2016 MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class SEDAN towing

!The vehicle is lowered by about 0.8 in
(20 mm) if:
Ryou have selected "Comfortable tuning"
Ryou switch off the engine and then
Ryou lock the vehicle within approximately
60 seconds
When parking, position your vehicle so that
it does not make contact with the curb as
the vehicle is lowered. Your vehicle could
otherwise be damaged.
Vehicle level
Important safety notes
GWARNING
When the vehicle is being lowered, people
could become trapped if their limbs are
between the vehicle body and the wheels or
underneath the vehicle. There is a risk of
injury.
Make sure no one is underneath the vehicle or
in the immediate vicinity of the wheel arches
when the vehicle is being lowered.
The vehicle may be lowered if you press the
suspension setting selector button or the
AMG button. The vehicle also lowers if it is
stationary.
!If Sport or Sport + suspension tuning has
been selected, the vehicle's ground clear-
ance decreases. Make sure that no objects
become trapped or that the vehicle does
not become damaged, for example, on the
curb.
iThe vehicle level may change visibly at the
rear axle if you park the vehicle and the
outside temperature changes. If the tem-
perature drops, the vehicle level lowers;
with an increase in temperature, the vehi-
cle level rises.
4MATIC (permanent four-wheel drive)
If you fail to adapt your driving style, 4MATIC
can neither reduce the risk of accident nor override the laws of physics. 4MATIC cannot
take account of road, weather and traffic con-
ditions. 4MATIC is only an aid. You are
responsible for the distance to the vehicle in
front, for vehicle speed, for braking in good
time and for staying in your lane.
If a drive wheel spins due to insufficient grip:
ROnly depress the accelerator pedal as far as
necessary when pulling away.
RAccelerate less when driving.
!Never tow the vehicle with one axle
raised. This may damage the transfer case.
Damage of this sort is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty. All
wheels must remain either on the ground or be fully raised. Observe the instructions for
towing the vehicle with all wheels in full
contact with the ground.
iIn wintry driving conditions, the maximum
effect of 4MATIC can only be achieved if
you use winter tires (M+S tires), with snow
chains if necessary.
4MATIC ensures that all four wheels are per-
manently driven. Together with ESP
®, it
improves the traction of your vehicle when-
ever a drive wheel spins due to insufficient
grip.
PARKTRONIC
Important safety notes
PARKTRONIC is an electronic parking aid with
ultrasonic sensors. It monitors the area
around your vehicle using six sensors in the
front bumper and six sensors in the rear
bumper. PARKTRONIC indicates visually and
audibly the distance between your vehicle
and an object.
PARKTRONIC is only an aid. It is not a replace-
ment for your attention to your immediate
surroundings. You are always responsible for
safe maneuvering, parking and exiting a park- ing space. When maneuvering, parking or
pulling out of a parking space, make sure that
168Driving systems
Driving and parking

If a mobile phone network and GPS reception
are available, the system transfers data to the
Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Center,
for example:
Rcurrent location of the vehicle
Rvehicle identification number
The COMAND/Audio 20 display indicates
that a call is active. During the call, you can
change to the navigation menu by pressing
the NAVI button in COMAND/Audio 20, for
example.
Voice output is not available in this case.
A voice connection is established between
the Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance
Center and the vehicle occupants.
From the remote malfunction diagnosis, the
Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Center
can ascertain the nature of the problem. In
the Digital Operator's Manual, you will find
information on remote malfunction diagno-
sis.
The Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance
Center either sends a qualified Mercedes-
Benz technician or makes arrangements for
your vehicle to be transported to the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
You may be charged for services such as
repair work and/or towing.
You can find more information in the separate
mbrace manual.
The system has not been able to initiate a
Roadside Assistance call, if:
Rthe indicator lamp for Roadside Assistance
call button Fis flashing continuously.
Rno voice connection to the Mercedes-Benz
Customer Assistance Center was estab-
lished.
This can occur if the relevant mobile phone
network is not available, for example.
The Call Failed
message appears in the
multifunction display.
XTo end a call: press the~button on the
multifunction steering wheel.
or
XPress the corresponding COMAND/Audio
20 button for ending a phone call.
MB Info call button
XTo call MB Info: press MB Info call but-
ton :.
This initiates a call to the Mercedes-Benz
Customer Assistance Center.
The indicator lamp in MB Info call button :
flashes while the connection is being made.
The Connecting
Callmessage appears in
the multifunction display. The audio output
is muted.
If a connection can be made, the Call Con‐
nectedmessage appears in the multifunction
display.
If a mobile phone network and GPS reception
are available, the system transfers data to the
Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Center,
for example:
Rcurrent location of the vehicle
Rvehicle identification number
The COMAND/Audio 20 display indicates
that a call is active. During the call, you can
change to the navigation menu by pressing
the NAVI button in COMAND/Audio 20, for
example.
Voice output is not available in this case.
A voice connection is established between
the Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance
Center and the vehicle occupants.
Features255
Stowage and features
Z

