towing MERCEDES-BENZ E WAGON 2005 S211 User Guide

377 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause
Possible solution
(USA only);(Canada only)3
Brake fluid
Visit workshop
There is insufficient brake fluid in the
reservoir.

Risk of accident! Stop the vehicle and
notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center. Do not add brake fluid! This
will not solve the problem.
Warning!
G
Driving while these messages are displayed
can result in an accident. Have your brake
system checked immediately.
If there is a malfunction in the SBC brake
system, we recommend that the vehicle be
transported with all wheels off the ground
using flatbed or appropriate wheel lift / dolly
equipment.
A tow bar must be used if circumstances do
not permit the use of the recommended
towing methods and the vehicle requires
towing with all four wheels on the ground.
Towing the vehicle with all four wheels on
the ground is only permissible for distances
u p t o 3 0 m i l e s ( 5 0 k m ) a n d a t a s p e e d n o t t o
exceed 30 mph (50 km / h). For more infor-
mation, refer to “Towing the vehicle”
(page 430).
If the SBC brake system enters its emergen-
cy operation mode, the driver must apply
significantly greater brake pedal pressure
and depress the pedal much further than
normal to obtain braking effect. If neces-
sary, apply full pressure to the brake pedal.
Brakes may only be applied to the front
wheels. Stopping distance is increased!
Do not add brake fluid before checking the
brake system. Overfilling the brake fluid res-
ervoir can result in spilling brake fluid on hot
engine parts and the brake fluid catching
fire. You can be seriously burned.!If you find that the brake fluid in the
brake fluid reservoir has fallen to the
minimum mark or below, have the
brake system checked for brake pad
thickness and leaks.

403 Practical hints
Where will I find ...?
More information can be found in the
“Technical data” section (
page 446).
Vehicle tool kit
The vehicle tool kit is stored in the com-
partment underneath the cargo compart-
ment floor (
page 402).
The vehicle tool kit includes:


One pair of universal pliers


One towing eye bolt


One wheel wrench


One alignment bolt


One fuse extractor


Spare fuses


Collapsible wheel chock


A pair of glovesSetting up the collapsible wheel chock
The collapsible wheel chock serves to
additionally secure the vehicle, e.g. while
changing the wheel.
1Tilt the plates upward
2Fold the lower plate outward
3Insert the plate

Tilt both plates upward1.

Fold the lower plate outward2.

Guide the tabs of the lower plate all the
way into the openings of the base
plate3.

430 Practical hintsTowing the vehicleMercedes-Benz recommends that the vehi-
cle be transported with all wheels off the
ground using flatbed or appropriate wheel
lift/dolly equipment. This method is pref-
erable to other types of towing.When circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the vehi-
cle may be towed with all wheels on the
ground or front wheels raised (except vehi-
cles with 4MATIC) only so far as necessary
to have the vehicle moved to a safe loca-
tion where the recommended towing
methods can be employed.
!Use flatbed or wheel lift / dolly equip-
ment with SmartKey in starter switch
turned to position0.
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 and the
automatic central locking.
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 ve-
hicle 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
position0 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 selector lever must
be in positionN and the SmartKey
must be in starter switch position2.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground or the front axle raised,
the vehicle may be towed only for dis-
tances up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a
speed not to exceed 30 mph
(50 km/h).

431 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
!
To be certain to avoid a possibility of
damage to the drive train, however, we
recommend the drive shaft be discon-
nected at the rear axle drive flange (ve-
hicles 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:

