towing MERCEDES-BENZ M-Class 2014 W166 Owner's Guide

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
0001 Solutions
Blind Spot Assist
Currently
Unavailable See
Operator's Manual
or
Active Blind Spot Assist
Currently
Unavailable See
Operator's Manual Blind Spot Assist or Active Blind Spot Assist is temporarily
inoperative. Possible causes are:
R
the sensors are dirty.
R function is impaired due to heavy rain or snow.
R the rada rsensor system is outside the operating temperature
range.
R the radar sensor system is temporarily inoperative, e.g. due to
electromagnetic radiation emitted by nearby TV or radio
stations or other sources of electromagnetic radiation.
The yellow 0003indicator lamps also light up in the exterior
mirrors.
When the causes stated above no longer apply, the display
message disappears.
Blind Spot Assist or Active Blind Spot Assist is operational again.
If the display message does not disappear:
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 179).
X Clean the sensors (Y page 374).
X Restart the engine. Blind Spot Assist or Active Blind Spot Assist is deactivated while
towing a trailer.
You have established the electrical connection between the trailer
and your vehicle.
X
Press 000Bon the steering wheel to confirm the display
message. Blind Spot Assist
Inoperative or
Active Blind Spot Assist Inoperative Blind Spot Assist or Active Blind Spot Assist is defective.
The yellow
0003indicator lamps also light up in the exterior
mirrors.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Park Assist
Canceled The driver's door is open and the driver's seat belt has not been
fastened.
X
Repeat the parking process with the seat belt fastened and the
driver's door closed. You have inadvertently touched the multifunction steering wheel
while steering intervention was active.
X
While steering intervention is active, make sure that the
multifunction steering wheel is not touched unintentionally. 306
Display messagesOn-board computer and displays

Stowage space
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If objects in the passenger compartment are
stowed incorrectly, they can slide or be
thrown around and hit vehicle occupants.
There is a risk of injury, particularly in the
event of sudden braking or a sudden change
in direction.
R Always stow objects so that they cannot be
thrown around in such situations.
R Always make sure that objects do not
protrude from stowage spaces, parcel nets
or stowage nets.
R Close the lockable stowage spaces while
driving.
R Stow and secure objects that are heavy,
hard, pointy, sharp-edged, fragile or too
large in the cargo compartment.
Observe the loading guidelines (Y page 332).
Glove box X
To open: pull handle 0002and open glove box
flap 0003.
X To close: fold glove box flap 0003upwards
until it engages.
i The glove box can be cooled
(Y page 153). 0005
Glove box unlocked
0006 Glove box locked
The glove box can be locked and unlocked
using the mechanical key. Partition
0002for stowing flat objects is located
in the upper section of the glove box. It can
be removed to increase the stowage space in
the glove box.
X To remove: pull partition 0002forwards and
out
X To install: insert partition 0002and push it
back until it engages. Stowage areas
333Stowage and features Z

Roadside Assistance button
X
Press Roadside Assistance button 0002.
This initiates a call to the Mercedes-Benz
Custome rAssistance Center.
The indicator lamp in Roadside Assistance
button 0002flashes while the call is active.
The multifunction display shows the
Connecting Call message. The audio
output is muted.
If a connection can be made, the CallConnected message appears in the
multifunction display.
If a mobile phone network and GPS reception
are available, the system transfers data to the
Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Center,
for example:
R Current location of the vehicle
R Vehicle identification number
i The audio system or COMAND display
indicates that a call is active. During the
call, you can change to the navigation menu
by pressing the NAVI button on COMAND,
for example.
Voice output is not available.
Av oice connection is established between
the Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance
Center and the vehicle occupants.
From the vehicle remote malfunction
diagnosis, the Mercedes-Benz Customer
Assistance Center can ascertain the nature of
the problem (Y page 357).
The Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance
Center either sends a qualified Mercedes- Benz technician or makes arrangements for
your vehicle to be transported to the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
You may be charged for services such as
repair work and/or towing.
Further details are available in your mbrace
manual.
i
The system has not been able to initiate
a roadside assistance call, if:
R the indicator lamp for Roadside
Assistance call button 0002is flashing
continuously.
R no voice connection to the Mercedes-
Benz Customer Assistance Center was
established.
This can occur if the relevant mobile phone
network is not available, for example.
The Call Failed message appears in the
multifunction display.
X To end acall: press the 000Dbutton on the
multifunctio nsteering wheel.
or
X Press the corresponding button for ending
a phone call on the audio syste moron
COMAND.
MB Info call button X
Press MB Info call button 0002.
This initiates a call to the Mercedes-Benz
Custome rAssistance Center.
The indicator lamp in MB Info call
button 0002flashes while the connection is
being made. The multifunction display Features
353Stowage and features Z

