brake pads MERCEDES-BENZ S350 2006 W221 Owner's Manual

274 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.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 80).

275 Operation
Driving instructions
After hard braking, it is advisable to drive
on for some time, rather than immediately
park, so that the air stream can cool down
the brakes faster.High-performance brake system
(S 65 AMG only)
The high-performance brake system is de-
signed to operate under the extremely high
operating demands required to accommo-
date the performance capabilities of the
vehicle. The brakes may produce a squeak-
ing-type noise depending on the


vehicle speed


brake force applied


ambient conditions, e.g. temperature
and humidity
As with any brake system, the wear of indi-
vidual brake system components such as
brake pads or disks strongly depends on
your driving style and the conditions under
which you operate the vehicle. Thus, a driv-
ing style calling for high demand braking
will cause your vehicle’s brakes to wear
more quickly.
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.
Warning!
G
New vehicle brake pads and discs, and
replacement brake pads and discs may take
several hundred miles of driving until they
provide optimum braking efficiency. Until
that time, you may need to use increased
brake pedal pressure while braking. Please
be aware of this and adjust your driving and
braking accordingly during this break-in
period.
Excessive high demand braking will cause
correspondingly high brake wear. Please be
attentive to the brake warning lamp in the
instrument cluster and brake condition mes-
sages in the multifunction display. Especial-
ly for high performance driving, it is
important to maintain and have the brake
system checked regularly.

361 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
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)3(Canada only)
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.
Failure to follow these instructions increases
the risk of accident.
Warning!
G
Driving with the message:
BRAKE FLUID
VISIT WORKSHOP
displayed can result in an
accident. Have your brake system checked
immediately. Don not add brake fluid before
checking the brake system. Overfilling the
brake fluid reservoir can result in spilling
brake fluid on hot engine parts and the
brake fluid catching fire. You can be serious-
ly 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.

453 Index
Automatic headlamp mode 132
Automatic lighting control
Activating 137
Deactivating 137
Automatic locking when driving 112
Automatic shift program
Automatic transmission 179
Automatic transmission 173
Accelerator position 177
Automatic shift program 179
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 185
Fluid level 293
Gear ranges 178
Gear selector lever position 173, 175
Gear shifting malfunctions 185
Kickdown 177
Kickdown, manual shift program
S 55 AMG and S 65 AMG 185
Manual shift program S 55 AMG and
S 65 AMG 183
Manual shifting 180
One-touch gearshifting 180
Selector lever position 173
Starting the engine 46Steering wheel gearshift control
S 55 AMG and S 65 AMG 181
Transmission fluid 293
Auxiliary fuse box 417
B
BabySmart
TM
Air bag deactivation system 73
Compatible child seats 73, 443
Self-test 73
BabySmart
TM air bag deactivation
system 443
Backrest supports
Lumbar region 123
Shoulder region 123
Backup lamps 395, 400
Bulbs 395
Bar 323
BAS 80, 444
Batteries, SmartKey
Check lamp 95
Checking 95
Replacing 392
Batteries, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Checking 101
Battery discharged
Jump starting 411Battery, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Check lamp 101
Replacing 393
Battery, vehicle 295, 408
Charging 409
Disconnecting 409
Reconnecting 410
Reinstalling 409
Removing 409
Bead 323
Bi-Xenon headlamps 444
Block heater (Canada only) 328
Blocking
Rear window operation 77
Brake assist system (BAS) 444
Brake fluid 285, 437
Brake lamp bulbs 395
Brake lamp, high mounted 395
Brake pads
Message in display 361
Brakes 274
High-performance brake system
(S 65 AMG only) 275
Warning lamp 341
Break-in period 272

465 Index
Mph or km/h in speedometer 163
Multicontour backrest* 122
Multifunction display 143, 447
Selecting language 164
Standard display 147
Multifunction display messages
ABC 351
ABS 353
Airmatic 358
Brake fluid 361
Brake pads 361
Check engine 342, 343
Coolant 363
Coolant level 362
Distronic* 354
Doors 365
Engine 342, 343
Engine oil level 366
Entry position 368
Hood 368Lamps 371
Parking brake 360
Selector lever 357
SmartKey 368
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 368
TeleAid 374
Telephone* 374
Tires 376–383
Trunk 375
Washer fluid 375
Multifunction steering wheel 26, 144,
447
Buttons 144
N
Navigation system
Operating 155
See separate COMAND* operating in-
structions
Night security illumination 133
Normal occupant weight 324O
Occupant distribution 324
Occupant safety 60
Air bags 61
Children and air bags 62
Children in the vehicle 71
Fastening the seat belt 43
Infant and child restraint systems 71
LATCH child seat anchors 75
Seat belts 43, 64
Oil
Adding 292
Consumption 288
Dipstick 288
Filler neck 291, 292, 293
Viscosity 445
Oil level
Checking 286
Oil level via control system
Checking 289