tow MERCEDES-BENZ CLS-Class 2013 W218 Repair Manual

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. G
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.
! Only secure the tow rope or tow bar at the
towing eyes. Otherwise, the vehicle could
be damaged.
! Do not use the towing eye for recovery,
this could damage the vehicle. If in doubt,
recover the vehicle with a crane.
! When towing, pull away slowly and
smoothly. If the tractive power is too high,
the vehicles could be damaged.
! Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
This could damage the vehicle.
! When towing vehicles with KEYLESS-GO,
use the key instead of the Start/Stop
button. Otherwise, the automatic
transmission may shift to position P when
the driver's or front-passenger door are
opened, which could lead to damage to the
transmission.
! The vehicle can be towed a maximum of
30 miles (50km). The towing speed of
30 mph (50 km/h) must not be exceeded.
If the vehicle has to be towed more than
30 miles (50km), the entire vehicle must be
raised and transported.
! If you tow or tow-start another vehicle, its
weight must not exceed the maximum
permissible gross vehicle weight of your
vehicle. Information on your vehicle's gross vehicle
weight rating can be found on the vehicle
identification plate (
Y page 365).
It is better to have the vehicle transported
than to have it towed.
If the vehicle has suffered transmission
damage,

have it transported on a transporter
or trailer.
The automatic transmission must be in
position N when the vehicle is being towed.
The battery must be connected and charged.
Otherwise, you:
R cannot turn the SmartKey to position 2 in
the ignition lock
R cannot shift the automatic transmission to
position N
i Deactivate the automatic locking feature
(Y page 81). You could otherwise be locked
out when pushing or towing the vehicle. Installing/removing the towing eye
Installing the towing eye G
WARNING
The exhaust tail pipe may be hot. You could
burn yourself if you touch the tail pipe. Be
particularly careful when removing the rear
cover. Towing and tow-starting
319
Breakdown assistance Z

Example: towing eye covers
Towing eye covers (AMG vehicles)
The
mountings for the removable towing eyes
are located in the bumpers. They are at the
front and at the rear, under the covers.
X Remove the towing eye from the vehicle
tool kit ( Y page 312).
X Pull cover : out of the bumper in the
direction of the arrow by inserting your
fingers into the recess.
X Press the mark on cover ; inwards in the
direction of the arrow. X
Take cover ; off the opening.
X Screw the towing eye in clockwise to the
stop and tighten it.
Removing the towing eye X
Loosen the towing eye and unscrew it.
X Position the top of cover : in the bumper
and press it in at the bottom until it
engages.
X Attach cover ; to the bumper and press
until it engages.
X Place the towing eye in the vehicle tool kit. Towing the vehicle with the rear axle
raised
! The ignition must be switched off if you
are towing the vehicle with the rear axle
raised. Intervention by ESP ®
could
otherwise damage the brake system.
Only possible on vehicles without
4MATIC.
X Switch on the hazard warning lamps
(Y page 114).
X Turn the SmartKey to position 0 in the
ignition lock and remove the SmartKey
from the ignition lock.
X When leaving the vehicle, take the
SmartKey

or the KEYLESS-GO key with you.
When towing your vehicle with the rear axle
raised, it is important that you observe the
safety instructions ( Y page 318). Towing a vehicle with both axles on
the ground
G
WARNING
The power assistance for the steering and the
brake force booster do not work when the
engine is not running. You will then need
much more effort to brake and steer the
vehicle. Adapt your style of driving
accordingly. 320
Towing and tow-starting
Breakdown assistance

It is important that you observe the safety
instructions when towing away your vehicle
(Y page 318).
The automatic transmission automatically
shifts
to position P when you open the driver's
or front-passenger door or when you remove
the SmartKey from the ignition lock. In order
to ensure that the automatic transmission
stays in position N when towing the vehicle,
you must observe the following points:
X Make sure that the vehicle is stationary and
the SmartKey in the ignition lock is in
position 0.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.
On vehicles with KEYLESS-GO, use the
SmartKey

instead of the Start/Stop button
(Y page 139).
X Depress and hold the brake pedal.
X Shift the automatic transmission to
position N.
X Release the brake pedal.
X Release the parking brake.
X Switch on the hazard warning lamps
(Y page 114).
X Leave the SmartKey in position 2 in the
ignition lock.
i When towing with the hazard warning
lamps switched on, use the combination
switch as usual to signal a change of
direction.

