tow MERCEDES-BENZ S CLASS 2005 Owner's Guide

409 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 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 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
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the ve-
hicle. Adapt your driving accordingly.iThe gear selector lever will remain
locked in positionP and the SmartKey
will not turn in the starter switch if the
battery is disconnected or discharged.
See information on the battery
(page 403) or on jump starting
(page 406).
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.

410 Practical hintsTowing the vehicle
Installing towing eye bolt
1Cover on right side of front bumper
2Cover on right side of rear bumperRemoving cover

Press mark on cover in direction of ar-
row.

Lift cover off to reveal threaded hole for
towing eye bolt.
Installing towing eye bolt

Take towing eye bolt and wheel wrench
out of trunk (
page 379).

Screw towing eye bolt clockwise into
its stop and tighten with wheel wrench.
Removing towing eye bolt

Loosen towing eye bolt counterclock-
wise with wheel wrench.

Unscrew towing eye bolt.

Store towing eye bolt and wheel
wrench in trunk.
Installing cover

Fit cover and snap into place.
!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 (
page 35) in
position2, the vehicle doors lock if the
le ft f ront whe el as wel l a s t he rig ht rea r
wheel are turning at vehicle speeds of
approximately 9 mph (15 km/h) or
more.
Switch off the tow-away alarm
(
page 89).
To prevent the vehicle doors from lock-
ing, deactivate the automatic central
locking (
page 112).
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 vehicle chassis,
frame or suspension parts.

443 Index
A
ABC 231, 437
Messages in display 349, 354
Setting vehicle level 230, 232
ABS 25, 80, 437
Malfunction indicator lamp 338
Messages in display 350
Warning lamp 338
Accelerator position, automatic
transmission 180
Accessory weight 322
Accident
In case of 54
Activating
Air conditioner (cooling) 203
Air conditioning 202
Air recirculation mode 199
Anti-theft alarm system 87
Central locking (control system) 168
Charcoal filter 200
Distance warning function* 226
Distronic* 222
Easy-entry/exit feature 170ESP 84
Exterior lamps 132
Exterior rear view mirror parking
position 187
Front and rear fog lamp 132, 134
Hazard warning flasher 136
Headlamps 50
High beams 135
Ignition 34
Ignition with KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button 36
Immobilizer 57, 86
Limiting opening height of trunk
lid* 169
Manual shift program S 55 AMG 183
Rear window defroster 201
Residual heat 203
Seat heater 125, 126
Seat ventilation* 127
Tow-away alarm 89
Windshield wipers 52Adaptive Damping System (ADS) 229,
437
Adding
Coolant 293
Engine oil 291
Additional turn signals 390
Adjustable air vents, rear passenger
compartment 204
Adjusting 37
Air distribution 196
Air volume 198
Backrest tilt 38
Drive-dynamic seat* 172
Exterior rear view mirror 41
Head restraint height 39
Head restraint tilt 39
Instrument cluster illumination 140
Interior rear view mirror 41
Lumbar support 122
Mirrors 41
Multicontour backrest* 122
Power seat bench* 117
Seat cushion depth 38, 123

444 Index
Seat cushion tilt 38
Seat fore and aft adjustment 38
Seat height 38
Seat in the lumbar region 123
Seat in the shoulder region 123
Seats 37
Steering column height 40
Steering column in or out 40
Steering column up or down 40
Steering wheel 40
ADS 229, 437
Air bags 61
BabySmart
TM air bag deactivation
system 73, 437
Children 62
Front 65
Passenger 65
Safety guidelines 64
Side impact 65
Window curtain 66
Air bag off indicator lamp 346Air conditioning
Turning off 202
Turning on 202
Air pressure 322
Air pressure see Tire inflation pressure
Air recirculation mode 199
Activating 199
Deactivating 200
Air vents, rear passenger compartment
Adjustable 204
Air volume
Adjusting 198
AIRMATIC 229
Airmatic 229, 437
Alarm
Audible 79, 88
Canceling 88
Visual 87Alarm system
Anti-theft 87
Anti-theft alarm system indicator
lamp 27
Alignment bolt (vehicle tool kit) 380,
401, 437
Antiglare
Automatic 186
Antilock brake system (ABS) 437
Antilock Brake System see ABS 25
Anti-theft alarm system
Arming 87
Canceling alarm 88
Disarming 88
Anti-theft systems 86
Anti-theft alarm system 87
Anti-theft alarm system indicator
lamp 27
Immobilizer 86
Tow-away alarm 89
Aquaplaning see Hydroplaning 277