Useful information............................270
Where will I find...? ...........................270
Flat tire .............................................. 271
Battery (vehicle) ................................ 275
Jump-starting .................................... 279
Towing and tow-starting ..................281
Fuses .................................................. 284
269
Roadside Assistance

Useful information
i
This Operator's Manual describes all
models and all standard and optional equip-
ment of your vehicle available at the time of
publication of the Operator's Manual.
Country-specific differences are possible.
Please note that your vehicle may not be
equipped with all features described. This
also applies to safety-related systems and
functions.
iRead the information on qualified special-
ist workshops (
Ypage 31).
Where will I find...?
Vehicle tool kit
General notes
The vehicle tool kit can be found in the stow- age well under the trunk floor (
Ypage 248) or
cargo compartment floor (
Ypage 249).
Depending on the vehicle equipment, the
vehicle tool kit is on the left-hand side or the
right-hand side in the stowage well under the trunk floor/cargo compartment floor.
Vehicles with a TIREFIT kit
Vehicle tool kit in the left-hand stowage well (exam-
ple: equipment and country-specific variations
possible)
:
Tire sealant filler bottle
;Folding wheel chock
=One pair of gloves (under jack)
?Tire inflation compressor
ATowing eye
BJack
CAlignment bolt
DFuse allocation chart
ELug wrench
XOpen the trunk lid/tailgate.
XSedan: lift up the floor of the trunk
(
Ypage 248).
XWagon: remove the seat cushions of the
folding bench seat; see the Digital Opera-
tor's Manual, keyword "Folding bench seat
(cargo compartment)".
Vehicles with a spare
wheel/"Minispare" emergency spare
wheel
(Example: equipment and country-specific varia-
tions possible)
:
Vehicle tool kit tray
;Stowage well
=Spare wheel/"Minispare" emergency
spare wheel
XOpen the trunk lid/tailgate.
XSedan: lift up the floor of the trunk
(
Ypage 248).
XWagon: remove the seat cushions of the
folding bench seat; see the Digital Opera-
tor's Manual, keyword "Folding bench seat
(cargo compartment)".
The vehicle tool kit contains:
RFolding wheel chock
RFuse allocation chart
RJack
270Where will I find...?
Roadside Assistance

