brake pads MERCEDES-BENZ SLR 2009 R199 Owner's Manual

89 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
The electro-hydraulic brake servo assis-
tance switches off automatically

approximately 2 minutes after you
turned the SmartKey in the starter
switch to position0 or removed the
SmartKey


approximately 20 seconds after you
locked the vehicle from the outside
Notes on driving with the
electro-hydraulic brake system


Following extended periods of only mi-
nor loads to your brake system, you
should occasionally apply the brakes
when traveling at high speeds. This im-
proves the grip of the brake pads and
prevents possible brake noise.


After driving on wet or snow-covered
roads, you should apply your brakes
firmly before parking your vehicle. This
produces heat which serves to dry the
brake disks.


On long and steep grades, shift to a
lower gear (gear range1, 2, or 3) to
prevent the brakes from overheating
and to reduce brake wear. If you need
to brake, do not keep the brake pedal
depressed, instead depress it repeat-
edly in short intervals.


After hard braking, it is advisable to
drive on for some time so that the air
stream will cool down the brakes
faster.


Only Mercedes-Benz approved compo-
nents (e.g. brake pads) should be
installed on your vehicle. Brake pads
not approved by Mercedes-Benz may
impair the safety of your vehicle.
Warning!
G
Have brake pad replacement and other work
on the electro-hydraulic brake system car-
ried out by qualified technicians only. Con-
tact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for further information. The electro-hydrau-
lic brake system must be deactivated prior
to working on the system. High pressure is
intermittently built up in the system as part
of its automatic self-test. In addition, the
system is automatically activated when the
vehicle is unlocked by remote control, when
the driver or passenger door is opened,
when the SmartKey in the starter switch is
turned to position1, when the brake pedal
is depressed or when the parking brake is
released. Failure to deactivate the system
prior to maintenance will cause brake pis-
tons to extend and brake fluid to leak, which
may result in injuries (contusions and acid
burns). Extended brake pistons may also
cause injury.
Warning!
G
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking
maneuvers.

236 OperationDriving instructionsPower assistance
Brakes
Refer to the description of the Brake Assist
System (BAS) (
page 84).
Warning!
G
The brake system requires electrical energy
for operation.
A malfunction in the vehicle’s power supply
or electrical system may impair brake sys-
tem operation and switch it into its emer-
gency operation mode. In such a case, the
red brake warning lamp (
page 307) and
warning messages (
page 319) in the in-
strument cluster come on while driving. To
brake, the driver must then apply signifi-
cantly greater brake pedal pressure and de-
press the pedal much further to obtain the
expected braking effect. If necessary, apply
full pressure to the brake pedal. Brakes are
only applied to the front wheels. Stopping
distance is increased! If there is a malfunc-
tion in the electro-hydraulic brake system,
we recommend that the vehicle be trans-
ported with all wheels off the ground using
flatbed or appropriate wheel lift/dolly
equipment.
A tow bar must be used if circumstances do
not permit the use of the recommended
towing methods and the vehicle requires
towing with all four wheels on the ground.
Towing the vehicle with all four wheels on
the ground is only permissible for distances
up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a speed not to
exceed 30 mph (50 km/h). For more infor-
mation, see “Towing the vehicle”
(page 373).
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.
i
The brake system is designed to decelerate
your SLR from high speeds at the best possible
rate. Depending on the applied brake force,
speed, and ambient conditions, the brake sys-
tem may produce a squeak-type noise when you
apply the brakes at a moderate rate, e.g. at city
traffic. If you experience this noise, you should
occasionally test the effectiveness of the brakes
by applying above-normal braking pressure at
high speeds. Please perform this braking proce-
dure three times. This will also enhance the grip
of the brake pads. If the noise continuous,
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.Warning!
G
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking
maneuvers.

