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Towing away and tow-starting
336
Towing away and tow-starting
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Safety relevant functions are restricted or no
longer available if:
the engine is not running
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the brake system or power steering is mal-
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functioning
there is a malfunction in the voltage supply
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or the vehicle's electrical system
When your vehicle is towed away or towed
started, you may require considerably more
effort to steer and brake. There is a risk of an
accident.
In such cases use a rigid towing bar. Before
being towed away or tow started, make sure
the steering moves freely.
G
WARNING
If the steering wheel lock is engaged, the vehi-
cle can no longer be steered. There is a risk of
an accident.
Always switch on the ignition when towing
with a tow rope or a towing bar.
G
WARNING
When towing or tow-starting another vehicle
and its weight is greater than the permissible
gross weight of your vehicle, the:
towing eye may be torn off
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car/trailer combination may swerve or
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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 (
!
When Active Brake Assist, Distance Pilot
DISTRONIC or the HOLD function is activated,
the vehicle brakes automatically in certain
situations.
page 359).
Y
To avoid damage to the vehicle, deactivate
these systems in the following or similar sit-
uations:
when towing away
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in a car wash
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!
Make sure that the electric parking brake is
released. If the electric parking brake is faulty,
visit a qualified specialist workshop.
!
Only secure the tow cable or tow bar to the
towing eyes or, if available, to the trailer tow
hitch. You could otherwise damage the vehi-
cle.
!
Observe the following points when towing
with a tow rope:
Secure the tow rope on the same side on
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both vehicles.
Make sure that the tow rope is not longer
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than legally permitted. Mark the tow rope in
the middle, e.g. with a white cloth
(30 x 30 cm). This will make other road
users aware that a vehicle is being towed.
Only secure the tow cable to the towing
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eyes or, if available, to the trailer tow hitch.
Observe the brake lamps of the towing
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vehicle while driving. Always maintain a dis-
tance a distance so that the tow rope does
not sag.
Do not use steel cables or chains to tow
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your vehicle. You could otherwise damage
the vehicle.
!
Do not use the trailer tow hitch for recovery
or towing. Do not use the towing eye for
recovery. This could damage the vehicle. If in
doubt, have the vehicle recovered using a
crane.
!
Pull away smoothly when towing away or
tow-starting a vehicle. 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.
!
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.
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