Permissible towing methods
Both axles on the
ground
Front axle raised
Rear axle raised
Vehicles with automatic
transmission and rear-
wheel drive
Yes, no further than
31 miles (50 km) at
31 mph (50 km/h)
Yes, no further than
31 miles (50 km) at
31 mph (50 km/h)
Yes, if the steering
wheel is fixed in the
center position with a
steering wheel lock
Vehicles with all-wheel
drive
Yes, no further than
31 miles (50 km) at
31 mph (50 km/h)
No
No
Towing with a raised axle: towing should be per-
formed by a towing company.
Towing the vehicle with both axles on the ground
#
Observe the notes on permissible towing meth-
ods (
/
page 234).
#
Make sure that the battery is connected and
charged.
When the battery is discharged, the following situa-
tions occur:
R
The vehicle does not start.
R
It is not possible to release or apply the elec-
tric parking brake.
R
Vehicles with automatic transmission: The
automatic transmission cannot be shifted to
position
i
or
j
.
*
NOTE Damage due to towing away at
excessively high speeds or over long dis-
tances
The drivetrain could be damaged when towing
at excessively high speeds or over long distan-
ces.
#
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.
%
Vehicles with automatic transmission and rear
wheel drive: if there is a malfunction, the auto-
matic transmission may be locked in position
j
.
If the automatic transmission cannot be shif-
ted to position
i
, transport the vehicle
(
/
page 237). A towing vehicle with lifting
equipment is required for vehicle transport.
&
WARNING Risk of accident when towing a
vehicle which 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:
R
The towing eye may become detached.
R
The vehicle/trailer combination may
swerve or rollover.
#
Before tow-starting or towing away,
check if the vehicle to be tow-started or
towed away exceeds the permissible
gross mass.
If a vehicle is towed or tow-started, its weight
should not be greater than the permissible gross
mass of the towing vehicle.
#
Information on the vehicle's permissible gross
mass can be found on the vehicle identification
plate (
/
page 284).
#
Vehicles with automatic transmission: do not
open the driver's or co-driver door. Otherwise,
the automatic transmission automatically shifts
to position
j
.
#
Install the towing eye (
/
page 237).
#
Secure the towing device.
Breakdown assistance 235