2005 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK320 COUPE brake pads

296 OperationDriving instructionsBrakesTo 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-
ject 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, the brake fluid level in the res-
ervoir 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 Center.
All checks and service work on the brake
system should be carried out by qualified
technicians only. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Only install brake pads and brake fluid rec-
ommended by Mercedes-Benz.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. 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 85).

297 Operation
Driving instructions
After hard braking, it is advisable to drive
on for some time, rather than immediately
parking, so that the air stream can 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 gradually. 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
extended 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.
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 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.
!Simultaneously depressing the acceler-
ator pedal and applying the brake re-
duces engine performance and causes
premature brake wear and drivetrain
wear.
!Set the parking brake whenever park-
ing or leaving the vehicle. In addition,
move gear selector lever to positionP.
When parking on hills, turn front wheels
towards the road curb.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.

374 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
2
Brake wear
Visit workshop
The brake pads have reached their wear
limit.

Have the brake pads replaced as soon
as possible.
;
(USA only)
!
(Canada only)
Parking brake
Release brake!
You are driving with the parking brake set.

Release the parking brake
(page 49).
3
Brake fluid
Visit workshop
There is insufficient brake fluid in the res-
ervoir.

Risk of accident! Stop the vehicle and
notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center. Do not add brake fluid! This
will not solve the problem.
Warning!
G
Driving with this message displayed can re-
sult in an accident. Have your brake system
checked immediately. Do not add brake flu-
id before checking the brake system. Over-
filling the brake fluid reservoir can result in
spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts and
the brake fluid catching fire. You can be se-
riously 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 Maintenance
Booklet.

464 IndexBattery, vehicle 314, 420
Charging 422
Disconnecting 421
Messages in display 373
Reconnecting 422
Reinstalling 422
Removing 421
Bead 338
Bi-Xenon headlamps* 455
Block heater (Canada only) 343
Blocking
Rear window operation 82
Bolts
For spare wheel 396
Brake assist system (BAS) 455
Brake fluid 450
Message in display 374
Brake lamp bulbs 405
Brake lamp, high mounted 405
Brake pads
Message in display 374
Brakes 296
Warning lamp 355
Break-in period 294Bulbs, replacing 404
Additional turn signals 404
Backup lamps 405
Brake lamps 405
Fog lamps 404
Front lamps 404
High beam (Bi-Xenon*) 404
High beam (Halogen) 404
High beam flasher (Bi-Xenon*) 404
High beam flasher (Halogen) 404
High mounted brake lamp 405
License plate lamps 405, 410
Low beam (Bi-Xenon*) 404
Low beam (Halogen) 404
Parking lamps 404, 405, 407, 409
Rear fog lamp 405, 410
Side marker lamps 404, 409
Standing lamps 404, 405, 407, 409
Tail lamp assemblies 405, 410
Turn signal lamps 404, 405
Button
Audio system 210C
CAC (Customer Assistance Center) 455
Calling up
Maintenance service indicator 345
Range (distance to empty) 162
CAN system 455
Canceling
Cruise control 257
Capacities
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. 447
Cargo tie-down rings 271
Catalytic converter 303
CD changer* 225
CD operation 225
CD player
Operating 144
Center console 27
Front passenger front
air bag off indicator lamp 360
Lower part 28
Upper part 27
Centigrade
Setting temperature units 149

476 IndexMenus 138
AUDIO 143
Control system 140, 457
NAV 144
Settings menu 146
Standard display 142
Submenus 139
TEL* 162
Trip computer 160
Vehicle status message memory 145
Messages
Displaying 145
Vehicle status message memory 145
Microphone
Hands-free microphone 29
Miles/kilometers in speedometer
Setting 149
Minispare wheel
(except CLK 55 AMG) 393
Technical data 443Mirrors
Activating exterior rear
view mirror parking position 180
Adjusting 41
Auto-dimming rear view mirrors 178
Exterior rear view mirror 41
Exterior rear
view mirror parking positions 160
Interior rear view mirror 41
Storing exterior rear
view mirror parking position 123
MON (Motor Octane Number) 306, 457
Mph or km/h in speedometer 149
Multicontour seat* 118
Multifunction display 137, 457
Displaying gear range 168
Selecting language 150
Setting date (day) 153
Setting date (month) 153
Setting date (year) 154
Standard display 141Multifunction display messages
ABS 365
BAS 366
Battery 373
Brake fluid 374
Brake pads 374
Check engine 356
Coolant 376
Coolant level 375
Cruise control 367
Display 378
Doors 378
Engine 356
Engine oil 379
ESP 367
Fog lamps, front 382
Fuel cap 356
Fuel reserve tank 381
Gear selector lever 372
High beam headlamps 383
Hood 381
Key 381
Lamp sensor 383
Lamps 383
License plate lamp 383
Low beam 383