Towing and tow-starting
Important safety notes
G WARNING
Functions relevant to safety are restricted or
no longer available if: R
the engine is not running. R
the brake system or the power steering is
malfunctioning. R
there 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.
G WARNING
When towing or tow-starting another vehicle
and its weight is greater than the permissible
gross weight of your vehicle, the: R
the towing eye could detach itself R
the 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.
Details on the permissible gross vehicle weight
of your vehicle can be found on the vehicle iden-
tification plate ( Y
page 426).
! When COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST
PLUS, DISTRONIC PLUS 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 the vehicle R
in the car wash
! 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. Otherwise, the vehicle could
become damaged.
! Do not use the towing eyes for recovery pur-
poses as this could damage the vehicle. If in
doubt, recove r 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 N and
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 the transmission.
! Do not tow with sling-type equipment. This
could damage the vehicle.
! 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.
It is better to have the vehicle transported than
to have it towed away.
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.
If the automatic transmission cannot be shifted
to position N , have the vehicle transported on a
transporter or trailer.
The battery must be connected and charged.
Otherwise, you: R
cannot turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock R
cannot release the electric parking brake R
cannot shift the automatic transmission to
position N
Disarm the automatic locking feature before the
vehicle is towed ( Y
page 87). You could other-
wise be locked out when pushing or towing the
vehicle.
PLUG-IN HYBRID vehicles:Towing and tow-starting 379
Breakdown assistance Z
Transporting the vehicle
PLUG-IN HYBRID vehicles Transportation of the vehicle should only be car-
ried out by professional recovery companies.
4MATIC vehicles/vehicles with auto-
matic transmission
! 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.
All vehicles
! 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 pur-
poses. X
Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the ignition
lock. X
Shift the automatic transmission to position
N .
As soon as the vehicle has been loaded: X
Prevent the vehicle from rolling away by
applying the electric parking brake. X
Shift the automatic transmission to posi-
tion P .X
Turn the SmartKey to position 0 in the ignition
lock and remove it. X
Secure the vehicle. Notes on 4MATIC vehicles
! 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 4MATIC may either be towed away
with both axles on the ground or be loaded up
and transported.
If the vehicle's transmission, front, or rear axle is
damaged, have the vehicle transported on a
truck or trailer.
In the event of damage to the electrical sys-
tem: 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
( Y
page 376).
Have the vehicle transported on a transporter or
trailer.
Tow-starting (emergency engine
starting)
! Vehicles with automatic transmission must
not be tow-started. You could otherwise dam-
age the automatic transmission.
i Information on "Jump-starting"
( Y
page 376).
Fuses
Important safety notes
G WARNING
If you manipulate or bridge a faulty fuse or if
you replace it with a fuse with a higher amper-
age, the electric cables could be overloaded.
This could result in a fire. There is a risk of an
accident and injury.
Always replace faulty fuses with the specified
new fuses having the correct amperage.
Blown fuses must be replaced with fuses of the
same rating, which you can recognize by the
color and value. The fuse ratings are listed in the
fuse allocation chart.
The fuse allocation chart is on the fuse box in the
trunk ( Y
page 381). Fuses 381
Breakdown assistance Z
If a newly inserted fuse also blows, have the
cause traced and rectified at a qualified special-
ist workshop, e.g. an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
! Only use fuses that have been approved for
Mercedes-Benz vehicles and which have the
correct fuse rating for the system concerned.
Otherwise, components or systems could be
damaged.
The fuses in your vehicle serve to close down
faulty circuits. If a fuse blows, all the compo-
nents on the circuit and their functions stop
operating.
Before changing a fuse X
Switch off the engine. X
Switch off all electrical consumers. X
Make sure that the ignition is switched off
( Y
page 162).
or X
When using the SmartKey, turn the SmartKey
to position 0 in the ignition lock and remove it
( Y
page 162).X
Secure the vehicle against rolling away
( Y
page 189).
All indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
must be off.
The fuses are located in various fuse boxes: R
Fuse box on the driver's side of the dashboard R
Fuse box in the front-passenger footwell R
Fuse box in the engine compartment on the
left-hand side of the vehicle, when viewed in
the direction of travel R
Fuse box in the trunk
Dashboard fuse box
! Do not use a pointed object such as a screw-
driver to open the cover in the dashboard. You
could damage the dashboard or the cover.
! Make sure that no moisture can enter the
fuse box when the cover is open.
! When closing the cover, make sure that it is
lying correctly on the fuse box. Moisture seep-
ing in or dirt could otherwise impair the oper-
ation of the fuses. X
Open the driver's door. X
To open: pull cover C outwards in the direc-
tion of the arrow and remove it. X
To close: clip in cover C on the front of the
dashboard. X
Fold cover C inwards until it engages.
Fuse box in the front-passenger foot-
well
! Make sure that no moisture can enter the
fuse box when the cover is open.
! When closing the cover, make sure that it is
lying correctly on the fuse box. Moisture seep-
ing in or dirt could otherwise impair the oper-
ation of the fuses.
X
Open the front-passenger door. X
Fold cover C down and remove it.382
Fuses
Breakdown assistance
Fuse box in the engine compartment
G WARNIN G
When th e hoo d is open and th e windshield
wiper s are set in motion , you can be injured by
th e wiper linkage. Ther e is a ris k of injury.
Always switch off th e windshield wiper s and
th e ignition before opening th e hood.
! Mak e sure that no moisture can ente r th e
fus e box when th e cover is open .
! When closin g th e cover , mak e sure that it is
lyin g correctly on th e fus e box . Moistur e seep -
ing in or dirt could otherwise impair th e oper -
ation of th e fuses.
X
Open th e hoo d ( Y
page 352).X
To open : release retaining clamps C and
remove cover D .
X
Use a dry cloth to remove any moisture from
th e fus e box .X
Undo screws
Mounting a wheel
Preparing the vehicle X
Stop the vehicle on solid, non-slippery and
level ground. X
Apply the electric parking brake manually. X
Bring the front wheels into the straight-ahead
position. X
Shift the transmission to position P .X
Make sure that "normal" level is selected for
AIRMATIC ( Y
page 212) or Active Body Con-
trol (ABC) ( Y
page 210).X
Switch off the engine. X
Open the driver's door.
The on-board electronics now have status 0 .
This is the same as the SmartKey having been
removed. X
Remove Start/Stop button from ignition lock
( Y
page 162).
or, if the SmartKey is inserted in the ignition
lock: X
Remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock. X
Make sure that the engine cannot be started
via your smartphone ( Y
page 164).X
If included in the vehicle equipment, remove
the tire-change tool kit from the vehicle. X
Safeguard the vehicle against rolling away.
Securing the vehicle to prevent it from
rolling away
If your vehicle is equipped with a wheel chock, it
can be found in the tire-change tool kit
( Y
page 367).
The folding wheel chock is an additional safety
measure to prevent the vehicle from rolling
away, for example when changing a wheel. X
Fold both plates upwards C .X
Fold out lower plate D .X
Guide the lugs on the lower plate fully into the
openings in base plate
inserting wheel chocks. Do not disengage the
parking brake while the vehicle is raised. R
The jack must be placed on a firm, flat and
non-slip surface. On a loose surface, a large,
flat, load-bearing underlay must be used. On a
slippery surface, a non-slip underlay must be
used, e.g. rubber mats. R
Do not use wooden blocks or similar objects
as a jack underlay. Otherwise, the jack will not
be able to achieve its load-bearing capacity
due to the restricted height. R
Make sure that the distance between the
underside of the tires and the ground does not
exceed 1.2 in (3 cm). R
Never place your hands and feet under the
raised vehicle. R
Do not lie under the vehicle. R
Do not start the engine when the vehicle is
raised. R
Do not open or close a door or the trunk lid
when the vehicle is raised. R
Make sure that no persons are present in the
vehicle when the vehicle is raised.
