Installing The Towing Eye - Mercedes-Benz 2015 M-Class Operator's Manual

Towing and tow-starting
394
! Only secure the tow rope or tow bar at the
towing eyes. Otherwise, the vehicle could
be damaged.
! Do not use the trailer tow hitch for recov-
ery 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.
! When towing, pull away slowly and
smoothly. Pull the towed vehicle as straight
as possible and not at an acute angle.
Excessive tractive power could damage the
vehicles.
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When towing, it is preferable to use a rigid
towing bar as opposed to a tow rope. A rigid
towing bar helps to keep the tractive power
low.
! When towing vehicles with KEYLESS-GO,
use the key instead of the Start/Stop but-
ton. Otherwise, the automatic transmission
may shift to position P when the driver's or
front-passenger door are opened, which
could lead to damage to the transmission.
! Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
This could damage the vehicle.
! Vehicles with differential locks: make
sure the differential locks are in automatic
mode. When towing, the differential locks
must not be switched on. The transmission
may otherwise be damaged.
! 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.
! If you tow or tow-start another vehicle, its
weight must not exceed the maximum per-
missible gross vehicle weight of your vehi-
cle.
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Information on your vehicle's gross vehi-
cle weight rating can be found on the vehi-
cle identification plate ( page 446).
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It is better to have the vehicle transported
than to have it towed.
If the vehicle has suffered transmission dam-
age, have it transported on a transporter or
trailer.
The automatic transmission must be in posi-
tion N when the vehicle is being towed.
The battery must be connected and charged.
Otherwise, you:
cannot turn the SmartKey to position 2 in
R
the ignition lock
cannot release the electric parking brake
R
cannot shift the automatic transmission to
R
position N
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Disarm the automatic locking feature
before the vehicle is towed (
You could otherwise be locked out when
pushing or towing the vehicle.
Installing/removing the towing eye

Installing the towing eye

Example: towing eye mounting covers
Front cover
:
Back cover
;
The brackets for the screw-in towing eyes are
located in the bumpers. They are at the front
and at the rear, behind the covers.
page 279).
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