2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E320 brake pads

79 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
The SBC brake servo assistance switches
off automatically when you:

turn the key in the starter switch to
position0 or remove the key (after ap-
proximately two minutes)


lock the vehicle with the SmartKey
from outside (after approximately
20 seconds)
Note on driving with the SBC


Following extended periods of only mi-
nor loads to your brake system, you
should occasionally apply the brakes
when traveling at high speeds. This im-
proves the grip of the brake pads.
iIf the SBC brake system is activated
when the brake pedal is first de-
pressed, you may feel a reduced pedal
resistance and longer pedal travel than
normal. When releasing the pedal, you
may also feel the brake pedal pulsate
and you may hear a sound which is
caused by the activation of the SBC
pump. This is normal and not an indica-
tion of a malfunction. Pedal travel re-
turns to normal when you release the
brake pedal and the sound soon ceas-
es.
Warning!
G
Have brake pad replacement and other work
on the SBC brake system carried out by
qualified technicians only. Contact your au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center for further
information. The SBC brake system must be
deactivated prior to working on the system.
High pressure is intermittently built up in the
system as part of its automatic self-test. In
addition, the system is automatically acti-
vated when the vehicle is unlocked by re-
mote control, when the driver or passenger
door is opened, when the key in the starter
switch is turned to position1, when the
brake pedal is depressed or when the park-
ing brake is released. Failure to deactivate
the system prior to maintenance will cause
brake pistons to extend and brake fluid to
leak, which may result in injuries (contu-
sions and acid burns). Extended brake pis-
tons may also cause injury.
Warning!
G
Be very careful not to endanger other road
users when you apply the brakes.

80 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systems

After driving on wet or snow-covered
roads, you should apply your brakes
firmly before parking your vehicle. This
produces heat which serves to dry the
brake disks and help prevent corro-
sion.


On long and steep grades, shift to a
lower gear (gear range1, 2 or 3) to pre-
vent the brakes from overheating and
to reduce brake wear.


After hard braking, it is advisable to
drive on for some time so that the air
stream will cool down the brakes fast-
er.


Only Mercedes-Benz approved compo-
nents (e.g. brake pads) should be in-
stalled on your vehicle. Brake pads not
approved by Mercedes-Benz may im-
pair the safety of your vehicle.

250 OperationDriving instructionsPower assistance
Brakes
Warning!
G
The brake system requires electrical energy
for operation.
A malfunction in the vehicle’s power supply
or electrical system may impair brake sys-
tem operation and switch it into its
limp-home (emergency operation) mode. In
such a case, the red brake warning lamp
(page 291) and warning messages in the
instrument cluster (
page 303) light up
while driving. To brake, the driver must then
apply significantly greater brake pedal pres-
sure and depress the pedal much further to
obtain the expected braking effect. If neces-
sary, apply full pressure to the brake pedal.
Brakes are only applied to the front wheels.
Stopping distance is increased! If there is a
malfunction in the SBC brake system, we
recommend that the vehicle be transported
with all wheels off the ground using flatbed
or appropriate wheel lift/dolly equipment. A
tow bar must be used if circumstances do
not permit the use of the recommended
towing methods and the vehicle requires
towing with all four wheels on the ground.
Towing the vehicle with all four wheels on
the ground is only permissible for distances
up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a speed not to
exceed 30 mph (50 km/h). For more infor-
mation, refer to "Towing the vehicle"
(page 348). For more information see
SBC brake system (
page 77).
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the steering system. In
this case, it is important to keep in mind that
a considerably higher degree of effort is nec-
essary to steer the vehicle.
Warning!
G
After driving in heavy rain for some time
without applying the brakes or through wa-
ter deep enough to wet brake components,
the first braking action may be somewhat
reduced and increased pedal pressure may
be necessary to obtain expected braking ef-
fect. Be sure to maintain a safe distance
from vehicles in front.
Resting your foot on the brake pedal will
cause excessive and premature wear of the
brake pads.

251 Operation
Driving instructions
To help prevent brake disk corrosion after
driving on wet road surfaces (particularly
salted roads), it is advisable to brake the
vehicle with considerable force prior to
parking. The heat generated serves to dry
the brakes.
If your brake system is normally only sub-
jected to moderate loads, you should occa-
sionally test the effectiveness of the
brakes by applying above-normal braking
pressure at higher speeds. This will also
enhance the grip of the brake pads. If the parking brake is released and the
brake warning lamp in the instrument clus-
ter stays on, there is a malfunction in the
SBC brake system (
page 77) or the
brake fluid level in the reservoir is too low.
Brake pad wear or a leak in the system may
be the reason for low brake fluid in the res-
ervoir.
Have the brake system inspected at an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center immedi-
ately.
All checks and service work on the brake
system should be carried out by an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Only install brake pads and brake fluid rec-
ommended by Mercedes-Benz.
After hard braking, it is advisable to drive
on for some time, rather than immediately
parking, so that the air stream will cool
down the brakes faster.
It can also result in the brakes overheating,
thereby significantly reducing their effec-
tiveness. It may not be possible to stop the
vehicle in sufficient time to avoid an acci-
dent.!Be very careful not to endanger other
road users when you apply the brakes.
Refer to the description of the Brake
Assist System (BAS) (
page 74).
Warning!
G
If other than recommended brake pads are
installed, or other than recommended brake
fluid is used, the braking properties of the
vehicle can be degraded to an extent that
safe braking is substantially impaired. This
could result in an accident.
Be certain to read and observe the warning
notices on brake pad replacement
(page 305).!When driving down long and steep
grades, relieve the load on the brakes
by shifting into a lower gear to use the
engine’s braking power. This helps pre-
vent overheating of the brakes and re-
duces brake pad wear.

