Driving Systems - Mercedes-Benz E-Class Owner's Manual

If the vehicle threatens to skid or cannot be
stopped when moving at low speed:
X
Vehicles with manual transmission:
shift to neutral.
X
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
shift the transmission to position N.
X
Try to bring the vehicle under control by
using corrective steering.
You should drive particularly carefully on slip-
pery road surfaces. Avoid sudden accelera-
tion, steering and braking manoeuvres.
i For more information on driving with
snow chains; see ( Y
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. The
vehicle could skid if you fail to adapt your
driving style. Always adapt your driving style
and drive at a speed to suit the prevailing
weather conditions.
You should pay special attention to road con-
ditions when temperatures are around the
freezing point.

Driving systems

Cruise control
General notes
Cruise control maintains a constant road
speed for you. It brakes automatically in order
to avoid exceeding the set speed. You must
select a low gear in good time on long and
steep downhill gradients, especially if the
vehicle is laden or towing a trailer. By doing
so, you will make use of the braking effect of
the engine. This relieves the load on the brake
system and prevents the brakes from over-
heating and wearing too quickly.
page 407).
Use cruise control only if road and traffic con-
ditions make it appropriate to maintain a
steady speed for a prolonged period. You can
store any road speed above 30 km/h.
Important safety notes
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 road,
weather or traffic 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 the
lane.
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 smooth or slippery roads. Braking or
R
accelerating can 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.
Cruise control lever
To activate or increase speed
:
LIM indicator lamp
;
To activate at the current speed/last
=
stored speed
To activate or reduce speed
?
Driving systems
205
Z