Mercedes-Benz GLK 300 4MATIC 2012 Owner's Manual page 171

Driving tips
168
quickly and protecting them against corro-
sion.
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 con-
siderably.
Brake occasionally to remove any possible
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salt residue. Ensure that you do not endan-
ger other road users when doing so.
Carefully depress the brake pedal at the
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end of the journey and when starting the
next journey.
Maintain a much greater distance to the
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vehicle in front.
New brake pads/linings
New brake pads/brake pads and discs that
have been replaced only achieve optimum
braking effect after several hundred kilome-
tres 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 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.
Parking brake
G WARNING
If you must brake the vehicle with the parking
brake, the braking distance is considerably
longer and the wheels could lock. This increa-
ses the risk of skidding and an accident.
Only use the parking brake to brake the vehi-
cle when the service brake is faulty. Do not
apply the parking brake too firmly. If the
wheels lock, release the parking brake until
the wheels begin turning again.
If you brake the vehicle with the parking
brake, the brake lamps will not light up.
If you drive on wet roads or dirt-covered sur-
faces, road salt and/or dirt could get into the
parking brake.
In order to prevent corrosion and a reduction
in the braking power of the parking brake,
observe the following:
Gently depress the parking brake from time
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to time before beginning the journey.
Drive for approximately 100 m at a maxi-
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mum speed of 20 km/h.
Driving on wet roads
Aquaplaning
If water has accumulated to a certain depth
on the road surface, there is a danger of aqua-
planing occurring, even if:
you are driving at low speeds
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the tyres have adequate tread depth.
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For this reason, do not drive in tyre ruts, and
brake carefully.
Driving on flooded roads
If you have to drive on stretches of road on
which water has collected, please bear in
mind that:
the maximum permissible still water depth
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is 30 cm.
you should drive no faster than walking
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pace.
! Bear in mind that vehicles travelling in
front or in the opposite direction create
waves. This may cause the maximum per-
missible water depth to be exceeded.
These notes must be observed under all
circumstances. You could otherwise dam-
age the engine, the electronics or the trans-
mission.