Table of Contents
Advertisement
Towing or tow-starting
Overview of permissible towing methods
& WARNING Risk of accident due to limi‐
ted safety-related functions during the
towing process
Safety-related functions are limited or no lon‐
ger available in the following situations:
The ignition is switched off.
R
The brake system or power steering sys‐
R
tem is malfunctioning.
The energy supply or the on-board electri‐
R
cal system is malfunctioning.
When your vehicle is then towed away, signifi‐
cantly more effort may be required to steer
and brake than is normally required.
Use a tow bar.
#
Make sure that the steering wheel can
#
move freely before towing the vehicle
away.
& WARNING Risk of accident when towing
with steering wheel lock
You will no longer be able to steer the vehicle
if the steering wheel lock is engaged.
Always switch on the ignition when tow‐
#
ing the vehicle with a tow cable or a tow
bar.
& WARNING Risk of accident due to towing
away a vehicle that is too heavy
If the vehicle being tow started or towed away
is heavier than the permissible gross weight
of your vehicle, the following situations may
arise:
The towing eye may become detached.
R
The vehicle/trailer combination may even
R
tip over.
Before tow starting or towing away a
#
vehicle, check that it does not exceed
the permissible gross weight.
Details on the permissible gross vehicle weight of
your vehicle can be found on the vehicle identifi‐
cation plate (
page 226).
/
Breakdown assistance 197
* NOTE Damage to the vehicle due to auto‐
matic braking
When the following functions are activated,
the vehicle brakes automatically in certain sit‐
uations:
Active Brake Assist
R
Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC
R
HOLD function
R
To avoid damage to the vehicle, deactivate
these systems in the following or similar sit‐
uations:
When towing
#
In a car wash
#
* NOTE Damage due to incorrect connec‐
tion of the tow bar or improper use of the
towing device
Only connect the tow rope or tow bar to
#
the towing eyes or the trailer tow hitch.
Do not use the towing eyes to recover a
#
vehicle.
* NOTE Damage due to pulling force being
too high
If you pull away abruptly, excessive pulling
force could damage the vehicles.
Pull away as straight, slowly and
#
smoothly as possible.
* NOTE Damage due to improper towing
with a tow rope
If you ignore safety and protective measures
when towing with a tow rope, this can result
in damage to the vehicle.
Observe the following points:
Secure the tow rope on the same side
#
on both vehicles.
Secure the tow rope to the towing eyes.
#
Do not exceed the legally prescribed
#
length of the tow rope.
Mark the tow rope in the middle, e.g.
#
with a white cloth (12 x 12 in
(30 x 30 cm)). This will make other road
users aware that a vehicle is being
towed.
During the journey, observe the brake
#
lamps of the towing vehicle and main‐
Advertisement
Table of Contents
