*
NOTE Damage due to incorrect connec-
tion of the tow bar
#
Only connect the tow rope or tow bar to
the towing eyes.
%
You can also secure the towing device to the
trailer hitch.
*
NOTE Damage and risk of accident when
towing with a tow rope
There is a risk of an accident if you do not
observe safety and protective measures when
towing using a tow rope.
Observe the following points when towing with
a tow rope:
#
Secure the tow rope on the same side on
both vehicles.
#
Make sure the tow rope does not exceed
the legally prescribed length.
#
Mark the tow rope in the center, e.g. with
a white cloth (30 x 30 cm). This will make
other road users aware that a vehicle is
being towed.
#
Observe the brake lamps of the towing
vehicle while driving. Always maintain a
distance that ensures the tow rope does
not sag.
#
Do not use steel cables or chains to tow
your vehicle. Otherwise, you could dam-
age the vehicle.
#
Deactivate automatic locking (
/
page 50).
#
Do not activate the HOLD function.
#
Deactivate tow-away alarm (
/
page 64).
#
Deactivate Active Brake Assist (
/
page 148).
#
Vehicles with automatic transmission: Shift the
automatic transmission to
i
.
#
Release the parking brake.
&
WARNING Risk of accident due to limited
safety-related functions during the towing
process
Safety-related functions are limited or no lon-
ger available in the following situations:
R
The vehicle is switched off.
R
The brake system or power steering system
is malfunctioning.
R
The energy supply or the on-board electri-
cal 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 dam-
aged.
#
Pull away slowly and smoothly.
Towing a vehicle with the front or rear axle raised
*
NOTE Damage if the vehicle is switched on
If you leave the vehicle switched on while tow-
ing it with the front or rear axle raised, an inter-
vention by ESP
®
can damage the brake sys-
tem.
#
Switch off the vehicle.
*
NOTE Damage due to incorrect removal or
installation of the propeller shafts
When installing the propeller shafts, they can
be damaged if you do not use new screws.
Always use new screws when installing the
propeller shafts.
Only have the propeller shafts installed or
removed by qualified, skilled personnel.
%
If the front axle is damaged, raise the vehicle
at the front axle, and if the rear axle is dam-
aged, raise the vehicle at the rear axle.
236 Breakdown assistance
