2005 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK500 CABRIOLET brake pads

292 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).

293 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.High-performance brake system
(CLK 55 AMG only)
The high-performance brake system is de-
signed to operate under the extremely high
operating demands required to accommo-
date the performance capabilities of the
vehicle. The brakes may produce a squeak-
ing-type noise depending on the


vehicle speed


brake force applied


ambient conditions, e.g. temperature
and humidity
As with any brake system, the wear of indi-
vidual brake system components such as
brake pads or discs strongly depends on
your driving style and the conditions under
which you operate the vehicle. Thus, a driv-
ing style calling for high demand braking
will cause your vehicle’s brakes to wear
more quickly.
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.
Warning!
G
New vehicle brake pads and discs, and re-
placement brake pads and discs may take
several hundred miles of driving until they
provide optimum braking efficiency. Until
that time, you may need to use increased
brake pedal pressure while braking. Please
be aware of this and adjust your driving and
braking accordingly during this break-in
period.
Excessive high demand braking will cause
correspondingly high brake wear. Please be
attentive to the brake warning lamp in the
instrument cluster and brake condition mes-
sages in the multifunction display. Especial-
ly for high performance driving, it is
important to maintain the brake system and
have it checked regularly.

375 Practical hints
What 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. Don’t add brake fluid
before checking the brake system. Overfill-
ing 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.

470 IndexBlocking
Rear window operation 82
Bolts
For Minispare wheel 396
Brake assist system (BAS) 461
Brake fluid 456
Message in display 375
Brake lamp bulbs 415
Brake lamp, high mounted 415
Brake pads
Message in display 375
Brakes 292
Warning lamp 355
Break-in period 290Bulbs, replacing 414
Additional turn signals 414
Backup lamps 415
Brake lamps 415
Fog lamps 414
Front lamps 414
High beam (Bi-Xenon*) 414
High beam (Halogen) 414
High beam flasher (Bi-Xenon*) 414
High beam flasher (Halogen) 414
High mounted brake lamp 415
License plate lamps 415, 420
Low beam (Bi-Xenon*) 414
Low beam (Halogen) 414
Parking lamps 414, 415, 417, 419
Rear fog lamp 415, 420
Side marker lamps 414, 419
Standing lamps 414, 415, 417, 419
Tail lamp assemblies 415, 420
Turn signal lamps 414, 415
Button
Audio system 204C
CAC (Customer Assistance Center) 461
Calling up
Maintenance service indicator 343
Range (distance to empty) 159
CAN system 461
Canceling
Cruise control 257
Capacities
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. 453
Catalytic converter 300
CD changer* 218
CD changer* operation 220
CD operation 218
CD player
Operating 140
Center console 27
Front passenger front
air bag off indicator lamp 361
Lower part 28
Upper part 27
Centigrade
Setting temperature units 145

482 IndexMenus 134
AUDIO 139
Control system 463
In control system 136, 137
NAV 141
Settings menu 142
Standard display 138
Submenus 135
TEL* 160
Trip computer 158
Vehicle status message memory 141
Microphone
Hands-free microphone 29
Miles/kilometers in speedometer
Setting 145
Minispare wheel 394
Mounting 423
Removing 394
Storing 395
Technical data 449
Wheel bolts 396Mirrors
Activating exterior rear
view mirror parking position 177
Adjusting 41
Auto-dimming for
rear view mirror 176
Exterior rear view mirror 41
Exterior rear view
mirror parking positions 157
Interior rear view mirror 41
Storing exterior rear view
mirror parking position 121
MON 303
MON (Motor Octane Number) 463
Mph or km/h in speedometer 145
Multicontour seat* 116
Multifunction display 133, 463
Displaying gear range 166
Selecting language 146
Setting date (day) 150
Setting date (month) 149
Setting date (year) 151
Standard display 137Multifunction display messages
ABS 366
BAS 367
Battery 374
Brake fluid 375
Brake pads 375
Check engine 356
Coolant 377
Coolant level 376
Cruise control 368
Display 379
Doors 379
Engine 356
Engine oil 380
ESP 368
Fog lamps, front 383
Fuel cap 356
Fuel reserve tank 382
High beam headlamps 384
Hood 382
Key 382
Lamp sensor 384
Lamps 384
License plate lamp 384
Low beam 384
Parking brake 375