator in the multifunction display
(Y page 111).
X Release the brake pedal.
X Release the electric parking brake.
X Switch on the hazard warning lamps
(Y page 90).
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. Transporting the vehicle
!
When the vehicle is loaded for transport, the
front and rear axles must be stationary and on the same transportation vehicle. Positioning
over the connection point of the transport
vehicle is not permitted. The drive train may
otherwise be damaged.
! You may only secure the vehicle by the
wheels, not by parts of the vehicle such as
axle or steering components. Otherwise, the
vehicle could be damaged.
The towing eye can be used to pull the vehicle
onto a trailer or transporter for transportation.
X Insert the key into the ignition lock. You must
use the key instead of the Start/Stop button
(Y page 103).
X Start the engine and leave it running during
the entire loading operation.
X Move the transmission to position Nwith the
E-SELECT lever.
X Check the transmission position using the
indicator in the multifunction display
(Y page 111).
As soon as the vehicle is loaded:
X Prevent the vehicle from rolling away by
applying the electric parking brake.
X Shift the automatic transmission to position
P.
X Turn the key to position 0in the ignition lock
and remove it.
X Secure the vehicle. 258
Towing away and tow-startingBreakdown assistance