2006 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK 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.
Refer to the description of the Brake Assist
System (BAS) (
page 89).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.
Warning!
G
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking
maneuvers.

297 Operation
Driving instructions
After hard braking, it is advisable to drive
on for some time, rather than immediately
park, 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.

356 OperationVehicle careCleaning the windows and the wiper
blades
Fold the wiper arms forward until they
snapes into place.

Clean the wiper blade inserts with a
clean cloth and detergent solution.

Use a soft, clean cloth and a mild win-
dow cleaning solution on all outside
and inside glass surfaces.
An automotive glass cleaner is
recommended.Light alloy wheels
If possible, clean wheels once a week.

Use Mercedes-Benz approved Wheel
Care, a soft bristle brush and a strong
spray of water for cleaning the light al-
loy wheels.
Warning!
G
For safety reasons, switch off wipers and
remove SmartKey from starter switch
(vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*: Make sure the
vehicle's on-board electronics have
status
0) before cleaning the windshield
and/or the wiper blades. Otherwise, the
wiper motor could suddenly turn on and
cause injury.
!Fold the windshield wiper arms back
onto the windshield before turning the
SmartKey in the starter switch or
pressing the KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button (vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*).
Hold on to the wiper when folding the
wiper arm back. If released, the force
of the impact from the tensioning
spring could crack the windshield.!To clean the window interior, do not
use a dry cloth, abrasives, solvents or
cleaners containing solvents. Do not
touch the inside of the front, rear or
side windows with hard objects such as
an ice scraper or ring. Doing so may
damage the windows.
!Only use acid-free cleaning materials.
Acid may cause corrosion or damage
the clear coat.!The vehicle should not be parked for an
extended period of time immediately
after it has been cleaned, especially not
after the wheel rims have been cleaned
with wheel rim cleaner. Wheel rim
cleaners can lead to increased corro-
sion of the brake disks and brake pads.
Therefore, the vehicle’s brake system
should always be warmed-up before it
is parked after cleaning. To do so,
please drive your vehicle for several
minutes to allow the brakes to dry.

383 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
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)
Release parking
brake
You are driving with the parking brake
set.

Release the parking brake (
page 50).
3
Brake fluid
Visit workshop
There is insufficient brake fluid in the
reservoir.

Risk of accident! Stop the vehicle in a safe
location or as soon as it is safe to do so
and notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center. Do not add brake fluid! This will
not solve the problem.
Warning!
G
Driving with the message “
Brake fluid
Visit workshop
” displayed can result 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.

468 IndexAutomatic locking when driving 120
Automatic shift program 176
Automatic transmission 170
Accelerator position 174
Emergency operation
(Limp-Home Mode) 179
Gear ranges 175
Gear selector lever 48, 170
Gear selector lever position 170, 172
Gear selector lever,
One-touch gearshifting 177
Gear shifting malfunctions 179
Kickdown 174
Manual (One touch) gearshifting 177
One-touch gearshifting, Steering
wheel gearshift control 178
Shift program mode
selector switch 176
Starting engine 48
Transmission fluid level 313
Automatic Transmission Fluid see ATFB
Backrest 265
Seat, Multicontour* 125
Seat, Power 38
Backup lamps
Messages in display 393
Replacing bulbs 412, 413
Bar 342
BAS 89, 461
Batteries, SmartKey
Changing 410
Checking battery condition 102
Batteries, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Changing 411
Checking battery condition 108
Battery, Vehicle 315, 426
Charging 428
Connecting 429
Disconnecting 427
Installing 428
Jump starting 430
Messages in display 382
Removing 428Bead 342
Beverage holder see Cup holder
Bi-Xenon headlamps* see Headlamps
Block heater (Canada only) 347
Bolts, Spare wheel 403
Brake Assist System see BAS
Brake fluid 454
Checking 307
Message in display 383
Brake lamp
Cleaning lenses 355
High mounted 413
Message in display 391
Replacing bulbs 413, 417
Brake pads
Message in display 383
Brakes 296
Warning lamp 361
Break-in period 294
Bulbs, replacing see Replacing bulbs

478 IndexMultifunction display messages 370
ABS 372
Battery 382
Brake fluid 383
Brake lamp 391
Brake pads 383
Check engine 384
Coolant 384–386
Display 387
Doors 387
Engine 384
Engine coolant 384–386
Engine oil 310, 388
ESP
®
374, 375
Fog lamps 392
Front passenger
front air bag 376–379
Fuel cap 387
Fuel reserve tank 390
Gear selector lever 380
Headlamps 391–395
Hood 390
Key, SmartKey 390
KEYLESS-GO* 390
Lamps 393
Lamps, exterior 391–395License plate lamp 392
Light sensor 392
Parking brake 383
Parking lamps 393
Power tilt/sliding sunroof* 397
Seat belts 396
SRS 395
Steering gear oil 396
Tele Aid 397
Telephone* 397
Trunk 397
Turn signals 394
Windshield washer fluid 397
Multifunction
steering wheel 26, 144, 464
Button operation 144
N
Navigation system* 150
See separate
COMAND* operating instructions
Net, Parcel 270
Neutral gear position 172
New vehicle break-in 294
Night security illumination 133
Normal occupant weight 343
Number, vehicle identification (VIN) 442O
Occupant Classification System see OCS
Occupant distribution 343
Occupant safety 62
Active head restraints 73
Air bags 63
Children and air bags 74
Children in the vehicle 74
ETD 72
Fastening the seat belts 45
Front air bags 67
Front passenger front
air bag off indicator lamp 81, 368
Front side impact air bags 68
Infant and child restraint systems 74
LATCH-type child seat anchors 83
OCS 77
Rear side impact air bags* 68
Seat belts 45, 69
Seat belts, safety guidelines 66
SRS 62
Window curtain air bags 68
OCS 77, 464
Self-test 81
Odometer 25
Oil level see Engine oil, checking level