RAlignment bolt
ROne pair of gloves
RLug wrench
RTowing eye
Vehicles with a collapsible spare wheel
(Example: equipment and country-specific varia-
tions possible)
:
Towing eye
;One pair of gloves
=Jack
?Folding wheel chock
AAlignment bolt
BSheet for faulty wheel
CTire inflation compressor
DLug wrench
EFuse allocation chart
XOpen the trunk lid/tailgate.
XSedan:lift up the floor of the trunk
(
Ypage 248).
XWagon: remove the seat cushions of the
folding bench seat; see the Digital Opera-
tor's Manual, keyword "Folding bench seat
(cargo compartment)".
Flat tire
Preparing the vehicle
Your vehicle may be equipped with:
RMOExtended tires (tires with run-flat prop-
erties) (
Ypage 272) Vehicle preparation is not necessary on
vehicles with MOExtended tires
Ra TIREFIT kit (Ypage 270)
Ran emergency spare wheel (Ypage 329)
Vehicles equipped with MOExtended tires are
not equipped with a TIREFIT kit at the factory. It is therefore recommended that you addi-
tionally equip your vehicle with a TIREFIT kit if
you mount tires that do not feature run-flat
properties, e.g. winter tires. A TIREFIT kit may
be obtained from a qualified specialist work-
shop.
Information on changing/mounting a wheel
(
Ypage 309).
XStop the vehicle on solid, non-slippery and
level ground, as far away as possible from
traffic.
XSwitch on the hazard warning lamps.
XSecure the vehicle against rolling away
(
Ypage 151).
XIf possible, bring the front wheels into the
straight-ahead position.
XVehicles with AIRMATIC: make sure that
"normal" level is selected (
Ypage 166).
XSwitch off the engine.
XRemove the SmartKey from the ignition
lock.
or, on vehicles with KEYLESS ‑GO:
XOpen the driver's door.
The on-board electronics now have status
0 . This is the same as the SmartKey having
been removed.
XRemove the Start/Stop button from the
ignition lock (
Ypage 138).
XMake sure that the passengers are not
endangered as they do so. Make sure that
no one is near the danger area while a
wheel is being changed. Anyone who is not
directly assisting in the wheel change
should, for example, stand behind the bar-
rier.
XGet out of the vehicle. Pay attention to traf-
fic conditions when doing so.
XClose the driver's door.
Flat tire271
Roadside Assistance

XSlide cover:of positive terminal ;in the direction of the arrow.
XConnect positive terminal ;on your vehicle to positive terminal =of donor battery B
using the jumper cable, always begin with positive terminal ;on your own vehicle first.
XStart the engine of the donor vehicle and run it at idling speed.
XConnect negative terminal ?of donor battery Bto ground point Aof your vehicle using
the jumper cable, connecting the jumper cable to battery of other vehicle Bfirst.
XStart the engine.
XBefore disconnecting the jumper cables, let the engine run for several minutes.
XFirst, remove the jumper cables from ground point Aand negative terminal ?, then from
positive clamp ;and positive terminal =. Begin each time at the contacts on your own
vehicle first.
XClose cover :of positive clamp ;after removing the jumper cables.
XHave the battery checked at a qualified specialist workshop.
iJump-starting is not considered to be a normal operating condition.
iJumper cables and further information regarding jump-starting can be obtained at any
qualified specialist workshop.
Towing and tow-starting
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Functions relevant to safety are restricted or
no longer available if:
Rthe engine is not running.
Rthe brake system or the power steering is
malfunctioning.
Rthere is a malfunction in the voltage supply or the vehicle's electrical system.
If your vehicle is being towed, much more
force may be necessary to steer or brake.
There is a risk of an accident.
In such cases, use a tow bar. Before towing,
make sure that the steering moves freely.
GWARNING
When towing or tow-starting another vehicle
and its weight is greater than the permissible
gross weight of your vehicle, the:
Rthe towing eye could detach itself
Rthe vehicle/trailer combination could roll-
over.
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.
iDetails on the permissible gross vehicle
weight of your vehicle can be found on the
vehicle identification plate (
Ypage 336).
!If DISTRONIC PLUS or the HOLD function
is activated, the vehicle brakes automati-
cally in certain situations.
To prevent damage to the vehicle, deacti-
vate DISTRONIC PLUS and the HOLD func- tion in the following or other similar situa-
tions:
Rwhen towing the vehicle
Rin the car wash
!Only secure the tow rope or tow bar at the
towing eyes. Otherwise, the vehicle could
be damaged.
!Do not use the towing eye for recovery,
this could damage the vehicle. If in doubt,
recover the vehicle with a crane.
Towing and tow-starting281
Roadside Assistance
Z