237 Operation
Driving instructions
Downhill grades
Continuous or hard braking
After hard braking, it is advisable to drive
on for some time, rather than to park im-
mediately, so the air stream will cool down
the brakes faster.Wet roads
The first time the brakes are applied after
a long period of driving in heavy rain with-
out braking, it is possible that:


there will be a delayed braking re-
sponse


you will need to depress the brake ped-
al more firmly
You should therefore maintain a greater
distance from the vehicle in front.To 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.
Salty roads
!
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.
Warning!
G
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 or in the total loss of braking per-
formance. It may not be possible to stop the
vehicle in sufficient time to avoid an
accident.
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
effect. Maintain a safe distance from
vehicles in front.
Warning!
G
A layer of salt on the brake discs and the
brake linings may cause a delay in the brak-
ing effect, resulting in a significantly in-
creased braking distance, which could lead
to an accident.


238 OperationDriving instructions
Brake service
If the parking brake is released and the red
brake warning lamp in the instrument clus-
ter stays on, there is a malfunction in the
electro-hydraulic brake system
(page 307) or 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.
Observe additional messages that may
appear in the multifunction display
(page 335).Have the brake system inspected
immediately. 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.
To avoid this danger, you should:

occasionally brake carefully when you
are driving on salted roads, so that any
layer of salt that may have built up on
the brake discs and the brake linings is
removed without putting other road us-
ers at risk


maintain a greater distance to the vehi-
cle ahead and drive with particular care


carefully apply the brakes at the end of
a trip and immediately after commenc-
ing a new trip, so that salt residues are
removed from the brake disc
!
Because the ESP
® operates automatically,
the engine must be shut off (SmartKey in starter
switch position 0 or1) when the parking brake is
being tested on a brake test dynamometer.
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
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.
Be certain to read and observe the warning
notices on brake pad replacement
(page 89).


239 Operation
Driving instructions
High performance driving
The rate of wear of individual brake system
components, such as brake pads or disks,
depends on your driving style and the con-
ditions under which you operate the vehi-
cle.
It is therefore not possible to give a gener-
ally applicable service life. High perfor-
mance driving, such as driving on closed
circuit race tracks or an aggressive driving
style, will cause the brakes to wear more
quickly.
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
(page 311).
i
Please contact your PLM or any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center before operating the
vehicle under such demanding operating condi-
tions for more information.
Warning!
G
Repetitive excessive load on the brake
system may particularly cause the brake
system to overheat and can thus reduce the
braking power, or even cause brake system
components to fail due to increased wear.
You could lose control of the vehicle and
cause an accident. Installation and examina-
tion of brake system assemblies requires
specialist knowledge. Therefore, after high
performance driving, have the brake system
checked and maintained by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
!
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 brakes reduces engine
performance and causes premature brake and
drivetrain wear.

294 OperationMaintenanceIn order to maintain the performance and
safety of your vehicle, we strongly recom-
mend that you have your vehicle serviced
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center,
every 12 months, even if the vehicle has
covered less than 10 000 miles
(15 000 km) in that time.
The maintenance service indicator will
notify you when the next maintenance ser-
vice is due within the next 12 months or
10 000 miles (15 000 km), whichever
comes sooner.Before the next maintenance service is
due, one of the following messages will ap-
pear in the right multifunction display while
you are driving or when you switch on the
ignition:
Service In .. Days
Service In .. Miles

When the maintenance service is due, the
following message appears in the multi-
function display:
Service Due Now
Clearing the maintenance service indicator message
The maintenance service indicator mes-
sage is automatically cleared after 30 sec-
onds when you switch on the ignition. You
can also clear it yourself.
1Reset button
Press reset button 1.
The maintenance service indicator
message is cleared and the standard
display appears in the multifunction
display (
page 117).
!
Failure to have the vehicle maintained in ac-
cordance with the Maintenance Booklet and
maintenance service indicator at the designated
times/mileage will result in vehicle damage not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
!
Excessive load on the brake system causes
increased wear of brake pads and brake disks. If
the brake pads have to be replaced multiple
times within one maintenance service interval,
the brake disks must be checked. Observe the
information given in the Maintenance Booklet
and contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.

339 Practical hints
What to do if ...
Left display
Right display
Possible cause/
consequence
Possible solution
;
(USA only)
3
(Canada only)
Brake
Service
Required
There are malfunctions, but the
electro-hydraulic brake system
is operating normally.

Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
immediately.
Release
Parking Brake
You are driving with the parking
brake set.

Release the parking brake (
page 49).
2
Brake Wear
The brake pads have reached
their wear limit.

