New Brake Pads/Linings - SMART forfour Owner's Manual

i
This also applies if you have activated
cruise control or the speed limiter.
This will use the braking effect of the
engine, so less braking will be required to
prevent the vehicle from gaining speed.
This relieves the load on the brake system
and prevents the brakes from overheating
and wearing too quickly.
Heavy and light loads
G
WARNING
The braking system can overheat if you
leave your foot on the brake pedal while
driving. This increases the braking dis-
tance and could even cause the braking sys-
tem to fail. There is a risk of an accident.
Never use the brake pedal as a footrest. Do
not simultaneously depress both the brake
pedal and the accelerator pedal while driv-
ing.
! Depressing the brake pedal constantly
results in excessive and premature wear
to the brake pads.
If heavy demands are made on the brakes, do
not park the vehicle immediately. Drive on
for a short while. This allows the airflow to
cool the brakes more quickly.
If the brakes have been used only moder-
ately, you should occasionally test their
effectiveness. To do this, brake more
firmly from a higher speed, paying atten-
tion to traffic conditions. This improves
the grip of the brakes.
Wet road surfaces
If you have driven for a long time in heavy
rain without braking, there may be a
delayed reaction from the brakes when
braking for the first time. This may also
occur after a car wash or after driving
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
vehicle washed, brake firmly while paying
attention to the traffic conditions. This
will warm up the brake discs, thereby dry-
ing them more quickly and protecting them
against corrosion.
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 dis-
tance considerably.
Brake occasionally to remove any salt
R
that may have started to build up. Ensure
that you do not endanger other road users
when doing so.
Carefully depress the brake pedal at the
R
end of the journey and when starting the
next journey.
Maintain a much greater distance to the
R
vehicle in front.

New brake pads/linings

New or replaced brake pads/linings and
discs only reach their optimum braking
effect after several hundred kilometres of
driving. Compensate for the reduced brak-
ing effect by applying greater force to the
brake pedal.
When having brake pads/linings fitted,
smart recommends that for safety reasons
you only use those which are approved for
smart vehicles or are of an equivalent
quality standard. Brake pads/linings
which have not been approved for smart
vehicles or which are not of an equivalent
quality could affect your vehicle's oper-
ating safety.
Driving tips
143
Z