brake pads MERCEDES-BENZ C55AMG 2006 W203 Owner's Manual

284 Operation
Driving instructions
BrakesTo 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 84).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.
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.

Firmly depress parking brake pedal.

346 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 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.Hard plastic trim items
Use Mercedes-Benz approved Interior
Care, a soft, lint-free cloth and apply
with light pressure.
Steering wheel and gear selector lever
Wipe with a damp cloth and dry thor-
oughly or clean with Mercedes-Benz
approved Leather Care.
Carpets
Use Mercedes-Benz approved Carpet
and Fabric Care for cleaning the car-
pets.
!
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.
!
To prevent scratches, do not use scour-
ing agents.

366 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
;(USA only)
!(Canada only)
Release
Parking brakeYou are driving with the parking brake
set.Release the parking brake
(
page 46).
2Brake wear
Visit workshopThe brake pads have reached their wear
limit.Have the brake pads replaced as soon
as possible.
;(USA only)
3(Canada only)
Brake fluid
Visit workshopThere 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
inspected by a qualified technician at
the intervals specified in the Mainte-
nance Booklet.

451 Index
Brake fluid 437
Checking 295
Message in display 366
Brake lamps
Cleaning lenses 344
Messages in display 374
Replacing bulbs 400
Brake pads
Message in display 366
Brakes 284
Warning lamp 25, 351
Break-in period 282
Bulbs, replacing see Replacing bulbs
C
CAC 443
California retail buyers and lessees,
important notice 11
CAN system 444
Cargo area see Trunk
Cargo tie-down rings* 255
Carpets, cleaning 346
Catalytic converter 291
CD changer* 214
CD player* 132, 214
Centigrade see Temperature display
mode 137Central locking
Automatic 103, 147
From inside 104
Locking/unlocking from inside 104
Switch 104
Certification label 426
Charcoal filter
Automatic climate control*
(Canada only) 193
Children in the vehicle 72
Air bags 62
Blocking rear door window
operation 80
Indicator lamp, front passenger
air bag 75, 357
Infant and child restraint systems 73
LATCH-type child seat anchors 79
Cigarette lighter 262
Climate control system 174
Control panel 175
Defrosting, Front 179
Rear window defroster 173
Clock 25, 125
Setting time 140, 141
Cockpit 22, 444Cockpit Management and Data System
see COMAND
Cold tire inflation pressure 331
Collapsible tire 383, 433, 444
Collapsible wheel chock 382
COMAND* 444
COMAND* see separate COMAND
operating instructions
Combination switch 49, 118
Control system 125, 444
Multifunction display 125
Multifunction steering wheel 126
Resetting to factory default 135
Control system menu 125, 444
AUDIO 131
Menus overview 128
NAV* 134
Settings 135
Standard display 130
TEL* 152
Trip computer 150
Vehicle status message
memory 134

458 Index
Maintenance 12, 338
Calling up service indicator
display 339
Clearing service indicator
message 339
FSS (Canada vehicles) 338
Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) 338
Resetting service indicator 340
Service indicator message 338
Service term exceeded 339
Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) 338, 446
Manual headlamp mode see Headlamps
Maximum load rating, Tires 332
Maximum loaded vehicle weight 332
Maximum tire inflation pressure 333
MB Tex upholstery, Cleaning and
care of 347
Mechanical key 386
Memory function see Steering wheel
Menus see Control system
Microphone, Hands-free 29Mirrors
Adjusting 40
Auto-dimming* 169
Exterior rear view mirror 40
Exterior rear view mirror,
Parking position 113, 149, 170
Interior rear view mirror 40
MON 446
Motor Octane Number see MON
Multifunction display 125, 446
Changing settings see Control system
menus and Control system sub-
menus
Multifunction display messages
ABS 360
Brake fluid 366
Brake lamps 374
Brake pads 366
Coolant 367, 368, 369
Cruise control 370
Display 370
Door 370
Engine coolant 367, 368, 369
Engine oil 371, 372
ESP
®361, 362
Fog lamps 374, 376Fuel cap 353, 373
Headlamps 375, 376
Hood 373
Key, SmartKey 373
Lamps, exterior 374–377
Parking brake 366
Parking lamp 376
Seat belt system 378
SRS 363
Steering gear oil 378
Tele Aid* 379
Telephone* 379
Tilt/sliding sunroof* 379
Trunk 379
Turn signals 377
Windshield washer fluid 379
Multifunction steering wheel 26, 126,
446
Button operation 126
N
Navigation system* 134
See separate COMAND* operating
instructions
Net, parcel 258
Neutral gear position, Automatic
transmission 155