2000 MERCEDES-BENZ CL55AMG ESP

250 Driving systems
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data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Cruise control
The cruise control allows you to drive in a more relaxed
manner, for example over long distances, as it
automatically maintains the set speed by actively
regulating the throttle setting.
Any given speed above approximately 25 mph
(40 km/h) can be maintained with the cruise control by
operating the lever.
1Accelerate and set:
Lift lever briefly to set speed. Hold lever up to
accelerate.2Decelerate and set:
Depress lever briefly to set speed.
Hold lever down to decelerate.
Normally the vehicle is accelerated to the desired
speed with the accelerator.
Speed is set by briefly pushing the lever to
position 1 or 2. The accelerator can then be
released.
The selected speed is shown for approx. 5 seconds
in the multifunction display, and the corresponding
speedometer segments from the selected speed to
the vehicle maximum speed are illuminated.
The speed can be increased (e.g. for passing) by
using the accelerator. After the accelerator is
released, the previously set speed will be resumed
automatically.
If a set speed is to be increased or decreased
slightly, e.g. to adapt to the traffic f low, hold lever in
position 1 or 2 until the desired speed is reached, or
briefly tip the lever in the appropriate direction for
increases or decreases in 0.6 mph (1 km/h)
increments. When the lever is released, the newly
set speed remains.
1
3
4
2

251 Driving systems
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data Instruments
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cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 3Canceling
To cancel the cruise control, briefly push lever to
position 3.
When you step on the brake pedal or the vehicle
speed drops below approx. 25 mph (40 km/h), for
example when driving upgrade, the cruise control
will be canceled.
If the illuminated speedometer segments begin to
blink (e.g. when aquaplaning or when moving the
gear selector lever to position “N” while driving), the
cruise control is automatically switched off.
If the cruise control cancels by itself and remains
inoperative until the engine is restarted, have the
system checked at your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.4Resume
If the lever is briefly pushed to position 4 when
driving at a speed exceeding approx. 25 mph
(40 km/h), the vehicle resumes the speed which
was set prior to the cancellation of the cruise
control.
The selected speed is shown for approx. 5 seconds
in the multifunction display, and the corresponding
speedometer segments from the selected speed to
the vehicle maximum speed are illuminated.
The last memorized speed is canceled when the
electronic key in the starter switch is turned to
position 1 or 0.
Important!
Moving gear selector lever to position “N” switches the
cruise control off.

253 Driving systems
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cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Distronic (DTR)
(optional)
When activated the Distronic system increases driving
convenience, for example over long distances, as it
automatically maintains a speed set by the driver by
actively regulating the throttle setting. It also maintains
within certain limitations a preset distance to a vehicle
ahead.
With Distronic switched off, the multifunction display
continues to show the distance to the vehicle ahead, if
so selected, see page 266.
The distance notification function can be activated
separately, see page 264.
In Distronic mode, if the distance sensor detects a
slower moving vehicle directly ahead, your vehicle
speed will be reduced to the extent permitted by
reduced throttle and up to 20% of vehicle braking power,
so that you follow that vehicle at a preset distance, see
page 265.
Maximum range of detection is approximately 500 ft.
(150 m).Any given speed between 25 mph (Canada: 30 km/h)
and 110 mph (Canada: 180 km/h) can be maintained
with the Distronic by operating the control lever on the
steering column.
Wa r n i n g !
Distronic is a convenience system, its speed
adjustment reduction capability is intended to
make cruise control more effective and usable
when traffic speeds vary. It is not, however,
intended to nor does it replace the need for extreme
care. The responsibility for the vehicle speed and
the distance to the vehicle ahead, including most
importantly brake operation to assure safe stopping
distance, rests always with the driver.Wa r n i n g !
Distronic requires familiarity with its operational
characteristics. We strongly recommend that you
review the following information carefully before
operating the system.

257 Driving systems
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index •For a more precise setting the speed can be
increased in increments of 1 mph (Canada: 1 km/h)
by briefly pulling the control lever in direction (4).
Caution!
If the driver’s foot is not fully removed from the
accelerator pedal, the Distronic control system will be
overridden and it will not regulate the preset vehicle
speed and following distance. The vehicle speed and
following distance will be determined only by the
accelerator pedal position.Invalid attempts to activate
The multifunction display will show “–––” during
invalid attempts to activate Distronic:
•below a speed of approx. 25 mph
(Canada: 30 km/h),
•while the electronic stability program (ESP) is
switched off – ESP warning lampv in
speedometer dial is illuminated, see page 114,
•by moving the distronic control lever in “RESUME”
direction (4) when no speed is stored in memory,
•during the initialization and self-test phase after the
engine is started – this can take up to 2 minutes,
•while depressing the service brake pedal,
•while the parking brake is set – check ;warning
lamp (Canada: !) in instrument cluster, see
page 114,
•with the gear selector lever in position “P”, “R”
or “N” – check gear range indicator display in
instrument cluster, see page 114.
Wa r n i n g !
Distronic brakes (up to 20% of vehicle braking
power) the vehicle to restore the preset distance or
to maintain the speed. The brake pedal is
automatically retracted as this happens.Keep driver’s foot area clear at all times, including
the area under the brake pedal. Objects stored in
this area may impair pedal movement which could
interfere with the braking ability of the Distronic
system.Do not place your foot under the brake pedal – your
foot could become caught.

