towing MERCEDES-BENZ M-Class 2014 W166 Service Manual

axle or steering components. Otherwise,
the vehicle could be damaged.
The towing eyes or trailer tow hitch can be
used to pull the vehicle onto a trailer or
transporter if you wish to transport it.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2in the
ignition lock.
X Shift the automatic transmission to
position N.
As soon as the vehicle ha sbeen loaded:
X Prevent the vehicle fro mrolling away by
applying the electric parking brake.
X Shift the automatic transmission to
position P.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 0in the
ignition lock and remove it.
X Secure the vehicle. Information on 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 389).
Have the vehicle transported on a transporter
or trailer. Recovering
avehicle that has become
stuck
! When recovering a vehicle that has
become stuck, pull it as smoothly and evenly as possible. Excessive tractive
power could damage the vehicles.
If the drive wheels have become stuck in
loose or muddy ground, pull the vehicle out
with extreme caution, especially so if the
vehicle is loaded.
Never attempt to recover a vehicle with a
trailer attached.
Pull out the vehicle backwards, if possible
using the tracks it made when it became
stuck. Tow-starting (emergency engine
starting)
! Vehicles with an automatic transmission
must no tbe tow-started. You could
otherwise damage the automatic
transmission.
You can find information on "Jump-starting"
at (Y page 389). Fuses
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If you manipulate or bridge a faulty fuse or if
you replace it with a fuse with a higher
amperage, the electric cables could be
overloaded. This could result in a fire. There
is a risk of an accident and injury.
Always replace faulty fuses with the specified
new fuses having the correct amperage.
! For the fuse boxes in the engine
compartment and under the rear bench
seat, only use fuses with the suffix "S".
Otherwise, components or systems could
be damaged.
The fuses in your vehicle serve to close down
faulty circuits. If afuse blows, all the
components on the circuit and their functions
stop operating. 394
FusesBreakdown assistance

R
you adop tavery sporty driving style
(cornering at high speeds or driving with
high rates of acceleration).
R you are towing a very heavy or large trailer.
R you are driving with a heavy load (in the
vehicle or on the roof).
Restarting the tire pressure loss
warning system Restart the tire pressure loss warning system
if you have:
R
changed the tire pressure
R changed the wheels or tires
R mounted new wheels or tires
X Before restarting, make sure that the tire
pressures are set properly on all four tires
for the respective operating conditions.
The recommended tire pressures can be
found on the Tire and Loading Information
placard on the B-pillar on the driver's side
or the tire pressure table on the fuel filler
flap.
The tire pressure loss warning system can
only give reliable warnings if you have set
the correct tire pressure. If an incorrect tire
pressure is set, these incorrect values will
be monitored.
X Also observe the notes in the section on tire
pressures (Y page 402).
X Make sure that the SmartKey is in position
2in the ignitio nlock (Y page 157).
X Press the 0002or0005 button on the
steering wheel to select the Serv. menu.
X Press the 0003or0004 button to select
Tire Pressure .
X Press the 000Bbutton.
The Run Flat Indicator Active Press 'OK' to Restart message
appears in the multifunction display. If you wish to confirm the restart:
X
Press the 000Bbutton.
The Tire Pressure Now OK? message
appears in the multifunction display.
X Press the 0003or0004 button to select
Yes .
X Press the 000Bbutton.
The Run Flat Indicator Restarted message appears in the multifunction
display.
After a teach-in period, the tire pressure
loss warning system will monitor the set
tire pressures of all four tires.
If you wish to cancel the restart:
X Press the 0007button.
or
X If the Tire Pressure Now OK? message
appears, use the 0003or0004 button to
select Cancel .
X Press the 000Bbutton.
The tire pressure values stored at the last
restart will continue to be monitored. Tire Pressure Monitor
General notes If a tire pressure monitor is installed, the
vehicle's wheels have sensors that monitor
the tire pressures in all four tires. The tire
pressure monitor warns you if the pressure
drops in one or more of the tires. The tire
pressure monitor only functions if the correct
sensors are installed on all wheels.
Information on tire pressures is displayed in
the multifunction display .After a few minutes
of driving, the current tire pressure of each
tire is show nintheService menu of the
multifunction display. 406
Tire pressureWheels and tires

