Mercedes-Benz ML320. Service manual - part 114

 

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Mercedes-Benz ML320. Service manual - part 114

 

 

283

Practical hints

Towing the vehicle

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 (

page 81), 

tow-away alarm (

page 85) and the 

automatic central locking (

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:

With damage to the front axle

raise front axle

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

With damage to the rear axle

raise rear axle

tow vehicle with wheel lift or 
dolly placed under front wheels

With damage to the transfer case

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:

the engine will not run

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 (

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:

Pry out the cover 1 using a flat blade 
screwdriver (

page 257).

To reinstall cover:

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 (

page 278) or on jump 

starting (

page 281).

Manual unlocking transmission gear 
selector lever (

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:

Grip cover 1 at bottom and securely 
pull out.

To reinstall cover:

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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