Mercedes-Benz recommends installing a fuel filter
with a water separator for countries with an
increased water content in diesel.
Unsuitable fuel can cause engine damage. Infor-
mation about fuel can be found in the "Fuel" sec-
tion (
/
page 287).
&
WARNING Risk of skidding and of an acci-
dent due to shifting down on slippery road
surfaces
If you shift down on slippery road surfaces to
increase the engine braking effect, the drive
wheels may lose traction.
#
Do not shift down on slippery road surfa-
ces to increase the engine braking
effect.
&
WARNING Risk of accident due to the
brake system overheating
If you leave your foot on the brake pedal when
driving, the brake system may overheat.
This increases the braking distance and the
brake system can even fail.
#
Never use the brake pedal as a footrest.
#
Do not depress the brake pedal and the
accelerator pedal at the same time while
driving.
*
NOTE Wearing out the brake linings by
continuously depressing the brake pedal
#
Do not depress the brake pedal continu-
ously whilst driving.
#
To use the braking effect of the engine,
shift to a lower gear in good time.
Downhill gradients
On long and steep downhill gradients you should
observe the following instructions:
R
in vehicles with an automatic transmission,
shift down to shift ranges 2 or 1 in good time
so that the engine is running at a medium to
high engine speed (
/
page 125).
%
Change the shift range in good time when
cruise control is activated. Observe the driving
tips (
/
page 111).
You thereby make use of the braking effect of the
engine and do not have to brake as often to main-
tain the speed. This relieves the load on the
service brake and prevents the brakes from over-
heating and wearing too quickly.
Heavy and light loads
If the brakes have been subjected to a heavy load,
do not stop the vehicle immediately. Drive on for a
short while. The brakes cool down more quickly in
the airflow.
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 conditions. The
brakes will grip better as a result.
Wet road surfaces
If you have been driving for a long time in heavy
rain without braking, there may be a delayed
response when you first apply the brakes. This may
also occur after driving through a car wash or deep
water. You must depress the brake pedal more
firmly. Maintain a greater distance to the vehicle in
front.
While paying attention to the traffic conditions, you
should brake the vehicle firmly after driving on a
wet road surface or through a car wash. This heats
the brake disks so that they dry more quickly,
which protects them against corrosion.
Limited braking effect on salt-treated roads:
R
a layer of salt on the brake disks or brake lin-
ings can increase braking distances considera-
bly, or braking may happen on only one side
R
maintain an especially large safe distance to
the vehicle in front
To remove the layer of salt:
R
apply the brakes from time to time, paying
attention to traffic conditions
R
carefully depress the brake pedal at the end of
a journey and after the start of a new journey
Checking the brake lining thickness
In addition to monitoring using the brake lining
wear sensor, regularly monitor and check all of the
brake linings by performing a visual inspection to
look for material wear on the pads.
If you are unable to check the brake lining wear on
the inside of the wheels, remove the wheels if you
possess the required skills, or visit a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
If the brake lining material thickness is less than
0.12 in (3 mm), have the brake linings checked and
replaced at a qualified specialist workshop, if nec-
essary.
114 Driving and parking
