2000-2006 Mercedes C Class 4 Door Practical hints -> Towing the vehicle User Manual
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Practical hints -> Towing the vehicle for Your Mercedes C Class 4 Door First Generation (2000-2006)

365
Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
왔 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.
When circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the
vehicle may be towed with all wheels on
the ground or front wheels raised (except
vehicles with 4MATIC) only so far as
necessary to have the vehicle moved to a
safe location where the recommended
towing methods can be employed.
!
Use flatbed or wheel lift/dolly equip-
ment with the SmartKey in the starter
switch 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.
Switch off the tow-away alarm*
(
컄 page 85) and deactivate the auto-
matic central locking (컄 page 145).
!
Vehicles with automatic transmission
and/or 4MATIC:
Do not tow-start the vehicle.
!
Vehicles with 4MATIC:
Do not tow with one axle raised. Doing
so could damage the transfer case,
which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
All wheels must be on or off the ground.
Observe instructions for towing the
vehicle with all wheels on the ground.
!
If the vehicle is towed with the front
axle raised (not permissible for vehicles
with 4MATIC), the engine must be shut
off (SmartKey in starter switch
position 0 or 1). Otherwise the ESP will
immediately be engaged and will apply
the rear wheel brakes.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, the gear selector lever
must be in position N (manual trans-
mission: gears disengaged) and the
SmartKey must be in starter switch
position 2.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground or the front axle raised,
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).
366
Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
!
To be certain to avoid a possibility of
damage to the drivetrain, however, we
recommend the drive shaft be discon-
nected at the rear axle drive flange
(vehicles with 4MATIC: disconnected at
the front and rear axle drive flanges) for
any towing beyond a short tow to a
nearby garage.
Warning! G
If circumstances require towing the vehicle
with all wheels on the ground, always tow
with a tow bar if:
앫 the engine will not run
앫 there is a malfunction in the power
supply or in the vehicle’s electrical
system
as that will be necessary to adequately
control the towed vehicle.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make sure the SmartKey is in
starter switch position 2.
If the SmartKey is left in starter switch
position 0 for an extended period of time, it
can no longer be turned in the switch. In this
case, the steering is locked. To unlock,
remove SmartKey from starter switch and
reinsert.
i
To signal turns while being towed with
the hazard warning flasher in use,
switch on ignition and activate the
combination switch for the left or right
turn signal in the usual manner – only
the selected turn signal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the
hazard warning flasher will operate
again.
367
Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Warning! G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the ve-
hicle. Adapt your driving accordingly.
!
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, please note the
following:
With the automatic central locking
activated and the SmartKey in starter
switch position 2, the vehicle doors
lock if the left front wheel as well as the
right rear wheel are turning at vehicle
speeds of approx. 9 mph (15 km/h) or
more.
Switch off the tow-away alarm*
(
컄 page 85).
To prevent the vehicle doors from
locking, deactivate the automatic
central locking (
컄 page 145).
Towing of the vehicle should only be
done using the properly installed
towing eye bolt. Never attach tow
cable, tow rope or tow rod to vehicle
chassis, frame or suspension parts.
i
If the battery is disconnected or
discharged
앫 the SmartKey will not turn in the
starter switch. For more informa-
tion, see “Battery” (컄 page 360)
and “Jump starting” (컄 page 363).
앫 the gear selector lever will remain
locked in position P. For informa-
tion on manually unlocking the
transmission gear selector lever
see (
컄 page 340).
368
Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Installing towing eye bolt
1 Cover on right side of front bumper.
2 Cover on right side of rear bumper.
Removing cover
왘 Press mark on cover 1 or 2 in
direction of arrows.
왘 Lift cover off to reveal threaded hole for
towing eye bolt.
The towing eye bolt is supplied with the
tool kit (located in the compartment under-
neath the trunk floor).
왘 Screw towing eye bolt in to its stop and
tighten with lug wrench.
Reinstalling cover
왘 Fit cover 1 or 2 and snap into place.

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