2005 MERCEDES-BENZ S CLASS brake pads

274 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-
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, 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
recommended 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 81).

275 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 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
drive train 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 and drivetrain 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 inadvertent vehicle movement, be-
fore turning off the engine and leaving the
vehicle always:

Keep right foot on brake pedal.


Firmly depress parking brake pedal.


Move the gear selector lever to
positionP.


Slowly release brake pedal.


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


357 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause
Possible solution
2
BRAKE PAD WEAR
VISIT WORKSHOP
The brake pads have reached their wear
limit.

Have the brake pads replaced as soon as
possible.
;(USA only)3(Canada only)
BRAKE FLUID
VISIT WORKSHOP
There is insufficient brake fluid in the res-
ervoir.

Risk of accident! Stop the vehicle and no-
tify an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Do not add brake fluid! This will not solve
the problem.
Failure to follow these instructions increases
the risk of accident.
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.

446 IndexBattery, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Check lamp 101
Replacing 388
Battery, vehicle 294, 403
Charging 404
Disconnecting 404
Reconnecting 405
Reinstalling 404
Removing 404
Bead 322
Bi-Xenon headlamps 437
Block heater (Canada only) 327
Blocking
Rear window operation 78
Brake assist system (BAS) 437
Brake fluid 284, 431
Brake lamp bulbs 390
Brake lamp, high mounted 390
Brake pads
Message in display 357
Brakes 274
Warning lamp 339
Break-in period 272Bulbs, replacing 389
Additional turn signals 390
Backup lamps 390
Brake lamps 390
Fog lamps 390
Front lamps 390
High beam 390
High mounted brake lamp 390
License plate lamps 390, 395
Low beam 390
Parking and standing lamps 390
Parking lamps 390, 394
Rear fog lamp 390, 395
Rear fog lamps 394
Side marker lamps 390, 394
Standing lamps 390, 394
Tail lamp assemblies 390
Tail lamp unit 395
Turn signal lamps 390C
CAC (Customer Assistance Center) 437
Calling up
Distronic* settings 156
Maintenance service indicator 329
Range (distance to empty) 158
CAN system 438
Canceling
Cruise control 215
Cargo tie-down hooks 241
Catalytic converter 281
CD changer* 151
CD mode 151
CD operation
Selecting tracks 150
Center console 27
Air bag off indicator lamp 346
Front passenger front air bag off indica-
tor lamp 346

458 IndexMP3-CD operation
Selecting tracks 150
Mph or km/h in speedometer 163
Multicontour backrest* 122
Multifunction display 143, 440
Selecting language 164
Standard display 147
Multifunction display messages
ABC 349, 354
ABS 350
BAS 351
Brake fluid 357
Brake pads 357
Check engine 340, 341
Coolant 359
Coolant level 358
Distronic* 351
Doors 361
Engine 340, 341
Engine oil level 362
Entry position 364Hood 364
Lamps 367
Parking brake 356
Selector lever 353
SmartKey 364
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 364
TeleAid 370
Telephone* 370
Tires 372–378
Trunk 371
Washer fluid 371
Multifunction steering wheel 26, 144,
440
Buttons 144
N
Navigation system
Operating 155
See separate COMAND* operating in-
structions
Night security illumination 133
Normal occupant weight 323
Nubuck leather upholstery
Cleaning 336O
Occupant distribution 323
Occupant safety 60
Air bags 61
Children and air bags 62
Children in the vehicle 71
Fastening the seat belt 43
Infant and child restraint systems 71
LATCH child seat anchors 76
Seat belts 43, 64
Oil
Adding 291
Consumption 287
Dipstick 287
Filler neck 291
Viscosity 439
Oil level
Checking 285
Oil level via control system
Checking 288