Mercedes-Benz SL 2008 Owner's Manual page 61

Safety
Driving safety systems
G Risk of accident
If there is a fault in the power supply or the
vehicle's electrical system, the SBC
brake system enters emergency mode
because it requires electrical power to
operate. Greater braking force will then be
required and the brake pedal travel and
braking distance will be longer. If neces-
sary, depress the brake pedal with maxi-
mum force.
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The SBC brake system is automatically acti-
vated if you:
unlock the vehicle using the key or the KEY-
R
LESS GO* system
open the driver's or front-passenger door
R
switch on the ignition
R
R press the KEYLESS GO button* on the
selector lever once on vehicles with KEY-
LESS GO
depress the brake pedal
R
release the parking brake
R
i
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If you activate the SBC brake system
with the brake pedal, pedal resistance is
less than normal the first time you depress
the brake. There is also more pedal travel
58
than normal. Pedal travel returns to normal
when you release the brake pedal. You may
feel the brake pedal pulsate when you
TM
release it, and hear a sound. This sound,
which is produced by the SBC
ceases after a short time.
G Risk of injury
If the SBC TM brake system is not deactiva-
ted before maintenance work — especially
brake pad/lining replacement — this could
result in injury. If the system is active, it
carries out self-tests, automatically build-
ing up high pressures in the brake system
for test purposes. The brake calliper pis-
tons are forced out, which can result in
crush injuries. Brake fluid may escape,
which can result in acid burns.
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The SBC brake system must be deacti-
vated before maintenance work is carried
out. You can obtain information on how to
deactivate the SBC
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
G Risk of injury
Only have the brake pads/linings replaced
and other work on the SBC
carried out at a qualified specialist work-
shop. Consult a qualified specialist work-
shop which has the necessary specialist
knowledge and tools to carry out the work
required.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you use
TM
pump,
a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre for this
purpose. In particular, work relevant to
safety or on safety-related systems must be
carried out at a qualified specialist work-
shop.
The SBC
matically deactivated:
after approximately 20 seconds if you lock
R
the vehicle from the outside
after approximately two minutes if you turn
R
the key to position 0 in the ignition lock or
remove it from the ignition lock
Tips for driving with SBC
You should downshift (1st, 2nd or 3rd gear)
R
TM
brake system at any
when driving on long and steep downhill
gradients. This prevents the brakes from
overheating or wearing too quickly.
Continue driving for a short time after sub-
R
TM brake system jecting the brakes to a heavy load. This
allows the airflow to cool the brakes more
quickly.
TM
brake system brake boost is auto-
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* optional