2005 MERCEDES-BENZ E WAGON brake pads

95 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
Note on driving with the SBC

Following extended periods of only
minor loads to your brake system, you
should occasionally apply the brakes
when traveling at high speeds. This
improves the grip of the brake pads.


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
prevent 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
installed on your vehicle. Brake pads
not approved by Mercedes-Benz may
impair the safety of your vehicle.Four wheel electronic traction system
(4MATIC) with the ESP
Models with all-wheel-drive only.
The 4MATIC improves vehicle’s ability to
use available traction, e.g. during winter
operation in mountains under snowy
conditions, by applying power to all four
wheels.
Warning!
G
Be very careful not to endanger other road
users when you apply the brakes.
Warning!
G
If you see the ESP warning lampv flash-
ing in the speedometer, proceed as follows:

While driving off, apply as little throttle
as possible


While driving, ease up on the accelera-
tor


Adapt your speed and driving style to
the prevailing road conditions
Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid.
The ESP cannot prevent accidents resulting
from excessive speed.

286 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 emer-
gency operation mode. In such a case, the
red brake warning lamp (
page 354) and
warning messages in the instrument cluster
(
page 362) come on while driving. To
brake, the driver must then apply signifi-
cantly greater brake pedal pressure and de-
press the pedal much further to obtain the
expected braking effect. If necessary, apply
full pressure to the brake pedal. Brakes may
only be applied to the front wheels. Stop-
ping 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 cir-
cumstances do not permit the use of the
recommended towing methods and the ve-
hicle 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 information, refer to “Towing the vehi-
cle” (
page 430). For more information,
see “SBC brake system” (
page 92).
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,
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.

287 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 92) 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 by quali-
fied technicians immediately. 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
recommended 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.
!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 89).
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 375).!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.

339 Operation
Maintenance
Maintenance
We strongly recommend that you have
your vehicle serviced by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center, in accordance with
the Maintenance Booklet at the times
called for by the maintenance service indi-
cator display.
Failure to have the vehicle maintained in
accordance with the Maintenance Booklet
and maintenance service indicator at the
designated times /mileage will result in ve-
hicle damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
The maintenance service indicator will no-
tify you when your next maintenance ser-
vice is due.
Starting approximately one month before
maintenance service is due, one of the fol-
lowing messages will appear in the multi-
function display 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 maintenance services will be indicated
by showing a service type A through type H
in the multifunction display. Types A
through H are classified based on estimat-
ed time needed to perform the mainte-
nance service, ranging:
from
Service A(approx. one hour)
toService H(approx. eight hours)When the service type appears, you can
use the vehicle’s control system to view a
list of the service items (1-14) that need to
be performed at the called for service type
(
page 343).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.

375 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause
Possible solution
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 Maintenance Booklet.

Have the brake pads replaced as soon
as possible.
T
Reduced braking power
Depress brake
pedal fully
The SBC brake system is in emergency
operation mode. Considerably greater
brake pedal force is required and the
stopping distance is increased.
The maximum speed is limited to 55 mph
(90 km / h).

Do not drive any further.

Stop the vehicle and notify an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.

Significantly greater force must be ap-
plied to the brake pedal.

Call for Roadside Assistance.
(USA only);(Canada only)3
Reduced braking power

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.
!Brake pad thickness must be visually
inspected by a qualified technician at
the intervals specified in the
Maintenance Booklet.

467 Index
Automatic transmission 183
Comfort program mode 188
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 190
Gear ranges 186
Gear selector lever position 187
Gear shifting malfunctions 190
Manual shifting 185
One-touch gearshifting 185
Program mode selector switch 188
Selector lever position 183
Starting the engine 47
Automatic transmission*
Accelerator position 189
Kickdown 189
B
Backrest
Folding forward 247
Folding rearward 248
Bar 333
BAS 89, 459
Batteries, SmartKey
Changing 408, 409
Check lamp 105, 111
Checking 106, 112Batteries, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Changing 408, 409
Batteries, vehicle
Charging 427
Disconnecting 426
Reconnecting 427
Removing 426
Service 424
Battery discharged
Jump starting 428
Bead 333
Belt reel 254
Bi-Xenon headlamps* 459
Block heater* 338
Blocking
Rear window operation 84
Brake assist system (BAS) 459
Brake fluid 297, 377
Brake pads
Message in display 375
Brakes
Brake fluid 298
Warning lamp 354
Break-in period 284Bulbs, replacing
Additional turn signals 410
Fog lamps 410
Front lamps 410, 413
High beam 411
High mounted brake lamp 411
License plate lamps 411, 415
Low beam 411
Parking lamps 411
Side marker lamps 410, 415
Standing lamps 411
Tail lamp 411
Tail lamp assemblies 415
Turn signal lamp 410
C
CAC (Customer Assistance Center) 459
Calling up
Distronic* settings 160
Maintenance service indicator 341
Range (distance to empty) 179
CAN system 459
Cargo compartment
Fuse box 435
Cargo compartment cover 257
Cargo management system* 252
Cargo net 256

477 Index
Multifunction display messages
ABS 364
Brake fluid 377
Brake pads 375
Check engine 355
Coolant 379, 380
Coolant level 378
Distronic* 365
Doors 381
Easy-entry/exit feature 376
Fuel reserve tank 385
Hood 384
Lamps 387
Parking brake 376
SBC brake system 375, 376
SmartKey 385
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 384
Tailgate 399
Tele Aid 397, 398
Telephone* 399
Tires 392
Washer fluid 399
Multifunction steering wheel 26, 154,
462
Buttons 154N
Navigation system
See separate COMAND operating
instructions 160
Night security illumination 144
Normal occupant weight 334
O
Occupant Classification System 76
Self-test 81
Occupant distribution 334
Occupant safety 62
Airbags 63
Children and airbags 64
Children in the vehicle 73
Fastening the seat belt 44
Infant and child restraint systems 73
LATCH child seat anchors 83
Seat belts 44, 66
Oil
Adding 302
Checking level with the control
system 301
Consumption 300
Filler neck 302
Viscosity 460Oil level
Checking level with the control
system 301
One-touch gearshifting 185
Canceling gear range limit 185
Downshifting 185
Upshifting 185
Opening 407
Ashtray 265
Doors from the inside 114
Front doors from the inside 115
Fuel filler flap 296
Fuel filler flap manually 405
Glove box 259
Panorama sliding/pop-up roof* in an
emergency 407
Power tilt /sliding sunroof* 225
Rear doors from the inside 115
Side windows 222
Sliding/pop-up roof* in an
emergency 407
Tailgate 115
Windows 221
Opening the tailgate from the inside
automatically* 116