In this case, only the turn signals
for the desired direction flash. When the
combination switch is reset, the hazard
warning lamps start flashing again. Transporting the vehicle
! Only

lash the vehicle down by the wheels
or wheel rims, not by parts of the vehicle
such as axle or steering components.
Otherwise, the vehicle could be damaged.
The towing eye can be used to pull the vehicle
onto a trailer or transporter for transporting
purposes. X
Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.
X Shift the automatic transmission to
position N.
As soon as the vehicle is loaded:
X Prevent the vehicle from rolling away by
applying the parking brake.
X Shift the automatic transmission to
position P.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 0 in the
ignition lock and remove the SmartKey
from the ignition lock.
X Secure the vehicle. Notes for 4MATIC vehicles
! Vehicles

with 4MATIC must not be towed
with either the front or the rear axle raised,
as doing so will damage the transmission.
If the vehicle has transmission damage or
damage to the front or rear axle, have it
transported on a transporter or trailer.
In the event of damage to the electrical
system
If the battery is defective, the automatic
transmission will be locked in position P. To
shift the automatic transmission to position
N, you must provide power to the vehicle's
electrical system in the same way as when
jump-starting (Y page 317).
Have the vehicle transported on a transporter
or trailer. Tow-starting (emergency starting)
! Vehicles with automatic transmission
must not be started by tow-starting. This
could otherwise damage the transmission.
You can find information on "Jump-starting"
at (Y page 317). Towing and tow-starting
321
Breakdown assistance Z

Fuses
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Only use fuses that have been approved for
Mercedes-Benz vehicles and that have the
correct fuse rating for the systems
concerned.
Do not attempt to repair or bridge
faulty fuses. Using fuses that have not been
approved or attempting to repair or bridge
faulty fuses could cause the fuse to be
overloaded and result in a fire. Have the cause
traced and rectified at a qualified specialist
workshop.
! Only use fuses that have been approved
for Mercedes-Benz vehicles and which
have the correct fuse rating for the system
concerned. Otherwise, components or
systems could be damaged.
The fuses in your vehicle serve to close down
faulty circuits. If a fuse blows, all the
components on the circuit and their functions
stop operating.
Blown fuses must be replaced with fuses of
the same rating, which you can recognize by
the color and value. The fuse ratings are listed
in the fuse allocation chart.
If a newly inserted fuse also blows, have the
cause traced and rectified at a qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. Before changing a fuse
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away
(Y page 157).
X Switch off all electrical consumers.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 0 in the
ignition lock and remove it ( Y page 139).
or
X On vehicles with KEYLESS-GO, make sure
the ignition is switched off (Y page 139).
All indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
must be off. The fuses are located in various fuse boxes:
R
Fuse

box in the engine compartment on the
left-hand side of the vehicle, when viewed
in the direction of travel
R fuse box in the trunk on the right-hand side,
when viewed in the direction of travel
the fuse allocation chart is located in the
vehicle tool kit in the stowage compartment
under the trunk floor ( Y page 312). Fuse box in the engine compartment
G
WARNING
Make sure that the windshield wipers are
switched off and that the SmartKey is
removed from the ignition lock before you
open

the cover of the fuse box. Otherwise, the
windshield wipers and the wiper rods above
the cover could be set in motion. This could
lead to you or others being injured by the
wiper rods.
! Make sure that no moisture can enter the
fuse box when the cover is open.
! When closing the cover, make sure that it
is lying correctly on the fuse box. Moisture
seeping in or dirt could otherwise impair
the operation of the fuses.
X Make sure that the windshield wipers are
turned off.
X Open the hood.322
Fuses
Breakdown assistance

X
Stow the jack and the rest of the vehicle
tools in the trunk again.
X Check the tire pressure of the newly
mounted wheel and adjust it if necessary.
Observe the recommended tire pressure
(Y page 329).
i Vehicles with tire pressure monitor: all
wheels mounted must be equipped with
functioning sensors. Wheel and tire combinations
General notes
! For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz
recommends that you only use tires and
wheels which have been approved by
Mercedes-Benz specifically for your
vehicle.
These
tires have been specially adapted for
use with the control systems, such as ABS
or ESP ®
, and are marked as follows:
R MO = Mercedes-Benz Original
R MOE = Mercedes-Benz Original Extended
(tires featuring run-flat characteristics)
R MO1 = Mercedes-Benz Original (only
certain AMG tires)
Mercedes-Benz Original Extended tires
may only be used on wheels that have been
specifically approved by Mercedes-Benz.
Only use tires, wheels or accessories
tested and approved by Mercedes-Benz.
Certain characteristics, e.g. handling,
vehicle noise emissions or fuel
consumption, may otherwise be adversely
affected. In addition, when driving with a
load, tire dimension variations could cause
the tires to come into contact with the
bodywork and axle components. This could
result in damage to the tires or the vehicle.
Mercedes-Benz accepts no liability for
damage resulting from the use of tires,
wheels or accessories other than those
tested and approved. Information on tires, wheels and approved
combinations can be obtained from any
qualified specialist workshop.
Overview of abbreviations used in the
following tire tables:
R BA: both axles
R FA: front axle
R RA: rear axle
The recommended pressures for various
operating conditions can be found:
R on

the Tire and Loading Information placard
with the recommended tire pressures on
the B-pillar on the driver's side
R in the tire pressure table on the inside of
the fuel filler flap
Observe the notes on recommended tire
pressures under various operating conditions
(Y page 329).
Check tire pressures regularly, and only when
the tires are cold. Comply with the
maintenance recommendations of the tire
manufacturer in the vehicle document wallet.
Notes on the vehicle equipment – always
equip the vehicle with:
R tires of the same size on a given axle (left/
right)
R the same type of tires at a given time
(summer tires, winter tires, MOExtended
tires)
Vehicles with MOExtended tires are not
equipped with a TIREFIT kit at the factory. It
is therefore recommended that you
additionally equip your vehicle with a TIREFIT
kit if you mount tires that do not feature run-
flat properties, e.g. winter tires. A TIREFIT kit
may be obtained from a qualified specialist
workshop.
i Not all wheel and tire combinations are
available at the factory for all countries.
i On the following pages, you can find
information on approved wheel rims and
tire sizes for equipping your vehicle with
winter tires. Winter tires are not available Wheel and tire combinations
353
Wheels and tires Z

