brake pads MERCEDES-BENZ G55AMG 2008 W463 Owner's Manual

246 Operation
Driving instructions
Power assistance
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
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.
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
vehicle.
Warning!G
After driving in heavy
rain for some time
without applying the brakes or through
water deep enough to wet brake compo-
nents or salty road conditions, the first brak-
ing action may be somewhat reduced and
increased pedal pressure may be necessary
to obtain expected br aking 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 ti me to avoid an acci-
dent.
!Operational or performance test must only
be conducted on a two-axle dynamometer. If
such tests are necessary, contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center. You could
otherwise seriously damage the brake system or
the transfer case which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
!Because the ESP® operates automatically,
the engine and ignition must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position 0 or 1)
when testing the parking brake on a brake test
dynamometer and such testing should be no
longer than 10 seconds.
Active braking action through the ESP
® may
otherwise seriously damage the brake system
which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
Warning!G
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking
maneuvers.
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247
Operation
Driving instructions
Refer to the description of the Brake Assist
System (BAS) (
page 89).
Brake pad wear or a leak in the system may
be the reason for low brake fluid in the
reservoir.
The brake fluid level in the reservoir may
be too low if the brake warning lamp in the
instrument cluster comes on although the
parking brake is released (
page 326).
Observe additional messages in the
multifunction display that may appear
(
page 336).
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.
Only install brake pads and brake fluid
recommended by Mercedes-Benz. After hard braking, it is advisable to drive
on for some time, rather than immediately
park, 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
operating temperature has been reached.
To ensure sufficient traction during
off-road driving, activate differential locks
as needed (
page 175).
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 substa ntially 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.
!When driving 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.
!Simultaneously depressing the accelerator
pedal and applying the brake reduces engine
performance and causes premature brake and
drivetrain wear.
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261
Operation
Driving instructions

Check tires for possible damage.

Inspect frame, oil pan, brake hoses,
etc., as well as vehicle underbody for
possible damage.

Check for brush or br
anches caught in
the underbody.

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.
Driving abroad
Abroad, there is an extensive
Mercedes-Benz service network at your
disposal. If you plan to drive into areas
which are not listed in the index of a
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center
directory, you should request pertinent
information from an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center. Control and operation of radio
transmitters
COMAND, radio and telephone*
!Brush or branches could increase the possi-
bility of a fire, as well as cut fuel and/or brake
lines, puncture rubber be llows of the axles or
drive shafts.
Warning!G
Do not forget that your primary responsi-
bility is to drive the vehicle safely. Only
operate the COMAND system, radio or
telephone
1 if road, weather and traffic
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.
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320 Operation
Vehicle care
Clean the wiper blade inserts with a
clean cloth and detergent solution.
Use a soft, clean cloth and a mild
window cleaning solution on all outside
and inside glass surfaces.
An automotive glass cleaner is recom-
mended.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
alloy wheels.
Plastic and rubber parts
Use a gentle dishwashing detergent or
mild detergent for delicate fabrics as a
washing solution.
Wipe with a cloth moistened in a
lukewarm solution.
The surface may temporarily change
color. If this is the case, wait for it to
dry.
!Fold the windshield wiper arms back onto
the windshield before turning the SmartKey in
the starter switch.
Hold on to the wiper when folding the wiper arm
back. If released, the force of the impact from
the tensioning spring could crack the windshield.
!To clean the window interior, do not use a
dry cloth, abrasives, solvents or cleaners con-
taining solvents. Do not touch the inside of the
front, rear or side windows with hard objects
such as an ice scraper or ring. Doing so may
damage the windows.
!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
corrosion of the brake disks and brake pads.
Non-approved wheel cleaners may also damage
the wheel paint if the car is not driven after
cleaning. 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 approved Tire
Care and Mercedes-Benz approved Wheel Care
products, take care not to spray them on the
brake disks.
Warning!G
Do not use cleaners or cockpit care sprays
containing solvents to clean the cockpit or
the steering wheel. Cleaners containing
solvents will make the surface porous and
vehicle occupants could suffer serious
injuries from plastic parts coming loose in
the event of air bag deployment.

