Mercedes-Benz SL-Class 2009 Owners Manual - Manual (Page 332)

Towing the vehicle
330
Towing the vehicle
Safety notes
Mercedes-Benz recommends that the vehicle
be transported with all wheels off the ground
using flatbed or appropriate wheel lift/dolly
equipment. This method is preferable to other
types of towing.
! To prevent damage during transport, do
not tie down vehicle by its chassis or sus-
pension parts.
G Warning!
The electro-hydraulic 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. In such a case, the
red brake warning lamp comes on and
warning messages appear in the multifunc-
tion display while driving. To brake, the
driver must then apply significantly greater
brake pedal pressure and depress the pedal
much further to obtain the expected brak-
ing effect. If necessary, apply full pressure
to the brake pedal. Brakes are only applied
to the front wheels. Stopping distance is
increased! For more information, see “Elec-
tro-hydraulic brake system” in this in this
Operator’s Manual.
If there is a malfunction in the electro-
hydraulic brake system, we recommend
that the vehicle be transported with all
wheels off the ground using flatbed or
appropriate wheel lift/dolly equipment.
If circumstances do not permit the recom-
mended towing methods, the vehicle may be
towed with all wheels on the ground or front
axle raised only so far as necessary to have
the vehicle moved to a safe location where
the recommended towing methods can be
employed.
X Switch off the tow-away alarm before tow-
ing the vehicle with all wheels off the
ground or front axle raised (
Y page 72).
! Before towing the vehicle observe the fol-
lowing instructions:
R Do not tow-start the vehicle. You could
otherwise seriously damage the auto-
matic transmission which is not covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
R Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
Towing with sling-type equipment over
bumpy roads will damage radiator and
supports.
R Towing of the vehicle should only be
done using the properly installed towing
eye bolt. Never attach a tow cable, tow
rope or tow rod to the vehicle chassis,
frame or suspension parts.
i If the battery is disconnected or dis-
charged
R the SmartKey will not turn in the starter
switch
R the automatic transmission will remain in
park position
P
R For more information see “Bat-
tery” (
Y page 326) or “Jump start-
ing” ( Y page 328).
Practical hints