towing MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 2006 R230 User Guide

421 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Towing the vehicle
Mercedes-Benz recommends that the vehi-
cle be transported with all wheels off the
ground using flatbed or appropriate wheel
lift/dolly equipment.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 only so far as
necessary to have the vehicle moved to a
safe location 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.
!If the vehicle is towed with the front
axle raised, the engine must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position0
or1). Otherwise, the ESP
® will immedi-
ately be engaged and will apply the rear
wheel brakes.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, the gear 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).
To be certain to avoid a possibility of
damage to the transmission, however,
we recommend the drive shaft be dis-
connected at the rear axle drive flange
for any towing beyond a short tow to a
nearby garage.

422 Practical hintsTowing the vehicleWarning!
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
electro-hydraulic 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 certain that 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.
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.
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 are only applied to the
front wheels. Stopping distance is in-
creased! Adapt your driving style according-
ly. For more information, see
“Electro-hydraulic brake system”
(page 88).
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.

423 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Installing towing eye bolt
Front of vehicle
1Cover on right side of front bumper
To remove cover:
Press mark on cover 1 in direction of
arrow.

Lift cover1off to reveal the threaded
hole for towing eye bolt.
The towing eye bolt is supplied with the
tool kit (located in the storage compart-
ment under the trunk floor).
!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 approx. 9 mph
(15 km / h) or more.
To prevent the vehicle door locks from
locking, deactivate the automatic cen-
tral 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 the vehicle chas-
sis, frame or suspension parts.
iIf the battery is disconnected or dis-
charged

the SmartKey will not turn in the
starter switch


the gear selector lever will remain
locked in positionP.
For more information, see “Batteries”
(
page 413) and
“Jump starting” (
page 419).


424 Practical hintsTowing the vehicle
Screw towing eye bolt in to its stop and
tighten with lug wrench.
To reinstall cover:

Fit locking tabs of cover under the low-
er edge of the opening in the bumper.

Apply even pressure on the upper part
of the cover until it snaps into place.
Rear of vehicle
2Cover on right side of rear bumperTo remove cover:

Insert flat, blunt object as a lever into
upper left or right recess of cover 2.

Loosen cover 2 using the lever.

Fold cover 2 down in direction of ar-
row to reveal the 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 trunk floor).

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

Fit cover 2 and snap into place.


476 IndexTelephones and two-way radios 266
Temperature
Outside temperature indicator 134
Sensor, Interior 31
Tires 292
Tightening torque 410, 458
Time
Settings (control system) 150
TIN 312, 458
Tire
Vehicle maximum load on 313
Tire and Loading Information 285
Tire and loading terminology 310
Tire care and maintenance 282
Tire Identification Number see TIN
Tire inflation pressure 401
Checking 271, 291, 293
Tire inflation pressure see the placard on
the fuel filler flap
Tire inspection 282
Tire load rating 312, 458
Tire ply composition and material
used 312
Tire Pressure Monitoring System see
TMPS (USA only)
Tire speed rating 263, 303, 312, 459Tire terminology 310
Tire traction 263
TIREFIT
Instructions for use 399
TIREFIT kit 384, 399
Tires 281
Cleaning 283
Direction of rotation 284
Driving instructions 261
Low tire pressure telltale 342
Messages in display 380
Messages in the display 357
MOExtended system* 411
Retreads 281
Rims and tires 434
Rotating 313
Run Flat Indicator 293
Service life 282
Temperature 292, 309
TPMS malfunction telltale 342
Tread depth 283, 316
Wear pattern 313
Winter 315
Tools 383
Tow-away alarm 93
Tow-away alarm switch 30Towing eye bolt (vehicle tool kit)
Installing 423
Towing eye bolt see Vehicle tool kit
Towing the vehicle 421
TPMS (USA only) 296
Traction 168, 312, 459
Transmission see Automatic transmission
Tread 312, 459
Tread depth 283
Treadwear indicators 312, 459
Trip computer 157
Trip odometer 25
Resetting 133
Trunk
Closing the lid 109
Lighting 131
Load assist 236
Lock button (KEYLESS-GO*) 105
Messages in display 382
Opening from inside vehicle 108
Parcel net 231
Trunk lid lock 386
Unlocking (KEYLESS-GO*) 106
Unlocking in an emergency 386
Unlocking separately 99
Valet locking 110

477 Index
Trunk lid
Opening 108
Turn 185
Turn signal lamps
Cleaning lenses 325
Replacing bulbs 392, 395
Turn signals 23, 53
Exterior rear view mirrors 392, 395
Front bulbs 392
Indicator lamps 25
Rear bulbs 392
Turning off the engine 60
U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards 313, 459
Units
Setting speedometer units 149
Unlocking 34
Centrally from inside 113
Driver’s door in an emergency 385
Storage compartments 230, 386
Trunk 99, 108
Trunk (KEYLESS-GO*) 106
Trunk in an emergency 386
With the SmartKey 34With the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 35, 100
Upholstery
Cleaning 330
Upshifting 169
V
Vehicle
Locking 29
Locking in an emergency 387
Minimum distance (Parktronic*) 225
Towing 421
Unlocking 29
Unlocking in an emergency 385
Vehicle capacity weight 313, 459
Vehicle care
Leather upholstery 330
Ornamental moldings 325
Upholstery 330
Wood trims 330
Vehicle Identification Number see VIN
Vehicle level 459
Changing 222
Setting 222
Vehicle level control 459
Vehicle level control (ABC) 220
Vehicle level control switch 30Vehicle lighting
Checking 271
Vehicle loading terminology 310
Vehicle maximum load on the tire 313,
459
Vehicle status messages 345
Vehicle tool kit 383
VIN 430
VIN (vehicle identification number) 459
Voice control system* 23, 459
Hands-free microphone 31
W
Warning sounds
Distance warning function* 215
Distronic* 209
Drivers seat belts 71
Parking brake 52
Warranty coverage 429
Washing the vehicle 323
Wear pattern (tires) 313
Wheel bolts
Tightening torque 410
Wheel change 404
Tightening torque 410
Wheel wrench 384