2009 Mercedes SLR McLaren Owner's Manual - Page 237

Operation Driving instructions Downhill grades Wet roads Warning! To help prevent brake disk corrosion after driving on wet road surfaces (particularly salted roads), it is advisable to brake the vehicle with considerable force prior to parking. The heat generated serves to dry the brakes. Salty roads Warning! ! When driving down long and steep grades, relieve the load on the brakes by shifting into a lower gear to use the engine's braking power. This helps prevent overheating of the brakes and reduces brake pad wear. Continuous or hard braking Warning! G G 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 or in the total loss of braking performance. It may not be possible to stop the vehicle in sufficient time to avoid an accident. 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 to obtain expected braking effect. Maintain a safe distance from vehicles in front. G The first time the brakes are applied after a long period of driving in heavy rain without braking, it is possible that: there will be a delayed braking response you will need to depress the brake pedal more firmly You should therefore maintain a greater distance from the vehicle in front. A layer of salt on the brake discs and the brake linings may cause a delay in the braking effect, resulting in a significantly increased braking distance, which could lead to an accident. After hard braking, it is advisable to drive on for some time, rather than to park immediately, so the air stream will cool down the brakes faster. 237