brake pads MERCEDES-BENZ CL500 2004 C215 Owner's Manual

248OperationDriving 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 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.If the parking brake is released and the
brake warning lamp in the instrument clus-
ter stays on, the brake fluid level in the res-
ervoir is too low.
Brake pad wear or a leak in the system may
be the reason for low brake fluid in the res-
ervoir.
Have the brake system inspected immedi-
ately. 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.
!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 78).

249 Operation
Driving instructions
After hard braking, it is advisable to drive
on for some time, rather than immediately
parking, so that the air stream can 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 oper-
ating temperature has been reached.
When starting off on a slippery surface, do
not allow a drive wheel to spin for an ex-
tended period with the ESP switched off.
Doing so may cause serious damage to the
drive train 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 pre-
vent overheating of the brakes and re-
duces brake pad wear.
!Simultaneously depressing the acceler-
ator pedal and applying the brake re-
duces engine performance and causes
premature brake 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 as a re-
sult of inadvertent vehicle movement,
before turning off the engine and leaving the
vehicle always:

Keep right foot on brake pedal.


Firmly depress parking brake pedal.


Move the gear selector lever to
positionP.


Slowly release brake pedal.


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


305 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display symbol
Display messages
Possible cause
Possible solution
2
BRAKE PAD WEAR
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The brake pads have reached their wear
limit.

Have the brake pads replaced as soon as
possible.
USA only:;Canada only:3
BRAKE FLUID
VISIT WORKSHOP!
There is insufficient brake fluid in the res-
ervoir.

Risk of accident! Stop the vehicle and no-
tify an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Do not add brake fluid! This will not solve
the problem.
USA only:;Canada only:!
PARK. BRAKE
RELEASE BRAKE!
You are driving with the parking brake en-
gaged.

Release the parking brake (
page 47).
Warning!
G
Driving with this message displayed can re-
sult in an accident. Have your brake system
checked immediately. Don’t add brake fluid
before checking the brake system. Overfill-
ing the brake fluid reservoir can result in
spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts and
the brake fluid catching fire. You can be se-
riously 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 Service Book-
let.

391 Index
Automatic headlamp mode 120
Automatic lighting control
Activating 124
Deactivating 125
Automatic locking when driving 105
Automatic transmission 157
Accelerator position 163
Deactivating steering wheel gearshift
control 166
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 166
Fluid level 266
Gear ranges 159
Gear selector lever position 160
Gear shifting malfunctions 166
Kickdown 163
Manual shift program mode
(CL 55 AMG Kompressor) 164
One-touch gearshifting 158
Program mode selector switch 163
Selector lever position 157
Starting the engine 45
Steering wheel gearshift control
(Speedshift) CL 55 AMG 161
Transmission fluid 266
Winter program mode 163, 164B
BabySmart
TM
Airbag deactivation system 71, 383
Compatible child seats 71, 383
Self-test 72
Backrest supports
Lumbar region 112
Shoulder region 111
Backup lamps 337, 340
Bulbs 337
BAS 78, 383
Messages in display 302
Batteries, SmartKey
Changing 333
Check lamp 90, 91
Replacing 332
Battery discharged
Jump starting 351
Battery, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO
Check lamp 95
Battery, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Changing 334
Checking the battery 95
Replacing 332Battery, vehicle 268, 348
Charging 349
Disconnecting 349
Reconnecting 350
Reinstalling 349
Removing 349
Bi-Xenon headlamps 383
Block heater (Canada only) 281
Blocking
Rear window operation 75
Brake assist system (BAS) 383
Brake fluid 258, 375
Brake lamp bulbs 337
Brake lamp, high mounted 337
Brake pads
Message in display 305
Brakes 248
Warning lamp 293
Break-in period 246
Bulbs, replacing 336
Additional turn signals 336
Backup lamps 337
Brake lamps 337
Fog lamps 336

402 Index
Storing exterior rear view mirror
parking positions 117
Storing key dependent settings 117
Menus 131
AUDIO 134
Distronic* 142, 201
In control system 132, 133
Malfunction memory 144
NAVI 141
Settings menu 145
Standard display 134
Submenus 131
TEL* 139
Trip computer 143
Microphone
Hands-free microphone 27
Miles/kilometers in speedometer
Setting 148
Mirrors
Activating exterior rear view mirror
parking position 168
Adjusting 40
Automatic antiglare for rear view
mirror 167
Exterior rear view mirror 40Exterior rear view mirror parking
position 156
Exterior rear view mirror parking
positions 156
Interior rear view mirror 40
Storing exterior rear view mirror
parking position 117
MON (Motor Octane Number) 258, 385
Mph or km/h in speedometer 148
Multicontour backrest* 111
Multifunction display 24, 129, 386
Selecting language 149
Standard display 133
Multifunction display messages
ABC 300
ABS 301
BAS 302
Brake fluid 305
Brake pads 305
Check engine 294
Coolant 306
Coolant level 306
Distronic* 302
Doors 309
Engine 294Engine oil level 310
Entry position 312
Hood 312
Key 312
Lamps 315
Parking brake 305
Selector lever 302
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 313
Tele Aid 318
Telephone* 319
Tires 321, 324
Trunk 319
Washer fluid 319
Multifunction steering wheel 24, 130,
386
Buttons 130
N
Navigation system
Operating 141
See separate COMAND operating in-
structions
Night security illumination 121
Nubuck leather upholstery
Cleaning 290