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345
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 55).
2Brake
wearThe brake pads have reached their wear
limit.Have the brake pads replaced as
soon as possible.
BTop up
coolant
See
Operator’s
ManualThe coolant level is too low.Add coolant (page 274).
If you have to add coolant frequently,
have the cooling system checked at
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.
!Brake pad thickness must be visually
checked by a qualified technician at the intervals
specified in the Maintenance Booklet.
Warning!G
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts.
Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which
may burn if it comes into contact with hot
engine parts. You could be seriously burned.
!Do not ignore the low engine coolant level
warning. Extended driving with this message and
symbol displayed may cause serious engine
damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
Do not drive without sufficient amount of coolant
in the cooling system. The engine will overheat,
causing major engine damage.
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431
Index
Batteries
SmartKey (replacing) 374
Batteries, SmartKey Check lamp 103
Checking 103
Battery box Fuse box in 406
Battery discharged Jump starting 397
Battery, vehicle 394 Charging 396
Disconnecting 396
Messages in display 342–343
Reconnecting 396
Reinstalling 396
Removing 396
Bead 304
Block heater (Canada only) 310
Blocking rear door window operation 85
B-pillar 410
Brake fluid 266, 423 Message in display 344
Brake lamp bulbs, left and right 376
Brake lamp, high mounted 376
Brake lamps Messages in display 352 Brake pads
Message in display 345
Brakes 246 Warning lamp 326–327
Break-in period 244
Brush guard 373 Lowering 373
Raising and securing 373
Bulbs, replacing Additional turn signals 376
Backup lamps 376, 384
Brake lamps 376, 384
Front fog lamps 376, 380
Front lamps 376
Front turn signal lamps 376, 381
High beam lamps 376
High mounted brake lamp 376
License plate lamps 376, 385
Locator lighting lamps 376
Low beam lamps 376
Parking lamps 376, 378 Rear fog lamp 376, 384
Rear lamps 376
Rear turn signal lamps 376
Side marker lamps 376, 382
Standing lamps 376, 378
Tail lamp assemblies 376
Tail lamp unit 383
C
Call priority, Tele Aid 235
Calling up Maintenance service indicator display 313
Range (distance to empty) 158
Capacities Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. 420
Cargo area see Cargo compartment
Cargo compartment Expanding 206
Tailgate 105
Tie-down rings 209
Cargo compartment cover blind 214 Installing 214
Removing 214
Rolling out 214
Rolling up 214
Cargo compartment lamps 127
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441
Index
Mirrors
Activating exterior rear view mirror parking position (Canada only) 178
Adjusting 46
Auto-dimming for rear view mirror 177
Exterior rear view mirrors 46
Interior rear view mirror 46
Storing exterior rear view mirror park- ing position (Canada only) 116
Mobile phone see Telephone*
MON 265
Monitoring reach Rear Parking Assist 201
Mph or km/h in speedometer setting 149
Multicontour seat* 109
Multifunction display 133 Selecting language 149
Multifunction display messages ABS 338
Advanced TPMS 340–341, 359–360
Backup lamp 355
Battery 342–343
Brake fluid 344
Brake lamps 352 Brake pads 345
Coolant 345–348
Cruise control 348
Doors 348
Electronic systems 363
Engine oil 349–350
ESP
®339
Front fog lamps 353
Fuel 363
Fuel filler cap 351
Fuel reserve tank 351
High beam headlamps 353
High mounted brake lamp 352
Hood 351
Key 351
Lamps, exterior 352–357
License plate lamps 354
Light sensor 352
Low beam headlamps 354
Parking brake 345
Parking lamps 354
Rear fog lamp 355
Side marker lamps 353
SRS 358
Tail lamps 355
Tailgate 362 Tele Aid 362
Telephone* 362
Tires 340–341, 359–360
Transfer case 361
Turn signal lamps 356–357
Washer fluid 363
Multifunction steering wheel 28, 134 Buttons 134
N
Navigation system Operating 144
See separate COMAND operating in-structions
Night security illumination 120 Setting 153
Normal occupant weight 305
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