
Electric parking brake
General notes
GWARNING
If you leave children unsupervised in the vehi-
cle, they could set it in motion by, for example:
Rrelease the parking brake.
Rshift the automatic transmission out of the
parking positionP.
Rstart the engine.
In addition, they may operate vehicle equip-
ment and become trapped. There is a risk of
an accident and injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children unsupervised in the vehicle.
The function of the electric parking brake isdependent on the on-board voltage. If the on-board voltage is low or there is a malfunction inthe system, it may not be possible to apply thereleased parking brake.
XIf this happens, park the vehicle on levelground only and secure it to prevent it fromrolling away.
XShift the transmission to position ].
It may not be possible to release an appliedparking brake if the on-board voltage is low orthere is a malfunction in the system. Contact aqualified specialist workshop.
The electric parking brake performs a functiontest at regular intervals while the engine isswitched off. The sounds that can be heard whilethis is occurring are normal.
Applying or releasing manually
XTo apply:push handle C.When the electric parking brake is applied,the red I(USA only) or $(Canadaonly) indicator lamp lights up in the instru-ment cluster.
The electric parking brake can also be appliedwhen the SmartKey is removed.
XTo release:pull handle C.The red I(USA only) or $(Canadaonly) indicator lamp in the instrument clustergoes out.
The electric parking brake can only be released:
Rif the SmartKey is in position Gor Hin theignition lock (Ypage 131) or
Rif the ignition was switched on using theStart/Stop button
Applying automatically
The electric parking brake is automaticallyapplied when the transmission is in position ]and:
Rthe engine is switched off or
Rthe driver is not wearing a seat belt and thedriver's door is opened
To prevent the electric parking brake from beingautomatically applied, pull handle C.
The electric parking brake is also applied auto-matically if:
RActive Distance Assist DISTRONIC brings thevehicle to a standstill or
Rthe HOLD function is keeping the vehicle sta-tionary
RActive Parking Assist is keeping the vehiclestationary
In addition, at least one of the following condi-tions must be fulfilled:
Rthe engine is switched off
Rthe driver is not wearing a seat belt and thedriver's door is opened
Rthere is a system malfunction
Rthe power supply is insufficient
Rthe vehicle is stationary for a lengthy period
The red I(USA only) or $(Canada only)indicator lamp on the instrument cluster lightsup.
The electric parking brake is not automaticallyapplied if the engine is switched off by the ECOstart/stop function.
154Parking
Driving and parking

This helps you to avoid overheating thebrakes and wearing them out excessively.
When you take advantage of engine braking, adrive wheel may not turn for some time, e.g.on a slippery road surface. This could causedamage to the drive train. This type of damageis not covered by the Mercedes-Benz war-ranty.
Heavy and light loads
GWARNING
If you rest your foot on the brake pedal while
driving, the braking system can overheat. This
increases the stopping distance and can even
cause the braking system to fail. There is a
risk of an accident.
Never use the brake pedal as a footrest. Never
depress the brake pedal and the accelerator
pedal at the same time.
!Depressing the brake pedal constantlyresults in excessive and premature wear tothe brake pads.
If the brakes have been subjected to a heavyload, do not stop the vehicle immediately. Driveon for a short while. This allows the airflow tocool the brakes more quickly.
Wet roads
If you have driven for a long time in heavy rainwithout braking, there may be a delayed reac-tion from the brakes when braking for the firsttime. This may also occur after the vehicle hasbeen washed or driven through deep water.
You have to depress the brake pedal morefirmly. Maintain a greater distance from thevehicle in front.
After driving on a wet road or having the vehiclewashed, brake firmly while paying attention tothe traffic conditions. This will warm up thebrake discs, thereby drying them more quicklyand protecting them against corrosion.
Limited braking performance on salt-
treated roads
If you drive on salted roads, a layer of salt resi-due may form on the brake discs and brakepads. This can result in a significantly longerbraking distance.
RIn order to prevent any salt build-up, apply thebrakes occasionally while paying attention tothe traffic conditions.
