Mercedes-Benz BENZ-VEHICLES S 500 - Manual (Page 16)

16
Driving Instructions
Power Assistance
Warning!
When the engine is not running, the
brake and steering systems are
without power assistance. Under
these circumstances, a much greater
effort is necessary to stop or steer the
vehicle.
Brakes
Caution!
When driving down long and steep
grades, relieve the load on the brakes
by shifting into "3", "2" or "B". This
helps prevent overheating of the brakes
and reduces brake pad wear. Do not
exceed engine speed limits. Refer to
Technical Data for downshift points.
After hard braking, it is advisable to
drive on for some time, rather than
immediately parking, so the air stream
will cool down the brakes faster.
Warning!
After driving in heavy rain for some
time without applying the brakes or
through water deep enough to wet
brake components, the first braking
action may be somewhat reduced
and increased pedal pressure may be
necessary. Be sure to maintain a safe
distance from vehicles in front.
The condition of the parking brake
system is checked each time the car is
in the shop for the required
maintenance.
Between maintenance checks, it is a
good practice to apply the parking
brake once or twice while driving at
approximately 30 mph (50 km/h) on a
dry straight road. Apply parking brake
lightly while pulling the release handle
out until a slight drag on the wheels is
felt. Keep applying the brake for about
10 seconds while pulling the release
handle out before releasing the parking
brake completely. This practice will
keep the parking brake at maximum
efficiency
Warning!
The stop lamps will not come on
when applying the parking brake
only. Perform the procedure in the
previous paragraph only when the
road is clear of other traffic.
Resting your foot on the brake pedal
will cause excessive and premature
wear of the brake pads.
It can also result in the brakes
overheating thereby significantly
reducing their effectiveness. It may
not be possible to stop the car in
sufficient time to avoid an accident.
All checks and maintenance work on
the brake system should be carried out
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer