With Distronic - Mercedes-Benz 2009 SL-Class Operator's Manual

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 deac-
tivate the Distronic system.
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:
Your vehicle can pass another vehicle
R
after you have changed lanes.
While in a sharp turn or if the preceding
R
vehicle is in a sharp turn, Distronic could
lose sight of the preceding vehicle. Your
vehicle could then accelerate to the pre-
viously selected speed.
154
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.:
a stopped vehicle in a traffic jam
R
a disabled vehicle
R
an oncoming vehicle
R
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).
If the message DISTRONIC Currently
i
Unavailable – See Oper. Manual dis-
appears during driving, the dirt (e.g. slush)
has dissolved. Distronic is available again if
you reactivate it ( Y page 150).
Turns and bends
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.