2004 MERCEDES-BENZ G55AMG brake pads

208 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 immedi-
ately. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
All checks and service work on the brake
system should be carried out by by quali-
fied technicians only. Contact an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Install only brake pads and brake fluid
recommended by Mercedes-Benz.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.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 76).

209 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 a 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 150).
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 142).
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 SmartKey to starter switch
position0 and remove.


Take the SmartKey and lock vehicle
when leaving.

221 Operation
Driving instructions


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*Telephones and two-way radios
Radio transmitters, such as a portable tele-
phone or citizens band unit should only be
used inside the vehicle if they are connect-
ed to an antenna that is installed on the
outside of the vehicle.
Refer to the radio transmitter operation in-
structions regarding use of an external an-
tenna.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.
Warning!
G
Never operate radio transmitters equipped
with a built-in or attached antenna (i.e. with-
out being connected to an external antenna)
from inside the vehicle while the engine is
running. Doing so could lead to a malfunc-
tion of the vehicle’s electronic system, pos-
sibly resulting in an accident and/or
personal injury.

266 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
#
UNDERVOLTAGE
SWITCH CONSUMERS OFF!
The battery has insufficient voltage.

Have the battery checked at a ser-
vice station.
2
BRAKE WEAR
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The brake pads have reached their
wear limit.

Have the brake pads replaced as
soon as possible.
3
BRAKE FLUID
VISIT WORKSHOP!
There is insufficient brake fluid in the
reservoir.

Risk of accident! Stop the vehicle
and notify an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Do not add brake fluid! This will not
solve the problem.
Warning!
G
Driving with the last message displayed can
result in an accident. Have your brake sys-
tem checked immediately.
Do not 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.

351 Index
Backup lamps 296
Bulbs 296
Replacing bulbs 302
BAS 74, 76, 343
Messages in display 261
Batteries, SmartKey
Changing 288
Check lamp 87
Checking 88
Battery box
Fuse box in 319
Battery discharged
Jump starting 313
Battery, vehicle 235, 311
Charging 311
Disconnecting 312
Messages in display 265, 266
Reconnecting 312
Block heater 240
Blocking rear door window operation 71B-pillar 326
Brake assist system (BAS) 343
Brake fluid 225, 335
Brake lamp bulbs, left and right 296
Brake lamp, high mounted 296
Brake pads
Message in display 266
Brakes 208
Warning lamp 254, 255
Break-in period 206
Brush guard* 293
Lowering 294
Raising and securing 294
Bulbs, replacing
Additional turn signals 295
Backup lamps 296, 302
Brake lamps 296, 302
Front fog lamps 295, 299
Front lamps 295
Front turn signal lamps 295, 300High and low beam 297
High beam lamps 295
High mounted brake lamp 296
License plate lamps 296, 303
Low beam lamps 295
Parking lamps 295, 296, 297
Rear fog lamp 296, 302
Rear turn signal lamps 296
Side marker lamps 295, 300
Standing lamps 295, 296, 297
Tail lamp assemblies 296, 301
C
CAC (Customer Assistance Center) 343
Calling up
Range (distance to empty) 137
Service indicator 243
CAN system 343
Capacities
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. 333
Cargo area see Cargo compartment

362 IndexMirrors
Activating exterior rear view mirror
parking position 153
Adjusting 38
Automatic antiglare for rear view
mirror 152
Exterior rear view mirror 38
Exterior rear view mirror parking
positions 135
Interior rear view mirror 38
Storing exterior rear view mirror park-
ing position 103
MON 225
MON (Motor Octane Number) 345
Monitoring reach
Rear Parking Assist* 173
Mph or km/h in speedometer
setting 128
Multicontour seat* 97
Multifunction display 115, 345
Selecting language 128
Standard display 119Multifunction display messages
ABS 261
BAS 261
Battery 265, 266
Brake fluid 266
Brake pads 266
Check engine 256
Coolant 268, 269
Display 282
Doors 271
Engine 256
Engine oil level 271
ESP 263
Fuel reserve tank 273
Hood 273
Key 273
Lamps 274, 276
Parking brake 267
Sunroof 281
Tailgate 282
Tele Aid 281
Telephone* 281
Washer fluid 282
Multifunction steering wheel 26, 116
Buttons 116N
Navigation system
Operating 122
See separate COMAND operating in-
structions
Night security illumination 106
Setting 131
O
Occupant safety 56
Airbags 57
Children in the vehicle 65
Fastening the seat belt 40
Infant and child restraint systems 66
LATCH child seat anchors 70
Seat belts 40, 60
Odometer, main 25
Off-road driving 213
Checklist 215
Crossing obstacles 218
Driving through water 217
Returning 220
Rules 214
Special driving features 214
Steep terrain 216