Maintenance - Mercedes-Benz G-Class Operator's Manual

Driving tips
134
Never use the brake pedal as a footrest. Never
depress the brake pedal and the accelerator
pedal at the same time.
!
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.
Wet roads
If driving in heavy rain for a prolonged period of
time without braking, there may be a delayed
reaction from the brakes when braking for the
first time. This may also occur after the vehicle
has been washed.
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 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 salted roads, a layer of salt resi-
due may form on the brake discs and brake
pads. This can result in a significantly longer
braking distance.
Brake occasionally to remove any possible
R
salt residue. Make sure that you do not
endanger other road users when doing so.
Carefully depress the brake pedal and the
R
beginning and end of a journey.
Maintain a greater distance to the vehicle
R
ahead.
Servicing the brakes
!
If the brake warning lamp lights up in the
instrument cluster and you hear a warning
tone even though the parking brake has been
released, the brake fluid level may be too low.
Observe additional warning messages in the
multifunction display.
The brake fluid level may be too low due to
brake pad wear or leaking brake lines.
Have the brake system checked immediately.
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 dynamometer. If
you are planning to have the vehicle tested on
such a dynamometer, contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center to obtain further infor-
mation first. Otherwise, you could damage
the drive train or the brake system.
!
®
As the ESP system operates automatically,
the engine and the ignition must be switched
off (the SmartKey must be in position 0 or 1 in
the ignition lock) if the parking brake is tested
on a brake dynamometer (for a maximum of
ten seconds).
Braking applications triggered automatically
®
by ESP may otherwise seriously damage the
brake system.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you only have
brake pads/linings installed on your vehicle
which have been approved for Mercedes-Benz
vehicles or which correspond 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.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you only use
brake fluid that has been specially approved for
your vehicle by Mercedes-Benz, or which corre-
sponds to an equivalent quality standard. Brake
fluid which has not been approved for
Mercedes-Benz vehicles or which is not of an
equivalent quality could affect your vehicle's
operating safety.
All checks and maintenance work on the brake
system must be carried out at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
Have brake pads installed and brake fluid
replaced at a qualified specialist workshop.
If your brake system is subject only to moderate
loads, you should test the functionality of your
brakes at regular intervals by pressing firmly on
the brake pedal at high speeds. This improves
the grip of the brake pads.
You can find a description of Brake Assist (BAS)
on ( page 56).
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