Towing And Tow-Starting - Mercedes-Benz E-Class 2010 Owner's Manual

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, 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.
Please note:
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.

Towing and tow-starting

Intervention by ESP
age 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 289).
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.
the automatic transmission must be in
R
position N when the vehicle is being towed.
Before towing the vehicle, make sure that the
battery is connected and charged. You will
otherwise be unable to switch on the ignition
or shift the transmission to N in vehicles with
an automatic transmission.
i
Switch off the automatic locking feature
before the vehicle is towed (
You could otherwise be locked out when
pushing or towing the vehicle.
Fitting the towing eye
Vehicles with a trailer tow hitch: if you intend
to use the vehicle for towing, fold out the ball
coupling and connect the towbar to it
( page 186).
Y
Take the towing eye and the wheel wrench
X
from the vehicle tool kit (
The mountings for the removable towing eyes
are located in the bumpers. They are at the
front and at the rear, under the covers.
®
could otherwise dam-
page 208).
Y
page 274).
Y
Z
291