Maintenance - Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Operator's Manual

Driving tips
136
Wet roads
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 the vehicle has
been washed or driven through deep water.
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 vehi-
cle washed, brake firmly while paying atten-
tion to the traffic conditions. This will warm up
the brake discs, thereby drying them more
quickly and protecting them against corro-
sion.
Limited braking performance on salt-
treated roads
If you drive on salted roads, a layer of salt
residue may form on the brake discs and
brake pads. This can result in a significantly
longer braking distance.
Brake occasionally to remove any possible
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salt residue. Make sure that you do not
endanger other road users when doing so.
Carefully depress the brake pedal and the
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beginning and end of a journey.
Maintain a greater distance to the vehicle
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ahead.
Servicing the brakes
! If the red brake warning lamp lights up in
the instrument cluster and you hear a warn-
ing tone while the engine is running, the
brake fluid level may be too low. Observe
additional warning messages in the multi-
function display.
The brake fluid level may be too low due to
brake pad wear or leaking brake lines.
Have the brake system checked immedi-
ately. This work should be carried out at a
qualified specialist workshop.
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! As the ESP system operates automati-
cally, the engine and the ignition must be
switched off (the SmartKey must be in posi-
tion 0 or 1 in the ignition lock or the Start/
Stop button must be in position 0 or 1) if:
the electric parking brake is tested using
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a brake dynamometer.
the vehicle is towed with one axle raised.
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Braking triggered automatically by ESP
may seriously damage the brake system.
All checks and maintenance work on the
brake system must be carried out at a quali-
fied specialist workshop. Have this work car-
ried out at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Have the brake pads replaced and the brake
fluid renewed at a qualified specialist work-
shop, e.g. an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
If the brake system has only been subject to
moderate loads, you should test the function-
ality of your brakes at regular intervals. At a
high speed, brake firmly while paying atten-
tion to the traffic conditions. This improves
the grip of the brake pads.
You can find a description of Brake Assist
(BAS) on ( page 55).
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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 vehi-
cle'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 corresponds 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.
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