Mercedes-Benz SLR-Class 2009 - Manual (Page 237)

237
Operation
Driving instructions
Downhill grades
Continuous or hard braking
After hard braking, it is advisable to drive
on for some time, rather than to park im-
mediately, so the air stream will cool down
the brakes faster.
Wet roads
The first time the brakes are applied after
a long period of driving in heavy rain with-
out braking, it is possible that:
ț there will be a delayed braking re-
sponse
ț you will need to depress the brake ped-
al more firmly
You should therefore maintain a greater
distance from the vehicle in front.
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
! 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.
Warning!
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 effec-
tiveness or in the total loss of braking per-
formance. It may not be possible to stop the
vehicle in sufficient time to avoid an
accident.
Warning!
G
After driving in heavy rain for some time
without applying the brakes or through wa-
ter 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.
Warning!
G
A layer of salt on the brake discs and the
brake linings may cause a delay in the brak-
ing effect, resulting in a significantly in-
creased braking distance, which could lead
to an accident. ୴୴