2002 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 Page 33

261 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
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 275.
The distance warning function can be activated
separately, see page 272.
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 273.
Maximum range of detection is approximately 500 ft.
(150 m).Any given speed between 25 mph (Canada: 40 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.Distronic cannot take street and traffic conditions
into account.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.

263 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a 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 276.
1Accelerate and set:
To increase the speed by 5 mph (Canada: 10 km/h) –
briefly 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 briefly pulled to position 4 when
driving at a speed above approximately 25 mph
(Canada: 40 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

264 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Activation of Distronic
Any given speed above approximately 25 mph
(Canada: 40 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 approximately 5 seconds (see also
page 275), and one or two segments around the
stored speed light up on the speedometer dial (see
also page 276).
•Remove foot from the accelerator.
•When briefly lifting the control lever to position 1,
the vehicle speed will increase in increments of
5 mph (Canada: 10 km/h).
The stored speed is displayed in the multifunction
display for approximately 5 seconds (see also
page 275), and one or two segments around the
stored speed light up on the speedometer dial (see
also page 276).
•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 approximately 5 seconds (see also
page 275), and one or two segments around the
stored speed light up on the speedometer dial (see
also page 276).

265 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a 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 message “DISTRONIC OVERRIDE”
is displayed while the Distronic control system is being
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 “––– MPH” during
invalid attempts to activate Distronic. Distronic will not
activate in the following situations:
•below a speed of approx. 25 mph
(Canada: 40 km/h),
•while the electronic stability program (ESP) is
switched off – ESP warning lampv in
speedometer dial is illuminated, see page 112,
•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 112,
•with the gear selector lever in position “P”, “R”
or “N” – check gear range indicator display in
instrument cluster, see page 112.
See page 332 for malfunction and warning messages if
the Distronic is malfunctioning.
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 applied 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.

267 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Driving with Distronic activated
With the electronic key in starter switch position 2, the
distance warning lampl in the speedometer dial
comes on and goes out with the engine running.
If the distance sensor detects a slower vehicle moving in
front, your vehicle speed will be reduced by
deceleration and braking of up to 20% of the vehicle
braking capacity, so that you follow the vehicle ahead at
the preset distance, see page 273. Segments in the
speedometer illuminate to indicate the speed range from the speed of the vehicle in front up to your
vehicle’s selected speed. See also page 275 for notes on
the multifunction displays.
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.

269 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Additional driving hints
Important!
When starting the engine, Distronic goes through an
initialization and self-test phase – this can take up to
2minutes.
The most likely cause for a malfunctioning system is 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 386.
Restart the engine after cleaning the sensor.
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.

272 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Distance warning function
Even if Distronic is deactivated, the distance to the
vehicle ahead continues to be measured, see page 275
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 warning function can be activated
separately, see page 272. It operates when driving at
speeds above approx. 25 mph (Canada: 40 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 an
intermittent warning sounds.
When pressing the service brake pedal, the warning
sound stops. The warning sound also stops, when the
distance to the vehicle ahead is sufficient again without
applying the service brake pedal. In this case the
distance warning lamp also extinguishes.Important!
With Distronic switched off, only the distance warning
function operates, meaning the vehicle does not slow
down.
Distronic does not register oncoming vehicles. Therefore
there is no distance warning.
Important!
Complex driving situations are not always fully
recognized by Distronic, which could result in wrong or
missing distance warnings. See page 269 for additional
driving hints.
Wa r n i n g !
If the distance warning lamp in the speedometer
dial lights up while driving and an intermittent
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 warning 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.

273 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Distronic settings
1Switch – for distance warning function
2Thumbwheel – for setting distance
Distronic provides a range of following distances 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 warning function on or off:
To switch on – press upper half of switch (1).
The indicator lamp in the switch lights up. If the
Distronic menu is active in the multifunction display, a
loudspeaker symbol appears.
To switch off – press lower half of the switch (1).
The indicator lamp in the switch goes out. If the
Distronic menu is active in the multifunction display,
the loudspeaker symbol disappears.
See page 272 for distance warning function and
page 275 for multifunction displays.
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.