449 Index
Cruise control 214, 438
Canceling 215
Driving downhill 215
Driving uphill 215
Fine adjustment 216
Lever 221
Setting current speed 215
Setting to last stored speed (“Resume”
function) 216
Cruise control lever 214
Cup holder
Cleaning 335
Closing 250
In front seat armrest 248
In rear seat armrest 249
Opening 250
Curb weight 322
Customer Assistance Center (CAC) 437
D
Daytime running lamp mode 133
Setting 165
Deactivating
Air conditioner (cooling) 202
Air recirculation mode 200
Alarm 88
Anti-theft alarm system 88Automatic climate control 202
Central locking (control system) 168
Charcoal filter 201
Defrost 199
Distance warning function* 226
Distronic* 224
Engine with the SmartKey 57
ESP 83
Exterior lamps 132
Hazard warning flasher 136
Headlamps 57
Immobilizer 86
Interior illumination delayed
switch-off 167
Limiting opening height of trunk
lid* 169
Manual shift program S 55 AMG 185
Rear window defroster 201
Residual heat 203
Seat heater 125, 126
Seat ventilation* 127
Tow-away alarm 89
Deceleration
With Distronic* 220
Deep water see Standing water 280
Defrosting 199Delayed switch-off
Interior illumination 167
Department of Transportation see DOT
Dialing
A number (telephone) 154
Difficulties
While driving see Problems while
driving 54
Digital clock 25
Digital speedometer 148
Direction of rotation (tires) 299
Discharged battery
Jump starting 406
Disconnecting
Vehicle battery 404
Displays
Digital speedometer 148
Distronic* 219
Messages 289
Service indicator 328
Showing malfunctions 159
Vehicle status messages 347

454 IndexHeight adjustments
Vehicle level 230, 232
High beam 50
Replacing bulbs 390
High beam flasher 135
High beam headlamps
Messages in display 366
Switching on 135
High mounted brake lamp 390
Hood 286
Closing 287
Message in display 364
Opening 286
Hydroplaning 277
I
Identification labels 418
Emission control information
label 418
Vacuum line routing diagram
label 418
Ignition 34, 36
Switching on 34, 46, 47Immobilizer 86
Activating 86
Deactivating 86
Indicator lamps see Lamps, indicator and
warning
Individual seats* 117
Head restraint height 118
Infant and child restraint systems 71
Installing 75
LATCH child seat anchors 76
Information
About service and warranty 10
Button for Tele Aid* 260
Infrared reflecting windshield 270
Inside rear view mirror
Auto-dimming 186
Installing
Infant and child restraint systems 75
Towing eye bolt 410
Wiper blades 397Instrument cluster 24, 140, 439
Cleaning 335
Coolant temperature gauge 141
Illumination 140
Multifunction display 143
Outside temperature indicator 142
Selecting language 164
Integrated remote control
Canadian programming 268
Erasing memory 269
Hand-held transmitter 266
Operating 269
Rolling code programming 267
Interior illumination
Delayed switch-off 167
Interior lighting 137
Activating automatic control 137
Deactivating automatic control 137
Manual operation 137
Reading lamps in the front 138
Reading lamps in the rear 138
Interior rear view mirror
Adjusting 41

