brake pads MERCEDES-BENZ G500 2005 W463 Owner's Manual

217 Operation
Driving instructions
Power assistanceBrakesTo 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 and there is no audible warn-
ing (EBB), 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 res-
ervoir.
Have the brake system inspected
immediately. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
All checks and service work on the brake
system should be carried out by qualified
technicians only. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Install only brake pads and brake fluid
recommended by Mercedes-Benz.Warning!
G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the ve-
hicle.Warning!
G
After driving in heavy rain for some time
without applying the brakes or through wa-
ter deep enough to wet brake components
or salty road conditions, the first braking ac-
tion may be somewhat reduced and in-
creased pedal pressure may be necessary to
obtain expected braking effect. 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 82).

218 OperationDriving instructionsAfter hard braking, it is advisable to drive
on for some time, rather than immediately
parking, so 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 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
drivetrain which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
To ensure sufficient traction during
off-road driving, activate differential locks
as needed (
page 158).
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 selecting gear range3,2 or1 on the
automatic transmission to use the
engine’s braking power (
page 150).
This helps prevent overheating of the
brakes and reduces brake pad 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 vehicle movement, before
turning off
the engine and leaving the vehicle always:


Keep right foot on brake pedal.


Pull the parking brake lever up as many
notches as possible.


Move the selector lever to positionP.


Slowly release brake pedal.


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

231 Operation
Driving instructions


Clean all exterior lamps and check
them for possible damage.


Check for brush or branches caught in
the underbody.
They could increase the possibility of a
fire, as well as cut fuel and/or brake
lines, puncture rubber bellows of the
axles or drive shafts.


After continued operation in mud,
sand, water or other dirty conditions,
clean the brake discs, wheels, brake
pads and check and clean axle joints.


Conduct a brake test.Control and operation of radio trans-
mitters
COMAND, radio and telephone*Telephones and two-way radios
Radio transmitters, such as a portable tele-
phone or citizens band unit should only be
used inside the vehicle if they are connect-
ed to an antenna that is installed on the
outside of the vehicle.
Refer to the radio transmitter operation in-
structions regarding use of an external an-
tenna.Warning!
G
Do not forget that your primary responsibili-
ty is to drive the vehicle safely. Only operate
the COMAND, radio or telephone
1 if road,
traffic and weather conditions permit.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km / h), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet
(approximately 14 m) every second.
1Observe all legal requirements.
Warning!
G
Never operate radio transmitters equipped
with a built-in or attached antenna (i.e. with-
out being connected to an external antenna)
from inside the vehicle while the engine is
running. Doing so could lead to a malfunc-
tion of the vehicle’s electronic system, pos-
sibly resulting in an accident and/or
personal injury.

303 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
#
UNDERVOLTAGE
SWITCH CONSUMERS OFF!
The battery has insufficient voltage.

Have the battery checked at a ser-
vice station.
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 Light Truck Center.
Do not add brake fluid! This will not
solve the problem.
Warning!
G
Driving with the last message displayed can
result in an accident. Have your brake sys-
tem checked immediately.
Do not add brake fluid before checking the
brake system. Overfilling the brake fluid res-
ervoir 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.

389 Index
Bead 271
Block heater (Canada only) 276
Blocking rear door window operation 78
B-pillar 366
Brake assist system (BAS) 381
Brake fluid 237, 376
Brake lamp bulbs, left and right 334
Brake lamp, high mounted 334
Brake pads
Message in display 303
Brakes 217
Warning lamp 290, 291
Break-in period 214
Brush guard* 329
Lowering 330
Raising and securing 330
Bulbs, replacing
Additional turn signals 334
Backup lamps 334, 342
Brake lamps 334, 341
Front fog lamps 334, 338
Front lamps 333, 334
Front turn signal lamps 334, 339
High and low beam 336High beam lamps 334
High mounted brake lamp 334
License plate lamps 334, 342
Low beam lamps 334
Parking lamps 334, 336
Rear fog lamp 334, 342
Rear turn signal lamps 334
Side marker lamps 334, 340
Standing lamps 334, 336
Tail lamp unit 334, 341C
CAC (Customer Assistance Center) 381
Calling up
Maintenance service indicator 278
Range (distance to empty) 145
CAN system 381
Capacities
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. 374
Cargo area see Cargo compartment
Cargo compartment
Tailgate 97, 98
Tie-down rings 189
Cargo compartment cover 182
Installing 183
Removing 183
Cargo tie-down rings 189
Catalytic converter 232
CD changer 322
CD player
Operating 130
Center console 28
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp 295
Lower part 29
Upper part 28

400 IndexMessages in the multifunction display
Symbol messages 302
Text messages 298
Middle tunnel
Fuse box in 362
Miles/kilometers in speedometer
Setting 136
Mirrors
Activating exterior rear view mirror
parking position 161
Adjusting 41
Auto-dimming for rear view
mirror 160
Exterior rear view mirror 41
Exterior rear view mirror parking
positions 143
Interior rear view mirror 41
Storing exterior rear view mirror
parking position 109
MON 236
MON (Motor Octane Number) 384
Monitoring reach
Rear Parking Assist* 180
Mph or km/h in speedometer
setting 136Multicontour seat* 104
Multifunction display 123, 384
Selecting language 136
Standard display 127
Multifunction display messages
ABS 298
BAS 298
Battery 302, 303
Brake fluid 303
Brake pads 303
Check engine 292
Coolant 305, 306, 307
Cruise control 308
Display 320
Doors 308
Engine 292
Engine air filter 308
Engine oil 309
ESP 300
Fuel reserve tank 311
Hood 311
Key 311
Lamps 312, 314
Parking brake 304
Sunroof 319Tailgate 320
Tele Aid 319
Telephone* 319
Washer fluid 320
Multifunction steering wheel 26, 124
Buttons 124