Heavy and light loads
G
WARNING
The braking system can overheat if you leave
your foot on the brake pedal while driving.
This increases the braking distance and could
even cause the braking system to fail. There is
a risk of an accident.
Never use the brake pedal as a footrest. Do
not simultaneously depress both the brake
pedal and the accelerator pedal while driving.
!
Depressing the brake pedal constantly
results in excessive and premature wear to
the brake pads.
If the brakes have been subjected to a heavy
load, do not stop the vehicle immediately, but
drive on for a short while. This allows the airflow
to cool the brakes more quickly.
If the brakes have been used only moderately,
you should occasionally test their effectiveness.
To do this, brake more firmly from a higher
speed while paying attention to the traffic con-
ditions. This improves the grip of the brakes.
Wet road surfaces
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 a car wash or
after driving through deep water.
You will have to depress the brake pedal more
firmly. Maintain a greater distance to the vehicle
in front.
After driving on a wet road or having the vehicle
washed, brake firmly while paying attention to
the traffic conditions. This will warm up the
brake discs, thereby drying them more quickly
and protecting them against corrosion.
Limited braking performance on salt-
treated roads
If you drive on salt-treated roads, a layer of salt
may form on the brake discs and pads. This can
increase the braking distance considerably.
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In order to prevent any salt build-up, apply the
brakes occasionally while paying attention to
the traffic conditions.
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Carefully depress the brake pedal at the end
of the journey and when starting the next
journey.
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Maintain a much greater distance to the vehi-
cle in front.
New brake pads/linings
Brake pads/linings and discs that are either new
or have been replaced only achieve optimum
braking effect after several hundred kilometres
of driving. Compensate for the reduced braking
effect by applying greater force to the brake
pedal.
For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends that you only have brake pads/linings
fitted to your vehicle which have been approved
for Mercedes-Benz vehicles or which corre-
spond to an equivalent quality standard. Brake
pads/linings which have not been approved for
Mercedes-Benz vehicles or which are not of an
equivalent quality could affect your vehicle's
operating safety.
Driving on wet roads
Aquaplaning
If water has accumulated to a certain depth on
the road surface, there is a danger of aquaplan-
ing occurring, even if:
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you are driving at low speeds
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the tyres have adequate tread depth
For this reason, drive in the following manner in
the event of heavy rain or in conditions in which
aquaplaning can occur:
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lower your speed
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avoid tyre ruts
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avoid sudden steering movements
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brake carefully
Driving on flooded roads
!
Bear in mind that vehicles travelling in front
or in the opposite direction create waves. This
may cause the maximum permissible water
depth to be exceeded.
Driving tips
161
Driving
and
parking
Z