460 IndexParking position
Exterior rear view mirrors 130, 171,
187
Parktronic system* 235, 440
Parktronic*
Cleaning sensors 333
Malfunctioning 239
Warning indicators 237
Parts service 416
Passenger compartment 280
Fuse box in 412
Interior lighting 137
Interior rear view mirror 41
Parcel net in front passenger
footwell 250
Passenger safety see Occupant
safety 60
Passenger seat fore and aft
adjustment 119
Passenger seat head restraint
height 119
Passenger seat height 119
Pedals 273
Phone book*
Loading 154
Quick search 154Phone number*
Dialing 154
Redialing 155
Plastic and rubber parts
Cleaning 336
Poly-V-belt drive 440
Positions (Memory function)
Recalling from memory 129
Positions (Memory function*)
Storing into memory 129
Potential problems associated with under-
inflated and overinflated tires 311
Power assistance 273
Power closing assist for doors and trunk
lid 112
Power seat
Adjusting backrest tilt 38
Adjusting head restraint height 39
Adjusting head restraint tilt 39
Adjusting seat cushion depth 38
Adjusting seat cushion tilt 38
Adjusting seat height 38
Front seat head restraints 116
Seat fore and aft adjustment 38Power seat bench* 117
Head restraint height 117
Power tilt/sliding sunroof 211
Closing 211
Closing in an emergency 386
Messages in display 370
Opening 211
Opening in an emergency 386
Power train 441
Power windows 207
Blocking of rear window operation 78
Closing 207, 208
Opening 207
Side windows 207
Synchronizing 209
Power-wash 331
Practical hints
First aid kit 379
Fuses 411
Lamp in center console 346
Lamps in instrument cluster 338
Towing the vehicle 408
Vehicle status messages in the multi-
function display 347
Vehicle tool kit 379

467 Index
Tightening torque (Wheel bolts) 402
Tilt/sliding sunroof
Stopping 213
Synchronizing 213
TIN 324
Tire
Vehicle maximum load on 324
Tire and Loading Information 300
Tire and loading terminology 322
Tire care and maintenance 297
Tire Identification Number see TIN
Tire inflation pressure
Checking 285, 305, 307
Setting units 164
Tire inflation pressure see the placard on
the fuel filler flap
Tire inspection 297
Tire load rating 324
Tire ply composition and material
used 324
Tire speed rating 278, 314, 324, 442
Tire terminology 322
Tire traction 277Tires 296
Direction of rotation 299
Driving instructions 276
Messages in display 372–378
Retreads 296
Rotating 325
Service life 297
Temperature 306, 321
Tire inflation pressure monitor warning
lamp 344
Tread depth 298, 326
Wear pattern 325
Winter 326
Tools 379
Tow-away alarm 89
Arming 89
Disarming 89
Disarming for transport 89
Towing eye bolt (vehicle tool kit) 380
Installing 410
Towing the vehicle 408
Traction 179, 324, 442
Transmission see Automatic
transmission 292
Tread 324
Tread depth 298Tread depth (tires) 326
Treadwear indicators 324
Trip computer 157
Trip odometer
Resetting 141
Trunk
Auxiliary fuse box 412
Closing 105
Closing from the inside
automatically* 105
Lighting 138, 139
Lock button, KEYLESS-GO* 101
Message in display 371
Opening 103
Opening from inside vehicle 104
Opening with SmartKey 95
Parcel net 250
Tie-down hooks 241
Trunk lid 103, 105
Trunk lock 384
Unlocking with SmartKey 95
Unlocking with SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 102
Trunk lid
Limiting opening height* 105
Trunk lid emergency release 111

468 IndexTrunk lid opening/closing system* 105,
107, 108
Turn signal lamps
Replacing bulbs 390
Turn signals 51
Additional in mirrors 390
Cleaning lenses 332
Front bulbs 390, 393
Rear bulbs 390, 395
Turning off
Engine 57
Turning off the engine 57
U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards 324
Units
Setting speedometer units 163
Setting temperature units 163
Unlock button
SmartKey 92
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 96
Trunk lid 96Unlocking 32, 92
Driver’s door in an emergency 383
Fuel filler flap 283
Global 94
Global (SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*) 99
Glove box 244
In an emergency 383
Selective settings 94, 100
Trunk lid 96
Trunk lid with SmartKey 95
Trunk lid with SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 102
Vehicle in an emergency 262
With the SmartKey 32
With the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 33, 96
Upgrade scenario
Tele Aid* 261
Uphill driving
Cruise control 215
Upholstery
Cleaning 336
Upshifting 175Useful features 242
Ashtrays 251
Cigarette lighter 252
Document holder 242
Garage door opener 264
Heated steering wheel* 253
Storage compartments 243
Tele Aid 255
Telephone* 254
Vanity mirror in the rear 243
Vanity mirror in the sun visor 242
V
Vacuum line routing diagram label 418
Vanity mirror in the rear 243
Vanity mirror in the sun visor 242
Vehicle
Individual settings 160, 162
Locking in an emergency 384
Lowering 402
Service battery 403
Towing 408
Unlocking in an emergency 383
Vehicle battery 403
Vehicle capacity weight 324