2009 Mercedes SL-Class Owner's Manual - Page 155

Controls in detail Driving systems The Distronic switches off automatically and an acoustic warning will sound when Rthe Rthe Rthe Rthe Setting the following distance in Distronic You can set the specified following distance for Distronic by varying the time setting between 1.0 and 2.0 seconds. Using this time setting and the current speed of your vehicle, Distronic calculates and sets the required following distance to the preceding vehicle. The set distance will be shown in the right multifunction display. vehicle speed falls below 20 mph (30 km/h). ESP® is in operation. ESP® is switched off with the ESP® switch. ESP® has switched off due to a malfunction. shift the automatic transmission into neutral position N while driving. Ryou Observe additional messages in the multifunction display that may appear. G Warning! Distronic switches off and releases the brakes when the vehicle decelerates below the minimum speed of 20 mph (30 km/h) by operation of the system. At that time the driver must apply the brakes in order to reduce vehicle speed further or bring it to a stop. Depressing the accelerator pedal does not deactivate the Distronic. After a brief acceleration (e.g. for passing), the Distronic will resume the last set speed. G Warning! It is up to the driver to exercise discretion to select the appropriate setting given road conditions, traffic, driver's preferred driving style and applicable laws and driving recommendations for safe following distance. Example illustration (except SL 63 AMG) 1 Thumbwheel for setting distance SL 63 AMG: The thumbwheel for adjusting the following distance is located on the right side of the center console. X Increasing distance: Turn thumbwheel 1 towards ¯. Increasing the distance setting tells Distronic to maintain a greater following distance to the preceding vehicle. X Decreasing distance: Turn thumbwheel 1 towards ®. Decreasing the distance setting tells Distronic to maintain a shorter following distance to the preceding vehicle. Z 153