2008 MERCEDES-BENZ CL-Class brake pads

540 OperationDriving instructionsBrakes
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 or BAS Plus*) (
page 67).
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 red brake warning lamp in
the instrument cluster comes on while the
engine is running and an acoustic warning
sounds (
page 611). Observe additional
messages in the multifunction display that
may appear (page 622).
Have the brake system inspected
immediately. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
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
effect. 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
accident.
!
Because the ESP
® operates automatically,
the engine and ignition must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position0 or1 or
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button* in position0
or1) when


the electronic parking brake is being tested
on a brake test dynamometer


the vehicle is being towed with the
front/rear 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 ma-
neuvers.

541 Operation
Driving instructions
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 can cool down
the brakes faster.High-performance brake system
(CL 63 AMG and CL 65 AMG only)
The high-performance brake system is de-
signed to operate under the extremely high
operating demands required to accommo-
date the performance capabilities of the
vehicle. The brakes may produce a squeak-
ing-type noise depending on the


vehicle speed


brake force applied


ambient conditions, e.g. temperature
and humidity
As with any brake system, the wear of indi-
vidual brake system components such as
brake pads or disks strongly depends on
your driving style and the conditions under
which you operate the vehicle. Thus, a driv-
ing style calling for high demand braking
will cause your vehicle’s brakes to wear
more quickly.
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 using the engine’s braking power, a drive
wheel may not spin for an extended period of
time, e.g. on slippery road surfaces.
This may cause serious damage to the drivetrain
which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Lim-
ited Warranty.

542 OperationDriving instructions
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.
Parking
Warning!
G
New vehicle brake pads and discs, and
replacement brake pads and discs may take
several hundred miles of driving until they
provide optimum braking efficiency. Until
that time, you may need to use increased
brake pedal pressure while braking. Please
be aware of this and adjust your driving and
braking accordingly during this break-in
period.
Excessive high demand braking will cause
correspondingly high brake wear. Please be
attentive to the brake warning lamp in the
instrument cluster and brake condition mes-
sages in the multifunction display. Especial-
ly for high performance driving, it is
important to maintain and have the brake
system checked regularly.
!
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 War-
ranty.
!
Simultaneously depressing the accelerator
pedal and applying the brakes reduces engine
performance and causes premature brake wear
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, or
damage to the vehicle drivetrain, as a result
of inadvertent vehicle movement, before
turning off the engine and leaving the vehi-
cle always:

Keep right foot on brake pedal.


Engage electronic parking brake.


Shift the automatic transmission toP.


Slowly release brake pedal.


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

604 OperationVehicle care
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 recom-
mended.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 luke-
warm solution.
The surface may temporarily change
color. If this is the case, wait for it to
dry.
!
Do not pull on the wiper blade inserts. They
could tear.
!
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 con-
taining 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
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 to clean the cockpit or
the steering wheel. Cleaners containing sol-
vents will make the surface porous and vehi-
cle occupants could suffer serious injuries
from plastic parts coming loose in the event
of air bag deployment.


645 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Service
See Oper. Manual
CL 600 and CL 65 AMG only:
The brake system sensors are malfunction-
ing. The brake system continues to function
normally with full brake force boost.

Continue driving with added caution.

Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
(USA only)(Canada only)
Check
Brake Pad Wear
The brake pads have reached their wear
limit.

Have the brake pads replaced as soon as
possible.
!
Brake pad thickness must be visually
checked by a qualified technician at the intervals
specified in the Maintenance Booklet.

745 Index
Message in display 655
Reconnecting 706
Removing 705
Bead 586
Beverage holder see Cup holder
Blind Spot Assist* 485
Messages in display 633
Bluetooth
®
Settings (COMAND) 176
Brake assist system (BAS Plus) 68
Brake assist system (BAS) 67
Brake fluid 552, 735, 736
Brake lamp bulbs 689
Brake lamp, high mounted 689
Brake pads
Message in display 645
Brake warning lamp 31
Brakes 540
High-performance brake system
(CL 63 AMG and CL 65 AMG) 541
Warning lamp 31, 609
Break-in period 538Bulbs, replacing 688
Additional turn signals 689
Brake lamps 689
Fog lamps 689
Front lamps 689
High beam 689
High mounted brake lamp 689
License plate lamps 689
Low beam 689
Parking and standing lamps 689
Rear fog lamp 689
Turn signal lamps 689C
California retail buyers and lessees,
important notice for 15
Can holder see Cup holder
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants 733
Carpets, Cleaning and care of 605
Catalytic converter 548
CD
Ejecting (COMAND) 118
Loading (COMAND) 116
Menu overview (COMAND) 119
Playback options (COMAND) 124
Selecting a medium (COMAND) 122
Selecting a track (COMAND) 122
CD (COMAND) 112
Central locking
Automatic 363
Locking/unlocking from inside 364
Central locking/unlocking switches 364
Certification label 722
Change of address or ownership 16
Children in the vehicle 57
Air bags 57
Blocking of rear side window
operation 63

755 Index
Messages in display see Multifunction
display messages
Microphone, Hands-free 37
Minispare wheel 683, 696, 730
Mirrors
Activating exterior rear view mirror
parking position 384
Adjusting 381
Auto-dimming for rear view
mirrors 383
Exterior rear view mirrors 381
Interior rear view mirror 381
Mobile phone see Telephone*
Modifications and alterations, Operating
safety 20
MON 551, 735
MP3
Menu overview (COMAND) 119
Operation (COMAND) 120
Playback options (COMAND) 124
Selecting a folder (COMAND) 123
Selecting a medium (COMAND) 122
Selecting a track (COMAND) 122
MP3 (COMAND) 112Multicontour adjustments see
Drive-dynamic multicontour seats*
Multifunction display 282
Multifunction display messages
ABC 639
ABS 641
Batteries, vehicle 655
Blind Spot Assist* 633
Brake fluid 643
Brake pads 645
Coolant 657
Coolant level 656
Cruise control 624
DISTRONIC Plus* 625
Doors 659
EBP (Electronic Brake
Proportioning) 644
Electronic parking brake 646
Engine oil 555, 670
ESP
®
641, 652
Fog lamps 666
Front passenger front air bag 628
Fuel cap 660
Gear selector lever 627, 632, 636,
638, 680
Headlamps 664Hood 660
Key, SmartKey 662
Key, SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 661
Lamps, exterior 664
License plate lamps 666
Light sensor 664
Night View Assist* 669
Park Assist* 632, 634
PRE-SAFE
®
635, 642
Reserve fuel 660
Restraint systems 673
Seat backrest 680
Side marker lamps 667
SRS 673
Tail lamps 668
Tele Aid 675
Trunk 680
Windshield washer fluid 680
Multifunction steering wheel 283