2009 Mercedes SL-Class Owner's Manual - Page 156

Controls in detail Driving systems Driving with Distronic This section describes a number of driving situations where special precaution is required on the part of the driver. Be prepared to brake in such situations. Braking will deactivate the Distronic system. Distronic regulates only the distance between your vehicle and those directly ahead of it, but does not register stationary objects in the road, e.g.: Ra Ra appears during driving, the dirt (e.g. slush) has dissolved. Distronic is available again if you reactivate it (Y page 150). Turns and bends stopped vehicle in a traffic jam disabled vehicle oncoming vehicle G Warning! Distronic works to maintain the speed selected by the driver unless a moving obstacle proceeding directly ahead of it in the same travel direction is detected (e.g. following another vehicle ahead of you at your set distance). This means that: RYour vehicle can pass another vehicle after you have changed lanes. RWhile in a sharp turn or if the preceding vehicle is in a sharp turn, Distronic could lose sight of the preceding vehicle. Your vehicle could then accelerate to the previously selected speed. Ran The driver must always be alert, observe all traffic and intercede as required by means of steering or braking the vehicle. G Warning! Distronic should not be used in snowy or icy road conditions. The most likely cause for a malfunctioning system is a dirty Distronic system sensor cover (located in the hood grille), especially at times of snow and ice or heavy rain. In such a case, Distronic will switch off, and the message DISTRONIC Currently Unavailable - See Oper. Manual appears in the multifunction display. For cleaning and care of the Distronic system sensor cover, see (Y page 246). In turns or bends, Distronic may not detect a moving vehicle in front, or it may detect one too soon. This may cause your vehicle to brake late or unexpectedly. i If the message DISTRONIC Currently Unavailable - See Oper. Manual dis- 154