2003 MERCEDES-BENZ G55AMG brake pads

198 OperationDriving instructionsPower assistanceBrakesTo 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 and there is no audible warn-
ing (EBB), 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 Light Truck Cen-
ter immediately.
All checks and service work on the brake
system should be carried out by an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Install only brake pads and brake fluid
recommended by Mercedes-Benz.Warning!
G
When the engine is 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 stop or steer the vehi-
cle.Warning!
G
After driving in heavy rain for some time
without applying the brakes or through wa-
ter deep enough to wet brake components
or salty road conditions, the first braking ac-
tion may be somewhat reduced and in-
creased pedal pressure may be necessary to
obtain expected braking effect. 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.
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 73).

199 Operation
Driving instructions
After hard braking, it is advisable to drive
on for some time, rather than immediately
parking, so the air stream will cool down
the brakes faster.Driving off
Apply the brakes to test them briefly after
driving off. Perform this procedure only
when the road is clear of other traffic.
Warm up the engine smoothly. Do not
place full load on the engine until the oper-
ating temperature has been reached.
When starting off on a slippery surface, do
not allow one drive wheel to spin for an ex-
tended period with the ESP switched off.
Doing so may cause serious damage to the
drivetrain which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
To ensure sufficient traction during
off-road driving, activate differential locks
as needed (
page 145).
Parking
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.!When driving down long and steep
grades, relieve the load on the brakes
by selecting gear range3,2 or1 on the
automatic transmission to use the en-
gine’s braking power (
page 137).
This helps prevent overheating of the
brakes and reduces brake pad wear.
Warning!
G
Do not park this vehicle in areas where com-
bustible materials such as grass, hay or
leaves can come into contact with the hot
exhaust system, as these materials could be
ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
To reduce the risk of personal injury as a re-
sult of vehicle movement, before
turning off
the engine and leaving the vehicle always:


Keep right foot on brake pedal.


Pull the parking brake lever up as many
notches as possible.


Move the selector lever to positionP.


Slowly release brake pedal.


When parked on an incline, turn front
wheel towards the road curb.


Turn the key to starter switch position0
and remove.


Take the key and lock vehicle when leav-
ing.

210 OperationDriving instructionsOff-road driving increases strain on the ve-
hicle.
We recommend that you inspect the vehi-
cle for possible damage after each off-road
trip. Recognizing any damage and a subse-
quent timely repair reduces the chance of
a possible breakdown or accident later on.
Proceed as follows:

Switch the transfer case in position
HIGH (
page 141).


Disengage differential locks
(page 146).


Remove excessive dirt from tires,
wheels, wheel housings, and under-
body.
For instance, after driving in mud, clean
the radiator, chassis, engine, brakes,
and wheels from extreme dirt using a
strong jet of water.


Inspect frame, oil pan, brake hoses,
etc., as well as vehicle underbody for
possible damage.


Check tires for possible damage and
remove foreign objects. Clean all exte-
rior lamps and conduct a brake test.


Clean all exterior lamps and check
them for possible damage.


Check for brush or branches caught in
the undercarriage.
They could increase the possibility of a
fire, as well as cut fuel and/or brake
lines, puncture rubber bellows of the
axles or drive shafts.


After continued operation in mud,
sand, water or other dirty conditions,
clean the brake discs, wheels, brake
pads and check and clean axle joints.


Conduct a brake test.Control and operation of radio trans-
mitters
COMAND, radio and telephone*Warning!
G
Do not forget that your primary responsibili-
ty is to drive the vehicle safely. Only operate
the COMAND, radio or telephone
1 if road,
traffic and weather conditions permit.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km / h), your vehicle is
covering a distance of approximately
50 feet (approximately 14 m) every second.
1Observe all legal requirements.

250 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
Category
3
(Canada only)
;
(USA only)
BRAKE PAD WEAR
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The brake pads have reached their
wear limit.

Have the brake pads replaced
as soon as possible.
2
BRAKE FLUID
VISIT WORKSHOP!
There is insufficient brake fluid in the
reservoir.

