GLS Class (X167) Produced 2020 to present

Squishy/soft Brakes

Old Dec 2, 2023 | 10:24 PM
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PJSD's Avatar
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2020 GLS 450
Squishy/soft Brakes

2020 GLS 450 feels like the brakes are getting quite soft, lot of play in the pedal and even a bit of vibration. Just had a service done, so pads and rotors are good. Wondering if a brake fluid flush or something like that needs to be done to gain some "tightness" and responsiveness. Anyone else experience this or have advice?
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Old Dec 5, 2023 | 02:03 PM
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I just got my 2021 GLS450 and I feel the brakes are definitely more spongy than my previous Mercedes vehicles. You can try flushing the fluid with a lower viscosity fluid, I did that for my CLS and it made quite a difference.
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Old Dec 5, 2023 | 07:44 PM
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2020 GLS450 (wife) / 2024 Ford Bronco (mine) / 2014 VW Tiquan (son)
We’re around 65k on the same pads/rotors and feels fine, but we’ve had the brake fluid flushed every 20k miles as part of the routine service.
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Old Dec 5, 2023 | 08:51 PM
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'20 GLS450, '17 S550 Sedan
Yes, I have noticed what you're describing. We recently purchased our CPO 2020 GLS 450, and even though the previous owner had a 40k Mercedes prepaid maintenance package, it doesn't look like the brake fluid has ever been flushed, according to VMI.

Taking the GLS to the dealership tomorrow, to address a couple warranty items. I'll add a brake fluid flush to the repair order, while I'm there.

Last edited by mercedesbuff; Dec 5, 2023 at 08:56 PM.
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Old Dec 6, 2023 | 04:43 AM
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brake fluid is supposed to be flushed every B service at worse would be every 2 years.

My guess is they need to be bled as possible air in lines.
and how do you know the brake service was done correctly?

Service departments make mistakes as humans work in them.
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Old Dec 6, 2023 | 08:48 PM
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2020 GLS 450
Yeah, I"m taking it in for a fluid flush. I can tell the brakes aren't responsive as they should be.
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Old Dec 7, 2023 | 01:07 AM
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2020 GLS450 (wife) / 2024 Ford Bronco (mine) / 2014 VW Tiquan (son)
Originally Posted by PJSD
Yeah, I"m taking it in for a fluid flush. I can tell the brakes aren't responsive as they should be.
just know it’s not a $500 service unless you want it to be. Any mercedes indi can flush the brake fluid.
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