RCarefully depress the brake pedal and thebeginning and end of a journey.
RMaintain a greater distance to the vehicleahead.
Servicing the brakes
!The brake fluid level may be too low, if:
Rif the red brake warning lamp lights up inthe instrument cluster and
Ryou hear a warning tone while the engine isrunning
Observe additional warning messages in themultifunction display.
The brake fluid level may be too low due tobrake pad wear or leaking brake lines.
Have the brake system checked immediately.Consult a qualified specialist workshop toarrange this.
!Vehicles with 4MATIC:function or per-formance tests may only be carried out on a 2-axle dynamometer. If you wish to operate thevehicle on such a dynamometer, please con-sult a qualified specialist workshop inadvance. You could otherwise damage thedrive train or the brake system.
!Vehicles with 4MATIC:the ESP®systemoperates automatically. If the electric parkingbrake is tested on a brake dynamometer, theengine and ignition must be switched off: turnthe SmartKey in the ignition lock to position

For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz recom-mends only installing the following brake disksand brake pads/linings:
Rbrake disks that have been approved byMercedes-Benz
Rbrake pads/linings that have been approvedby Mercedes-Benz or that are of an equivalentstandard of quality
Other brake disks or brake pads/linings cancompromise the safety of your vehicle.
Always replace all brake disks and brake pads/linings on an axle at the same time. Alwaysinstall new brake pads/linings when replacingbrake disks.
The vehicle is equipped with lightweight brakedisks to which the wheel assembly with rim andthreaded connection is matched.
The use of brake disks other than thoseapproved by Mercedes-Benz can change thetrack width and is subject to approval, if appli-cable.
Shock-type loads when handling the brakediscs, such as when changing wheels, can leadto a reduction in comfort when driving with light-weight brake discs. Avoid shock-type loads onthe lightweight brake disks, particularly on thebrake plate.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you only usebrake fluid that has been specially approved foryour vehicle by Mercedes-Benz, or which corre-sponds to an equivalent quality standard. Brakefluid which has not been approved forMercedes-Benz vehicles or which is not of anequivalent quality could affect your vehicle'soperating safety.
Driving on wet roads
Hydroplaning
If water has accumulated to a certain depth onthe road surface, there is a danger of hydro-planing occurring, even if:
Ryou drive at low speeds
Rthe tires have adequate tread depth
For this reason, in the event of heavy rain or inconditions in which hydroplaning may occur,you must drive in the following manner:
Rlower your speed
Ravoid ruts
Ravoid sudden steering movements
Rbrake carefully
Driving on flooded roads
!Bear in mind that vehicles traveling in frontor in the opposite direction create waves. Thismay cause the maximum permissible waterdepth to be exceeded.
Failure to observe these notes may result indamage to the engine, electrical systems andtransmission.
If you have to drive on stretches of road on whichwater has collected, please bear in mind that:
Rin the case of standing water, the water levelmay be no higher than the lower edge of thevehicle body
Ryou should drive no faster than walking pace
Winter driving
GWARNING
If you shift down on a slippery road surface in
an attempt to increase the engine's braking
effect, the drive wheels could lose their grip.
There is an increased danger of skidding and
accidents.
Do not shift down for additional engine brak-
ing on a slippery road surface.
GDANGER
If the exhaust pipe is blocked or adequate
ventilation is not possible, poisonous gases
such as carbon monoxide (CO) may enter the
vehicle. This is the case, e.g. if the vehicle
becomes trapped in snow. There is a risk of
fatal injury.
If you leave the engine or the auxiliary heating
running, make sure the exhaust pipe and area
around the vehicle are clear of snow. To
ensure an adequate supply of fresh air, open a
window on the side of the vehicle that is not
facing into the wind.
Have your vehicle winter-proofed at a qualifiedspecialist workshop at the onset of winter.
Drive particularly carefully on slippery road sur-faces. Avoid sudden acceleration, steering and
Driving tips159
Driving and parking
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