towing MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class SEDAN 2013 W212 User Guide

!
Do not park the vehicle for an extended
period
straight after cleaning it, particularly
after having cleaned the wheels with wheel
cleaner. Wheel cleaners could cause
increased corrosion of the brake discs and
brake pads/linings. For this reason, you
should drive for a few minutes after
cleaning. Braking heats the brake discs and
the brake pads/linings, thus drying them.
The vehicle can then be parked.
Regular care of your vehicle is a condition for
retaining the quality in the long term.
Use care products and cleaning agents
recommended and approved by Mercedes-
Benz. Washing the vehicle and cleaning the
paintwork
Automatic car wash G
WARNING
Braking efficiency is reduced after washing
the
vehicle. This could cause an accident. For
this reason, you must drive particularly
carefully after washing the vehicle until the
brakes have dried. G
WARNING
The vehicle is braked when the HOLD function
or DISTRONIC PLUS is activated. Therefore,
deactivate

the HOLD function and DISTRONIC
PLUS before the vehicle is washed in an
automatic car wash.
! Never clean your vehicle in a Touchless
Automatic Car Wash as these use special
cleaning agents. These cleaning agents can
damage the paintwork or plastic parts.
! Make sure that: R
the
side windows and the sliding sunroof
are fully closed.
R the ventilation/heating is switched off
(the OFF button has been pressed).
R the windshield wiper switch is in position
0.
Otherwise, the vehicle might be damaged.
! In car washes with a towing mechanism,
make sure that the automatic transmission
is in transmission position N, otherwise the
vehicle could be damaged.
R Vehicles with a SmartKey:
Do not remove the SmartKey from the
ignition lock. Do not open the driver's
door or front-passenger door when the
engine is switched off. Otherwise, the
automatic transmission selects park
position P automatically and locks the
wheels. You can prevent this by shifting
the automatic transmission to N
beforehand.
R Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO:
Do not open the driver's door or front-
passenger door when the engine is
switched off. Otherwise, the automatic
transmission selects park position P
automatically and locks the wheels.
Observe the following to make sure that the
automatic transmission stays in position N:
X Make sure the vehicle is stationary and the
ignition is switched off.
X Turn the SmartKey to position
2 (Y page 153) in the ignition lock.
Use the SmartKey instead of the Start/
Stop

button on vehicles with KEYLESS-GO.
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 off the ignition and leave the
SmartKey in the ignition lock.
You can wash the vehicle in an automatic car
wash from the very start. 334
Care
Maintenance and care

Useful information ............................
342
Where will I find...? ........................... 342
Flat tire .............................................. 344
Battery (vehicle) ................................ 348
Jump-starting .................................... 352
Towing and tow-starting .................. 354
Fuses .................................................. 357 341Breakdown assistance

stowage well under the trunk floor/cargo
compartment floor.
Vehicles with a TIREFIT kit
Example: vehicle tool kit in the left-hand stowage
space
:
Tire sealant filler bottle
; Folding wheel chock
= One pair of gloves (under jack)
? Tire inflation compressor
A Towing eye
B Jack
C Alignment bolt
D Lug wrench
X Open the trunk lid/tailgate.
X Sedan: lift up the floor of the trunk
(Y page 301).
X Wagon: remove the seat cushions of the
folding bench seat (Y page 108). Vehicles with a spare
wheel/"Minispare" emergency spare
wheel :
Vehicle tool kit tray
; Stowage well
= Spare wheel/"Minispare" emergency
spare wheel
X Open the trunk lid/tailgate.
X Sedan: lift up the floor of the trunk
(Y page 301).
X Wagon: remove the seat cushions of the
folding bench seat (Y page 108).
The vehicle tool kit contains:
R Folding wheel chock
R Fuse allocation chart
R Jack
R Alignment bolt
R One pair of gloves
R Lug wrench
R Towing eye Where will I find...?
343Breakdown assistance