Example: steps 1 to 3
The following table shows examples on how to calculate total and cargo load capacities with
varying seating configurations and number and size of occupants. The following examples use
a maximum load of 1,500 lbs (680 kg). This is for illustration purposes only. Make sure
you are using the actual load limit for your vehicle stated on your vehicle's Tire and Loading
Information placard (Y page 409).
The greate rthe combined weight of the occupants, the lower the maximum luggage load.
Additional information when towing a trailer (Y page 253).
Step 1 Example 1 Example 2 Example 3
Combined maximum
weight of occupants
and cargo (data from
the Tire and Loading
Information placard)
1500 lbs (680 kg) 1500 lbs (680 kg) 1500 lbs (680 kg)
Step 2
Example 1 Example 2 Example 3
Number of people in
the vehicle (driver
and occupants)
5 3 1
Distribution of the
occupants
Front: 2
Rear: 3 Front: 1
Rear: 2 Front: 1
Weight of the
occupants
Occupant 1:
150 lbs (68 kg)
Occupant 2:
180 lbs (82 kg)
Occupant 3:
160 lbs (73 kg)
Occupant 4:
140 lbs (63 kg)
Occupant 5:
120 lbs (54 kg) Occupant 1:
200 lbs (91 kg)
Occupant 2:
190 lbs (86 kg)
Occupant 3:
150 lbs (68 kg) Occupant 1:
150 lbs (68 kg)
Gross weight of all
occupants
750 lbs (340 kg) 540 lbs (245 kg) 150 lbs (68 kg)412
Loading the vehicleWheels and tires

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).Information regarding technical data
General information
i The data stated here specifically refers to
a vehicle with standard equipment .Consult
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for
the data for all vehicle variants and trim
levels. Information in the printed Operator's
Manual
In the printed Operator's Manual you can find
information about:
R Vehicle data
R Tailgate opening dimensions
R Tank capacity
R Coolant (engine)
R Engine oil approval and capacity
R DEF filling capacity
R Refrigerant filling capacity and PAG oil
R Towing a trailer
R Off-road driving (fording depth, approach/
departure angle) Warranty
Your vehicle is covered under the terms of the
warranties printed in the Service and
Warranty Information booklet.
Your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will
replace and repair all factory-installed parts
in accordance with the following warranty
terms and conditions:
R New Vehicle Limited Warranty
R Emission Systems Warranty
R Emission Performance Warranty
R California, Connecticut, Maine,
Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania,
Rhode Island and Vermont Emission
Control System Warranty
R State warranty enforcement laws (Lemon
Laws)
Replacement parts and accessories are
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Parts and
Accessories warranties. These are available
at any authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
i If you lose the Service and Warranty
Information booklet, contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center to arrange a
replacement .Itwill be mailed to you. Identification plates
Vehicle identification plate with
vehicle identification number (VIN)
X
Open the driver's door.
You will see vehicle identification plate 0002.442
Identification platesTechnical data

Trailer loads
Trailer loads, trailer drawbar noseweights and axle loads Missing values were not availabl
eattime of going to print. ML 350 4MATIC and ML 550 4MATIC
Permissible trailer load
,unbraked Permissible trailer load, braked (at a
minimu
mgradient-climbing capability of
12% from a standstill) 7198 lbs (3265 kg)
Maximum drawbar noseweight (the
drawbar noseweight is no
tincluded in
the trailer load) 575 lbs (261 kg)
Permissible rear axle load when towing
a trailer
3527 lbs (1600 kg)
ML 250 BlueTEC 4MATIC
Permissible trailer load, unbraked
Permissible trailer load, braked (at a
minimu
mgradient-climbing capability of
12% from a standstill) 6613 lbs (3000 kg)
Maximum drawbar noseweight (the
drawbar noseweight is no
tincluded in
the trailer load) 529 lbs (240 kg)
Permissible rear axle load when towing
a trailer
3637 lbs (1650 kg)
ML 350
Permissible trailer load, unbraked
Permissible trailer load, braked (at a
minimu
mgradient-climbing capability of
12% from a standstill) 6613 lbs (3000 kg)
Maximum drawbar noseweight (the
drawbar noseweight is no
tincluded in
the trailer load) 529 lbs (240 kg)
Permissible rear axle load when towing
a trailer
3527 lbs (1600 kg)456
Trailer tow hitchTechnical data

ML 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC
Permissible trailer load, unbraked
Permissible trailer load, braked (at a
minimum gradient-climbing capability of
12% from a standstill) 7198 lbs (3265 kg)
Maximum drawbar noseweight (the
drawbar noseweight is not included in
the trailer load)
575 lbs (261 kg)
Permissible rear axle load when towing
a trailer
3637 lbs (1650 kg)
ML 63 AMG 4MATIC
Permissible trailer load, unbraked
Permissible trailer load, braked (at a
minimum gradient-climbing capability of
12% from a standstill) 6724 lbs (3050 kg)
Maximum drawbar noseweight (the
drawbar noseweight is not included in
the trailer load)
309 lbs (140 kg)
Permissible rear axle load when towing
a trailer
3858 lbs (1750 kg)
The actual noseweight may not be higher than the value which is given. The value can be found
on the trailer tow hitch or trailer identification plates. The lowest weight applies.
The maximu mpermissible trailer drawbar noseweight is the maximum weight with which the
trailer drawbar can be loaded. Limit for Mercedes-Benz-approved trailer couplings.
Ball position Ball position of the ball coupling When choosing a ball coupling, the
dimensions stated in the illustration must not
be exceeded. Trailer tow hitch
457Technical data Z