Mercedes-Benz S-CLASS SEDAN 2023 Tow Starting User Manual
Tow starting or towing away
Permitted towing methods (not plug-in hybrid)
NOTE
Damage from automatic braking
If one of the following functions is activated, the vehicle will brake automatically in certain situations:
- Active Brake Assist
- Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC
- HOLD function
- Active Parking Assist
To avoid damage to the vehicle, deactivate these systems in the following or similar situations:
- During towing.
- In a car wash.
Mercedes-Benz recommends transporting your vehicle in the case of a breakdown, rather than towing it away. For towing with both axles on the ground, use a tow rope or tow rod. Do not use tow bar systems (/ page 320).
NOTE
Damage to the vehicle due to towing away incorrectly
- Observe the instructions and notes on towing away.
Towing with a raised axle: towing should be performed by a towing company.
Vehicles with rear-wheel drive
| Permitted towing methods | |
| Both axles on the ground | Yes, for a maximum of
31 miles (50 km) at 31 mph (50 km/h) |
| Front axle raised | No |
| Rear axle raised | Yes, if the steering wheel is fixed in the center position with a steering wheel lock |
4MATIC vehicles
| Permitted towing methods | |
| Both axles on the ground | Yes, for a maximum of
31 miles (50 km) at 31 mph (50 km/h) |
| Front axle raised | No |
| Rear axle raised | No |
Permitted towing methods (plug-in hybrid)
The following information does not apply to Mercedes-AMG E Performance vehicles.
NOTE
Mercedes-AMG vehicles
- Observe the notes in the Supplement. You could otherwise fail to recognize dangers.
Mercedes-Benz recommends transporting your vehicle in the case of a breakdown, rather than towing it away. For towing with both axles on the ground, use a tow rope or tow rod. Do not use tow bar systems.
NOTE
Damage to the vehicle due to towing away incorrectly
- Observe the instructions and notes on towing away. Observe the information on towing and transporting the vehicle in the vehicle Operator’s Manual.
- In the following situations, only transporting the vehicle is permitted:
- The driver’s display is not working
- The Towing Not Permitted See Operator’s Manual display message appears in the driver’s display.
Exception:
if the vehicle is located in a danger zone, it can be recovered from the danger zone despite the á Towing Not Permitted See Operator’s Manual display message or the display not working. It must not be towed further than 55 yds (50 m) with both axles on the ground. A towing speed of 6 mph (10 km/h) must not be exceeded. Beyond these limits, only transporting is permitted.
Vehicles with rear-wheel drive
| Permitted towing methods | |
| Both axles on the ground | Yes, for a maximum of 31 miles (50 km) at
31 mph (50 km/h), only forwards with the driver in the vehicle |
| Front axle raised | No |
| Rear axle raised | Yes, if the steering wheel is fixed in the center position with a steering wheel lock |
4MATIC vehicles
| Permitted towing methods | |
| Both axles on the ground | Yes, for a maximum of 31 miles (50 km) at
31 mph (50 km/h), only forwards with the driver in the vehicle |
| Front axle raised | No |
| Rear axle raised | No |
Towing the vehicle with both axles on the ground
- Observe the notes on the permitted towing methods.
- Make sure that the battery is connected and charged.
When the battery is discharged, the following actions cannot be performed: - The vehicle cannot be started.
- The electric parking brake cannot be released or applications or the driver’s display in the instrument cluster does not show anything, have the vehicle transport (/page 436). A towing vehicle with lifting equipment is required for vehicle transportation.
NOTE
Damage due to towing away at excessively high speeds or over long distances. The drivetrain could be damaged when towing at excessively high speeds or over long distances.
- A towing speed of 30 mph (50 km/h) must not be exceeded.
- A towing distance of 30 miles (50 km)must not be exceeded.
WARNING
Risk of an accident when a towing vehicle is too heavy.If the vehicle to be tow-started or towed away is heavier than the permissible gross mass of your vehicle, the following situations can occur:
- The towing eye may become detached.
- The vehicle/trailer combination may swerve or roll over.
- Before tow starting or towing away, check if the vehicle to be tow-started or towed away exceeds the permissible gross mass.
- check if the vehicle to be tow-started or towed away exceeds the permissible gross mass.
- If a vehicle must be tow-started or towed away, its weight must not exceed the permissible gross mass of the towing vehicle.
- Information on the permissible gross mass of the vehicle can be found on the vehicle identification plate (/ page 476).
- Do not open the driver’s door or front passenger door; the transmission will otherwise automatically shift to j.
- Install the towing eye (/ page 438).
- Fasten the towing device.
NOTE
Damage due to incorrect connection of the tow bar
- Only connect the tow rope or tow bar to the towing eyes.
- Deactivate the automatic locking mechanism.
- Do not activate the HOLD function.
- Deactivate the tow-away alarm (/ page 112).
- Deactivate Active Brake Assist (/ page 278).
- Shift the transmission to the position.
- Release the electric parking brake.
WARNING
Risk of accident due to limited safety-related functions during the towing process
Safety-related functions are limited or no longer available in the following situations:
- The vehicle is switched off.
