2008 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS63AMG cruise control

217 Controls in detail
Driving systems
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 214).
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.
It is the driver’s responsibility at all times to
be attentive to road, traffic, and weather
conditions and to provide the steering, brak-
ing and other driving inputs necessary to re-
tain 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 remains 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.
iUSA only: This device has been approved by
the FCC as a “Vehicular Radar System”. The ra-
dar sensor is intended for use in an automotive
radar system only. Removal, tampering, or alter-
ing of the device 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.

222 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Distronic activated
If you turn Distronic on, you will see the set
speed in the multifunction display for
about 5 seconds. When Distronic is
activated, you will see the following display
in the multifunction display.
1Distronic activatedCruise control lever
The Distronic system 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.
1Set current or higher speed
2Set current or lower speed
3Deactivate Distronic
4Resume at last set speedActivating Distronic
You can activate Distronic if:

you are driving between 20 mph
(30 km/h) and 110 mph (180 km/h)

the ESP® is activated (page 92)
If Distronic has not been activated after
pressing the cruise control lever you will
see the message
--- in the multifunction
display.
In the following cases you cannot activate
Distronic:

up to 2 minutes after starting the
engine

when you brake

if you have set the parking brake

if the gear selector lever is in
positionP, R orN

if the ESP® is switched off

223 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Setting the current speed
Accelerate or decelerate to the desired
speed.
Briefly lift or depress the cruise control
lever.
Distronic is activated and the current
speed is set.
Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.Setting a higher speed
Briefly tip the cruise control lever in di-
rection of arrow1 (
page 222) to in-
crease vehicle speed in increments of
5 mph (Canada: 10 km/h).
The new speed is set.
The stored speed is displayed in the
multifunction display for approximately
5 seconds (
page 222), and one or
two segments around the stored speed
come on, on the speedometer
(
page 219).iIf you do not take your foot off the
accelerator completely, the following message
will appear in the multifunction display:
DISTRONIC Override
The distance to a slower moving vehicles in front
of you will not be set. Your vehicle speed will
then be determined only by the accelerator ped-
al position.
Warning!G
If you increase the vehicle set speed, keep in
mind that it may take a brief moment until
the vehicle has reached the set speed.
Increase the vehicle set speed to a value
that the prevailing road conditions and legal
speed limits permit. Otherwise, sudden and
unexpected acceleration of the vehicle
could cause an accident and/or serious in-
jury to you and others.
iDepressing the accelerator pedal does not
deactivate Distronic. After brief acceleration
(e.g. for passing), the cruise control will resume
the last speed set.

224 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Setting a lower speedBriefly tip the cruise control lever in di-
rection of arrow2 (
page 222) to de-
crease vehicle speed in increments of
5 mph (Canada: 10 km/h).
The new speed is set.
The stored speed is displayed in the
multifunction display for approximately
5 seconds (
page 222), and one or
two segments around the stored speed
come on, on the speedometer
(
page 219).Fine adjustment in 1 mph
(Canada: 1 km/h) increments
Faster
Briefly tip the cruise control lever in di-
rection of arrow4 (
page 222).
Warning!G
If you increase the vehicle set speed, keep in
mind that it may take a brief moment until
the vehicle has reached the set speed.
Increase the vehicle set speed to a value
that the prevailing road conditions and legal
speed limits permit. Otherwise, sudden and
unexpected acceleration of the vehicle
could cause an accident and/or serious in-
jury to you and others.
iWhen you use the cruise control lever to de-
celerate, the brakes will be applied to support
deceleration.
In addition, the transmission will automatically
downshift on long downhill grades.

225 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Setting stored speed
(“Resume” function)
Briefly tip the cruise control lever in di-
rection of arrow4 (
page 222).
Distronic is activated and set to the last
stored speed.
Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.Deactivating Distronic
There are several ways to deactivate the
Distronic system:
Briefly tip the cruise control lever in di-
rection of arrow3 (
page 222).
or
Step on the brake pedal.
Distronic will be deactivated. The last
speed set will be stored in memory.Distronic deactivates automatically when:

you set the parking brake

you drive slower than 20 mph
(30 km/h)

the ESP® is active (page 92) or you
deactivate the ESP®

you move the gear selector lever into
positionN
A s i g n a l w i l l s o u n d . T h e
DISTRONIC Off
message appears in the multifunction
display for approximately 5 seconds.
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.
iThe following message will appear in the
multifunction display for approximately
5 seconds:
DISTRONIC Off
The last stored speed is deleted when you turn
off the engine.Warning!G
Distronic switches off and releases the
brakes when the vehicle decelerates below
the minimum speed of approximately
20 mph (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.

278 Operation
Driving instructions
For information on how to identify the tire
speed rating on a tire’s sidewall, see “Tire
size designation, load and speed rating”
(
page 314).
If you are uncertain about the correct read-
ing of the information given on a tire’s side-
wall, any authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center will be glad to assist you.
Winter driving instructions
The most important rule for slippery or icy
roads is to drive sensibly and to avoid
abrupt acceleration, braking and steering
maneuvers. Do not use the cruise control
system under such conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger of skidding,
move gear selector lever to positionN. Try
to keep the vehicle under control by cor-
rective steering action.Road salts and chemicals can adversely
affect braking efficiency. Increased pedal
force may become necessary to produce
the normal braking effect.
Depressing the brake pedal periodically
when traveling at length on salt-strewn
roads can bring road-salt-impaired braking
efficiency back to normal.
If the vehicle is parked after being driven
on salt-treated roads, the braking efficien-
cy should be tested as soon as possible
after driving is resumed.
iFor information on speed rating for winter
tires, see “Winter driving” (
page 328).
For additional general information on tire speed
markings on tire sidewall, see “Tire speed rating”
(
page 316).
iFor more information on driving with snow
chains, see “Snow chains” (
page 329).
Warning!G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of control loss.

346 Practical hints
What to do if …
ProblemPossible cause/consequenceSuggested solution
vThe yellow ESP® warning
lamp flashes while driving.The ESP® or traction control has come into
operation because of detected traction loss
in at least one tire.
The cruise control and the Distronic* system
are deactivated.When driving off, apply as little throttle as
possible.
While driving, ease up on the accelerator.
Adapt your speed and driving to the pre-
vailing road and weather conditions.
Do not deactivate the ESP®.
Exceptions: (
page 94).
Failure to follow these instructions increases
the risk of an accident.

361 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
Cruise
Control--- MPH
(USA only)
--- Km/h
(Canada only)
You have tried to switch on cruise control
below a speed of 20 mph (30 km/h).Drive faster than 20 mph (30 km/h) and save
the speed.
DISTRONIC--- MPH
(USA only)
--- Km/h
(Canada only)
You have tried to switch on Distronic be-
low a speed of 20 mph (30 km/h).Drive faster than 20 mph (30 km/h) and save
the speed.
InoperativeThe Distronic* is malfunctioning or the
display is malfunctioning.Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.