Towing The Vehicle - Mercedes-Benz 2005 M-Class Operator's Manual

Towing the vehicle

Mercedes-Benz recommends that the
vehicle be transported with all wheels off
the ground using flatbed or appropriate
wheel lift/dolly equipment. This method is
preferable to other types of towing.
!
Use flatbed or wheel lift/dolly equip-
ment, with key in steering lock turned
to position 0.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
Towing with sling-type equipment over
bumpy roads will damage radiator and
supports.
To prevent damage during transport,
do not tie down vehicle by its chassis or
suspension parts. Use the towing eyes.
Switch off the ESP ( page 81),
tow-away alarm ( page 85) and the
automatic central locking ( page 93).
When circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the
vehicle may be towed with all wheels on
the ground only so far as necessary to have
the vehicle moved to a safe location where
the recommended towing methods can be
employed.
!
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, the gear selector lever
must be in position N and the key must
be in steering lock position 2.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, the vehicle may be
towed only for distances up to 30 miles
(50 km) and at a speed not to exceed
30 mph (50 km/h).
If the vehicle is towed with the front
axle raised (observe instructions re-
garding flexible drive shaft), the engine
must be shut off (key in steering lock
position 1). Otherwise, the 4-ETS may
become engaged which may cause loss
of towing control.
Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
!
To be certain to avoid additional dam-
age to the vehicle powertrain, however
you should observe the following:
With damage to the front axle
raise front axle
remove flexible drive shaft be-
tween rear axle and transfer
case
With damage to the rear axle
raise rear axle
tow vehicle with wheel lift or
dolly placed under front wheels
With damage to the transfer case
remove flexible drive shaft to
the drive axles
Always install new self-locking nuts
when reinstalling flexible drive shaft.
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