Jacking and towing a car (Mercedes-Benz M-Class W163)

Attention! The standard jack is intended only for short-term lifting of the car when changing a wheel; before performing any work under the car, it must be installed on special supports!

1. The car jack, complete with wheel brace, is located in the pocket under the cover of the right side trim panel of the luggage compartment.



2. The standard spare wheel of compact design is attached from below under the car - using BOTH hands, remove the central cover from the rear bumper.

Warning! Trying to remove the cover by pulling it from the middle part carries the risk of damaging it!

3. Using the wrench from the on-board tool kit, unscrew the bolt (2) completely - the bolt should remain in the holder, lift the wheel assembly and use a screwdriver to press the lever (3). Turn the wheel support bracket down and pull it towards you, then, turning it counterclockwise until it stops, remove the bayonet lock, then remove the tread and take out the spare wheel.

Note: A broken wheel cannot be installed in place of the compact spare tire - place it in a canvas cover and secure it in the luggage compartment (a description of the rules for securing cargo in the luggage compartment is given in Chapter Controls and safe operating techniques).

4. On the ML 55 AMG models, the compact, deflated spare wheel is housed in a cover (3) secured to the left in the luggage compartment (the arrows show the lid fastening fasteners)

5. On ML 55 AMG models, the compact, uninflated spare wheel is stored in a special cover secured to the left in the luggage compartment - release the clamps and remove the cover. The wheel is secured in the cover with three screws. The standard mounting location for the tire inflation compressor is located under the cover of the left side trim panel of the luggage compartment and is equipped with a fastening strap - the spare wheel cover must first be removed.



6. If equipped, spare wheel (any design) can be secured to a special bracket behind the car's tailgate - release the lock by turning the locking lever in the appropriate direction. Unscrew the mounting bolts and remove the wheel from the bracket, where the broken wheel can then be installed. When moving the bracket to the transport position, make sure it is securely secured.

Warning! The unfolded bracket may cover the rear combination light assembly - do not forget to display the hazard warning sign!

Warning! Driving a vehicle with an unsecured outer spare wheel bracket is prohibited!

Note: Vehicles equipped with an external spare wheel carrier should not be washed on automatic lines.

7. Inside the cover, the spare wheel is secured with three bolts (2) - ML 55 AMG models





8. Pocket for mounting an electric tire inflation compressor



9. Spare wheel outer mounting bracket locking lever (1) - to release, turn in the direction of the arrow

10. Park the car on a level, horizontal surface, if possible with a hard surface.

11. Set the parking brake.

12. If equipped, move the AT selector lever to position "P".



13. Support the wheel located diagonally from the one to be replaced with wheel chocks.

Note: When performing the procedure on a slope, place chocks under both wheels of the serviceable axle on the downhill side.

14. Prepare the necessary tool (jack, wheel wrench) and a spare wheel (see above).

15. If equipped, remove the protective cap of the wheel, then loosen the mounting bolts of the failed wheel.





16. Place the jack head under the special body bracket behind (front wheels) or ahead (rear wheels) wheel arch. Make sure that the heel of the jack rests on the ground with its entire surface - if the ground is loose, place a special pad under the heel (in winter it is useful to have a piece of wide board in the car).



17. Remember that regardless of the slope, the jack must always be in a strictly vertical position.

18. Rotate the drive crank until the wheel to be replaced is completely lifted off the ground.

19. Remove the wheel bolts and replace the wheel, tightening the bolts evenly in a diagonal pattern (star pattern) to the required torque (150 Nm).

Attention! Only original bolts with the Mercedes-Benz logo must be used to fasten the wheels!

20. Check the inflation pressure of the installed spare tire, if necessary, make the appropriate adjustments (4.3 kgf/cm²).

Note: The maximum continuous operation time of the electric tire inflator is 8 minutes.

21. Place the removed wheel and tool in their proper places.

Towing

Towing a damaged vehicle

Caution! When towing with the front axle raised, as well as when checking the parking brake on a brake test stand, the engine must be switched off, otherwise the active braking effect of the electronic skid control (ESP) may damage the rear axle brake system!

