brake pads MERCEDES-BENZ R350 2006 W251 Owner's Manual

332 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 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.
Refer to the description of the Brake Assist
System (BAS) (
page 99).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 (EBP), 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 immedi-
ately. 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.
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
maneuvers.

333 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 oper-
ating 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.
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.
When using the engine’s braking pow-
er, a drive wheel may not spin for an ex-
tended period of time, e.g. on slippery
road surfaces. This 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.

401 Operation
Vehicle care
Cleaning the panorama roof with
tilt/sliding panel*
The rear part of the tilt/sliding panel* has
a protective layer on the inside. 
Use a soft, clean cloth and a mild win-
dow cleaning solution.
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 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.
!Do not use a dry cloth, abrasives, sol-
vents or cleaners containing solvents.
Do not touch the protective layer with
hard objects such as an ice scraper or
ring. Never apply strong force and only
use a soft, non-scratching cloth when
cleaning the rear part of the tilt/sliding
panel*.
Otherwise you may scratch or damage
the protective layer.
!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.

430 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
#
Undervoltage
Switch off consumers
The battery has insufficient
voltage.

Turn off unnecessary electrical
consumers.
Battery/Alternator
Stop vehicle
The battery is defective.

Stop the vehicle in a safe location or as
soon as it is safe to do so.

Do not continue to drive.

Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center.
2
Brake wear
Visit workshop
The brake pads have reached
their wear limit.

Have the brake pads replaced as soon as
possible.
!Brake pad thickness must be visually
inspected by a qualified technician at
the intervals specified in the
Maintenance Booklet.

537 Index
B
Backup lamps
Replacing bulbs 466
Bar 386, 529
BAS 99, 529
Batteries, SmartKey
Check lamp 113, 119
Batteries, vehicle
Messages in display 430
Battery discharged
Jump starting 496
Battery, SmartKey 463
Battery, vehicle 487
Charging 495
Dis-/reconnecting 489
Removing/installing 489
Bead 386, 529
Bi-Xenon* headlamps 529
Replacing bulbs 466
Block heater (Canada only) 391
Blocking
Rear door window operation 93
Bottle opener 300
Brake assist system (BAS) 529
Brake fluid 523
Message in display 432Brake lamps
Replacing bulbs 466
Brake pads
Message in display 430
Brakes 332
Warning lamp 405
Break-in period 330
Bulbs, replacing 465
Additional turn signal lamps 466
Backup lamps 466
Bi-Xenon* headlamps 466
Brake lamps 466
Front fog lamp 471
Front fog lamps* 466
Front lamps 466
Headlamps 466
License plate lamps 466, 474
Parking lamps 466
Rear fog lamps 472
Rear side marker lamp bulbs 472
Sidemarker lamps 466
Standing lamps 466
Tail lamp assemblies 472
Tail lamps 466
Turn signal lamps 466C
CAC (Customer Assistance Center) 529
California
Important notice 11
Call priority
Tele Aid* 318
Calling up
Range (distance to empty) 193
Service indicator 393
CAN system 529
Capacities
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. 521
Card holder 300
Cargo compartment
Extending 283
Fuse box 504
Lamp 157
Tie-down rings 281
Cargo compartment cover blind* 288
Closing 288
Installing 289
Opening 288
Removing 288
Cargo tie-down rings 281
Carpets, cleaning 402

547 Index
Mirrors
Adjusting 47
Automatic antiglare for rear view
mirror 209
Exterior rear view mirror 48
Storing exterior rear view mirror park-
ing position 146
Modular Control System 531
MON 343
MON (Motor Octane Number) 532
Mph or km/h in speedometer 178
Multicontour seat* 136
Multifunction display 532
Selecting language 178
Standard display 165
Multifunction display messages
ABS 418
Batteries 430
Brake fluid 432
Brake pads 430
Coolant 436
Coolant level 433
Doors 436
EBP (Electronic Brake
Proportioning) 431
Engine oil 437, 438Fuel cap 439
Hood 439
Lamps 444
Lamps, exterior 442
Oil 437–438
Parking brake 431
SmartKey 441
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 440
Tele Aid* 450, 451
Telephone* 451
Washer fluid 451
Multifunction steering wheel 28, 532
N
Navigation system 172
Night security illumination 150
Normal occupant weight 387, 532
O
Occupant Classification System 85
Self-test 90
Occupant distribution 387Occupant safety 70
Children and air bags 72
Children in the vehicle 82
Fastening the seat belt 50
Infant and child restraint systems 82
LATCH child seat mounts 92
Seat belts 50, 74
Oil
Adding 349
Consumption 346
Dipstick 346
Filler neck 349
Viscosity 530
One-touch gearshifting
Canceling gear range limit 207
Opening
Doors from the inside 121
Fuel filler flap 342
Fuel filler flap manually 461
Glove box 294
Hood 345