Towing and tow-starting

WARNING
If you tow the vehicle, you must use a rigid towing bar if:
• the engine is not running.
• there is a brake system malfunction.
• there is a malfunction in the power supply or the vehicle's electrical system.
The power assistance for the steering and the brake force booster do not work when the engine is not running. You will need more force to steer and brake, you may have to depress the brake pedal with maximum force.
Before towing away, make sure that the steering can be moved and is not locked.
If you tow or tow-start another vehicle, its weight must not exceed the maximum permissible gross vehicle weight of your vehicle.

WARNING
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.

transported It is better to have the vehicle transported than to have it towed.

maximum You may only tow the vehicle a maximum distance of 30 miles (50 km). A towing speed of 30 mph (50 km/h) must not be exceeded.
For towing distances over 30 miles (50 km), the vehicle must loaded onto a transporter.

bar at the Only secure the tow rope or tow bar at the towing eyes. Otherwise, the vehicle could be damaged.

recovery, Do not use the towing eye for recovery, as this could damage the vehicle. If in doubt, recover the vehicle with a crane.

and When towing, pull away slowly and smoothly. If the tractive power is too high, the vehicles could be damaged.

equipment. This could damage the vehicle. Do not tow with sling-type equipment. This could damage the vehicle.

the On vehicles with KEYLESS-GO, use the SmartKey instead of the Start/Stop button. Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the ignition lock and shift the automatic transmission to N. Then, turn the SmartKey back to 0 and leave it in the ignition lock.

The automatic transmission must be in position N when the vehicle is being towed.

The battery must be connected and charged. Otherwise, you:
• cannot turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the ignition lock
• cannot shift the automatic transmission to position N

Release the selector lever lock manually to move it out of position P.

switch off the Before the vehicle is towed, switch off the automatic locking feature. You could otherwise be locked out when pushing or towing the vehicle.

See also:

Safety
Dual-stage front airbags and door-mounted side-impact airbags for the front and rear seats are standard. Optional curtain-type airbags deploy from above the side windows. With Mercedes’ BabySmart ...

ADAPTIVE BRAKE
ADAPTIVE BRAKE enhances braking safety and offers increased braking comfort. In addition to the braking function, ADAPTIVE BRAKE also has the HOLD function and hill start assist. For further i ...

Opening/closing the help window
In addition to the audible instructions, the help window will show you other information during voice control operation and the individualization process. Select Vehicle in the main function b ...