2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SL65AMG Owner's Manual

216 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Canceling the cruise control
There are several ways to cancel the cruise
control:
Step on the brake pedal.
The cruise control is canceled. The last
set speed is stored for later use.
or
Briefly push the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow3.
The cruise control is canceled. The last
set speed is stored for later use.
iThe last stored speed is canceled when you
turn off the engine.
iThe cruise control switches off auto-
matically when

you step on the brake pedal

you depress the parking brake pedal
The cruise control also switches off auto-
matically when

the vehicle speed is below
20 mph (30 km/h) (
page 214)

the ESP® is in operation or switched off with
the ESP® switch (page 93)

you move the gear selector lever to
positionN while driving
An acoustic warning sounds and the message
CC Off appears in the multifunction display for
approximately 5 seconds.
!Moving the gear selector lever to positionN
while driving 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).
iDepressing 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.

217 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Setting a higher speed
Lift the cruise control lever in direction
of arrow1 (
page 215) and hold it
there 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
direction of arrow2 (
page 215) and
hold it there until the desired speed is
reached.
Release the cruise control lever.
The new speed is set.Fine adjustment in 1 mph
(Canada: 1 km/h) increments
Faster
Briefly tip the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow1 (
page 215).
Slower
Briefly tip the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow2 (
page 215).Setting to last stored speed
(“Resume” function)
Briefly pull the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow4 (
page 215).
The cruise control resumes to the last
set speed or, if no speed is stored, it
will set and store the current speed.
Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
The selected speed appears in the mul-
tifunction display.iWhen 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.
Warning!G
The set speed stored in memory should only
be set again if prevailing road conditions
permit. Possible acceleration or decelera-
tion differences arising from returning to the
preset speed could cause an accident
and/or serious injury to you and others.

218 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Distronic*
When activated, the Distronic adaptive
cruise control system increases the driving
convenience afforded by the cruise control
while traveling on expressways and other
major roadways.

If the Distronic distance sensor detects
a slower moving vehicle directly ahead,
your vehicle’s speed will be reduced so
that you follow that vehicle at the pre-
set following distance.

If there is no vehicle directly ahead of
you, Distronic will function in the same
way as standard cruise control
(
page 214).
Warning!G
Distronic adaptive cruise control is not a
substitute for active driving involvement. It
does not react to pedestrians or stationary
objects, recognize or predict the lane curva-
ture nor the movement of preceding
vehicles.
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 the road, weather and traffic
conditions. In addition, the driver must pro-
vide the steering, braking and other driving
inputs necessary to remain in 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 responsibility for the vehicle’s speed,
distance to the preceding vehicle and, most
importantly, brake operation to assure a
safe stopping distance, always remains with
the driver.
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.
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 constant
speed.

219 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Warning!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, heavy rain, snow or
sleet.
Warning!G
Distronic cannot take weather conditions
into account. Switch off Distronic or do not
switch 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 dimin-
ished due to snow, rain or fog for exam-
ple
The distance control system functional-
ity could be impaired.
Always pay attention to surrounding traffic
conditions even while Distronic is switched
on. Otherwise, you may not be able to recog-
nize dangerous situations until it is too late.
This could cause an accident in which you
and/or others could be injured.
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 constant
speed.
Distronic will not react to stationary objects
on the roadway (e.g. a stopped vehicle in a
traffic jam or a disabled vehicle). Distronic
will also not respond to oncoming vehicles.


220 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Distronic displays in the speedometer
dial
1Red distance warning lamp E
2Set speed
When Distronic is activated, distance
warning lamp1 and the set speed 2
appear in the speedometer dial.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
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 your
vehicle.
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.
iUSA 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.
iCanada 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
received, 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.
iThe vehicle speed displayed in the speedom-
eter can briefly vary from the speed setting for
the Distronic.


221 Controls in detail
Driving systems
If Distronic detects a vehicle directly
ahead, the Distronic indicator lamp E
in the speedometer dial comes on white.
If Distronic calculates that there is a dan-
ger of collision:

The distance warning lamp E in the
speedometer comes on red.

An intermittent warning sounds.
Immediately apply the brake to avoid a
collision.
Under no circumstances should the
driver await the intermittent warning
sound before braking. See the follow-
ing warning note.
The intermittent warning sound ceases
and the red distance warning
lampE goes out when the neces-
sary distance to the vehicle ahead is
established again.
Warning!G
An intermittent warning sounds and the
distance warning lamp (red) E in the
speedometer dial is illuminated if the
Distronic system calculates that the
distance to the vehicle ahead and your
vehicle’s current speed indicate that
Distronic will not be capable of slowing the
vehicle sufficiently to maintain the preset
following distance, which creates a danger
of a collision.
Immediately brake the vehicle to increase
the distance to the preceding vehicle. The
warning sound is intended as a final caution
that you have not interceded with your own
braking inputs to avoid a potentially danger-
ous situation. Do not wait for the operation
of the warning signal to intercede with your
own braking, as that will result in potentially
dangerous emergency braking which will
not always result in an impact being
avoided.
Tailgating increases the risk of an accident.
Warning!G
Distronic brakes your vehicle with a maxi-
mum deceleration of 6.5 ft/s2 (2 m/s2). This
corresponds to about 20% of the maximum
deceleration ability of your vehicle.
Distronic brakes the vehicle in an effort to
restore the preset distance or to maintain
the set speed.

222 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Distronic menu in the control system
Use the
DISTRONIC menu to display the
current settings for your Distronic system.
The information shown in the multifunction
display depends on whether the Distronic
system is activated (
page 223) or
deactivated (
page 225).
Press button è or ÿ repeatedly
until you see one of the following
displays in the multifunction display.Distronic deactivated
When Distronic is deactivated, you will see
the standard display in the left multifunc-
tion display.
1Preceding vehicle, if detected
2Actual distance to preceding vehicle
3Preset distance threshold to preceding
vehicle
4Your vehicle
5Symbol for activated distance warning
functionDistronic activated
When Distronic is activated, the
DTRsymbol and the set speed appear
in the left multifunction display.
1Symbol for activated Distronic
2Set speed
iFor information on the distance warning
function*, see “Distance warning function*”
(
page 229).

223 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Cruise control lever
The Distronic system is operated by means
of the cruise control lever.
The cruise control lever is the uppermost
lever found on the left-hand side of the
steering column.
1Setting current or higher speed
2Setting current or lower speed
3Deactivate Distronic
4Activating Distronic or resuming at last
set speedActivating Distronic
You can activate Distronic when the vehi-
cle speed is between 20 mph (30 km/h)
and 110 mph (180 km/h).
When Distronic is activated, the left multi-
function display will show a message such
as
DTR 55 MPH.
If Distronic is not activated after the cruise
control lever is pulled, the left multifunc-
tion display will show the message
DTR --- MPH.
In the following cases you cannot activate
Distronic:

up to 2 minutes after starting the
engine

when you brake

when you have set the parking brake

when the gear selector lever is set to
positionP, R, or N.

when the ESP® is switched off1White Distronic indicator lamp E
2Set speed
iThe vehicle speed displayed in the speedom-
eter can briefly vary from the speed setting for
the Distronic.