Under these or similarc
onditions, have, for
example, the air filter, engine oil and oil filter
replaced or changed more frequently. Under
arduous operating conditions, the tires must
be checked more often. Further information
can be obtained at a qualified specialist
workshop, e.g. an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Driving abroad
An extensive Mercedes-Benz Servic enetwork
is also available in other countries. You can
obtain further information from any
authorized Mercedes-BenzC enter.Care
General notes
H
Environmental note
Dispose of empty packaging and cleaning
cloths in an environmentally responsible
manner.
! For cleaning your vehicle, do not use any
of the following:
R dry, rough or hard cloths
R abrasive cleaning agents
R solvents
R cleaning agents containing solvents
Do not scrub.
Do not touch the surfaces or protective
films with hard objects, e.g. a ring or ice
scraper. You could otherwise scratch or
damage the surfaces and protective film.
! 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. There is a risk of an accident.
After the vehicle has been washed, brake
carefully while paying attention to the traffic
conditions until full braking power is restored.
! If DISTRONIC PLUS or the HOLD function
is activated, the vehicle brakes
automatically in certain situations. To
preven tdamage to the vehicle, deactivate
DISTRONI CPLUS and the HOLD function in
the following or other similar situations:
R when towing the vehicle
R in the car wash
! Never clean yourv ehicle 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: 370
CareMaintenance and care

Useful information
............................380
Where will I find...? ...........................380
Flat tire .............................................. 381
Batter y(vehicle) ................................ 385
Jump-starting .................................... 389
Towing and tow-starting ..................391
Fuses .................................................. 394 379Breakdown assistance

Useful information
i This Operator's Manual describes all
models and all standard and optional
equipment of your vehicle available at the
time of publication of the Operator's
Manual. Country-specific differences are
possible. Please note that your vehicle may
not be equipped with all features
described. This also applies to safety-
related systems and functions.
i Read the information on qualified
specialist workshops: (Y page 28).Where will I find...?
First-aid kit
X
Open the tailgate.
X Remove first-aid kit 0002from the parcel net.
i Check the expiration date on the first-aid
kit at least once a year. Replace the
contents if necessary, and replace missing
items. Vehicle tool kit
General notes The vehicle tool kit can be found in the
stowage well under the cargo compartment
floor.
i
Apart from certain country-specific
variations, the vehicles are not equipped
with a tire-change tool kit .Some tools for changing a wheel are specific to the
vehicle. For more information on which
tools are required to perform a wheel
change on your vehicle, consult a qualified
specialist workshop.
Tools required for changing
awheel may
include, for example:
R Jack
R Wheel chock
R Lug wrench
R Ratchet wrench
R Alignment bolt
Vehicles with aTIREFIT kit Vehicle tool kit (example)
0002
Lug wrench
0003 Jack
0023 Alignmen tbolt
0022 Tire inflation compressor
0020 Tire sealant filler bottle
0021 Folding wheel chock
0014 Towing eye
0015 Ratchet wrench
Use the TIREFIT kit (Y page 383).380
Where will I find...?Breakdown assistance

Vehicles with
a"Minispare" emergency
spare wheel Example
:vehicles with AIRMATIC and trailer tow
hitch
0002 Folding wheel chock
0003 Lug wrench
0023 Alignment bolt
0022 Towing eye
0020 Jack
0021 Ratchet wrench
X Lift the cargo compartment floor up
(Y page 342).
X Remove "Minispare" emergency spare
wheel (Y page 436). Flat tire
Preparing the vehicle
Your vehicle may be equipped with:
R MOExtended tires (tires with run-flat
properties) (Y page 382)
Vehicle preparation is not necessary on
vehicles with MOExtended tires.
R a TIREFIT kit (Y page 380)
R an emergency spare wheel (only for certain
countries) (Y page 436)
Information on changing/mounting a wheel
(Y page 421).
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
Secure the vehicle against rolling away
(Y page 179).
X If possible, bring the fron twheels into the
straight-ahead position.
X Vehicles with the AIRMATIC package:
make sure that highway level is selected
(Y page 207).
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 now have status
0.T his 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 158).
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.
X Unload heavy luggage.
i Only operate the tire inflation compressor
using a 12 V socket, even if the ignition is
turned off (Y page 347).
An emergency cut-out ensures that the on-
board voltage does not drop too low. If the
on-board voltage is too low, the power to
the sockets is automatically cut. This
ensures that there is sufficient power to
start the engine. Flat tire
381Breakdown assistance