Have the brake pads replaced as soon as pos-
sible.
!
Brake pad thickness must be visually
checked by a qualified technician at the intervals
specified in the Maintenance Booklet.
Excessive load on the brake system causes in-
creased wear of brake pads and brake disks. If
the brake pads have to be replaced multiple
times within one maintenance service interval,
the brake disks must be checked. Observe the
information given in the Maintenance Booklet
and contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Warning!
G
Have brake pad replacement and other work
on the electro-hydraulic brake system car-
ried out by qualified technicians only. Con-
tact your Mercedes-Benz Center for further
information. The electro-hydraulic brake
system must be deactivated prior to working
on the system. High pressure is intermit-
tently built up in the system as part of its
automatic self-test. In addition, the system
is automatically activated when the vehicle
is unlocked by remote control, when the
driver or passenger door is opened, when
the SmartKey in the starter switch is turned
to position1, when the brake pedal is
depressed or when the parking brake is
released.
Failure to deactivate the system prior to
maintenance will cause brake pistons to
extend and brake fluid to leak, which may
result in injuries (contusions and acid
burns), see “Electro-hydraulic brake sys-
tem” (
page 87).

411 Index
Bluetooth
® interface 213
Storage location 210
Body surface 297
Brake
Electro-hydraulic brake system 87
Brake Assist System see BAS
Brake disks
Wear 239
Brake fluid 393, 396
Checking 249
Messages in the multifunction
display 335
Brake lamps 362
High-mounted brake lamp 362
Messages in the multifunction
display 346
Brake pads
Messages in the multifunction
display 339
Wear 239
Brakes 236
Excessive loads 239
Warning lamp 29, 307Break-in period 234
Bulbs
Messages in the multifunction
display 346
Replacing 361
C
CAC 403
California retail buyers and lessees, impor-
tant notice for 15
Call priority, Tele Aid 220
CAN system 403
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants 393
Cargo area see Trunk
Cassette player 154
Catalytic converter 245
CD changer 158
Location 159
CD player 127
Center console
Lower part 32
Upper part 31
Central lockingAutomatic 104, 139
Central locking switch 31
Locking/unlocking from inside 105
Central locking switch 105
Child restraints 60
Children in the vehicle 76
Air bags 63
Indicator lamp, passenger front air
bag 70
Infant and child restraint systems 60,
70, 79
Occupant Classification System
(OCS) 67
Passenger front air bag off indicator
lamp 70, 317
Cigarette lighter 210
Cleaning
Soft top 300
Clock 29, 133
Setting time 134
Closed circuit racing
Brakes 239
Cockpit 26, 403
Cold tire inflation pressure 286

418 IndexLow-beam headlamps 106, 107
Messages in the multifunction
display 348
Replacing bulbs 361
Switching on 51
Lubricants 393
M
Main odometer 29
Maintenance 294, 370
Calling up service indicator 296
Resetting service indicator 296
Service indicator 294
Service term exceeded 295
Manual headlamp mode 107
Manual shift program, Automatic
transmission 178
Map pocket in passenger footwell 209
Maximum load rating, Tires 287
Maximum loaded vehicle weight 287
Maximum tire inflation pressure 287
Mechanical key 357
Menus see Control system menusMessages (on-board computer)
Soft top 354
Messages in display see Multifunction dis-
play messages 319
Microphone, Hands-free 33
Mirrors 181
Adjusting 43
Auto-dimming 181
Exterior rear view mirror 44
Interior rear view mirror 44
Mobile phone
Pairing with Bluetooth
®
interface 213
MON 247, 405
Motor Octane Number see MON
Multifunction display 117, 405
Changing settings see Control system
menus and Control system
submenus 117
Left 29
Right 29
Selecting language 133
Multifunction display messages
ABS 321, 322ACL malfunction 328
Airbrake 332
Battery, Vehicle 332
Brake pads 339
Coolant 340
Coolant level 340
Differential 343
Doors 353
Electro-hydraulic brake system 334
Engine oil 344
ESP
®
323
Fuel system 344
Hood 353
Lamps 346
Parking brake 339
Passenger front air bag 326
Reserve fuel 345
Seat belt 353
Service brake 339
SmartKey 345