the engine will not run


there is a malfunction in the SBC brake
system


there is a malfunction in the power sup-
ply or in the vehicle’s electrical system
as that will be necessary to adequately con-
trol the towed vehicle.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make sure the SmartKey is in
starter switch position2.
If the SmartKey is left in the starter switch
position0 for an extended period of time, it
can no longer be turned in the switch. In this
case, the steering is locked. To unlock, re-
move SmartKey from starter switch and re-
insert.
Warning!
G
The brake system requires electrical power
to operate.
A malfunction in the vehicle’s power supply
or electrical system may impair brake sys-
tem operation and switch it into its emer-
gency operation mode. To brake, the driver
must then apply significantly greater brake
pedal pressure and depress the pedal much
further to obtain the expected braking ef-
fect. If necessary, apply full pressure to the
brake pedal. Brakes may only be applied to
the front wheels. Stopping distance is in-
creased! Adapt your driving style according-
ly. For more information, refer to “SBC brake
system” (
page 92).
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the steering system. In
this case, it is important to keep in mind that
a considerably higher degree of effort is nec-
essary to steer the vehicle. Adapt your driv-
ing accordingly.

432 Practical hintsTowing the vehicle
iTo signal turns while being towed with
the hazard warning flasher in use, turn
SmartKey in starter switch to
position2 and activate the combina-
tion switch for the left or right turn sig-
nal in the usual manner – only the
selected turn signal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the haz-
ard warning flasher will operate again.
!When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, please note the follow-
ing:
With the automatic central locking acti-
vated and the SmartKey in starter
switch position2, or KEYLESS-GO*
start / stop button in position2, the ve-
hicle doors lock if the left front wheel
as well as the right rear wheel are turn-
ing at vehicle speeds of approximately
9mph (15km/h) or more.
Switch off the tow-away alarm
(page 99).
To prevent the vehicle door locks from
locking, deactivate the automatic cen-
tral locking (
page 122).
Towing of the vehicle should only be
done using the properly installed tow-
ing eye bolt. Never attach tow cable,
tow rope or tow rod to the vehicle chas-
sis, frame or suspension parts.
iThe selector lever will remain locked in
positionP and the SmartKey will not
turn in the starter switch if the battery
is disconnected or discharged. For
more information, see “Battery”
(page 424) and “Jump starting”
(page 428).
For information on manual unlocking of
the transmission selector lever, see
(page 405).

433 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Installing towing eye bolt
Front of vehicle
1Cover on right side of front bumperTo remove cover:

Press mark on cover in direction of ar-
row.

Lift cover off to reveal threaded hole for
towing eye bolt.
The towing eye bolt is supplied with the
tool kit (located in the storage compart-
ment under the cargo compartment floor).

Screw towing eye bolt in to its stop and
tighten with lug wrench.
To reinstall cover:

Fit cover and snap into place.Rear of vehicle
2Cover on right side of rear bumper
To remove cover:

Pull cover in the direction of the arrow.

Fold cover down to reveal threaded
hole for the towing eye bolt.
The towing eye bolt is supplied with the
tool kit (located in the storage compart-
ment under the cargo compartment floor).

Screw towing eye bolt in to its stop and
tighten with lug wrench.
To reinstall cover:

Fit cover and snap into place.

474 IndexI
Identification labels 440
Ignition 34, 36
Switching on 47, 48, 54
Immobilizer 97
Activating 97
Deactivating 97
Indicator lamps see Lamps, indicator and
warning
Infant and child restraint systems 73
Installing 82
LATCH child seat anchors 83
Information
About service and warranty 10
Button for Tele Aid* 274
Inserting the cargo tie-down ring in the
mounting element 253
Inserting the mounting elements into the
cargo rails 252
Inside rear view mirror
Antiglare 191
Installing
Infant and child restraint systems 82
Towing eye bolt 433
Wiper blades 417
Installing the storage box 256Instrument cluster 24, 150, 349, 461
Coolant
Temperature indicator 151
Illumination 150
Multifunction display 153
Outside temperature indicator 152
Selecting language 166
Integrated remote control
Canadian programming 281
Erasing memory 282
Gate operator 281
Hand-held transmitter 279
Operation 282
Rolling code programming 280
Interior lighting 147
Activating automatic control 147
Deactivating automatic control 147
Delayed switch-off 173
Manual operation 148
Interior lighting in the rear 149
Interior rear view mirror
Adjusting 42
Interior storage spaces
Glove box 259J
Jack 402
Jump starting 428
K
Key, Mechanical 404
Key, SmartKey
Changing the batteries 408, 409
Key, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Changing the batteries 408, 409
KEYLESS-GO* 461
Activating ignition with 36
Closing
Tailgate 119, 121
Factory setting 110
Global locking 110
Global unlocking 110
Important notes 108
Locking the vehicle 113
Opening the tailgate 112
Remote control 107
Starting the engine 48, 54
Turning off engine 59
Unlocking the tailgate 112
Unlocking with 33
Kickdown 189, 461
Kilometers/miles in speedometer 165

