Maintenance - Mercedes-Benz SL Operator's Manual

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.
In order to prevent any salt build-up, apply the
R
brakes occasionally while paying attention to
the traffic conditions.
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
!
The brake fluid level may be too low, if:
if the red brake warning lamp lights up in
R
the instrument cluster and
you hear a warning tone while the engine is
R
running
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.
Consult a qualified specialist workshop to
arrange this.
!
®
As the ESP system operates automatically,
the engine and the ignition system must be
switched off (SmartKey in position 0 or 1 in
the ignition lock or Start/Stop button in posi-
tion 0 or 1) when:
testing the parking brake on a brake dyna-
R
mometer.
you intend to have the vehicle towed with
R
the front axle raised.
Braking maneuvers triggered automatically
®
by ESP may seriously damage the brake sys-
tem.
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 the brake system has only been subject to
moderate loads, you should test the functional-
ity of your brakes at regular intervals.
Information on BAS (Brake Assist) (
and on Brake Assist with Cross-Traffic Assist
( page 59).
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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 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.
High-performance and ceramic brake
system (Mercedes-AMG vehicles)
The AMG brake systems are designed for heavy
loads. This may lead to noise when braking. This
will depend on:
Speed
R
Braking force
R
Ambient conditions, e.g. temperature and
R
humidity
The wear of individual components of the brake
system, such as the brake pads/linings or brake
discs, depends on the individual driving style
and operating conditions.
For this reason, it is impossible to state a mile-
age that will be valid under all circumstances. An
aggressive driving style will lead to high wear.
You can obtain more information on this from a
qualified specialist workshop.
New and replaced brake pads and discs only
reach their optimum braking effect after several
hundred kilometers of driving. Compensate for
this by applying greater force to the brake pedal.
Keep this in mind, and adapt your driving and
braking accordingly during this break-in period.
Excessive heavy braking results in correspond-
ingly high brake wear. Observe the brake system
warning lamp in the instrument cluster and note
any brake status messages in the multifunction
display. Especially for high performance driving,
it is important to maintain and have the brake
system checked regularly.
Driving tips
151
page 58)
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