brake pads MERCEDES-BENZ S550 2007 W221 Owner's Manual

480 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 71).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 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.
Warning!
G
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking ma-
neuvers.

481 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.
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.
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 prevent overheating of the brakes and
reduces brake pad wear.
When using the engine’s braking power, a drive
wheel may not spin for an extended 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 War-
ranty.
!
Simultaneously depressing the accelerator
pedal and applying the brake reduces 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, be-
fore turning off the engine and leaving the
vehicle always:

Keep right foot on brake pedal.


Firmly depress parking brake pedal.


Shift the automatic transmission toP.


Slowly release brake pedal.


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


541 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, solvents
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 clean-
ing the rear part of the tilt/sliding panel.
Otherwise you may scratch or damage the pro-
tective layer.
!
Only use acid-free cleaning materials. Acid
may cause corrosion or damage the clear coat.
!
The vehicle should not be parked for an ex-
tended 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. There-
fore, 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.
!
Do not use oil or wax on these parts.
!
To prevent scratches, do not use scouring
agents.

575 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Service
See Oper. Manual
S 600 only:
The brake system sensors are malfunction-
ing. The brake system continues to function
normally with full brake force boost.

Continue driving with added caution.

Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
(USA only)(Canada only)
Brake wear
The brake pads have reached their wear
limit.

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

681 Index
Batteries, vehicle 634
Charging 637
Discharged, Jump starting 639
Disconnecting 636
For electrical consumers 634
For starter 634
Message in display 586
Reconnecting 638
Removing 637
Bead 526
Beverage holder see Cup holder
Bi-Xenon headlamps see Headlamps
Bluetooth
Settings (COMAND) 217
Brake assist system (BAS Plus) 71
Brake assist system (BAS) 71
Brake fluid 490, 662, 663
Brake lamp bulbs 622
Brake lamp, high mounted 622
Brake pads
Message in display 575
Brake warning lamp 29
Brakes 480
Warning lamp 545Break-in period 478
Bulbs, replacing 621
Additional turn signals 622
Brake lamps 622
Fog lamps 622
Front lamps 622
High beam 622
High mounted brake lamp 622
License plate lamps 622
Low beam 622
Parking and standing lamps 622
Rear fog lamp 622
Turn signal lamps 622
C
CAC (Customer Assistance Center) 670
California retail buyers and lessees, impor-
tant notice for 15
Can holder see Cup holder
CAN system 670
Canceling
Cruise control 382
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants 661Cargo area see Trunk
Cargo tie-down hooks 453
Carpets, Cleaning and care of 542
Catalytic converter 487
CD
Ejecting (COMAND) 109
Loading (COMAND) 107
Menu overview (COMAND) 110
Playback options (COMAND) 114
Selecting a medium (COMAND) 112
Selecting a track (COMAND) 113
CD (COMAND) 104
Central locking
Automatic 313
Locking/unlocking from inside 314
Central locking/unlocking switches 314
Certification label 652
Change of address or ownership 16
Changing
Vehicle level (ABC*) 404
Vehicle level (Airmatic) 402

690 IndexLoss of
Key, Mechanical 311
Key, SmartKey 311
Key, SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 311
Service and Warranty Information
Booklet 651
Low beam headlamps
Replacing bulbs 622
Lowering
Vehicle 633
Lubricants 661
Lumbar support (COMAND) 237
M
Maintenance 15, 532
Automatic Call (Tele Aid) 469
Calling up service indicator
display 533
Clearing service indicator
message 532
FSS (Canada vehicles) 532
Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) 532
Resetting service indicator 533
Service indicator message 532
Service term exceeded 533Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles) 674
Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles) 532
Manual headlamp mode 343
MAXCOOL
Maximum cooling 430
Maximum load rating, Tires 527
Maximum loaded vehicle weight 509,
510, 527
Maximum tire inflation pressure 523,
527
Maximum tire load rating 523
Memory function 336
Messages in display see Multifunction dis-
play messages
Microphone, Hands-free 37
Minispare wheel 613, 658
Mounting 629
Mirrors
Activating exterior rear view mirror
parking position 335
Adjusting 332
Auto-dimming for rear view
mirrors 334
Exterior rear view mirrors 332
Interior rear view mirror 332
Mobile phone see Telephone*Modifications and alterations, Operating
safety 19
MON 490, 662
Motor Octane Number see MON
MP3
Menu overview (COMAND) 110
Operation (COMAND) 111
Playback options (COMAND) 114
Selecting a folder (COMAND) 113
Selecting a medium (COMAND) 112
Selecting a track (COMAND) 113
MP3 (COMAND) 104
Multicontour rear seats* 327
Multicontour seats*, front
Adjusting (COMAND) 237
Multifunction display 241, 675
Multifunction display messages
ABC* 570
ABS 572
Airmatic 585
Batteries, vehicle 586
Brake fluid 573
Brake pads 575
Check engine 547
Coolant 588
Coolant level 587