Brake problem - 2012 C300
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Joined: Aug 2011
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2012 C300 Lux
Brake problem - 2012 C300
Purchased a 2012 C300 about a week ago (with P1 and Command Launch package) in NJ and have picked up 180 miles so far.
I think I am having a brake problem. Whenever I depress the brake pedal, the braking feels likes a two-gear process mechanically. After one inch down, it shifts to another gear. I couldn't hear obvious noise, but can feel the mechanical shift clearly. If I release the brake pedal and then depress it immediately again, the second depress shows one smooth braking.
This is very annoying. When I tested drive a C300, I didn't feel this problem at all. The problem of my car appeared right at the first stop sign when I drove out of dealer's lot. At that time, I thought it could be just due to some fancy features that I was not familiar with.
Anyone has any idea what the issue could be and how serious the problem is? I think I need to take the car back to dealership for a checkout but it has to wait until next weekend as the dealer is about one-hour drive away.
Thanks for the help.
I think I am having a brake problem. Whenever I depress the brake pedal, the braking feels likes a two-gear process mechanically. After one inch down, it shifts to another gear. I couldn't hear obvious noise, but can feel the mechanical shift clearly. If I release the brake pedal and then depress it immediately again, the second depress shows one smooth braking.
This is very annoying. When I tested drive a C300, I didn't feel this problem at all. The problem of my car appeared right at the first stop sign when I drove out of dealer's lot. At that time, I thought it could be just due to some fancy features that I was not familiar with.
Anyone has any idea what the issue could be and how serious the problem is? I think I need to take the car back to dealership for a checkout but it has to wait until next weekend as the dealer is about one-hour drive away.
Thanks for the help.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: 1 hours drive north of Sydney Australia
2007 W204 220CDI Classic Sedan
In my opinion it could be a multitude of faults including the master cylinder seals binding,air in system , vacuum assist problem or the ABS system playing up.
I would drive it to the dealer asap very carefully ,continually monotoring the brakes effectiveness.
Keep us informed.Good luck.
I would drive it to the dealer asap very carefully ,continually monotoring the brakes effectiveness.
Keep us informed.Good luck.
Last edited by Carsy; Oct 3, 2011 at 02:28 AM. Reason: comma
Thread Starter
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2012 C300 Lux
After one more week driving (another 200 miles), the problem seemingly has alleviated noticeably. I can still feel the mechanical shift when braking, but the gap of pedal depressing is much smaller. Sometimes there is no shift at all.
I took the car to the dealership. As expected, a technician there tried to convince me that everything is dandy. He plain simply denied that there is any "mechanical shift" at all. I asked two of my friends to try the car and they both felt the "shift" very clearly, although they don't voice strong concerns. I guess I have to wait and see whether the problem will simply go away.
Anyone knows whether it is possible to use a different dealership for car service? If possible, how to do so?
Thanks.
I took the car to the dealership. As expected, a technician there tried to convince me that everything is dandy. He plain simply denied that there is any "mechanical shift" at all. I asked two of my friends to try the car and they both felt the "shift" very clearly, although they don't voice strong concerns. I guess I have to wait and see whether the problem will simply go away.
Anyone knows whether it is possible to use a different dealership for car service? If possible, how to do so?
Thanks.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 283
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From: Central Florida
2009 C300 Sport, ex 2007 C230 Sport
Yes, you can go to any MB dealership. In fact, I'd think they would be glad to have your business. They do get paid for warranty work (to the best of my knowledge) - except you're not the one paying.
Just call the other dealership and make an appointment.
Just call the other dealership and make an appointment.
Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 156
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My 12 GLK is having the same problem, when you step on the brake pedal the pedal is very low and rather inefective, feels as if the car really will not stop, If I release the pedal for a moment ane step down again the brake feels fine and the car stops well, I now find that I have to always do the pedal two step thing to get the car to stop. I also have a 08 C300 and the brakes have always been perfect. The new 12 c platform has some sort of "brake drying" feature, maybe this has something to do with it but I cannot see living with this problem.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 91
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2012 C300 Lux
My 12 GLK is having the same problem, when you step on the brake pedal the pedal is very low and rather inefective, feels as if the car really will not stop, If I release the pedal for a moment ane step down again the brake feels fine and the car stops well, I now find that I have to always do the pedal two step thing to get the car to stop. I also have a 08 C300 and the brakes have always been perfect. The new 12 c platform has some sort of "brake drying" feature, maybe this has something to do with it but I cannot see living with this problem.
