pedal. During the run-in period, the braking distance is longer when the brakes are depressed fully or during
emergency braking than with that have been fully run in. In the run-in period, the brakes should not be depressed
fully and situations should be avoided that create a heavy load on the brakes, e.g. when driving up close to the vehicle
ahead.
The rate of wear of the brake pads depends to a great extent on the conditions under which the vehicle is operated
and the way in which the vehicle is driven. If the vehicle is used for regular urban trips or short journeys and is driven
with a sporty driving style, the brake pads must be regularly checked by a qualified workshop.
When driving withwet brakes, for example after driving through water, after heavy rainfall or after washing the
vehicle, the braking effect may be delayed as the brake discs will be wet, or possibly iced up (in winter). The brakes
must be “dried” as quickly as possible by careful braking at higher speed. Make sure that no following vehicle and no
other road user is put at risk as a result of this action →
.
Any salt layer accumulating on the discs and padswill delay the braking effect and increase the braking distance. If
the brakes on the vehicle have not been applied for a long time on roads that have been gritted with salt, the layer of
salt must be reduced through careful braking →
.
Corrosion on the brake discs anddirt in the brake pads are facilitated through long periods of inactivity, low mileage
and low load levels. If the brake pads have been hardly used, or if they are at all corroded, we recommend that the
brake discs and brake pads be cleaned by braking strongly several times from high speed. Make sure that no
following vehicle and no other road user is put at risk as a result of this action →
.
Brake servo
The brake servo will only function when the engine is running and reinforces the pressure applied by the driver on
the brake pedal.
If the brake servo is not functioning or the vehicle is being towed, the brake pedal will have to be depressed more
forcefully as the braking distance will be increased due to the lack of assistance for the brake system →
.
WARNING
Driving with worn brake pads or with a faulty brake system can cause accidents and serious injuries.
● If the warning lamp lights up either individually or together with a text message in the instrument cluster
display, go to a correspondingly qualified workshop immediately. Have the brake pads checked and any worn
brake pads replaced.
WARNING
New brake pads will not have the optimum braking effect when first fitted.
● New brake pads cannot generate the full braking effect during the first 300 km and must first be “run in”. A
reduced braking effect can be increased by applying more pressure to the brake pedal.
● Drive with particular care when driving with new brake pads in order to reduce the risk of accidents, serious
injuries and loss of control of the vehicle.
● Never drive too close to other vehicles when running in new brake pads, and never create a driving situation that
will place a heavy load on the brakes.
WARNING
Overheated brakes reduce the braking effect and considerably increase the braking distance.
● When driving downhill the brakes are placed under particular strain and become hot very quickly.
● Before driving down a long, steep gradient, reduce the vehicle speed or change to a lower gear(with manual
gearboxes or in Tiptronic mode with the automatic gearbox). This will make use of the engine braking effect and
relieve the load on the brakes.
● Non-standard or damaged front spoilers could restrict the airflow to the brakes and cause them to overheat.
Driving a loaded vehicle
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