Vehicles with AMG wheels and hub caps: the
hub cap covers the wheel bolts. Before you can
unscrew the wheel bolts, you must remove the
hub cap. Two different variants can be installed.
Vehicles with AMG wheels and plastic hub
caps: X
To remove: turn the center cover of hub
cap C counter-clockwise and remove.X
To install: before installing, ensure that hub
cap C is in the open position. To do this, turn
the center cover counter-clockwise. X
Position hub cap C and turn the center cover
clockwise until hub cap C engages physically
and audibly. X
Make sure that hub cap C is installed
securely. Vehicles with AMG wheels and aluminum
hub caps: X
To remove: take socket D and lug wrench
i The data shown on the vehicle identification
plate is used only as an example. This data is
different for every vehicle and can deviate
from the data shown here. You can find the
data applicable to your vehicle on the vehicle
identification plate.
Vehicle identification number (VIN) X
Open the front right-hand door. X
Fold cover C down and remove it.
You will see the VIN.
The VIN can also be found in the following loca-
tions: R
on the lower edge of the windshield
( Y
page 427) R
on the vehicle identification plate
( Y
page 426)
Engine number
C
Engine number (stamped into the crank-
case)
D
VIN (on the lower edge of the windshield)
Other identifications, for example: R
0 W-30 R
5 W-30 R
5 W-40
Fuel
Important safety notes
G WARNING
Fuel is highly flammable. If you handle fuel
incorrectly, there is a risk of fire and explo-
sion.
You must avoid fire, open flames, creating
sparks and smoking. Switch off the engine
and, if applicable, the auxiliary heating before
refueling.
G WARNING
Fuel is poisonous and hazardous to health.
There is a risk of injury.
You must make sure that fuel does not come
into contact with your skin, eyes or clothing
and that it is not swallowed. Do not inhale fuel
vapors. Keep fuel away from children.
If you or others come into contact with fuel,
observe the following: R
Wash away fuel from skin immediately
using soap and water. R
If fuel comes into contact with your eyes,
immediately rinse them thoroughly with
clean water. Seek medical assistance with-
out delay. R
If fuel is swallowed, seek medical assis-
tance without delay. Do not induce vomit-
ing. R
Immediately change out of clothing which
has come into contact with fuel. Tank capacity Missing values were not available at time of
going to print.
Model Total capacity
S 400 4MATIC
PLUG-IN HYBRID vehi-
cles 16.6 US gal
(63.0 l)
Al l ot her models
21.1 US gal
(80.0 l)
Model Of which
reserve
S 400 4MATIC
Mercedes ‑ AMG vehicles
Approx.
3.2 US gal
(12.0 l)
Al l ot her models
Approx.
2.1 US gal (8.0 l)
Gasoline
Fuel grade
! Do not use diesel to refuel vehicles with a
gasoline engine. Do not switch on the ignition
if you accidentally refuel with the wrong fuel.
Otherwise, the fuel will enter the fuel system.
Even small amounts of the wrong fuel could
result in damage to the fuel system and the
engine. Notify a qualified specialist workshop
and have the fuel tank and fuel lines drained
completely.
! Only refuel using unleaded premium grade
gasoline with at least 91 AKI/95 RON.
i E10 fuel contains up to 10% bioethanol.
Your vehicle is E10-compatible. You can
refuel your vehicle using E10 fuel.
! Only use the fuel recommended. Operating
the vehicle with other fuels can lead to engine
failure.
! Do not use the following: R
E15 (gasoline with 15% ethanol) R
E85 (gasoline with 85% ethanol) R
E100 (1 00% ethanol) R
M15 (gasoline with 15% methanol)428
Service products and filling capacities
Technical data