Driving System; Important Safety Notes; Cruise Control - Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Operator's Manual

Driving systems
138
becomes trapped in snow. There is a risk of
fatal injury.
If you leave the engine or the auxiliary heating
running, make sure the exhaust pipe and area
around the vehicle are clear of snow. To
ensure an adequate supply of fresh air, open a
window on the side of the vehicle that is not
facing into the wind.
At the onset of winter, have your vehicle win-
terized at a qualified specialist workshop, e.g.
at an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Drive particularly carefully on slippery road
surfaces. Avoid sudden acceleration, steering
and braking maneuvers. Do not use cruise
control.
If the vehicle threatens to skid or cannot be
stopped when moving at low speed:
Shift the transmission to position N.
X
The outside temperature indicator is not
designed to serve as an ice-warning device
and is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Changes in the outside temperature are dis-
played after a short delay.
Indicated temperatures just above the freez-
ing point do not guarantee that the road sur-
face is free of ice. The road may still be icy,
especially in wooded areas or on bridges. You
should pay special attention to road condi-
tions when temperatures are around the
freezing point.
For more information on driving with snow
chains, see ( page 253).
Y
For more information on driving with summer
tires, see ( page 252).
Y
Observe the notes in the "Winter operation"
section ( page 252).
Y
Driving systems

Cruise control

Important safety notes

Cruise control maintains a constant road
speed for you. It brakes automatically in order
to avoid exceeding the set speed.
On long and steep downhill gradients, espe-
cially if the vehicle is laden, you must select
shift range 1, 2 or 3 in good time
( page 127). By doing so, you will make use
Y
of the braking effect of the engine. This
relieves the load on the brake system and
prevents the brakes from overheating and
wearing too quickly.
If you fail to adapt your driving style, cruise
control can neither reduce the risk of an acci-
dent nor override the laws of physics. Cruise
control cannot take into account the road,
traffic and weather conditions. Cruise control
is only an aid. You are responsible for the dis-
tance to the vehicle in front, for vehicle speed,
for braking in good time and for staying in
your lane.
Use cruise control only if road and traffic con-
ditions make it appropriate to maintain a
steady speed for a prolonged period. You can
set any road speed above 20 mph (30 km/h).
Do not use cruise control:
in road and traffic conditions which do not
R
allow you to maintain a constant speed e.g.
in heavy traffic or on winding roads
on slippery road surfaces. Braking or accel-
R
erating could cause the drive wheels to lose
traction and the vehicle could then skid
when there is poor visibility, e.g. due to fog,
R
heavy rain or snow
If there is a change of drivers, advise the new
driver of the speed stored.