With Distronic - Mercedes-Benz 2010 M-Class Operator's Manual

Driving systems
150
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.
X
Increasing distance: Turn distance
setting switch : in direction of arrow =.
Increasing the distance setting tells
Distronic to maintain a greater following
distance to the preceding vehicle.
X
Decreasing distance: Turn distance
setting switch : in direction of arrow ;.
Decreasing the distance setting tells
Distronic to maintain a shorter following
distance to the preceding vehicle.
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.
G
Warning!
The 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 after
R
you have changed lanes.
While in a sharp turn or if the preceding
R
vehicle is in a sharp turn, the Distronic
could lose sight of the preceding vehicle.
Your vehicle could then accelerate to the
previously selected speed.
The 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!
The 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, the Distronic will switch off,
and the message DISTRONIC Currently
Unavailable – See Operator's Manual
appears in the multifunction display.
For cleaning and care of the Distronic system
sensor cover, see ( Y
If the message DISTRONIC Available
i
Again appears during driving, the dirt (e.g.
slush) has dissolved; the Distronic works
again, if you reactivate it (
page 263).
Y page 147).