2006 MERCEDES-BENZ SL600 Owner's Manual

216 Controls in detailDriving systemsWhen pressing the brake pedal, the warn-
ing sound ceases. The warning sound will
also cease when the distance to the vehi-
cle ahead is sufficient again without apply-
ing the brakes. In this case, the distance
warning lamp will also go out.
Activating

Press switch1.
The indicator lamp on the switch
comes on. A loudspeaker symbol ap-
pears in the speedometer display
(page 211).
Deactivating

Press switch1 once more.
The indicator lamp on the switch goes
out. No loudspeaker symbol appears in
the speedometer display.Driving with Distronic
This section describes a number of driving
situations where special precaution is re-
quired on the part of the driver. Be pre-
pared to brake in such situations. This will
deactivate the Distronic system.
Warning!
G
If the DTR warning lamp (red) E in the
speedometer dial comes on while driving
and/or an intermittent warning sounds, im-
mediate attention on the part of the driver is
required.
As required by the traffic situation, apply the
brakes and navigate around a possible ob-
stacle. However, do not drive by relying on
the distance warning function, as this will re-
sult in an emergency braking application.
Especially depending on road surface condi-
tions and driver reaction, this will not always
enable you to avoid a collision.
iComplex driving situations are not al-
ways fully recognized by Distronic. This
could result in wrong or missing dis-
tance warnings.
Warning!
G
Distronic works to maintain the speed se-
lected by the driver unless a moving obsta-
cle proceeding directly ahead of it in the
same travel direction is detected (e.g. fol-
lowing another vehicle ahead of you at a dis-
tance 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. Your vehicle could then accelerate
to the previously selected speed.

217 Controls in detail
Driving systems
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, Dis-
tronic will switch off, and the message Distronic Currently unavailable. See
Oper. Manual
appears in the multifunction
display.
For cleaning and care of the Distronic sen-
sor, see “Cleaning the Distronic* system
sensor cover” (page 325).Turns and bends
In turns or bends, Distronic may not detect
a moving vehicle in front, or it may detect
one too soon. This may cause your vehicle
to brake late or unexpectedly.
Distronic regulates only the distance be-
tween 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


a disabled vehicle


an oncoming vehicle
The driver must always be on the alert, ob-
serve all traffic and intercede as required by
steering or braking the vehicle.
Warning!
G
Distronic should not be used in snowy or icy
road conditions.

218 Controls in detailDriving systemsOffset driving
A vehicle traveling in your lane but offset
from your direct line of travel may not be
detected by Distronic. There will be insuffi-
cient distance to the vehicle ahead.Lane changing
Distronic has not yet detected the vehicle
changing lanes. There will be insufficient
distance to the vehicle ahead.Narrow vehicles
Because of their narrow profile, the vehi-
cles traveling near the outer edges of the
lane have not yet been detected by Dis-
tronic. There will be insufficient distance to
the vehicles ahead.

219 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Active Body Control (ABC)
The ABC system automatically selects the
optimum suspension tuning and ride
height for your vehicle.
Suspension tuning
The suspension tuning is set according to:

Your driving style


Road surface conditions


The vehicle loading


Your choice of suspension style
You can set the following suspension
styles:


Regular (Comfort)


SportyThe ABC button with the indicator lamp is
located in the lower section of the center
console.
1ABC button
2Indicator lamp

Start the engine (
page 49).Suspension for sporty driving style
The setting for sporty driving is selected
when indicator lamp2 is illuminated.

Press button1.
Indicator lamp2 comes on.
The message
ABC Active Body Con-
trol SPORT appears in the multifunc-
tion display for a short time.
Suspension for regular driving style
The setting for regular driving is selected
when the indicator lamp2 is off.

Press button1.
Indicator lamp2 goes out.
The message
ABC Active Body Con-
trol COMFORT appears in the multifunc-
tion display for a short time.
iThe selected setting is stored, even if
the engine is turned off.

220 Controls in detailDriving systemsVehicle level controlYour vehicle automatically adjusts its ride
height to:


increase vehicle safety


reduce fuel consumption
The vehicle chassis ride height is raised or
lowered according to the selected level
setting and to the vehicle speed:


With increasing speed, ride height is re-
duced by up to approximately 1 inch
(25 mm).


With decreasing speed, the ride height
is again raised to the selected vehicle
level.Select the level 1 and level 2 settings only
when required by current driving condi-
tions. Otherwise:


Fuel consumption may increase.


Handling may be impaired.
Warning!
G
To help avoid personal injury, keep hands
and feet away from wheel housing area, and
stay away from under the vehicle when low-
ering the vehicle chassis.
iThese height adjustments are so small
that you may not notice any change.

221 Controls in detail
Driving systems
The following vehicle level settings can be
selected when the vehicle is stationary:Vehicle level when
stationary
Use for
Height increase over
normal
Automatic lowering
Indicator lamps
(page 222)
Normal
Normal operation
None
Max. approx. 0.5 in (12 mm)
Both lamps off
Level 1
Driving with snow chains
(page 317)
Max. 0.6 in (15 mm)
1
Max. approx. 0.6 in (15 mm)
One lamp on
Level 2
Very rough road surface
conditions
Max. 1.0 in (25 mm)
1
Max. approx. 1.0 in (25 mm)
Both lamps on
1Dependent on loading

222 Controls in detailDriving systemsThe button with the indicator lamps is lo-
cated in the lower section of the center
console.
1Indicator lamp 1
2Indicator lamp 2
3Vehicle level control button
Start the engine (
page 49).

Briefly press button3 to change from
one level setting to the next.

The normal level is selected if both
indicator lamps are off.


At level 1, indicator lamp1 is on.


At level 2, both indicator lamps are
on.
The message
ABC Vehicle being
raised
appears in the multifunction
display for a short time.
When the vehicle is at level 2, pressing
the button will return the vehicle to nor-
mal level.
iPressing the button twice in quick suc-
cession will cause the vehicle to imme-
diately raise or lower to the new vehicle
level as selected.
The selected setting is stored, even if
the engine is turned off.

223 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Parktronic* (Parking assist)
The Parktronic system is an electronic aid
designed to assist the driver during park-
ing maneuvers. It visually and audibly indi-
cates the relative distance between the
vehicle and an obstacle.
The Parktronic system is automatically ac-
tivated when you switch on the ignition, re-
lease the parking brake, or place the gear
selector lever in position D, R, or N. The
Parktronic system deactivates at speeds
above 11 mph (18 km/h). At lower speeds
the Parktronic system turns on again.
The Parktronic system also deactivates
when you place the gear selector lever in
position P or depress the brake pedal.The Parktronic system monitors the sur-
roundings of your vehicle with six sensors
in the front bumper and four sensors in the
rear bumper.
1Sensors in the front bumperWarning!
G
Parktronic is a supplemental system. It is
not intended to, nor does it replace, the
need for extreme care. The responsibility
during parking and other critical maneuvers
always rests with the driver.
Special attention must be paid to objects
with smooth surfaces or low silhouettes
(e.g. trailer couplings, painted posts, or road
curbs). Such objects may not be detected by
the system and can damage the vehicle.
The operational function of the Parktronic
system can be affected by dirty sensors, es-
pecially at times of snow and ice. See
“Cleaning the Parktronic* system sensors”
(page 326).
Interference caused by other ultrasonic sig-
nals (e.g. working jackhammers, car wash,
or the air brakes of trucks) can cause the
system to send erratic indications, and
should be taken into consideration.
Warning!
G
Make sure no persons or animals are in the
area in which you are maneuvering. Other-
wise you run the risk of causing injury.