!When towing, pull away slowly and
smoothly. If the tractive power is too high,
the vehicles could be damaged.
!Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
This could damage the vehicle.
!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.
!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.
HYBRID vehicles : make sure that you read
the "HYBRID" supplement included in the
vehicle literature. You could otherwise fail to
recognize dangers e.g. due to high voltage.
It is better to have the vehicle transported
than to have it towed away.
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:
Rcannot turn the SmartKey to position 2in
the ignition lock
Rcannot shift the automatic transmission to position N
In the event of damage to the electrical
system
If the battery is defective, the automatic
transmission will be locked in position P. To
shift the automatic transmission to position N, you must provide power to the vehicle's
electrical system in the same way as when
jump-starting (
Ypage 279).
Have the vehicle transported on a transporter
or trailer.
iDisarm the automatic locking feature
(
Ypage 95). You could otherwise be locked
out when pushing or towing the vehicle.
Installing/removing the towing eye
Installing the towing eye
GWARNING
The exhaust tail pipe may be very hot. There is
a risk of burns when removing the rear cover.
Do not touch the exhaust pipe. Take particular
care when removing the rear cover.
Towing eye covers (example: Sedan)
The mountings for the removable towing eyes
are located in the bumpers. They are at the
front and at the rear, behind the covers.
XRemove the towing eye from the vehicle
tool kit (
Ypage 270).
XPress the mark on cover :inwards in the
direction of the arrow.
282Towing and tow-starting
Roadside Assistance

XTake cover:off the opening.
XScrew in the towing eye clockwise as far as
it will go and tighten it.
Removing the towing eye
XUnscrew and remove the towing eye.
XAttach cover :to the bumper and press
until it engages.
XPlace the towing eye in the vehicle tool kit.
Towing a vehicle with both axles on
the ground
It is important that you observe the safety
instructions when towing away your vehicle
(
Ypage 281).
The automatic transmission automatically
shifts to position Pwhen you open the driver's
or front-passenger door or when you remove
the SmartKey from the ignition lock. In order
to ensure that the automatic transmission
stays in position Nwhen towing the vehicle,
you must observe the following points:
XMake sure that the vehicle is stationary and
the SmartKey in the ignition lock is in posi- tion 0.
XTurn the SmartKey to position 2in the igni-
tion lock.
On vehicles with KEYLESS-GO, use the
SmartKey instead of the Start/Stop button
(
Ypage 139).
XDepress and hold the brake pedal.
XShift the automatic transmission to posi-
tion N.
XRelease the brake pedal.
XRelease the parking brake.
XSwitch on the hazard warning lamps, see
the Digital Operator's Manual.
XLeave the SmartKey in position 2in the
ignition lock.
iWhen towing with the hazard warning
lamps switched on, use the combination
switch as usual to signal a change of direc- tion. In this case, only the indicator lamps
for the direction of travel flash. After reset-
ting the combination switch, the hazard
warning lamp starts flashing again.
Towing the vehicle with the rear axle
raised
!
Vehicles with 4MATIC must not be towed
with either the front or the rear axle raised,
as doing so will damage the transmission.
!Vehicles with automatic transmission
must not be towed with the rear axle raised.
The vehicle/trailer combination may oth-
erwise swerve or even roll over.
!The ignition must be switched off if you
are towing the vehicle with the rear axle
raised. Intervention by ESP
®could other-
wise damage the brake system.
Transporting the vehicle
!
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 transporting
purposes.
XTurn the SmartKey to position 2in the igni-
tion lock.
XShift the automatic transmission to posi-
tion N.
As soon as the vehicle has been loaded:
XPrevent the vehicle from rolling away by
applying the parking brake.
XShift the automatic transmission to posi-
tion P.
XTurn the SmartKey to position 0in the igni-
tion lock and remove the SmartKey from
the ignition lock.
XSecure the vehicle.
Towing and tow-starting283
Roadside Assistance
Z