Mercedes-Benz 2008 C 300 4MATIC Sport, Operator'S Manual

Page: 183 / 406

Wet roads
If you have driven for a long time in heavy rain
without braking, there may be a delayed reac-
tion from the brakes when braking for the first
time. This may also occur after the vehicle has
been washed or driven through deep water.
You have to depress the brake pedal more
firmly. Maintain a greater distance from the
vehicle in front.
After driving on a wet road or having the vehi-
cle washed, brake firmly while paying atten-
tion to the traffic conditions. This will warm up
the brake discs, thereby drying them more
quickly and protecting them against corro-
sion.
Limited braking performance on salt-
treated roads
If you drive on salted roads, a layer of salt
residue may form on the brake discs and
brake pads. This can result in a significantly
longer braking distance.
R
In order to prevent any salt build-up, apply
the brakes occasionally while paying atten-
tion to the traffic conditions.
R
Carefully depress the brake pedal and the
beginning and end of a journey.
R
Maintain a greater distance to the vehicle
ahead.
Servicing the brakes
!
If the red brake warning lamp lights up in
the instrument cluster and you hear a warn-
ing tone while the engine is running, the
brake fluid level may be too low. Observe
additional warning messages in the multi-
function display.
The brake fluid level may be too low due to
brake pad wear or leaking brake lines.
Have the brake system checked immedi-
ately. This work should be carried out at a
qualified specialist workshop.
! A function or performance test should
only be carried out on a 2-axle dynamom-
eter. If you wish to operate the vehicle on
such a dynamometer, please consult an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center in
advance. You could otherwise damage the
drive train or the brake system.
!
The ESP
®
system operates automatically.
The engine and the ignition must therefore
be switched off (the SmartKey must be in
position 0 or 1 in the ignition lock or the
Start/Stop button must be in position 0 or
1) if the electric parking brake is tested on
a brake dynamometer.
Braking triggered automatically by ESP
®
may cause severe damage to the brake
system.
All checks and maintenance work on the
brake system must be carried out at a quali-
fied specialist workshop. Consult a qualified
specialist workshop to arrange this.
Have brake pads installed and brake fluid
replaced at a qualified specialist workshop.
If the brake system has only been subject to
moderate loads, you should test the function-
ality of your brakes at regular intervals.
Information on BAS (Brake Assist) (
Y
page 67)
and BAS PLUS (Brake Assist PLUS)
(
Y
page 67).
For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends only installing the following brake
disks and brake pads/linings:
R
brake disks that have been approved by
Mercedes-Benz
R
brake pads/linings that have been
approved by Mercedes-Benz or that are of
an equivalent standard of quality
Other brake disks or brake pads/linings can
compromise the safety of your vehicle.
Always replace all brake disks and brake
pads/linings on an axle at the same time.
Always install new brake pads/linings when
replacing brake disks.
The vehicle is equipped with lightweight
brake disks to which the wheel assembly with
rim and threaded connection is matched.
Driving tips
181
Driv
ing
and
parking
Z