258 Driving systems
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data Instruments
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cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Deactivation of Distronic
Briefly move the distronic control lever in “OFF”
direction (3) – the stored speed remains in the memory
until the electronic key in the starter switch is turned to
position 1 or 0.
Distronic is also deactivated if:
•the service brake pedal is depressed,
•the parking brake is activated,
•the vehicle decelerates to less than approximately
25 mph (Canada: 30 km/h), e.g. while maintaining
the distance to the vehicle ahead.•the gear selector lever is moved to position “N”,
•the electronic stability program (ESP) is active,
•the electronic stability program (ESP) is switched off
manually,
•Model CL 55 AMG only:
the vehicle speed exceeds approximately 160 mph
(260 km/h).
Note:
A signal sounds and the message “DTR OFF” appears
for 5 seconds in the multifunction display everytime
Distronic is deactivated.
Wa r n i n g !
The Distronic switches off and releases the brakes
when the vehicle decelerates below the minimum
speed of 25 mph (Canada: 30 km/h) by operation of
the system. At that time, the driver must apply the
brakes in order to reduce vehicle speed further or
bring it to a stop.

261 Driving systems
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data Instruments
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cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Additional driving hints
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.
For cleaning and care of the Distronic sensor see
page 378.
The following are some sample situations which may
influence the functions of Distronic.
Wa r n i n g !
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.
The driver must always be on the alert and observe
all traffic and intercede with steering and braking
inputs as necessary.Wa r n i n g !
Distronic should not be used in snowy or icy road
conditions.

264 Driving systems
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Distance notification function
Even if Distronic is deactivated, the distance to the
vehicle ahead continues to be measured, see page 266
for multifunction display.
The Distronic lamp in the speedometer dial illuminates
to advise the driver of a situation which under normal
braking conditions and dry surfaces should have been
addressed by the driver.
The distance notification function can be activated
separately, see page 265. It operates when driving at
speeds above approx. 25 mph (Canada: 30 km/h).
When recognizing a stationary obstacle or a slower
vehicle moving in the vehicle’s path and the danger of a
collision exists, the distance warning lamp in the
speedometer dial lights up and simultaneously a
continuous warning sounds.
Note:
Model CL 55 AMG only:
Distance notification function is deactivated if the
vehicle speed exceeds approximately 160 mph
(260 km/h).Important!
With the Distronic switched off, only the distance
notification function operates, meaning the vehicle does
not slow down.
Important!
Complex driving situations are not always fully
recognized by Distronic, which could result in wrong or
missing distance warnings.
See page 261 for additional driving hints.
Wa r n i n g !
If the distance warning lamp in the speedometer
dial lights up while driving and a continuous
warning sounds, immediate attention on the part of
the driver is required.As required by the traffic situation, apply the
service brakes and navigate around a possible
obstacle. However, do not drive by relying on the
distance notification function as that will result in
an emergency braking application which,
especially depending on road surface conditions
and driver reaction, will not always be able to avoid
a collision.

269 Driving systems
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data Instruments
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cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Antilock brake system (ABS)
Important!
The ABS improves steering control of the vehicle during
hard braking maneuvers.
The ABS prevents the wheels from locking up above a
vehicle speed of approximately 5 mph (8 km/h)
independent of road surface conditions.At the instant one of the wheels is about to lock up, a
slight pulsation can be felt in the brake pedal,
indicating that the ABS is in the regulating mode. Keep
firm and steady pressure on the brake pedal while
experiencing the pulsation.
Continuous steady brake pedal pressure results in
applying the advantages of the ABS, namely braking
power and ability to steer the vehicle.
In the case of an emergency brake maneuver keep
continuous full pressure on the brake pedal. In this
manner only can the ABS be most effective.
On slippery road surfaces, the ABS will respond even
with light brake pedal pressure because of the
increased likelihood of locking wheels. The pulsating
brake pedal can be an indication of hazardous road
conditions and functions as a reminder to take extra
care while driving.
Wa r n i n g !
Do not pump the brake pedal, rather use firm,
steady brake pedal pressure. Pumping the brake
pedal defeats the purpose for ABS and significantly
reduces braking effectiveness.