2001 MERCEDES-BENZ CL600 light

250 Driving systems
Te ch n ica l
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

255 Driving systems
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index The speed stored in memory is displayed in the
multifunction display, and one or two segments around
the stored speed light up in the speedometer dial, see
page 267.
1Accelerate and set:
To increase the speed by 5 mph (Canada: 10 km/h) –
brief ly lift lever up.
2Decelerate and set:
To reduce the speed by 5 mph (Canada: 10 km/h) –
briefly depress lever.3Canceling
To cancel Distronic, briefly push lever to position 3.
The last set speed remains stored in memory.
4Resume
•If the lever is brief ly pulled to position 4 when
driving at a speed above approx. 25 mph
(Canada: 30 km/h), the vehicle resumes the
speed which was selected prior to the
cancellation of Distronic.
•For minor increases of speeds in increments of
1 mph (Canada: 1 km/h) – briefly pull lever to
position 4.
The last memorized speed is canceled when the
electronic key in the starter switch is turned to
position 1 or 0.
1
3
4
2

256 Driving systems
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Activation of Distronic
Any given speed above approximately 25 mph
(Canada: 30 km/h) can be maintained:
•Normally the vehicle is accelerated to the desired
speed with the accelerator.•Speed is set by briefly moving the control lever to
position 1 or 2.
The stored speed is displayed in the multifunction
display for approx. 5 seconds (see also page 266),
and one or two segments around the stored speed
light up on the speedometer dial (see also
page 267).
•Remove foot from the accelerator.
•When briefly lifting the control lever to position 1,
the vehicle speed will increase in increments of
5mph (Canada:10km/h).
The stored speed is displayed in the multifunction
display for approx. 5 seconds (see also page 266),
and one or two segments around the stored speed
light up on the speedometer dial (see also
page 267).
•When briefly lowering the control lever to
position 2, the vehicle speed will decrease in
increments of 5 mph (Canada: 10 km/h).
The stored speed is displayed in the multifunction
display for approx. 5 seconds (see also page 266),
and one or two segments around the stored speed
light up on the speedometer dial (see also
page 267).
P54.70-2154-26

264 Driving systems
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
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 dri ver reaction, w ill not always be able to avoi d
a collision.

265 Driving systems
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Distronic settings
1Switch – for distance notification function
2Thumbwheel – for setting distance
Distronic provides a safe following distance range to the
vehicle in front. The medium setting is noticeable by a
detent in the center position of the thumbwheel (2).
If you want to:
•Increase distance – turn thumbwheel (2)
towards¯.•Decrease distance – turn thumbwheel (2)
towards®.
To switch the distance notification function on or off:
To switch on – press upper half of switch (1).
The indicator lamp in the switch lights up.
To switch off – press lower half of the switch (1).
The indicator lamp in the switch goes out.
For distance notification function see page 264.
Notes:
With the distance notification function activated, you
will still be advised by a continuous audible warning if a
potential emergency braking circumstance has been
detected, even if Distronic has been deactivated.
The last selected notification function mode (on/off) will
be stored in memory, even when removing the
electronic key from the starter switch.
Wa r n i n g !
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.

267 Driving systems
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Displays in the speedometer dial
When Distronic system is activated, one or two
segments around the speed stored in memory light up
in the speedometer dial.If a vehicle is detected ahead, those segments in the
speedometer dial light up that indicate the speed range
from th e speed of th e ve hicle in front up to th e D istronic
stored speed.
When the vehicle in front can no longer be detected,
only th e se gments arou nd th e stored speed lig ht up. The
vehicle is accelerated to the stored speed.

269 Driving systems
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
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.

281 Parking system
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Warning indicators
1Frame
2SegmentsVisual and audible signals indicate to the driver the
relative distance between the vehicle and an obstacle.
Warning indicators for the front area are located above
the left and center air outlets in the dashboard.
Warning indicators for the rear area are integrated in
the rear headliner.
The frames (1) are illuminated when the Parktronic is
engaged.
Each warning indicator has 6 yellow and 2 red
segments.
As soon as the sensors detect an obstacle, one or more
segments light up, depending on the distance. An
intermittent acoustic warning will also sound as the
seventh segment lights up and a constant acoustic
warning lasting a maximum of 3 seconds will sound for
the eighth segment.
2
1
P54.65-2043-26