275 Operation
Maintenance
Maintenance
Flexible Service System PLUS (FSS PLUS)
We strongly recommend that you have
your vehicle serviced by your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center, in accordance with
the Service Booklet at the times called for
by the FSS PLUS
(Flexible Service System PLUS).
Failure to have the vehicle maintained in
accordance with the Service Booklet at the
designated times /mileage called for by
the FSS PLUS may result in vehicle dam-
age not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
FSS PLUS will notify you when your next
service is due.
Approximately one month before your next
service is due, one of the following mes-
sages will appear in the multifunction dis-
play while you are driving or when you
switch on the ignition (example service A):Service A in XXXX miles (km)
Service A in XX days
Service A in X day Service A due now!
The type of service due is indicated in the
speedometer display field:
from
Service A(Minor service)
toService H(Major service)
Clearing the service indicator
You can clear the service indicator
Press the jbutton on the multi-
function steering wheel.iThe additional + after the type of ser-
vice indicates the degree of wear of the
brake pads.
The brake pads may reach their wear
limit in the time period up to the next
service interval.
Have the brake pads checked and, if
necessary, replaced by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center during your
next service appointment.iThe interval between services depends
on your driving habits. A gentle driving
style, moderate engine speeds and the
avoidance of short distance trips will
lengthen the interval between services.

305 Practical hints
What to do if …
2
Brake wear
Visit workshop!
The brake pads have reached their wear
limit.

Brake pad thickness must be visually
inspected at the intervals specified in
the Service Booklet.

Have the brake pads replaced as
soon as possible.
T
Brake malfunction
Stop vehicle
The SBC brake system is in the limp-home
(emergency operation) mode. Consider-
ably greater brake pedal force is required
and the stopping distance is increased.
Do not exceed a speed of 55 mph
(90 km/h).

Do not drive any further.

Significantly greater force must be
applied to the brake pedal.

Call for roadside assistance.
Except Canada:;Canada only:3
Reduced braking effect
Start engine!
Increased braking dis-
tance
Start engine!
The battery has insufficient voltage and
cannot supply sufficient power to the SBC
brake system.

Start the engine.
The message disappears when suffi-
cient voltage is available
Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution

383 Index
Batteries, vehicle
Charging 344
Disconnecting 344
Messages in display 303, 304
Reconnecting 345
Removing 344
Service 343
Battery discharged
Jump starting 346
Bi-Xenon headlamps* 375
Blocking
Rear window operation 71
Brake assist system (BAS) 375
Brake pads
Message in display 305
Brakes
Warning lamp 291
Bulbs, replacing
Front lamps 332, 334
High beam bulb (Bi-Xenon* headlamps
only) 334
License plate lamps 336
Parking lamps 335
Standing lamps 335
Tail lamp assemblies 336C
CAC (Customer Assistance Center) 375
Calling up
Distronic* settings 128
Range (distance to empty) 147
CAN system 375
Cargo area see Trunk 88
Cargo tie-down rings 225
Cassette player
Operating 128
CD player*
Operating 127, 128
Center console
Lower part 26
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator
lamp 294
Upper part 25
Centigrade
Setting temperature units 134
Central locking
Automatic 99
From inside 100
Switch 100
Switching on/off (control
system) 142
Unlocking from inside 100Central locking switch 100
Changing
Batteries (SmartKey) 329
Key setting 143
Vehicle level 210
Charcoal filter 180
Charging
Vehicle batteries 344
Child safety 65
Airbags 58
Infant and child restraint systems 61,
65
Child safety switch see Blocking of rear
window operation 71
Cigarette lighter 232
Cleaning
Headlamps 158
Parktronic* system sensor 284
Windshield 48
Cleaning and care of the vehicle
Distronic system sensor 283
MB Tex upholstery 285
Climate control 162
Adjusting 166
Defrosting 167
Setting the temperature 165

391 Index
Storing exterior mirror parking
position 111
MON 260
MON (Motor Octane Number) 378
Mph or km/h in speedometer 134
Multicontour seat* 104
Multifunction display 121, 378
Selecting language 135
Standard display 125
Multifunction display messages
ABS 296
BAS 297, 298
Batteries 303, 304
Brake pads 305
Coolant 311, 312
Coolant level 311
Distronic* 300
Doors 323
Easy-entry/exit feature 310
Engine oil level 300
Fuel reserve tank 313, 323
Hood 313
Key 313, 323
KEYLESS-GO* card 309
Lamps 313–??
Parking brake 310SBC brake system 305, 306
Seat belts 310
Steering gear oil level 318
Telephone* 309
Trunk lid 310
Washer fluid 311
Multifunction steering wheel 24, 122,
378
Buttons 122
N
Network provider 148
Night security illumination 114
O
Occupant safety 56
Airbags 57
Children and airbags 58
Children in the vehicle 65
Fastening the seat belt 40
Infant and child restraint systems 65
Seat belts 40, 59
Oil
Viscosity 376
One-touch gearshifting 152
Canceling gear range limit 152
Downshifting 152Upshifting 152
Opening 331
Ashtray 231
Doors from the inside 93
Glove box 226
Side windows 184
Sliding/pop-up roof* 187
Sliding/pop-up roof* with
SmartKey 188, 192
Trunk 88, 96
Trunk from the inside 94
Windows 184
Windows with SmartKey 185
Operating
Cassette player 128
CD player* 127, 128
Garage door opener 246
Integrated remote control 246
Radio 127
Safety 16
Telephone* 147
Vehicle outside the USA and
Canada 13
Operating safety 16
Operator’s Manual 10
Outside temperature indicator 120