2007 MERCEDES-BENZ E550 4MATIC Owner's Manual

248 Controls in detailPanorama roof with power tilt/sliding panel*Opening and closing the panorama roof
with power tilt/sliding panel
To open, close, raise, or lower the
tilt/sliding panel, move the roof panel
switch to resistance point in the re-
quired direction of arrows1 to4.
Release the roof panel switch when the
tilt/sliding panel has reached the de-
sired position.
Fully opening (Express-open) the pan-
orama roof with power tilt/sliding pan-
el

Move the roof panel switch past the re-
sistance point in direction of arrow1
and release.
The tilt/sliding panel opens
completely.
Stopping the panorama roof with power
tilt/sliding panel during Express-open

Move the roof panel switch in any di-
rection.Synchronizing the panorama roof with
power tilt/sliding panel
The tilt/sliding panel must be
synchronized

after the battery has been
disconnected or discharged


after the tilt/sliding panel has been
closed manually (
page 439)


after a malfunction


if the tilt/sliding panel does not open
smoothly

Remove the fuse from the main fuse
box (
page 469).

Reinsert the fuse in the main fuse box.

Switch on the ignition (
page 37).

Move and hold the roof panel switch in
direction of arrow2 until the roller
sunblinds are fully closed.

Keep holding the roof panel switch in
direction of arrow2 for approximately
1 second.

Move and hold the roof panel switch in
direction of arrow1 until the roller
sunblinds are fully opened.

Keep holding the roof panel switch in
direction of arrow1 for approximately
1 second.

Move and hold the roof panel switch in
direction of arrow3 until the tilt/slid-
ing panel is fully raised.

Keep holding the roof panel switch in
direction of arrow3 for approximately
1 second.

Move and hold the roof panel switch in
direction of arrow2 until the tilt/slid-
ing panel is fully closed.

Keep holding the roof panel switch in
direction of arrow2 for approximately
1 second.

Check the Express-open feature of the
tilt/sliding panel (
page 248).
If the tilt/sliding panel opens com-
pletely, the roof is synchronized. Other-
wise repeat the above steps.

249 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Driving systems
The driving systems of your vehicle are de-
scribed on the following pages:

Cruise control and Distronic*, with
which the vehicle can maintain a preset
speed


Airmatic DC adjusts the vehicle sus-
pension characteristics automatically
and controls the vehicle level


Parktronic system*, which assists the
driver during parking maneuvers
For information on the BAS, ABS, and
ESP®, see “Driving safety systems”
(
page 97).
Cruise control
The cruise control automatically maintains
the speed you set for your vehicle.
Use of cruise control is recommended for
driving at a constant speed for extended
periods of time. You can set or resume
cruise control at any speed above 20 mph
(30 km/h).
The cruise control function is operated by
means of the cruise control lever.
The cruise control lever is the uppermost
lever on the left-hand side of the steering
column (
page 24).
Warning!
G
The cruise control is a convenience system
designed to assist the driver during vehicle
operation. The driver is and must always re-
main responsible for the vehicle’s speed and
for safe brake operation.
Only use the cruise control if the road, traffic
and weather conditions make it advisable to
travel at a steady speed.

The use of cruise control can be danger-
ous on winding roads or in heavy traffic
because conditions do not allow safe
driving at a steady speed.


The use of cruise control can be danger-
ous on slippery roads. Rapid changes in
tire traction can result in wheel spin and
loss of control.


Deactivate the cruise control when driv-
ing in fog.
The “Resume” function should only be oper-
ated if the driver is fully aware of the previ-
ously set speed and wishes to resume this
particular preset speed.

250 Controls in detailDriving systems1Set current or higher speed
2Set current or lower speed
3Cancel cruise control
4Resume at last set speedSetting current speed

Accelerate or decelerate to the desired
speed.

Briefly lift1 or depress2 the cruise
control lever.
The current speed is set.

Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
Cruise control is activated.
The selected speed appears in the multi-
function display for approximately
5 seconds, and the corresponding speed-
ometer segments from the selected speed
to the vehicle maximum speed are illumi-
nated.Canceling cruise control
There are several ways to cancel the cruise
control:

Step on the brake pedal.
The cruise control is canceled. The last
speed set is stored for later use.
or

Briefly push the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow3 (
page 250).
The cruise control is canceled. The last
speed set is stored for later use.
Warning!
G
The cruise control brakes automatically so
that the set speed is not exceeded.
Keep in mind that the cruise control is a
convenience system designed to assist the
driver during vehicle operation. The driver is
and must always remain responsible for the
vehicle’s speed and for safe brake
operation.
i
On uphill or downhill grades, the cruise con-
trol may not be able to maintain the set speed.
Once the grade eases, the set speed will be re-
sumed.
On downhill grades, the cruise control maintains
the set speed with active braking action.
In addition, on longer downhill grades the auto-
matic transmission will automatically downshift.
i
The last stored speed is canceled when you
turn off the engine.

251 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Setting a higher speed
Lift cruise control lever in direction of
arrow1 (
page 250) and hold it up
until the desired speed is reached.

Release the cruise control lever.
The new speed is set.
Setting a lower speed

Depress the cruise control lever in di-
rection of arrow2 (
page 250) and
hold it down until the desired speed is
reached.

