Self-help
WARNING
The risk of accidents is high when tow-start-
ing, f or e
xample, the towed vehicle can easily
be driven into the towing vehicle. CAUTION
If there is no oil in the gearbox or no lubricant
in the autom atic
transmission the car may
only be towed with the driven wheels lifted
clear of the road, or transported on a special
car transporter or trailer. CAUTION
Do not tow a vehicle for more than 50 m in at-
tempt t
o start it. There is risk of damage to
the catalytic converter. Note
● Ple a
se observe related legal requirements.
● Switch on the hazard warning lights of both
vehicl
es. However, observe any regulations
to the contrary.
● The tow rope must not be twisted. Other-
wise the fr
ont tow line anchorage could be
pulled off the vehicle. Indications for tow-starting
Vehicle's should not generally be tow-star-
t
ed.
The jump s
tart should be used instead
››› page 67. For technical reasons, towing the following
vehicl
es is not allowed:
● Vehicles with an automatic gearbox.
● If the vehicle battery is discharged, be-
cause in
vehicles with the Keyless Access
locking and ignition system the steering re-
mains locked and the electronic parking
brake cannot be deactivated nor can the elec-
tronic lock of the steering column be re-
leased if they are activated.
● If the battery is flat, it is possible that the
engine contr
ol units may not operate correct-
ly.
However, if the vehicle must absolutely be
tow-started (in the case of manual gearbox-
es):
● Engage the 2nd or 3rd gear.
● Keep the clutch pressed down.
● Switch on the ignition and the hazard warn-
ing lights.
● Once both
vehicles are moving, release the
clutc
h.
● Once the engine starts, press the clutch
and diseng
age the gear to avoid colliding
with the towing vehicle. Note
The vehicle can only be tow-started if the
electr onic
parking brake and, if appropriate,
the electronic lock of the steering column are deactivated. If the vehicle has no power sup-
ply
or ther
e is an electric system fault, the
engine must be tow-started to deactivate the
electronic parking brake and the electronic
lock of the steering column. 97
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