1. Strictly speaking, a damaged vehicle should be transported on a tow truck.

2. If towing cannot be avoided, it is best to do it with a rigid hitch (the ignition key of the emergency vehicle must be turned to position 2).

Attention! It should be remembered that when disconnecting or in case of complete discharge of the battery, it is not possible to turn off the steering wheel lock, as well as to move the AT selector lever (with appropriate equipment) from position "P"!

3. If the transfer case is damaged, disconnect the drive shafts from the drive axles before towing the vehicle.

4. Towing a vehicle with a damaged front axle must be done with the latter lifted off the ground and with the rear propeller shaft disconnected.

5. If the rear axle is damaged, towing is carried out by lifting the latter off the ground with the front wheels placed on a special trolley.

6. When towing a damaged vehicle, use only a towing rope specifically designed for this purpose. The use of modern synthetic materials has made it possible to manufacture elastic towing ropes that minimize the risk of breakage due to the sling getting under the wheels of the towed vehicle. Towing element (cable/rod) must be attached only to the special towing eye, and never to the bumper or suspension elements.



7. The front towing eye is located on the right under the bumper, the rear one is on the right under the decorative cover, which can be opened by prying it with a screwdriver.



8. Location of the front towing eye (1).



9. Location of rear towing eye (2) - standard models.



10. Location of the rear towing eye (mL 55 AMG models and all models with the special Styling Packet AMG).



Original source of information: mercedesman.ru

11. The driver of the towing vehicle should try to move as evenly as possible, smoothly releasing the clutch when changing gears and, especially, when starting off.

Do not forget to turn the ignition key of the towed vehicle to position 2, otherwise the steering column will inevitably lock. In addition, when the ignition is on, the turn signals and brake lights are also activated.

Note: Activating the direction indicators while the hazard warning lights are on will temporarily disable the hazard warning lights.

12. When driving a towed vehicle, ensure that the cable remains taut at all times during movement - when operating the foot brake, try to avoid sudden jerks and running over a loose cable.

13. Remember that when the engine is off, the braking efficiency of the car is significantly reduced due to the fact that the brake booster stops functioning. In this case, you should press the foot brake pedal with significantly more force than usual; when maneuvering, you will also have to apply more force to the steering wheel; the steering pump will also not function.

14. Before starting to move, drivers of both vehicles (towing and towed) the route should be agreed upon among themselves.

15. Movement should be carried out only at moderate speeds, along the shortest route and in compliance with traffic regulations. Avoid sudden braking, acceleration and maneuvering. Remember that when towing a car along the edge of a dirt road, there is always a risk of skidding to the side of the road.

Features of towing emergency vehicles equipped with AT

Attention! If the battery is disconnected or completely discharged, it is not possible to move the AT selector lever out of the "P" position!

1. Vehicles equipped with automatic towing may be towed forward on all four wheels at a speed not exceeding 50 km/h and for a distance of no more than 50 km.

Caution: Failure to comply with maximum towing speed or distance may result in transmission damage.

2. Before towing, check the transmission fluid level (see Section Replacement and checking of ATF level, replacement of AT filter), - if the ATF level is insufficient, the necessary adjustments should be made, or the vehicle should be towed only with the drive wheels off the ground.

Attention! Towing a vehicle equipped with an AT over long distances, as well as with a failed transmission, should only be done with the drive wheels off the ground, or with the cardan shafts disconnected - ideally - on a tow truck platform.

3. Perform the following preparatory procedures:

• Release the parking brake;
• Start the engine;
• Move the selector lever to position "D", then to neutral ("N");
• Turn off the engine;
• Turn the ignition key to position 2 (do not leave it in position 0 under any circumstances);
• The "Automatic door locking while driving" function can be switched off.

Towing for the purpose of starting the engine

Before attempting to start the engine by towing the vehicle, you should try using an auxiliary power source if possible (see below).

Models with manual transmission

1. Towing for the purpose of starting the engine must be carried out with the battery connected and the ignition key turned to position 2.

2. Push or tow starting should only be done when the engine and catalytic converter are cold. Avoid repeated, prolonged starting attempts.

Models with AT

Starting the engine of AT equipped vehicles by towing or pushing is not possible - if necessary, use an auxiliary power source.