2005 MERCEDES-BENZ SLR CLASS brake pads

86 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systemsThe SBC brake servo assistance switches
off automatically

approximately two minutes after you
turned the SmartKey in the starter
switch to position0 or removed the
SmartKey


approximately 20 seconds after you
locked the vehicle from outside Note on driving with SBC


Following extended periods of only mi-
nor loads to your brake system, you
should occasionally apply the brakes
when traveling at high speeds. This im-
proves the grip of the brake pads and
prevents possible brake noise.


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.


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 in-
stalled on your vehicle. Brake pads not
approved by Mercedes-Benz may im-
pair the safety of your vehicle.
Warning!
G
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking
maneuvers.

230 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 298) and
warning messages (
page 304) in the in-
strument cluster 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 are
only applied to the front wheels. Stopping
distance is increased! If there is a malfunc-
tion in the SBC brake system, we recom-
mend that the vehicle be transported with
all wheels off the ground using flatbed or ap-
propriate wheel lift/dolly equipment.
A tow bar must be used if circumstances do
not permit the use of the recommended
towing methods and the vehicle 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 infor-
mation, see “Towing the vehicle”
(page 357).
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.

231 Operation
Driving instructions
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.
If the parking brake is released and the red
brake warning lamp in the instrument clus-
ter stays on, there is a malfunction in the
SBC brake system (
page 298) 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 immedi-
ately.
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.
After hard braking, it is advisable to drive
on for some time, rather than immediately
park the vehicle, so the air stream will cool
down the brakes faster.
iThe brake system is designed to decel-
er ate you r S LR f rom hi gh sp ee ds a t the
best possible rate. Depending on the
applied brake force, speed, and ambi-
ent conditions, the brake system may
produce a squeak-type noise when you
apply the brakes at a moderate rate. If
you experience this noise, you should
occasionally test the effectiveness of
the brakes by applying above-normal
braking pressure at high speeds. This
will also enhance the grip of the brake
pads.Warning!
G
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking
maneuvers.
!Refer to the description of the Brake
Assist System (BAS) (
page 81).
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 85).!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.

317 Practical hints
What to do if ...
Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
2
Brake lining wear!
Visit
workshop!
The brake pads have reached
their wear limit.

Have the brake pads replaced immediately.
!Brake pad thickness must be visually
checked by a qualified technician at the
intervals specified in the Maintenance
Booklet.
Warning!
G
Have brake pad replacement and other work
on the SBC brake system carried out by
qualified technicians only. Contact your
Mercedes-Benz Center for further informa-
tion. The SBC brake system must be deacti-
vated prior to working on the system. High
pressure is intermittently built up in the sys-
tem as part of its automatic self-test. In ad-
dition, the system is automatically activated
when the vehicle is unlocked by remote con-
trol, when the driver or passenger door is
opened, when the SmartKey in the starter
switch is turned to position1, when the
brake pedal is depressed or when the park-
ing brake is released.
Failure to deactivate the system prior to
maintenance will cause brake pistons to ex-
tend and brake fluid to leak, which may re-
sult in injuries (contusions and acid burns),
see “SBC brake system” (
page 84).

393 Index
B
BabySmart
TM
Self-test 75
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system 75, 385
BabySmartTM compatible child
seats 385
Back up lamp 347
Bar 278
BAS 79, 81, 385
BAS/ESP
Indicator lamp 296
Batteries, SmartKey
Check lamp 99
Replacing 344
Batteries, vehicle 250
Charging 355
Consumer battery 250, 354
Maintenance 354
Messages in the multifunction
display 310
Starter battery 250
Battery charger 356
Bead 278Bi-Xenon headlamps 385
Body surface 289
Brake fluid 375, 378
Checking 241
Brake lamp
High mounted 347
Brake pads
Messages in the multifunction
display 317
Brake warning lamp 29, 298
Brake/parking lamp 347
Brakes 230
Break-in period 228
Bulbs
Changing 346
Front 347
Messages in the multifunction
display 323
Rear 347
Button
Audio system 146C
CAC 385
CAN system 386
Capacities
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. 375
Cargo area see Trunk
Cassette operation
Playing cassettes 152
Catalytic converter 237
CD changer 156
Loading/unloading a CD
magazine 157
Location 157
CD operation 156
CD player
Operating 123
Cellular phone
Delayed switch-off time 205
Inserting the cradle 205
Making calls in hands-free mode 207
Making calls in private mode 206
Re-inserting 206
Removing the cradle 204

403 Index
Messages
ABS 306
ACL malfunction 308
Airbrake 318
Battery (vehicle) 310
Brake pads 317
Bulbs 323
Coolant 320
Coolant level 319
Differential 322
Doors 318
Engine oil 330
ESP 307
Fuel system 329
Hood 318
Parking brake 316
Reserve fuel 339
SBC brake system 312
Seat belt 318
SmartKey 339
Storage compartment under the
armrest 339
TeleAid 309
Tire 331
Trunk lid 318
Washer fluid 339Miles/kilometers in speedometer 129
Mirrors 43, 179
Auto-dimming for interior rear view
mirror 179
Exterior rear view mirror 43
Interior rear view mirror 43
MON 240, 387
Mph or km/h in speedometer 129
Multifunction display 117, 387
Left 29
Right 29
Selecting language 130
Standard display 117
Multifunction steering wheel 30, 118,
387
Buttons 118
N
Night security illumination 108
Setting 132
Normal occupant weight 279O
Occupant distribution 279
Occupant safety
Children and airbags 64
Octane number 388
Oil see Engine oil
One-touch gearshifting 168
Canceling gear range limit 169
Downshifting 168
Upshifting 169
Opening
Door from the inside 100
Door from the outside 100
Driver’s door in an emergency 343
Hood 243
Trunk 99
Trunk from the inside 101
Trunk in an emergency 342
Vehicle in an emergency 342
Windows 193, 194
Windows with SmartKey 195
With the key 38