Mercedes-Benz E-Class 2009 Owner's Manual page 281

Towing and tow-starting
278
Towing and tow-starting
Points to remember
G Risk of accident
If you have the vehicle towed, you must use a
rigid towing bar if:
the engine is not running.
R
there is a brake system malfunction.
R
there is a malfunction in the power supply
R
or the vehicle's electrical system.
The power steering and the brake force boos-
ter do not work when the engine is not run-
ning. Greater braking force will then be
required and brake pedal travel will be longer.
If necessary, depress the brake pedal with full
force.
Before towing away, make sure that the steer-
ing can be moved and is not locked.
If you tow or tow-start another vehicle, its
weight must not exceed the maximum per-
missible gross vehicle weight of your vehicle.
G Risk of accident
The vehicle is braked when the HOLD function
or DISTRONIC PLUS* is activated. Therefore,
deactivate HOLD and DISTRONIC PLUS if the
vehicle is to be towed.
It is better to have the vehicle transported
than to have it towed.
When towing, observe the legal requirements
in all countries concerned.
! When towing, pull away slowly and
smoothly. If the tractive power is too high,
the vehicles could be damaged.
! Do not use the towing eye for recovery,
as this could damage the vehicle. If in
doubt, recover the vehicle with a crane.
! You may tow the vehicle for a maximum
of 50 km. 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.
! On vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*, use the
key instead of the Start/Stop button. Turn
the key to position 2 in the ignition lock and
shift the automatic transmission to N. Then
turn the key back to 0 and leave it in the
ignition lock.
! Only secure the tow cable or towing bar
to the towing eyes. You could otherwise
damage the vehicle.
Vehicles with an automatic transmission*
R
must not be tow-started.
If you are towing the vehicle over a longer
R
distance, this must be done with the rear
axle raised.
The ignition must be switched off if you are
R
towing the vehicle with the rear axle raised.
Otherwise, intervention by ESP
damage the brake system.
If the vehicle has suffered transmission
R
damage, only tow it with the propeller shaft
disconnected.
If the engine does not start, try jump-start-
R
ing it ( page 276).
Y
If it is not possible to jump-start the vehicle,
R
have it towed to the nearest qualified spe-
cialist workshop, e.g. a Mercedes-Benz
Service Centre.
R The automatic transmission* must be in
position N when the vehicle is being towed.
Before towing the vehicle, make sure that
R
the battery is connected and charged. Oth-
erwise:
you cannot switch on the ignition.
-
you cannot shift the transmission to posi-
-
tion N on vehicles with automatic trans-
mission*.
you have no support when braking.
-
i
Switch off the automatic locking feature
before the vehicle is towed (
Otherwise, you could be locked out when
pushing or towing the vehicle.
®
could
page 120).
Y
* optional