Vehicles with a collapsible spare wheel
:
Towing eye
; One pair of gloves
= Jack
? Folding wheel chock
A Alignment bolt
B Sheet for faulty wheel
C Tire inflation compressor
D Lug wrench
E Fuse allocation chart
X Open the trunk lid.
X Lift the trunk floor upwards (Y page 301). Flat tire
Preparing the vehicle
Information on changing/mounting a wheel
(Y page 384).
Vehicle preparation is not necessary on
vehicles with MOExtended tires.
Your vehicle may be equipped with:
R MOExtended tires (tires with run-flat
characteristics) (Y page 344)
R a TIREFIT kit (Y page 345)
R an emergency spare wheel
(Y page 398)
X Stop the vehicle on solid, non-slippery and
level ground, as far away as possible from
traffic.
X Switch on the hazard warning lamps.
X Apply the parking brake. X
Bring the front wheels into the straight-
ahead position.
X Shift the transmission to position P.
X Vehicles with AIRMATIC: make sure that
"normal" level is selected

(Y page 199).
X Switch off the engine.
X Vehicles without KEYLESS-GO: remove
the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
X Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO: open the
driver's door.
The on-board electronics have status 0,
which is the same as the SmartKey having
been removed.
X Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO: remove the
Start/Stop button from the ignition lock
(Y page 154).
X All occupants must get out of the vehicle.
Make

sure that they are not endangered as
they do so.
X Make sure that no one is near the danger
area while a wheel is being changed.
Anyone who is not directly assisting in the
wheel change should, for example, stand
behind the barrier.
X Get out of the vehicle. Pay attention to
traffic conditions when doing so.
X Close the driver's door. MOExtended tires (tires with run-flat
properties)
G
WARNING
When driving in emergency mode, the driving
characteristics deteriorate, e.g. when
cornering, accelerating quickly and when
braking. There is a risk of an accident.
Do not exceed the stated maximum speed.
Avoid

abrupt steering and driving maneuvers,
and driving over obstacles (curbs, potholes,
off-road). This applies in particular to a laden
vehicle.
Stop driving in emergency mode if:
R you hear banging noises.
R the vehicle starts to shake.344
Flat tire
Breakdown assistance

X
First, remove the jumper cables from ground point A and negative terminal ?, then from
positive terminal ; and positive terminal =, each time beginning at the contacts on your
own vehicle first.
X Close cover : of positive terminal ; after removing the jumper cables.
X Have the battery checked at a qualified specialist workshop.
i Jump-starting is not considered to be a normal operating condition.
i Jumper cables and further information regarding jump starting can be obtained at any
qualified specialist workshop. Towing and tow-starting
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
HYBRID vehicles: It is imperative that you read
the HYBRID Supplemental Operating
Instructions

included in your vehicle literature
portfolio. You may otherwise not receive all
necessary safety information and warning for
the operation of your vehicle. G
WARNING
If you tow the vehicle, you must use a rigid
towing bar if:
R the engine is not running.
R there is a brake system malfunction.
R 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. 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. 354
Towing and tow-starting
Breakdown assistance

Information on your vehicle's gross vehicle
weight rating can be found on the vehicle
identification plate (
Y page 405).
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 86). 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. Example: Sedan, towing eye covers
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 342).
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 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. Towing and tow-starting
355
Breakdown assistance Z

Only possible on vehicles without
4MATIC.
X
Switch on the hazard warning lamps
(Y page 125).
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 354).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.
It is important that you observe the safety
instructions when towing away your vehicle
(Y page 354).
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 154).
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 125).
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.356
Towing and tow-starting
Breakdown assistance

Removing the emergency spare wheel
(AMG vehicles)
X
Reach into cutout : in the tool holder and
lift it up.
X Remove collapsible spare wheel ;.
For further information on changing and
mounting a wheel, see
(Y page 385). 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 384).
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 0.400
Emergency spare wheel
Wheels and tires