This chapter does not refer to all the fuses in the vehicle. These should be changed only by
a qualified workshop.
Fuses in the dash panel
Fig. 208 Dash panel on the driver side: fuse box cover.
Fig. 209 Fuse box cover in the dash panel: right-hand drive vehicle, on the front passenger side.
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Left-hand drive: opening the fuse box in the dash panel
•Open the stowage compartment on the driver side ⇒ Fig. 208.
•Empty stowage compartment if necessary.
High voltages in the electrical system can cause electric shocks, serious burns and death.
•Never touch the electrical wiring of the ignition system.
•Avoid causing short circuits in the electrical system.
WARNING
Using unsuitable or repaired fuses and bridging an electrical circuit without fuses can
cause a fire and serious injuries.
•Never fit fuses that have a higher fuse protection limit. Fuses must always be replaced
by a new fuse with the same amp rating (same colour and markingsyf D Q G V L ] H .
•Never repair a fuse.
•Never use a metal strip, paper clip or similar objects to replace a fuse.
WARNING
•To avoid damage to the electrical system in the vehicle, switch the ignition, the lights
and all electrical consumers off and remove the vehicle key from the ignition lock
before changing a fuse.
•You can damage another position in the electrical system by using a fuse with a higher
amp rating.
•Fuse boxes must be protected from dirt and moisture when opened. Dirt and moisture
in the fuse boxes can damage the electrical system.
NOTICE
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
In vehicles with a 12-volt vehicle battery in the luggage compartment, there is a jump lead
connection point (positive terminalyf ⇒ Fig. 216⊕ under a cover in the engine compartment for
connecting the red jump lead.
The vehicle can be jump-started or be used to jump-start another vehicle only via this jump lead
connection point.
Jump starting the vehicle
Fig. 217 Diagram for connecting the jump leads (12-volt vehicle battery in the engine
compartmentyf .
Fig. 218 Diagram showing how to connect jump leads on the vehicle providing the jump start (12-
volt battery in luggage compartmentyf .
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Key for ⇒ Fig. 217 and ⇒ Fig. 218:
Vehicle with discharged 12-volt vehicle battery that is being jump-started.
Vehicle with 12-volt vehicle battery that is supplying power and jump-starting the other
vehicle.
Suitable earth connection: preferably the jump lead connection point (earth connectionyf D
solid metal part which is securely bolted onto the cylinder block, or the cylinder block itself.
The discharged 12-volt vehicle battery must be properly connected to the vehicle's electrical
system.
The vehicles must not touch. Otherwise electricity could flow as soon as the positive terminals are
connected.
Ensure that the battery clamps have good metal-to-metal contact with the battery terminals.
If the engine does not start immediately, switch off the starter after about 10 seconds and try again
after about a minute.
If the engine still does not start, seek expert assistance.
Connecting jump leads (vehicles with 12-volt battery in the engine
compartmentyf
The jump leads should only be connected in the order A – B – C – D⇒ Fig. 217.
The black jump lead should never be connected to the negative terminal (–yf R Q W K H Y R O W Y H K L F O H
battery. Connecting the lead to the negative terminal can cause incorrect condition evaluation of the
12-volt vehicle battery in the vehicle electronics.
•Switch off the ignition in both vehicles ⇒ Starting and stopping the engine.
•Open the cover on the 12-volt vehicle battery in the engine compartment, if a cover is installed
⇒ 12-volt vehicle battery.
•Connect one end of the red jump lead to the positive terminal (+yf R I W K H Y H K L F O H Z L W K W K H
discharged 12-volt vehicle battery ⇒ Fig. 217①⇒.
Tow-starting or towing
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the followingsubjects:
⇒ Notes on tow-starting and towing
⇒ Fitting the rear towing eye
⇒ Fitting the front towing eye
⇒ Fitting the front towing eye (R-Lineyf
⇒ Driving notes when towing
Tow-starting is where a vehicle is started from it being set in motion by a vehicle that is hitched up
to it.
Towing is where a vehicle that cannot be driven is pulled away with the aid of another vehicle.
Observe any legal requirements when towing or tow-starting.
For technical reasons, vehicles with a discharged 12-volt battery must not be towed.⇒ Jump
starting
Vehicles with Keyless Access must only be towed with the ignition switched on.
Towing a vehicle when the engine is switched off and the ignition is switched on discharges the 12-
volt vehicle battery. Depending on the charge level of the 12-volt vehicle battery, the drop in voltage
can be large enough after just a few minutes that electrical consumers in the vehicle will no longer
function, e.g. the hazard warning lights.
Jump starting the vehicle incorrectly can cause the 12-volt vehicle battery to explode,
which can lead to serious injuries. Please observe the following in order to reduce the risk
of the 12-volt vehicle battery exploding:
•All work on the 12-volt vehicle battery and the electrical system can cause serious
chemical burns, fire or electric shocks. Always read the warnings and safety
information before carrying out any kind of work on the 12-volt vehicle battery ⇒ 12-
volt vehicle battery.
•Always wear suitable eye protection and gloves and never lean over the 12-volt vehicle
battery.
•Attach the connector cables in the correct order – the positive cable first, followed by
the negative.
•Never connect the negative cable to parts of the fuel system or to the brake lines.
•The non-insulated parts of the battery clamps must not be allowed to touch. The jump
lead attached to the positive terminal on the 12-volt vehicle battery must not touch
electrically conductive parts of the vehicle.
•m/k/a995MK Vehicles with battery in the engine compartment: check the battery
window on the 12-volt vehicle battery. Use a torch for this if necessary. If the display is
light yellow or colourless, do not jump start the vehicle. Seek expert assistance.
•Avoid electrostatic discharge in the vicinity of the 12-volt vehicle battery. The explosive
gas emitted from the 12-volt vehicle battery could be ignited by sparks.
•Do not carry out jump starting if the 12-volt vehicle battery is damaged or if it is or has
ever been frozen.
WARNING
Once the vehicle has been successfully jump-started, go to a qualified workshop and have
the 12-volt vehicle battery checked.
NOTICE
Notes on tow-starting and towing
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Tow rope, tow bar
It is easier and safer to tow a vehicle with a tow bar. Only use a tow rope if you do not have a tow
bar.
The tow rope should be slightly elastic to reduce the strain on both vehicles. It is advisable to use a
tow rope made of synthetic fibre or similarly elastic material.
Only attach the tow rope or tow bar to the specially provided towing eyes or to the towing bracket.
Vehicles with a factory-fitted towing bracket must only use tow bars that are specially designed
to fit a ball head ⇒ Trailer towing.
Tow-starting
Vehicles should not be tow-started wherever possible. Instead have the vehicle jump-started
⇒ Jump starting or collected by a recovery vehicle.
However, if the vehicle still has to be tow-started:
•Engage second or third gear.
•Keep the clutch pressed down.
•Switch on the ignition and the hazard warning lights.
•Once both vehicles are in motion, release the clutch.
•As soon as the engine starts, press the clutch and put the gear into neutral. This helps to
prevent driving into the towing vehicle.
When should your vehicle not be towed?
•The vehicle gearbox is damaged or does not contain any lubricant.
•The 12-volt vehicle battery is discharged. The steering system is still locked and the electronic
parking brake and electronic steering column lock, if applied, cannot be released.
•The distance to be towed is further than 50 km.
Never tow a vehicle that has no power supply.
•Never remove the vehicle key from the ignition or switch off the ignition using the
starter button during towing. This could cause the mechanical steering column lock
(steering lockyf R U W K H H O H F W U R Q L F V W H H U L Q J F R O X P Q O R F N W R H Q J D J H V X G G H Q O \ <