Mercedes-Benz 1982 380 SL, Owner'S Manual

Page: 49 / 89

The condition of the parking brake
will be checked during every main­
tenance service. Furthermore it is
recommended to exert once or
twice between the regular main­
tenance services, a maximum pres­
sure of
10
kp
/22
lb on the parking
brake pedal for
10
seconds while
travelling at a speed around
50 km /h/30 mph on dry road. Pull
release knob during this process!
Repeat procedure once or twice.
Exercise care, the stoplamps do
not work. Have all inspections of
and work on the brake system
carried out by a MERCEDES-BENZ
service station. If the parking brake
is released and the brake warning
lamp in the instrument cluster
comes on, the brake fluid level in
the reservoir is too low.
Brake pad wear or a leak in the
system may be the reason for loss
of brake fluid in the reservoir.
Have the brake system inspected
at a MERCEDES-BENZ service
station w ithout delay.
Install only brake pads recomm en­
ded by us. If other than recom m en­
ded brake pads are installed, the
braking properties of the vehicle
can be affected to an extent that
the safety is substantially impaired.
Brake Pad Wear Indicator Lamp
The brake pad wear indicator lamp
in the instrument cluster com es on
when the key in the steering lock is
turned to driving position “
2
” and it
must go out when the engine is
running. If the indicator lamp lights
up during braking, this shows that
the front wheel brake pads are
worn down.
Have brake system checked in a
MERCEDES-BENZ service station
as soon as possible.
Safe Driving
Brake Fluid
During the course of the operation
of the vehicle, the boiling point of
the brake fluid is continuously being
reduced through the absorption of
moisture from the atmosphere.
Under extrem ely hard operating
conditions, this moisture content
can lead to the formation of vapor
in the system thus reducing the
system ’s efficiency. The brake fluid
m ust therefore be replaced annual­
ly, preferably in the spring. It is re­
comm ended to use only brake fluid
approved by MERCEDES-BENZ.
Your MERCEDES-BENZ dealer will
provide you with additional infor­
mation.
Charge Indicator Lamp
Should the charge indicator lamp
fail to com e on prior to starting
when the ignition key is in position
“
2
” or should it fail to go out after
starting o r during operation, this
indicates a fault which must be re­
paired at a MERCEDES-BENZ
service station as soon as possible.
47