Since your 12 GLK is still under warranty, any reason that you didn't get it fixed?
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Your condition is caused by calipers returning to rest differently front and rear. One pump immediately corrects the situation. i.e When you hit the brakes first time it takes more fluid to bring the pads in contact with the disc/rotor at one end of the car to the other. Search "caliper over return" I have written about this previosly. It is usually triggered by replacing pads front & not rear & pushing the pistons too far back in the caliper to insert the new pads.
With a newly assembled car it is usually corrected by merely pressure bleeding the system. If this does not work then it can be remedied with the actions in my previous posts.
Good luck & enjoy!
With a newly assembled car it is usually corrected by merely pressure bleeding the system. If this does not work then it can be remedied with the actions in my previous posts.
Good luck & enjoy!
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Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Here:
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...Caliper+return
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...Caliper+return
The short & sweet versions.
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...Caliper+return
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...Caliper+return
The short & sweet versions.
Last edited by Glyn M Ruck; Oct 9, 2011 at 01:45 PM.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 91
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2012 C300 Lux
The dealership kept saying that it was normal, so I had to leave it as it was. The situation got better as time went, and I couldn't feel much after 800 miles or so. The car now has more than 3,000 miles and although I can still feel it occasionally, the problem is really mild and it doesn't bother me.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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Nissan GT-R BE / '12 Ducati-1199 Panigale S / '12 C300-4M Loaded/GLK350-4M Loaded
Experienced this EXACT problem when our GLK 350 4Matic was brand new. In fact it actually felt as if the Master Cylinder had a dead spot. I discovered that It was completely GONE by 1500 miles caused by a few factors. I concur with Glyn, plus the fact that the brakes are brand new.... break in the brakes before you scream fire. Also, your new 2012 C has this.... (from MBUSA website...)
Braking that Boosts Confidence and Convenience
"Lift off the accelerator quickly and Predictive Brake Priming sets the pads closer to the discs, for more immediate response when you hit the brakes. In the rain, Automatic Brake Drying gently applies the brakes periodically, to sweep away water build-up. During uphill starts, Hill-Start Assist helps prevent unwanted rollback. And a HOLD feature can make stop-and-go traffic a little easier."
Braking that Boosts Confidence and Convenience
"Lift off the accelerator quickly and Predictive Brake Priming sets the pads closer to the discs, for more immediate response when you hit the brakes. In the rain, Automatic Brake Drying gently applies the brakes periodically, to sweep away water build-up. During uphill starts, Hill-Start Assist helps prevent unwanted rollback. And a HOLD feature can make stop-and-go traffic a little easier."
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2012
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From: San Francisco
'08 Mercedes C300
Sorry if this sounds stupid because i'm still not too familiar with Mercedes vehicles. Could it be engine braking? I've had this kind of happen in my previous vehicle where if i'm going downhill and I press the brakes a little, it doesn't do much, and if I press it a bit harder it downshifts to a lower gear to help me slow down (engine and brake pad). I'm saying this because compared to my previous vehicle, I have noticed the Mercedes likes to provide a lot of engine braking and sometimes I don't even need to use the brakes at all to slow down.
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 3
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2012 C300 4MATIC
I recently purchased a new 2012 c300 not even 2 months old. As I was parking my car the brakes failed completely and the only thing that stopped my car was the curbing. Brake pedal was to the floor. The dealership where I purchased the car said they checked car over no codes or anything indicated there was a problem with my brakes and that mb has never had a problem with brakes failing. They also said that if the brakes failed completely then they would not of just started working again on there own.
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
2012 C300 4MATIC
My 12 GLK is having the same problem, when you step on the brake pedal the pedal is very low and rather inefective, feels as if the car really will not stop, If I release the pedal for a moment ane step down again the brake feels fine and the car stops well, I now find that I have to always do the pedal two step thing to get the car to stop. I also have a 08 C300 and the brakes have always been perfect. The new 12 c platform has some sort of "brake drying" feature, maybe this has something to do with it but I cannot see living with this problem.
armymom I was wondering are you still having problems with your brakes and if so have you taken the car to dealership and what did they tell you
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 91
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2012 C300 Lux
The dealership kept saying that it was normal, so I had to leave it as it was. The situation got better as time went, and I couldn't feel much after 800 miles or so. The car now has more than 3,000 miles and although I can still feel it occasionally, the problem is really mild and it doesn't bother me.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Yup! The seals have slid down the calipers bores with bed in and evened out back to front. i.e. front & rear caliper return has equalled out.
