brake pads MERCEDES-BENZ C230 2006 W203 Owner's Manual

284 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
subject 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.
Refer to the description of the Brake Assist
System (BAS) (
page 88).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
recommended 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.
Warning!
G
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking ma-
neuvers.

285 Operation
Driving instructions
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.
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
operating temperature has been reached.
When starting 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.
Parking
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.
!Simultaneously depressing the
accelerator pedal and applying the
brake reduces engine performance and
causes premature brake and drivetrain
wear.
!Set the parking brake whenever park-
ing or leaving the vehicle. In addition,
move gear selector lever to positionP
(manual transmission: first or reverse
gear).
When parking on hills, always turn front
wheels towards the road curb.Warning!
G
Do not park this vehicle in areas where
combustible 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 as a re-
sult of vehicle movement, before
turning off
the engine and leaving the vehicle always:


Keep right foot on brake pedal.


346 OperationVehicle careLight 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.
!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.

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

Release the parking brake
(page 50).
2
Brake wear
Visit workshop
The brake pads have reached their wear
limit.

Have the brake pads replaced as soon
as possible.
;
(USA only)
3
(Canada only)
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 the message
Brake fluid
Visit workshop.
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 re-
sult 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.

457 Index
Brake lamps
Cleaning lenses 344
Messages in display 377
Replacing bulbs 403
Brake pads
Message in display 370
Brakes 284
Warning lamp 25, 351
Break-in period 282
Bulbs, replacing see Replacing bulbs
C
CAC 449
California retail buyers and lessees,
important notice 11
CAN system 449
Cargo area see Trunk
Cargo tie-down rings* 256
Carpets, cleaning 347
Catalytic converter 291
CD changer* 216
CD player* 137, 216
Centigrade see Temperature display
mode 142Central locking
Automatic 107, 152
From inside 107
Locking/unlocking from inside 107
Switch 107
Certification label 428
Charcoal filter
Automatic climate control*
(Canada only) 194
Children in the vehicle 74
Air bags 64
Blocking rear door window
operation 85
Indicator lamp, front passenger
air bag 80, 356
Infant and child restraint systems 74
LATCH-type child seat anchors 83
Occupant Classification System
(OCS) 77
Cigarette lighter 262
Climate control system 176
Control panel 177
Defrosting, Front 181
Rear window defroster 175Clock 25, 130
Setting time 145, 146
Cockpit 22, 449
Cockpit Management and Data System
see COMAND
Cold tire inflation pressure 331
Collapsible wheel chock 386
COMAND* 449
COMAND* see separate COMAND
operating instructions
Combination switch 52, 122
Control system 130, 450
Multifunction display 130
Multifunction steering wheel 131
Resetting to factory default 140
Control system menu 130, 450
AUDIO 136
Menus overview 133
NAV* 138
Settings 140
Standard display 135
TEL* 157
Trip computer 155
Vehicle status message
memory 138

465 Index
Multifunction display messages
ABS 360
Brake fluid 370
Brake lamps 377
Brake pads 370
Coolant 371, 372, 373
Cruise control 374
Display 374
Door 374
Engine coolant 371, 372, 373
Engine oil 375
ESP
®
361, 362
Fog lamps 377, 379
Front passenger front
air bag 364, 367
Fuel cap 352, 376
Headlamps 378, 379
Hood 376
Key, SmartKey 376
Lamps, exterior 377–380
Parking brake 370
Parking lamp 379
Seat belt system 381
SRS 363
Steering gear oil 381Tele Aid* 382
Telephone* 382
Tilt/sliding sunroof* 382
Trunk 382
Turn signals 380
Windshield washer fluid 382
Multifunction steering wheel 26, 131,
452
Button operation 131
N
Navigation system* 138
See separate COMAND* operating
instructions
Net, parcel 258
Neutral gear position, Automatic
transmission* 162
Neutral gear position, Manual
transmission 161
New vehicle break-in 282
Night security illumination 121
Setting 151
Normal occupant weight 332
Number, vehicle identification (VIN) 428O
Occupant Classification System see OCS
Occupant distribution 332
Occupant safety 62
Air bags 63
Children and air bags 64
Children in the vehicle 74
Fastening the seat belt 45
Front passenger front air bag off
indicator lamp 80, 356
Infant and child restraint systems 74
LATCH-type child seat anchors 83
OCS 77
Seat belts 45, 66
OCS 77, 452
Self-test 81
Odometer 130
Oil level see Engine oil level, Checking oil
level
Oil see Engine oil
One-touch gearshifting
(Automatic transmission*) 168
Canceling gear range limit 169
Downshifting 169
Upshifting 169