- The brake system or power steering system is malfunctioning.
- The energy supply or the onboard electrical system is malfunctioning.
When your vehicle is towed away, significantly more effort may be required to steer and brake than is normally required.
- Use a tow bar.
- Make sure that the steering wheel can move freely before towing the vehicle away.
NOTE
Damage due to excessive tractive power. If you pull away sharply, the tractive power may be too high and the vehicles could be damaged.
- Pull away slowly and smoothly.
Loading the vehicle for transport
Requirements
- The vehicle is stationary.
- The vehicle is switched off.
- The driver’s display is in the initial state with no menus open (/ page 321).
- Transport is also possible with a warning message visible.
- The 12 V battery is charged.
Plug-in hybrid:
transportation of vehicles should only be carried out by professional recovery companies.
- Select vehicle transport.
- The noise certification mode is intended
- Exclusively for the technical test organization. It restricts the drive power of the vehicle and must not be used in customer operation.
- If necessary, set the system language (/ page 363).
- Observe the notes on towing away (/ page 434).
- Connect the towing device to the towing eye in order to load the vehicle.
- Switch on the power supply (/ page 202).
- Shift the transmission to the position i.
- The transmission may be locked in position
- In the event of damage to the electrics. To shift to i, provide the onboard electrical system with power (/ page 430).
NOTE
Possible damage to the vehicle when loading or unloading When loading or unloading, the vehicle must be raised to the transport level.
If the transport settings are not shown or the Vehicle Not Ready for Loading message is displayed, the vehicle may not be loaded or unloaded.
- If required, raise the vehicle to the transport level again.
- A vehicle that cannot be raised to transport level may not be loaded or unloaded using a ramp. Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
WARNING
Risk of accident due to activated transport level If the vehicle is raised to transport level, driving and driving safety systems have only limited availability and the view from the vehicle is restricted.
Driving safety is severely restricted and there is a risk of an accident
- Do not use transport level in normal road operation.
- Only activate and use the transport level to load the vehicle and when not on public roads.
- Ensure that no persons or obstacles are located in the area surrounding the vehicle.
Raising the vehicle to the transport level
- Press the G button for at least five seconds.
- Immediately press and hold the button for at least one second.
The For Transport Level Switch On Vehicle message is displayed. - Switch on the vehicle(/ page 203). The transport settings are displayed.
- Swipe downward to select Transport Level and press a.
- The vehicle is raised and the Vehicle is raising… Do not drive onto the ramp yet the message is displayed for 5 seconds. The raising process can last up to 60 seconds and can be canceled with the G button.
- When raising, do not switch off the vehicle. While the vehicle is being raised, you can maneuver at a maximum speed of 25 mph (40 km/h).
- Before loading the vehicle, wait until the transport level has been reached and the Transport Level status is shown.
- If the vehicle is raised to the transport level, the transport settings will continue to be shown even after a restart. The operation of the driver’s display is restricted.
- When the vehicle is at the transport level, it is lowered again in the following situations:
- When driving faster than 25 mph (40 km/h).
- The 12 V battery is discharged.
The vehicle is adjusted to the height of the last active level. Transporting the vehicle - Load the vehicle onto the transporter.
- Shift the transmission to position j.
- Use the electric parking brake to secure the vehicle against rolling away.
- Switch off the vehicle and the power supply.
- Only secure the vehicle by the wheels.
4MATIC vehicles
NOTE
Damage to the drive train due to incorrect positioning of the vehicle
- Do not position the vehicle above the connection point of the transport vehicle. Make sure that the front and rear axles come to rest on the same transportation vehicle.
- Unloading the vehicle
- Make sure that the vehicle is raised to the transport level before unloading.
Lowering the vehicle after unloading
- Switch on the power supply.
- Start the vehicle.
- In Transport Settings, swipe up to select the Standard Level and press a.
- The vehicle is adjusted to the height of the last active level and the Lowering Vehicle… message is displayed.
- After the vehicle has been lowered, press the button for at least two seconds.
- Transport Settings closes.
Towing eye storage location
Towing eye 1 is located under the trunk floor. Depending on the vehicle version, the towing eye is in a different position in the boot.
Installing and removing the towing eye
- Press the mark on cover 1 inwards and remove.
- Screw in the towing eye clockwise as far as it will go and tighten.
- After removing the towing eye, snap cover 1 into the bumper.
NOTE
Damage to the vehicle due to incorrect use of the towing eye or trailer hitch When a towing eye or trailer hitch is used to recover a vehicle, the vehicle may be damaged in the process.
- Only use the towing eye or trailer hitch to tow away or to start the vehicle.
- Do not use the towing eye or trailer hitch to tow the vehicle during recovery.
Tow-starting the vehicle (emergency engine start)
NOTE
Damage to the automatic transmission due to the tow starting the vehicle can damage the automatic transmission.
- Do not tow-start the vehicle.
- Do not tow-start the vehicle.
Mercedes-Benz 2023 Top Accessories
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Reference Links
View Full User Guide: Mercedes-Benz S-CLASS SEDAN 2023 User Manual
Download Manuals: https://www.mbusa.com/en/owners/manuals