Release cruise control lever.
The new speed is set.
i
The cruise control switches off automatical-
ly if


you step on the brake pedal


you depress the parking brake pedal
In this case the segments in the multifunc-
tion display (
page 255) go out and no
warning sounds


the vehicle speed is below 20 mph
(30 km/h)


the ESP
® is in operation or switched off with
the ESP® switch (
page 102)


you move the gear selector lever to
positionN while driving
The segments in the multifunction display
(
page 255) go out, and an acoustic warning
sounds.
!
Moving gear selector lever to positionN
while driving also cancels the cruise control.
However, the gear selector lever should not be
moved to positionN while driving except to
coast when the vehicle is in danger of skidding
(e.g. on icy roads).
i
Depressing the accelerator pedal does not
deactivate the cruise control. After brief acceler-
ation (e.g. for passing), the cruise control will re-
sume the last speed set.
i
When you use the cruise control lever to de-
celerate, the brake system will automatically
brake the vehicle if the engine’s braking power
does not brake the vehicle sufficiently.

252 Controls in detailDriving systemsFine adjustment in 1 mph
(Canada: 1 km/h) increments
Faster
Briefly tip the cruise control lever in di-
rection of arrow1 (
page 250).
Slower

Briefly tip the cruise control lever in di-
rection of arrow2 (
page 250).Setting to last stored speed
(“Resume” function)

Briefly pull the cruise control lever in di-
rection of arrow4 (
page 250).
The cruise control resumes the last set
speed.

Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
The selected speed appears in the multi-
function display for approximately
5 seconds, and the corresponding speed-
ometer segments from the selected speed
to the vehicle maximum speed are illumi-
nated.
Distronic*
When activated, the Distronic adaptive
cruise control system increases driving
convenience afforded by the cruise control
during travel on expressways and other
major roads.

If the Distronic distance sensor detects
a slower moving vehicle directly ahead,
your vehicle speed will be reduced so
that you follow that vehicle at a preset
distance.


If there is no vehicle directly ahead of
you, Distronic will function in the same
way as cruise control (
page 249).
Warning!
G
The speed stored in memory should only be
set again if prevailing road conditions per-
mit. Possible acceleration or deceleration
differences arising from returning to the pre-
set speed could cause an accident and/or
serious injury to you and others.
Warning!
G
Distronic adaptive cruise control is no sub-
stitute for active driving involvement. It does
not react to stationary objects, nor recog-
nize or predict the curvature and lane layout
or the movement of vehicles ahead.
Distronic can only apply a maximum of 20%
of the vehicle’s braking power.

253 Controls in detail
Driving systems
It is the driver’s responsibility at all times to
be attentive to road, traffic and weather con-
ditions and to provide the steering, braking
and other driving inputs necessary to retain
control of the vehicle.Warning!
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 responsibili-
ty for the vehicle speed and the distance to
the vehicle ahead, including most impor-
tantly brake operation to assure safe stop-
ping distance, always rests with the driver.
Distronic cannot take street and traffic con-
ditions into account.
Warning!
G
Distronic requires familiarity with its opera-
tional characteristics. We strongly recom-
mend that you review the following
information carefully before operating the
system.i
USA only:
This device has been approved by the FCC as a
“Vehicular Radar System”. The radar sensor is
intended for use in an automotive radar system
only. Removal, tampering, or altering of the de-
vice will void any warranties, and is not permitted
by the FCC. Do not tamper with, alter, or use in
any non-approved way.
Any unauthorized modification to this device
could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment.
i
Canada only:
This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry
Canada. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference re-
ceived, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the device.
Removal, tampering, or altering of the device will
void any warranties, and is not permitted. Do not
tamper with, alter, or use in any non-approved
way.
Any unauthorized modification to this device
could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment.Warning!
G
Distronic cannot take street and traffic con-
ditions into account. Only use Distronic if
the road, weather and traffic conditions
make it advisable to travel at a steady
speed.

254 Controls in detailDriving systemsWarning!
G
Use of Distronic can be dangerous on slip-
pery roads. Rapid changes in tire traction
can result in wheel spin and loss of control.
Distronic does not act upon adverse sight
distance conditions. Do not use Distronic
during conditions of fog and heavy rain,
snow or sleet.
Warning!
G
Distronic cannot take weather conditions
into account. Switch off Distronic or do not
turn it on if:

roads are slippery or covered with snow
or ice. The wheels could lose traction
while braking or accelerating, and the
vehicle could skid


the sensor is dirty or visibility is
diminished due to snow, rain or fog. The
distance control could be impaired
Always pay attention to traffic conditions
even while Distronic is switched on. Other-
wise, you may not be able to recognize
dangerous situations until it is too late and
could cause an accident resulting in person-
al or fatal injury to you or others.
Warning!
G
Close attention to road and traffic condi-
tions is imperative at all times, regardless of
whether or not Distronic is activated.
Use of Distronic can be dangerous on wind-
ing roads or in heavy traffic because condi-
tions do not allow safe driving at a steady
speed.
Distronic will not react to stationary objects
in the roadway (e.g. a stopped vehicle in a
traffic jam or a disabled vehicle). Distronic
will also not respond to oncoming vehicles.
Switch off Distronic:

when changing from the left to the right
lane if vehicles are moving more slowly
in the left lane


when entering a turn lane or highway off
ramp


in complex driving situations, such as in
highway construction zones

255 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Distronic displays in the speedometer
dial
1Set speed
If Distronic is activated, one or two seg-
ments come on around the set speed.1Segments
If Distronic detects a vehicle directly
ahead, the segments (representing the
difference) from the speed of the vehicle
ahead to the set speed come on.
If Distronic calculates that there is a dan-
ger of collision:


The distance warning lampl in the
instrument cluster comes on red.


An intermittent warning sounds.
In these situations, Distronic will continue to
maintain the set speed unless deactivated.
Distronic is designed and intended only to
maintain a set speed and keep a set dis-
tance from moving objects in front of it.Warning!
G
The “Resume” function should only be oper-
ated if the driver is fully aware of the previ-
ously set speed and wishes to resume this
particular preset speed.
i
The vehicle speed displayed on the speed-
ometer can briefly vary from the speed setting
on the Distronic system.