Mercedes-Benz

Overview of permissible towing methods

WARNING Risk of accident due to limited safety-related functions during the towing process

Safety-related functions are limited or no longer available in the following situations:

The ignition is switched off.
The brake system or power steering system is malfunctioning.
The energy supply or the on-board electrical system is malfunctioning.

When your vehicle is towed away, significantly more effort may be required to steer and brake than is normally required.

Use a tow bar.

Make sure that the steering wheel can move freely before towing the vehicle away.

WARNING Risk of accident when towing with steering wheel lock

You will no longer be able to steer the vehicle if the steering wheel lock is engaged.

Always switch on the ignition when towing the vehicle with a tow cable or a tow bar.

WARNING Risk of accident when towing a vehicle which is too heavy

If the vehicle to be tow-started or towed away is heavier than the permissible gross mass of your vehicle, the following situations can occur:

the towing eye may become detached.
the vehicle/trailer combination may swerve or overturn.

Before tow-starting or towing away, check if the vehicle to be tow-started or towed away exceeds the permissible gross mass.

Details on the permissible gross vehicle weight of your vehicle can be found on the vehicle identification plate More.

NOTE Damage to the vehicle due to automatic braking

When the following functions are activated, the vehicle brakes automatically in certain situations:

Active Brake Assist
Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC
HOLD function

To avoid damage to the vehicle, deactivate these systems in the following or similar situations:

when towing

in a car wash

NOTE Damage due to incorrect connection of the tow bar or improper use of the towing device

Only connect the tow rope or tow bar to the towing eyes or the trailer tow hitch.

Do not use the towing eyes to recover a vehicle.

NOTE Damage due to pulling force being too high

Pulling away abruptly can damage the vehicles if the tractive forces are too high.

Pull away as straight, slowly and smoothly as possible.

NOTE Damage due to improper towing with a tow rope

If you ignore safety and protective measures when towing with a tow rope, this can result in damage to the vehicle.

Observe the following points:

Secure the tow rope on the same side on both vehicles.

Secure the tow rope to the towing eyes.

Do not exceed the legally prescribed length of the tow rope.

Mark the tow rope in the middle, e.g. with a white cloth (30 x 30 cm). This will make other road users aware that a vehicle is being towed.

During the journey, observe the brake lamps of the towing vehicle and maintain the distance so that the tow rope does not sag.

Do not use steel cables or chains to tow your vehicle.

NOTE Damage due to towing the vehicle at too high a speed or too far

Towing the vehicle at too high a speed or too far can damage the drivetrain.

Do not exceed a towing speed of 50 km/h.

Do not exceed a towing distance of 50 km.

NOTE Damage to the automatic transmission when towing due to shifting into transmission position

If you open the driver's or co-driver's door when towing, it can lead to the automatic transmission shifting to position and becoming damaged.

Shift the automatic transmission to position

Do not open any doors during the towing process.

When towing away, you must observe the legal requirements for the country in which you are currently driving.

In the event of a breakdown, Mercedes-Benz recommends that you have the vehicle transported instead of towed.

Have the vehicle transported on a transporter or trailer if it has transmission damage.

Permissible towing methods
	Both axles on the ground	Front axle raised	Rear axle raised
Vehicles with manual transmission	Yes, no further than 50 km at 50 km/h	No	Yes, if the steering wheel is fixed in the centre position with a steering wheel lock. Maximum 50 km at 50 km/h
Vehicles with automatic transmission	Yes, no further than 50 km at 50 km/h	No	Yes, if the steering wheel is fixed in the centre position with a steering wheel lock. Maximum 50 km at 50 km/h
Vehicles with all-wheel drive (4MATIC)	Yes, no further than 50 km at 50 km/h	No	No

If the transmission cannot be shifted to position , have the vehicle transported More. A towing vehicle with lifting equipment is required for vehicle transport.