Braking

Important safety notes

WARNING

On slippery roads, do not downshift to brake the vehicle. The drive wheels may lose traction and the vehicle may skid.

WARNING

Make sure that braking the vehicle does not endanger other road users.

Driving downhill

On long, steep downhill gradients, you must shift to a lower gear in good time, especially when the vehicle is loaded or towing a trailer. To do this, first select the manual shift program M (vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission).

This also applies when you have activated CRUISE CONTROL, SPEEDTRONIC or DISTRONIC PLUS.

This allows you to use the engine braking effect and brake less to maintain a constant speed. This relieves the braking system and prevents overheating and rapid brake wear.

Vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission: if you briefly press the accelerator pedal on a downhill gradient while the manual shift program M is temporarily activated, the automatic transmission may switch to the last automatic driving program activated (E or S). The automatic transmission may then shift up to a higher gear. The engine braking effect may then be reduced.

Brake usage

WARNING

Never apply the brakes continuously while driving (for example, do not drag the brakes by constantly applying light pressure to the brake pedal). This causes the braking system to overheat, increases the braking distance and may result in a complete loss of braking effect.

If the brakes are subjected to extreme stress, do not stop immediately but continue driving for a while.

The airflow cools the brakes more quickly.

If you use the brakes only moderately, make sure from time to time that they are working effectively. To do this, apply the brakes firmly at high speed. The brakes will then bite better.

Driving on wet roads

If you have driven for a long time in heavy rain without braking, the brakes may respond with a delay when you first brake. This can also occur after washing the vehicle.

You must then apply greater pressure to the brake pedal. Maintain a greater distance from the vehicle ahead.

After driving on wet roads and after washing the vehicle, brake firmly, taking traffic conditions into account. This heats the brake discs, helps them dry more quickly and protects them against corrosion.

Limited braking effect on salted roads

WARNING

Because of the layer of salt on the brake discs and brake pads, the brakes may not respond immediately, which considerably increases the braking distance and therefore the risk of an accident.

To avoid this risk, you must

• brake from time to time, carefully, on salted roads (making sure not to endanger other road users) in order to remove any layer of salt on the brake discs and brake pads
• keep a large safety distance from the vehicle ahead and drive defensively
• apply the brakes carefully at the end of the journey and again at the start of the next journey to remove any remaining salt from the brake discs

New brake pads

WARNING

New brake pads only deliver optimum braking performance after several hundred kilometers. Compensate for the reduced braking effect by applying more pressure to the brake pedal. This also applies when brake pads or brake discs have just been replaced.

For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz recommends fitting only brake pads approved for Mercedes-Benz vehicles or brake pads of the same quality standard. Fitting brake pads that are not approved for Mercedes-Benz vehicles, or that do not meet the same quality standard, may compromise the safety of the vehicle.