Mercedes-Benz ML320. Manual — part 114

283

Practical hints

Towing the vehicle

왔

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. This method is pref-
erable to other types of towing.

When circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the vehi-
cle may be towed with all wheels on the
ground only so far as necessary to have the
vehicle moved to a safe location where the
recommended towing methods can be em-
ployed.

!

Use flatbed or wheel lift/dolly equip-
ment, with key in steering lock turned
to position 0.

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. Use the towing eyes.

Switch off the ESP (

컄

page 81),

tow-away alarm (

컄

page 85) and the

automatic central locking (

컄

page 93).

!

When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, the gear selector lever
must be in position N and the key must
be in steering lock position 2.

When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, the vehicle may be
towed only for distances up to 30 miles
(50 km) and at a speed not to exceed
30 mph (50 km/h).

If the vehicle is towed with the front
axle raised (observe instructions re-
garding flexible drive shaft), the engine
must be shut off (key in steering lock
position 1). Otherwise, the 4-ETS may
become engaged which may cause loss
of towing control.

!

To be certain to avoid additional dam-
age to the vehicle powertrain, however
you should observe the following:

앫

With damage to the front axle

앫

raise front axle

앫

remove flexible drive shaft be-
tween rear axle and transfer
case

앫

With damage to the rear axle

앫

raise rear axle

앫

tow vehicle with wheel lift or
dolly placed under front wheels

앫

With damage to the transfer case

앫

remove flexible drive shaft to
the drive axles

Always install new self-locking nuts
when reinstalling flexible drive shaft.

284

Practical hints

Towing the vehicle

Warning!

G

If circumstances require towing the vehicle
with all wheels on the ground, always tow
with a tow bar if:

앫

the engine will not run

앫

there is a malfunction in the power sup-
ply or in the vehicle’s electrical system

Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make certain that the key is in
steering lock position 2.

If the key is left in steering lock position 0
for an extended period of time, it can no
longer be turned in the switch. In this case,
the steering is locked. To unlock, remove
key from steering lock and reinsert.

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.

i

To signal turns while being towed with
hazard warning flasher in use, turn key
in steering lock to position 2 and acti-
vate combination switch for left or right
turn signal in usual manner – only the
selected turn signal will operate.

Upon canceling the turn signal, the haz-
ard warning flasher will operate again.

i

The vehicle cannot be started via
tow-start.

!

When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, note the following:

With the automatic central locking acti-
vated and the key in steering lock
position 2, the vehicle doors lock if the
left front wheel is turning at vehicle
speeds of approx. 9 mph (15 km/h) or
more.

To prevent the vehicle doors from lock-
ing, deactivate the automatic central
locking (

컄

page 93).

Towing of the vehicle should only be
done using the towing eye. Never at-
tach tow cable, tow rope or tow rod to
vehicle chassis, frame or suspension
parts.

285

Practical hints

Towing the vehicle

Front towing eye

The front towing eye is located on the pas-
senger side below the bumper.

1 Towing eye

Rear towing eye

The rear towing eye is located behind the
right side cover in the bumper panel.

ML 350, ML 500

1 Cover
2 Towing eye

To remove cover:

왘

Pry out the cover 1 using a flat blade
screwdriver (

컄

page 257).

To reinstall cover:

왘

Engage cover at bottom and press in
top securely.

i

The gear selector lever will remain
locked in position P and the key will not
turn in the steering lock if the battery is
disconnected or discharged. See notes
on the battery (

컄

page 278) or on jump

starting (

컄

page 281).

Manual unlocking transmission gear
selector lever (

컄

page 264).

Warning!

G

In order to avoid possible serious burns or
injury, use extreme caution when removing
the cover, because the rear exhaust pipe is
extremely hot.

286

Practical hints

Towing the vehicle

Vehicles with sport package*

1 Cover
2 Towing eye

To remove cover:

왘

Grip cover 1 at bottom and securely
pull out.

To reinstall cover:

왘

Engage cover and press in securely.

Stranded vehicle

Freeing a stranded vehicle, on which the
wheels are dug into sand or mud, should
be done with the greatest of care, especial-
ly if the vehicle is heavily loaded.

Avoid pulling the vehicle jerkily or diago-
nally, since it could result in damage to the
chassis alignment.

Never try to free a vehicle that is still cou-
pled to a trailer.

If possible, a vehicle equipped with trailer
hitch receiver should be pulled backward
in its own previously made tracks.