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Operat ing noise
Noises may occur when braking depend ing on
t
he
speed, braking force and outside conditions such
as temperature and humidity.
Effect of wat er and road salt
I
n certain situations, for example after dr iving
through water, in heavy rain, afte
r
overnig ht con-
densat
ion
or after washing your car, the braking
effect can be reduced by moisture or ice on the
brake rotors and brake pads. The brakes must be
dried first with a few careful brake applications
.
At highe
r
speeds and with the windsh ield wipers
turned on, the brake pads press against the brake
rotors for a short amount of time
.
This occurs at
regular
intervals
without the driver noticing and
provides for better brake
response
time under
wet conditions.
The effectiveness of the brakes can be reduced
when the vehicle is driven on a salt-covered road
and
the
brakes are not
used.
Likewise, you clean
off
accumu lated salt
coat ing from brake discs
and pads with a few cautious applications of the
brake
~
,&..
Corrosion
There
may be a tendency for dirt to build up on
the brake pads and corros ion to form on
the
discs
if
the car
is not driven regularly or only
for
short
tr ips with little use of the brakes
.
If the brakes are not used frequently, or if corro-
sion has formed on the discs,
it
is
advisable
to
clean off
the
pads and discs by braking firmly a
few t imes from a moderately high speed
c:> ,&..
Faults in the brake system
If you should notice a sudden increase in brake
pedal travel, then one of the two brake circuits
may have failed
c:>
,&..
Low
brake
fluid level
Malfunct ions can occur in
t
he brake system if the
brake fluid
level
is
too low
.
The brake fluid level
is monitored electronically
.
Intellig
e
nt Technology
Brake booster
The brake
boost
er increases the pressure that
you generate with the brake
pedal.
It works only
when the eng ine is running
.c:>
.&.
Brake lining wear status
Brake
li
ning
wear
may be checked by visua
l
in-
spect ion of the condi
t
ion of the brake pads
t hrough the openings in the wheel. If necessary,
the wheel may be removed
f
or this inspection
c:>
page 226, Replacing wheels
.
_8
WARNING
"'---
-
New brake pads don't have the best stop-
ping power and must be "broken-in" during
the initial 250 miles (400 kilometers). You
can compensate for this by pressing the
brake pedal more firmly
.
This also applies
later when new pads are installed.
-
- You shou ld perform braking maneuvers for
the purpose of cleaning the brake system
only
if
road condit ions permit
.
Other road
users must not be put at
risk -
you may
cause an
accident
!
-
Before descending a
st
eep
grade,
reduce
speed and shift tr ansmi ssion into a lower
gear or lower dr iving range. Do not ride the
brakes or hold the pedal down too long or
too often. This could cause the brakes to get
hot and dimin ish braking eff iciency.
-
Do not "ride the bra kes" by resting your foot
on the pedal when you do not intend to
brake. This may cause the brakes to over-
heat, premature wear and increased stop-
ping distance.
-
Under
certain climatic and operating condi-
tions such as passing through water, driving
in heavy rain or after wash ing the veh icle,
the effectiveness
of
the brakes
can
be re-
duced. In winter, ice can accumu late on the
brake pads,
linings,
discs and dr ums
.
Care-
fu lly apply brakes for a test. Brakes will dry
and ice coatings will be cleaned off after a
few careful bra ke applications .
-
Driving for an extended period of time on
salt -covered roads without using your
brakes can also affect braking eff
iciency.
173
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