2007 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK550 COUPE brake pads

294 Operation
Driving instructions
Power assistance
Brakes
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-
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 90).
Brake pad wear or a leak in the system may
be the reason for low brake fluid level in
the reservoir.
The brake fluid level in the reservoir may
be too low if the brake warning lamp in the
instrument cluster comes on and an
acoustic warning sounds although the
parking brake is released (
page 358).
Warning!G
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.
!Because the ESP® operates automatically,
the engine must be shut off when

the parking brake is being tested on a brake
test dynamometer

the vehicle is being towed with the front axle
raised
Active braking action through the ESP
® may oth-
erwise seriously damage the brake system.
Warning!G
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking
maneuvers.

295 Operation
Driving instructions
Observe additional messages in the multi-
function display that may appear
(
page 379).
Have the brake system inspected
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 rec-
ommended by Mercedes-Benz.
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.
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 prevent overheating of the brakes and
reduces brake pad wear.
!When driving 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.
!Simultaneously depressing the accelerator
pedal and applying the brake reduces engine
performance and causes premature brake wear
and drivetrain wear.

352 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
alloy wheels.Plastic and rubber parts
Use a gentle dishwashing detergent or
mild detergent for delicate fabrics as a
washing solution.
Wipe with a cloth moistened in a
lukewarm solution.
The surface may temporarily change
color. If this is the case, wait for it to
dry.
!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
corrosion of the brake disks and brake pads.
Non-approved wheel cleaners may also damage
the wheel paint if the car is not driven after
cleaning. 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 approved Tire
Care and Mercedes-Benz approved Wheel Care
products, take care not to spray them on the
brake disks.
Warning!G
Do not use cleaners or cockpit care sprays
containing solvents or cockpit care sprays
to clean the cockpit or the steering wheel.
Cleaners containing solvents will make the
surface porous and vehicle occupants could
suffer serious injuries from plastic parts
coming loose in the event of air bag deploy-
ment.

379 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
2Brakepad wearThe brake pads have reached their
wear limit.Have the brake pads replaced as soon as
possible.
;(USA only)
!(Canada only)
Release parking
brakeYou are driving with the parking brake
set.Release the parking brake (page 53).
3 Check brake
fluid levelThere 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 Check brake
fluid level
displayed can result in an ac-
cident. Have your brake system checked im-
mediately. Do not add brake fluid before
checking the brake system. Overfilling the
brake fluid reservoir can result in spilling
brake fluid on hot engine parts and the
brake fluid catching fire. You could be seri-
ously 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.

458 Index
Automatic transmission
Accelerator position 172
Automatic shift program 174
Emergency operation
(limp-home mode) 178
Gear ranges 173
Gear selector lever 50, 168
Gear selector lever control
one-touch gearshifting 175
Gear selector lever positions 170
Gear shifting malfunctions 178
Kickdown 172
Program mode selector switch 174
Shifting procedure 169
Starting engine 50
Steering wheel gearshift control
one-touch gearshifting* 177
Transmission fluid level 309
Automatic Transmission Fluid see ATFB
Backrest 264
Seat, Multicontour* 123
Seat, Power 40
Backup lamps
Messages in display 389
Replacing bulbs 406, 407
Bar 337
BAS 90
Batteries, SmartKey
Changing 404
Checking battery condition 107
Battery, Vehicle 311, 421
Charging 423
Connecting 424
Disconnecting 422
Installing 423
Jump starting 425
Messages in display 378
Removing 423Bead 337
Beverage holder see Cup holder
Block heater (Canada only) 342
Bolts, Spare wheel 398
Brake fluid 450
Checking 305
Message in display 379
Brake lamp
Cleaning lenses 350
High mounted 407
Replacing bulbs 407, 411
Brake pads
Message in display 379
Brakes 294
Warning lamp 358
Break-in period 292
Bulbs, replacing see Replacing bulbs

468 Index
Multifunction display messages 368
ABS 370
Battery 378
Brake fluid 379
Brake pads 379
Check engine 380
Coolant 380–382
Engine 380
Engine coolant 380–382
ESP
®370
Fog lamps 387
Front passenger
front air bag 372–375
Fuel cap 383
Fuel reserve tank 385
Gear selector lever 376
Headlamps 387–390
Key, SmartKey 385
KEYLESS-GO* 385
Lamps 388
Lamps, exterior 387–390
License plate lamp 388
Light sensor 386
Parking brake 379
Parking lamps 388
Power tilt/sliding sunroof* 393SRS 391
Steering gear oil 392
Tele Aid 393
Telephone* 393
Turn signals 387
Windshield washer fluid 393
Multifunction steering wheel 28, 142
Button operation 142
N
Navigation system* 149
See separate COMAND*
operating instructions
Net, Parcel 269
Neutral gear position,
Automatic transmission 168, 170
New vehicle break-in 292
Night security illumination 131
Normal occupant weight 338
Number, paintwork code 438
Number,
vehicle identification (VIN) 438, 439O
Occupant Classification System see OCS
Occupant distribution 338
Occupant safety 64
Active head restraints 79
Air bags 65
Children and air bags 80
Children in the vehicle 80
ETD 78
Fastening the seat belts 47
Front air bags 69
Front passenger front air bag off
indicator lamp 74, 366
Front side impact air bags 70
Infant and child restraint systems 80
LATCH-type child seat anchors 85
OCS 70
Rear side impact air bags* 70
Seat belts 47, 75
Seat belts, safety guidelines 68
SRS 64
Window curtain air bags 70