Mercedes-Benz 2001 S 430 Operator's Manual page 267

Instruments
Operation
and controls
Driving systems
Additional driving hints
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 at a
distance set by Distronic). This means that:
• your vehicle can pass another vehicle after you
change lanes,
• while in a sharp turn or if the vehicle in front
is in a sharp turn, Distronic could lose sight of
a vehicle traveling in front of it, then your
vehicle could accelerate to the previously
selected speed.
Distronic regulates only the distance between your
vehicle and those directly ahead, but does not
register stationary objects in the roadway, e.g.:
• a stopped vehicle in a traffic jam.
• a disabled vehicle.
• an oncoming vehicle.
Instrument
Driving
cluster display
264
Practical hints Car care
The driver must always be on the alert and observe
all traffic and intercede with steering and braking
inputs as necessary.
Important!
When starting the engine, Distronic goes through an
initialization and self-test phase.
The most likely cause for a malfunctioning system is
caused by a dirty sensor (located behind 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 – CLEAN SENSOR!" appears in
the multifunction display.
Warning!
Distronic should not be used in snowy or icy road
conditions.
For cleaning and care of the Distronic sensor, see
page 378.
The following are some sample situations which may
influence the functions of Distronic.
Technical
Index
data