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Aquaplaning:
Depending on the depth of the w ater
layer on the road, aquaplaning may
occur, even at low speeds. Avoid
track grooves in the road and apply
brakes cautiously in the rain.
Tire friction:
A given speed at which a vehicle
driven on dry roads can still be fully
controlled m ust be reduced when the
same vehicle is to be driven safely on
a wet or icy road.
You should pay particular attention to
the condition of the road as soon as
the prevailing tem peratures fall close
to the freezing point.
If ice has form ed on the road, tire
traction will be substantially reduced.
Under such weather conditions, drive,
steer and brake particularly carefully.
We recom mend M + S radial-ply tires
fo r the cold season. On packed snow,
they can reduce your stopping d ist
ance as compared with summ er tires.
Stopping distance, however, is never
theless considerably greater than
when the road is wet o r dry.
Brakes:
When driving down long and steep
declines, relieve the brakes by sh ift
ing into " 3 " o r " 2". This prevents
overheating of the brakes and
reduces brake pad wear.
A fte r hard braking it is advisable to
drive on fo r some time so the air
stream will cool down the brakes
faster.
When driving in heavy rain fo r some
time w ithout applying the brakes, the
firs t braking action may be somewhat
reduced and increased pedal pres
sure may be necessary. For this
reason, stay further away from vehicle
in front.
The condition of the parking brake
system is checked each tim e the car
is in the shop fo r maintenance.
Between maintenance checks it is a
good practice to apply the parking
brake once or twice while driving at
approxim ately 50 km /h /30 mph on a
dry road. A pply brake lightly until a
slight drag on the w heels is felt. Keep
applying brakes fo r about 10 seconds
while pulling release handle out, then
release parking brake completely.
This practice will keep the parking
brake at maximum efficiency.
Safe Driving
Warning!
The stop lamps will not com e on when
applying the parking brake only. Apply
parking brake only when road behind
vehicle is clear of traffic.
All checks and maintenance w ork on
the brake system should be carried
out by a MERCEDES-BENZ dealer.
If the parking brake is released and
the brake warning lamp in the
instrum ent cluster stays on, the brake
fluid level in the reservoir is too low.
Brake pad wear or a leak in the
system may be the reason fo r low
brake fluid in the reservoir.
Have the brake system inspected at
an authorized MERCEDES-BENZ
dealer w ithout delay.
Install only brake pads recom mended
by us. If other than recom m ended
brake pads are installed, the braking
properties of the vehicle can be
affected to an extent that the safety is
substantially impaired.
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