X
Slide cover 0002of positive terminal 0003in the direction of the arrow.
X Connect positive terminal 0003on your vehicle to positive terminal 0023of donor battery 0021
using the jumper cable, always begi nwith positive terminal 0003on your own vehicle first.
X Start the engine of the dono rvehicle and run it at idling speed.
X Connec tnegative terminal 0022of donor battery 0021to ground point 0020of your vehicle using
the jumper cable, connecting the jumper cable to battery of other vehicle 0021first.
X Start the engine.
X Before disconnecting the jumper cables, let the engin erun for several minutes.
X First, remove the jumper cables from earth point 0020and negative terminal 0022, then from
positive clamp 0003and positive terminal 0023. Begin each time at the contacts on your own
vehicle first.
X Close cover 0002of positive terminal 0003after removing the jumper cables.
X Have the battery checke dataqualified 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
Functions relevant to safety are restricted or
no longer available if:
R the engine is not running.
R the brake system or the power steering is
malfunctioning.
R there is a malfunction in the voltage supply
or the vehicle's electrical system.
If your vehicle is being towed, much more
force may be necessary to steer or brake.
There is a risk of an accident.
In such cases, use a tow bar. Before towing,
make sure that the steering moves freely. G
WARNING
If the weight of the vehicle to be towed or tow-
started is greater than the permissible gross
weight of your vehicle:
R the towing eye could detach itself
R the vehicle/trailer combination could
rollover. There is a risk of an accident.
When towing or tow-starting another vehicle,
its weight should not be greater than the
permissible gross weight of your vehicle.
! If DISTRONIC PLUS or the HOLD function
is activated, the vehicle brakes
automatically in certain situations. To
preven tdamage to the vehicle, deactivate
DISTRONI CPLUS and the HOLD function in
the following or other similar situations:
R when towing the vehicle
R in the car wash
! Make sure that the electric parking brake
is released. If the electric parking brake is
faulty, visit a qualified specialist workshop.
! Only secure the tow rope or tow bar at the
towing eyes, or the traile rtow hitch, if
available. You could otherwise damage the
vehicle.
! Do not use the towing eye for recovery,
this could damage the vehicle. If in doubt,
recover the vehicle with acrane. Towing and tow-starting
391Breakdown assistance Z

!
When towing, pull away slowly and
smoothly. If the tractive power is too high,
the vehicles could be damaged.
! When towing vehicles with KEYLESS-GO,
use the key instead of the Start/Stop
button. Otherwise, the automatic
transmission may shift to position Pwhen
the driver's or front-passenger door are
opened, which could lead to damage to the
transmission.
! Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
This could damage the vehicle.
! Vehicles with differential locks: make
sure the differential locks are in automatic
mode. When towing, the differential locks
must not be switched on. The transmission
may otherwise be damaged.
! 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 442).
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 Nwhen the vehicle is being towed. The battery must be connected and charged.
Otherwise, you:
R
cannot turn the SmartKey to position 2in
the ignition lock
R cannot release the electric parking brake
R cannot shift the automatic transmission to
position N
i Deactivate the automatic locking feature
before the vehicle is towed (Y page 276).
You could otherwise be locked out when
pushing or towing the vehicle. Installing/removing the towing eye
Installing the towing eye Example: towing eye mounting covers
0002 Front cover
0003 Back cover
Vehicles with a trailer tow hitch: if possible,
connect the towbar to the trailer tow hitch
(Y page 253).
The brackets for the screw-in towing eyes are
located in the bumpers. They are at the front
and at the rear, under the covers. 392
Towing and tow-startingBreakdown assistance

X
Remove the towing eye from the vehicle
tool kit (Y page 380).
X To open the cover at the front: press the
mark on cover 0002inwards in the direction
of the arrow.
X To open the cover at the rear: insert a
flat, blunt object into the cutout and lever
cover 0003out of the bumper.
X Take cover 0002or0003 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 0002or0003 to the bumper and
press until it engages.
X Place the towing eye in the vehicle tool kit. Towing the vehicle wit
hthe 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.
Onl ypossible for vehicles without
4MATIC.
X Switch on the hazard warning lamps
(Y page 124).
X Turn the SmartKey to position 0in 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 importan tthat you observe the
safety instructions (Y page 391). Towing
avehicle with both axles on
the ground
It is importan tthat you observe the safety
instructions when towing away your vehicle
(Y page 391).
The automatic transmission automatically
shifts to position Pwhen 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 Nwhen 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 2in the
ignition lock.
On vehicles with KEYLESS-GO, use the
SmartKey instead of the Start/Stop button
(Y page 158).
X Depress and hold the brake pedal.
X Shift the automatic transmission to
position N.
X Release the brake pedal.
X Release the electric parking brake.
X Leave the SmartKey in position 2in the
ignition lock.
X Switch on the hazard warning lamps
(Y page 124).
i In order to signal a change of direction
when towing the vehicle with the hazard
warning lamps switched on, use the
combination switch as usual. In this case,
only the indicator lamps for the direction of
travel flash. After resetting the
combination switch, the hazard warning
lamp starts flashing again. Transporting the vehicle
! You may only secure the vehicle by the
wheels, not by parts of the vehicle such as Towing and tow-starting
393Breakdown assistance Z