brake pads MERCEDES-BENZ C WAGON 2005 S203 Owner's Manual

258 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
subjected to moderate loads, you should
occasionally 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.
If the parking brake is released and the
brake warning lamp in the instrument
cluster stays on, 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
reservoir.
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.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.
!Be very careful not to endanger other
road users when you apply the brakes.
Refer to the description of the Brake
Assist System (BAS) (
page 80).
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.

307 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
;
(USA only)
!
(Canada only)
Parking brake
Release brake.
You are driving with the parking brake
set.

Release the parking brake
(page 47).
2
Brake wear
Visit workshop.
The brake pads have reached their wear
limit.

Have the brake pads replaced as soon
as possible.
3
Brake fluid
Visit workshop.
There is insufficient brake fluid in the
reservoir.

Risk of accident! Stop the vehicle and
notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center. Do not add brake fluid! This
will not solve the problem.
Warning!
G
Driving with this message displayed can
result in an accident. Have your brake
system checked immediately. 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 can be seriously 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.

394 IndexB
BabySmart
TM
Air bag deactivation system 72, 385
Compatible child seats 72, 385
Self-test 72
Backrest
Folding forward 230
Folding rearward 231
Backrest contour
Adjusting 103
Backrest side bolsters
Adjusting 103
Backrest tilt
Manual seat 36
Power seat* 38
Backup lamps
Messages in display 315
Replacing bulbs 333
BAS 80, 385
Messages in display 303
Batteries, SmartKey
Changing 331
Check lamp 92
Checking 93Battery discharged
Jump starting 350
Battery, vehicle 276, 347
Charging 348
Disconnecting 348
Reconnecting 349
Reinstalling 348
Removing 348
Bi-Xenon headlamps* 385
Bi-Xenon type*
Front lamp bulbs 337
Block heater (Canada only) 283
Blocking
Rear door window operation 77
Bolts
For Minispare wheel 325
Brake Assist System see BAS
Brake fluid 375
Checking 269
Message in display 307
Brake lamp bulbs 333
Brake lamp, high mounted 333
Brake lamps
Messages in display 315Brake pads
Message in display 307
Brakes 258
Warning lamp 25, 295
Break-in period 256
Bulbs, replacing 332
Additional turn signals 333
Backup lamps 333, 340
Brake lamps 333, 340
Fog lamp, rear 333, 340
Fog lamps, front 333
Front lamps 333
High beam flasher 333
High beam headlamps 333
High mounted brake lamp 333
License plate lamps 333, 340
Low beam headlamps 333
Parking lamps, front 333, 336, 338
Parking lamps, rear 333, 340
Rear lamps 333
Side marker lamps, front 333, 338
Side marker lamps, rear 333, 340

407 Index
MB Tex upholstery
Cleaning 292
Mechanical key 326
Memory
TV station 192
Memory function* 105, 387
Recalling positions
from memory 106
Storing exterior rear view mirror
parking position 107
Storing key dependent settings 106
Menus 120
AUDIO 125
In control system 122, 123
NAV* 128
Settings menu 130
Standard display 124
Submenus 121
TEL* 148
Trip computer 146
Vehicle status message memory 128Microphone
Hands-free microphone 29
Miles/kilometers in speedometer
Setting 133
Minispare wheel 324, 369
Bolts 325
Mounting 342
Mirrors
Activating exterior rear view
mirror parking position* 163
Adjusting 41
Automatic antiglare*
for interior mirror 162
Automatic antiglare* for
rear view mirror 162
Exterior rear view mirror 41
Exterior rear view mirror
parking position* 146
Interior rear view mirror 41
Storing exterior rear view mirror
parking position* 107MON 268, 387
Motor Octane Number see MON
Mph or km/h in speedometer 133
Multicontour seats* 103
Multifunction display 119, 387
Displaying gear range 155
Selecting language 134
Setting date (day) 138
Setting date (month) 137
Setting date (year) 139
Multifunction display messages
ABS 302
BAS 303
Brake fluid 307
Brake pads 307
Coolant 308–310
Cruise control 311
Display 311
Doors 311
Engine oil 312–313