General notes
You should regularly check the pressure of
the
emergency spare wheel, particularly prior
to long trips, and correct the pressure as
necessary (Y page 329). The applicable value
is found on the wheel or under "Technical
data" ( Y page 361).
An emergency spare wheel may also be
mounted against the direction of rotation.
Observe the time restriction on use as well as
the speed limitation specified on the
emergency spare wheel.
Replace the tires after six years at the latest,
regardless of wear. This also applies to the
emergency spare wheel.
i When you are driving with the collapsible
spare wheel mounted, the tire pressure
loss warning system or the tire pressure
monitor cannot function reliably. Only
restart the tire pressure loss warning
system/the tire pressure monitor when the
damaged wheel has been replaced with a
new wheel.
Vehicles with tire pressure monitor:
after mounting an emergency spare wheel,
the system may still display the tire
pressure of the removed wheel for a few
minutes. The value displayed for the
mounted emergency spare wheel is not the
same as the current tire pressure of the
emergency spare wheel. "Minispare"
emergency spare wheel/
collapsible spare wheel
Removing the "Minispare" emergency
spare wheel The emergency spare wheel can be found in
the stowage well under the trunk floor.
X
Lift the trunk floor upwards (Y page 275).
X Turn stowage tray ; counter-clockwise
and remove together with vehicle tool kit
tray :.
X Remove "Minispare" emergency spare
wheel =.
Removing the collapsible spare wheel
(AMG vehicles) The emergency spare wheel can be found in
the stowage well under the trunk floor.
X
Lift the trunk floor upwards (Y page 275).
X Reach into cutout :
in the tool holder and
lift it up.
X Remove collapsible spare wheel ;.358
Emergency spare wheel
Wheels and tires

For further information on changing and
mounting a wheel, see
(Y page 349). Stowing a used collapsible spare
wheel
! Only place the collapsible spare wheel in
the vehicle when it is dry. Otherwise,
moisture may get into the vehicle.
Take the following steps to stow a used
collapsible spare wheel. It will not otherwise
install into the spare wheel well. Mercedes-
Benz recommends that you have this work
performed

at a qualified specialist workshop,
e.g. at an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
X Unscrew the valve cap from the valve.
X Use the back of the valve cap to unscrew
the valve insert from the valve and release
the air.
i Fully deflating the tires can take a few
minutes.
X Screw the valve insert back into the valve.
X Screw the valve cap back on.
X Remove the protective sheet from the
vehicle tool kit and pull it over the
collapsible spare wheel.
X Stow the collapsible spare wheel in the
emergency spare wheel well under the
trunk. Inflating the collapsible spare wheel
! Inflate the collapsible spare wheel using
the tire inflation compressor before
lowering the vehicle. The wheel rim could
otherwise be damaged.
! Do not operate the tire inflation
compressor for longer than eight minutes
at

a time without a break. It may otherwise
overheat.
The tire inflation compressor can be
operated again once it has cooled down. X
Mount the collapsible spare wheel as
described ( Y page 348).
The collapsible spare wheel must be
mounted before it is inflated.
X Pull connector ? and the air hose out of
the housing.
X Remove the cap from the valve on the
collapsible spare wheel.
X Screw union nut :
on the air hose onto the
valve.
X Make sure on/off switch A of the tire
inflation compressor is set to 0.
X Insert connector ? into the cigarette
lighter
socket or into a 12 V socket in your
vehicle.
Observe the notes on the cigarette lighter
(Y page 280). Observe the notes on
sockets ( Y page 281).
X Turn the SmartKey to position 1 in the
ignition lock ( Y page 139).
X Press on/off switch A
on the tire inflation
compressor to I.
The tire inflation compressor is switched
on. The tire is inflated. The tire pressure is
shown on pressure gauge =.
X Inflate the tire to the specified tire
pressure.
The

specified tire pressure is printed on the
yellow label of the emergency spare wheel.
X When the specified tire pressure has been
reached, press on/off switch A on the
electric air pump to 0.
The tire inflation compressor is switched
off. Emergency spare wheel
359
Wheels and tires Z

X
Turn the SmartKey to position 0 in the
ignition lock.
X If the tire pressure is higher than the
specified pressure, press pressure release
button ;
until the correct tire pressure has
been reached.
X Unscrew union nut :
on the air hose from
the valve.
X Screw the valve cap onto the collapsible
spare wheel valve again.
X Stow plug ? and the air hose in the lower
section of the blower housing.
X Stow the tire inflation compressor in the
vehicle.360
Emergency spare wheel
Wheels and tires