Towing

During towing, one vehicle is towed by another vehicle using a tow rope.

Find out the statutory maximum speed limit for towing before the towing begins.

Activate the car's hazard warning flashers.
Attach the tow rope in the towing eye.
Unlock the steering lock by inserting the remote control key in the ignition switch and giving a long press on the START/STOP ENGINE button - key position II is activated, see Key positions for more information about key positions.
The remote control key must remain in the ignition switch while the car is being towed.
Keep the towline taut when the towing vehicle reduces speed by holding your foot gently pressed on the brake pedal - thereby avoiding unnecessary jerking.
Be prepared to brake to stop.

 Warning

  • Check that the steering lock is unlocked before towing.
  • The remote control key must be in key position II - in position I all airbags are deactivated.
  • Never remove the remote control key from the ignition switch when the car is being towed.

 Warning

The brake servo and power steering do not work when the engine is switched off - the brake pedal needs to be depressed about 5 times more heavily and the steering is considerably heavier than normal.

Manual gearbox

Prior to towing:

Move gear lever into neutral and release the parking brake.

Automatic gearbox Geartronic

Prior to towing:

Move the gear selector to position N and release the parking brake.

 Important

Note that the car must always be transported with the wheels rolling forward.

  • Do not tow cars with automatic transmission at speeds higher than 80 km/h (50 mph) or for distances in excess of 80 km.

Automatic gearbox Powershift

Models with the Powershift gearbox should not be towed. If towing still has to take place, the route must be as short as possible and then with very low speed.

In the event of uncertainty as to whether or not the car is equipped with Powershift transmission, this can be verified by checking the designation on the gearbox label under the bonnet, see Type designations. The designation ”MPS6” means that it is Powershift transmission - otherwise it is Geartronic automatic transmission.

 Important

Avoid towing.

  • However, the car can be towed for a short distance at low speed to move it from a dangerous position - not further than 10 km and not faster than 10 km/h (6 mph). Note that the car must always be towed with the wheels rolling forward.
  • In the event of moving a longer distance than 10 km, the car must be transported with the drive wheels raised from the road - professional recovery is recommended.

Prior to towing:

Move the gear selector to position N and release the parking brake.

Jump starting

Do not tow the car to bump start the engine. Use a donor battery if the starter battery is discharged and the engine does not start, see Jump starting with battery.

 Important

The catalytic converter may be damaged during attempts to tow-start the engine.