2006 MERCEDES-BENZ E WAGON brake pads

99 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
Note on driving with the
electrohydraulic brake system

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.

302 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 374) and
warning messages in the instrument cluster
(
page 383) 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 electrohy-
draulic 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 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 information,
refer to “Towing the vehicle” (
page 458).
For more information, see “Electrohydraulic
brake system” (
page 96).
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.

303 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.
Refer to the description of the Brake Assist
System (BAS) (
page 93).If the parking brake is released and the
brake warning lamp in the instrument clus-
ter stays on, there is a malfunction in the
electrohydraulic brake system (
page 96)
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
park, so that the air stream will cool down
the brakes faster.
Warning!
G
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking ma-
neuvers.
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 397).!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.

367 Operation
Vehicle care
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.
Plastic and rubber parts

Use a gentle dishwashing detergent or
mild detergent for delicate fabrics as a
washing solution.
Instrument cluster and cup holders

Use a gentle dishwashing detergent or
mild detergent for delicate fabrics as a
washing solution.

Wipe with a cloth moistened in a luke-
warm solution.
!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.
When applying Mercedes-Benz ap-
proved Tire Care and Mercedes-Benz
approved Wheel Care products, take
care not to spray them on the brake
disks. !Do not use oil or wax on these parts.!To prevent scratches, do not use scour-
ing agents.

397 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause/consequence
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 electrohydraulic brake system is in
emergency operation mode. Consider-
ably 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 in a safe location as
soon as it is safe to do so and notify
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

Prevent the vehicle from rolling away
by blocking the wheels with wheel
chocks or other sizable objects.

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
electrohydraulic brake system.

Start the engine (
page 50).
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.

498 Index
Shift program mode selector
switch 189
Shift program mode selector switch,
Manual shift program E 55
AMG 194
Starting engine 50
Steering wheel gearshift control
one-touch gearshifting E 55
AMG 191
Winter program mode 189
B
Backrest 260
Folding rearward 261
Seat 41
Seat, multicontour 133
Backup lamps
Messages in display 409
Replacing bulbs 431
Bar 350
BAS 93, 491
Batteries, SmartKey
Changing 429, 430
Checking battery condition 110, 117
Batteries, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Changing 429, 430
Checking battery condition 117Batteries, Vehicle
Charging 454
Disconnecting 453
Installing 454
Jump starting 456
Messages in display 386, 395, 396
Reconnecting 455
Removing 454
Bead 350
Beverage holder see Cup holders
Bi-Xenon headlamps* see Headlamps
Block heater* (Canada only) 356
Brake Assist System see BAS
Brake fluid
Checking 313
Messages in display 399
Brake lamp
Cleaning lenses 365
Messages in display 409
Replacing bulbs 431
Brake pads
Message in display 397
Brakes 302
Warning lamp 374
Break-in period 300
Bulbs see Replacing bulbsC
CAC 491
California retail buyers and lessees, impor-
tant notice for 11
Can holder see Cup holders
CAN system 491
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants 482
Cargo compartment
Fuse box 463
Tie-down rings 264
Cargo compartment cover 270
Cargo management system* 265
Belt reel 267
Cargo tie-down ring 266
Mounting elements 265
Telescoping rod 267
Cargo net 269
Cargo tie-down rings 264
Carpets, cleaning 368
Catalytic converter 310
CD player 162

507 Index
Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles) 494
Manual headlamp mode see Headlamps
Manual shift program E 55 AMG 193
Deactivating 196
Maximum inflation pressure 351
Maximum load rating 351
Maximum loaded vehicle weight 351
Mechanical key 424
Memory function 494
Memory function see Seats
Menus see Control system menus
Messages in display see Multifunction dis-
play messages
Mirrors
Adjusting 45
Auto-dimming 197
Exterior rear view mirror 45
Exterior rear view mirror parking
positions 178, 198
Interior rear view mirror 45
MOExtended system* 340, 451
MOExtended tires* 477
MON 313
Motor Octane Number see MONMultifunction display 155, 494
Changing settings see Control system
menus and Control system sub-
menus
Selecting language 168
Multifunction display messages 385
ABS
Batteries 386, 395, 396
Brake fluid 399
Brake lamps 409
Brake pads 397
Check engine 375
Coolant 400, 401, 402
Cruise control 386
Distronic* 386
Door 403
Electrohydraulic brake system 397,
398
Engine oil 317, 404, 405, 406
ESP
®
388, 389
Fog lamps 409, 411
Fuel reserve tank 408
Headlamps 409, 410, 411
Hood 407
Key, SmartKey 408
Key, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 407
Panorama roof with power tilt/sliding
panel* 414
Parking brake 398
Parking lamps 411
Power tilt/sliding sunroof* 414
Seat belts 414
SRS 415
Tailgate 416
Tele Aid 414
Telephone* 416
Tires 413
Turn signals 412
Windshield washer fluid 416
Multifunction steering wheel 26, 156,
494
Button operation 156
N
Navigation system
See separate COMAND operating
instructions 163
Net, parcel 274
Neutral gear position 186
Night security illumination 145
Normal occupant weight 351
Number, vehicle identification (VIN) 468