Mercedes-Benz S-Class 2007 - Manual (Page 386)

385
Controls in detail
Driving systems
DISTRONIC Plus*
When activated, the DISTRONIC Plus adap-
tive cruise control system increases driv-
ing convenience afforded by the cruise
control during travel on expressways and
other major roads.
ț If the DISTRONIC Plus distance sensor
detects a slower moving vehicle direct-
ly ahead, your vehicle speed will be re-
duced so that you follow that vehicle at
a preset distance.
ț If there is no vehicle directly ahead of
you, DISTRONIC Plus will function in
the same way as cruise control
(
୴ page 380).
DISTRONIC Plus functions within a speed
range of 0 to 124 mph (0 to 200 km/h).
Warning!
G
DISTRONIC Plus is a convenience system.
Its speed adjustment reduction capability is
intended to make cruise control more effec-
tive and usable when traffic speeds vary. It
is not however, intended to, nor does it, re-
place the need for extreme care. The re-
sponsibility for the vehicle speed and the
distance to the vehicle ahead, including
most importantly brake operation to assure
safe stopping distance, always rests with
the driver.
DISTRONIC Plus cannot take street and traf-
fic conditions into account.
Complex driving situations are not always
fully recognized by DISTRONIC Plus. This
could result in wrong or missing distance
warnings.
Warning!
G
The DISTRONIC Plus adaptive cruise control
is no substitute for active driving involve-
ment. It does not react to pedestrians or sta-
tionary objects, nor does it recognize or
predict the curvature and lane layout or the
movement of vehicles ahead.
DISTRONIC Plus can only apply a maximum
of 40% of the vehicle’s braking power.
DISTRONIC Plus may not detect narrow ve-
hicles possibly driving in front of you, such
as motorcycles and vehicles driving in an
offset formation.
It is the driver’s responsibility at all times to
be attentive to road, weather and traffic con-
ditions and to provide the steering, braking
and other driving inputs necessary to retain
control of the vehicle.
High-frequency sources such as toll sta-
tions, speed measuring systems etc. can
cause the DISTRONIC Plus system to tem-
porarily cease functioning properly.