Risk of accident! Stop the vehi-
cle and notify an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center. Do not add brake fluid!
This will not solve the problem.
2
Warning!
G
Driving with the last message displayed can
result in an accident. Have your brake sys-
tem checked immediately.
Don’t add brake fluid before checking the
brake system. Overfilling the brake fluid res-
ervoir can result in spilling brake fluid on hot
engine parts and the brake fluid catching
fire. You can be seriously burned.
!If you find that the brake fluid in the
brake fluid reservoir has fallen to the
minimum mark or below, have the
brake system checked for brake pad
thickness and leaks. !Brake pad thickness must be visually
checked by a qualified technician at the
intervals specified in the Service book-
let.

333 Index
Battery, vehicle 223, 295
Charging 295
Disconnecting 296
Messages in display 266
Reconnecting 296
Block heater 228
Blocking
Rear door window operation 69
Brake assist system (BAS) 325
Brake fluid 215, 318
Brake lamp bulbs, left and right 280
Brake lamp, high mounted 280
Brake pads
Message in display 250
Brakes 198
Warning lamp 241, 242
Break-in period 196
Brush guard* 277
Lowering 278
Bulbs, replacing
Additional turn signals 279
Backup lamp 287
Backup lamps 280
Brake lamps 280
Fog lamps 279
Front fog lamps 283Front lamps 279
Front turn signal lamps 284
High and low beam 279
High beam lamps 281
High mounted brake lamp 280
License plate lamps 280, 288
Low beam lamps 281
Parking lamps 279, 280, 281
Rear fog lamp 287
Side marker lamps 279, 285
Standing lamps 279, 280, 281
Tail lamp assemblies 280, 286
Turn signal lamp, side 284
Turn signal lamps 279, 280
C
CAC (Customer Assistance Center) 325
Calling up
Range (distance to empty) 131
Service indicator 231
CAN system 325
Capacities
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. 316
Cargo area cover 168
Installing 169
Removing 169Cargo area see Cargo compartment 87, 88
Cargo compartment
Tailgate 87, 88
Tie-down rings 175
Cargo tie-down rings 175
Catalytic converter 211
CD player
Operating 117
Center console 27
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp 244
Lower part 28
Upper part 27
Centigrade
Setting temperature units 122
Central locking
From inside 89
Switch 89
Switching on/off (control system) 128
Unlocking from inside 89
Central locking switch 89
Certification label 310
Changing
Batteries (SmartKey) 273
Key setting 128
Charging
Vehicle battery 295

342 IndexMenus 112
AUDIO 116
Control system 327
In control system 114, 115
Malfunction memory 118
NAVI 118
Settings menu 119
Standard display 116
Submenus 113
TEL 132
Trip computer 130
Middle tunnel
Fuse box in 305
Miles/kilometers in speedometer
Setting 122
Mirrors
Activating exterior rear view mirror
parking position 148
Adjusting 38
Automatic antiglare for rear view mirror
147
Exterior rear view mirror 38
Exterior rear view mirror parking posi-
tions 130
Inside rear view mirror 38Storing exterior rear view mirror park-
ing position 99
MON 215
MON (Motor Octane Number) 327
Monitoring reach
Rear Park Assist* 166
Mph or km/h in speedometer 122
Multicontour seat* 94
Multifunction display 111, 327
Selecting language 123
Standard display 115
Multifunction display messages
ABS 247
BAS 248
Battery 266
Brake fluid 250
Brake pads 250
Check engine 243
Coolant 251, 252
Display 267
Doors 254
Engine 243
Engine oil level 254
ESP 257
Fuel reserve tank 263
Hood 258Key 259
Lamps 259, 261
Parking brake 263
Tailgate 266
Tele Aid 266
Telephone* 258
Washer fluid 267
Multifunction steering wheel 26, 112
Buttons 112
N
Navigation system
Operating 118
See separate COMAND operating in-
structions
Night security illumination 102
Setting 125
O
Occupant safety 54
Airbags 55
Children in the vehicle 63
Fastening the seat belt 40
Infant and child restraint systems 63
LATCH child seat mounts 68
Seat belts 40, 58
Odometer, main 25