2010 Mercedes E-Class Owner's Manual - Page 221

Driving instructions removed without putting other road users at risk Rmaintain Rcarefully 219 a greater distance to the vehicle ahead and drive with particular care apply the brakes at the end of a trip and immediately after commencing a new trip, so that salt residues are removed from the brake disc or when the vehicle is being towed with one axle raised. Active braking action through the ESC may otherwise seriously damage the brake system which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty. If your brake system is only subjected to moderate loads, you should occasionally test the effectiveness of the brakes by applying above-normal braking pressure at higher speeds. This will also enhance the grip of the brake pads. Brake service ! The brake fluid level in the reservoir may be too low if the red brake warning lamp in the instrument cluster comes on while the engine is running and an acoustic warning sounds. Observe additional messages in the multifunction display that may appear. Brake pad wear or a leak in the system may be the reason for low brake fluid in the reservoir. Have the brake system inspected immediately. Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. All checks and service work on the brake system should be carried out by qualified technicians only. Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. Only install brake pads and use brake fluid recommended by Mercedes-Benz. G Warning! If other than recommended brake pads are installed, or other than recommended brake fluid is used, the braking properties of the vehicle can be degraded to an extent that safe braking is substantially impaired. This could result in an accident. G Warning! Make sure not to endanger any other road users when carrying out these braking maneuvers. Refer to the description of the Brake Assist System (BAS) (Y page 60) or BAS PLUS (Y page 60). Driving off Warm up the engine smoothly. Do not place full load on the engine until the operating temperature has been reached. ! When driving off on a slippery surface, do not allow a drive wheel to spin for an extended period with the ESC switched off. Doing so may cause serious damage to the drivetrain which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty. ! Simultaneously depressing the accelerator pedal and applying the brakes reduces engine performance and causes premature brake and drivetrain wear which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty. Hydroplaning Depending on the depth of the water layer on the road, hydroplaning may occur, even at low speeds and with new tires. In heavy rain or Z ! Because the ESC operates automatically, the engine and ignition must be shut off (SmartKey in starter switch position 0 or 1 or KEYLESS-GO start/stop button in position 0 or 1) when the parking brake is being tested on a brake test dynamometer Operation