2011 Mercedes SL-Class Owner's Manual - Page 64

62 Driving safety systems Electro-hydraulic brake system The electro-hydraulic brake system combines a hydraulic brake circuit with electronically controlled brake servo assistance. You have increased braking safety and improved braking comfort. towing methods and the vehicle requires towing with all four wheels on the ground. Towing the vehicle with all four wheels on the ground is only permissible for distances up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a speed not to exceed 30 mph (50 km/h). For more information, see the "Towing the vehicle" section in this Operator's Manual. Safety and security G Warning! Never ignore a brake malfunction indicated in the speedometer display, for example by the $ (USA only) or J (Canada only) indicator lamp. Refer to the "Practical hints" section. Also read and observe the messages in the instrument cluster multifunction display. The electro-hydraulic brake system is activated automatically when you Runlock Ropen Rturn the vehicle with the SmartKey or with KEYLESS-GO the driver's or passenger door the SmartKey in the starter switch to position 1 the start/stop button on the gear selector lever once (vehicles with KEYLESS-GO) the brake pedal the parking brake For information on warning and indicator lamps, see the "Practical hints" section (Y page 255). For information on the messages that may appear in the multifunction display, see the "Practical hints" section (Y page 227) and (Y page 237). Rpress Rdepress Rrelease G Warning! The electro-hydraulic brake system requires electrical power to operate. A malfunction in the vehicle's power supply or electrical system may impair brake system operation and switch it into its emergency operation mode. In such a case, the red brake warning lamp comes on and warning messages appear in the multifunction display while driving. To brake, the driver must then apply significantly greater brake pedal pressure and depress the pedal much further to obtain the expected braking effect. If necessary, apply full pressure to the brake pedal. Brakes are only applied to the front wheels. Stopping distance is increased! If there is a malfunction in the electrohydraulic brake system, we recommend that the vehicle be transported with all wheels off the ground using flatbed or appropriate wheel lift/dolly equipment. A tow bar must be used if circumstances do not permit the use of the recommended If the electro-hydraulic brake system is activated as the brake pedal is first depressed, you may feel a reduced pedal resistance and longer pedal travel than normal. When releasing the pedal, you may also feel the brake pedal pulsate and you may hear a sound which is caused by the activation of the electro-hydraulic brake system pump. This is normal and not an indication of a malfunction. Pedal travel returns to normal when you release the brake pedal and the sound soon ceases. If you experience the above while driving and the red brake warning lamp illuminates and/or warning messages appear in the multifunction display, the brake system is malfunctioning. Follow the instructions of the warning message(s) and have the brake system checked immediately. G Warning! Have brake pad replacement and other work on the electro-hydraulic brake system carried