485 Index
Tires and wheels
Tire inflation pressure 318
Tools 403
Tow-away alarm 99
Arming 99
Disarming 99
Disarming for transport 99
Towing eye bolt (vehicle tool kit)
Installing 433
Towing the vehicle 430
Traction 189, 335
Transmission fluid level 303
Tread 335
Tread depth 309
Tread depth (tires 337
Treadwear indicators 335
Trip computer 178
Trip odometer
Resetting 151
Trunk
Lock button, KEYLESS-GO* 113
Turn signals 51
Additional in mirrors 411
Front bulbs 411
Turning off
Engine 57Twin roller blind 256
U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards 335
Units
Setting speedometer units 165
Setting temperature units 165
Setting tire inflation pressure
units 167
Unlocking 32, 102, 404
Driver’s door in an emergency 404
Fuel filler flap 296
Global 104
Global with KEYLESS-GO* 110
Selective setting 104, 111
Vehicle in an emergency 276
With KEYLESS-GO* 33
With the SmartKey 32
Upgrade scenario
Tele Aid* 275
Uphill driving
Cruise control 229
Upshifting 185
Useful features 259
Ashtrays 265
Cigarette lighter 266Garage door opener 277
Heated steering wheel* 267
Tele Aid* 269
Telephone* 268
V
Vehicle
Individual settings 162, 164
Locking in an emergency 405
Lowering 422
Towing 430
Unlocking in an emergency 404
Vehicle capacity weight 335
Vehicle care
Cup holder 349
Distronic* system sensor cover 347
Engine cleaning 346
Gear selector lever 349
Hard plastic trim items 349
Leather upholstery 350
Light alloy wheels 348
Ornamental moldings 347
Paintwork 346
Plastic and rubber parts 350
Power washer 345
Seat belts 349
Steering wheel 349

486 Index
Tar stains 346
Vehicle washing 346
Window cleaning 348
Wood trims 350
Vehicle level
Changing 246
Setting 246
Automatic 246
Manual 246
Vehicle level control system*
Airmatic DC* 244
Vehicle loading terminology 332
Vehicle maximum load on the tire 335
Vehicle status message memory
Calling up 161
Vehicle tool kit 403
Alignment bolt 403
Fuse extractor 403
Hex-socket wrench 403
Open-end wrench 403
Screwdriver 403
Spare fuses 403
Towing eye bolt 403
Universal pliers 403
Wheel wrench 403Vehicle tool kit, jack and spare
wheel 401
Vehicle washing 346
VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) 464
Voice control system* 464
W
Warning lamps see Lamps, indicator and
warning
Warning sounds
Distance warning function* 240
Distronic* 234
Drivers seat belts 69
Parking brake 50
Warranty coverage 439
Washing the vehicle 344
Wear pattern (tires) 336
Weights 449
Wheel change 419
Tightening torque 422
Wheels
Tires and wheels 307
Window curtain airbags 68
Windshield
Defogging 202, 203, 215
Refilling washer fluid 306
Replacing wiper blades 417Washer fluid 306
Windshield washer fluid
Message in display 399
Refilling 306
Wiping with 53
Windshield wipers 52
Fast wiper speed 52
Intermittent wiping 52
Replacing wiper blades 416, 417
Single wipe 53
Switching on 52
Wiping with windshield washer
fluid 53
Winter driving
Block heater* 338
Snow chains 338
Tires 337
Winter tires 337
Winter driving instructions 291
Winter tires 337
Wiper blades 347
Installing 417
Removing 417
Replacing 417