Mercedes-Benz 2009 ML-Class Automobile User Manual


 
254
Controls in detail
Driving systems
If Distronic calculates that there is a dan-
ger of collision:
ț The distance warning lamp l in the
instrument cluster comes on
(
page 27).
ț 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 distance warning lamp l
goes out when the necessary distance
to the vehicle ahead is again estab-
lished.
Warning! G
An intermittent warning sounds and the
distance warning lamp l in the instru-
ment cluster 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 ca-
pable of slowing the vehicle sufficiently to
maintain the preset following distance,
which creates a danger of a collision.
Immediately brake the vehicle to increase
your distance to the preceding vehicle. The
warning sound is intended as a final caution
in which you should intercede 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. This will result in potentially
dangerous emergency braking which will
not always result in an impact being avoid-
ed.
Tailgating increases the risk of an accident.
Warning! G
Distronic brakes your vehicle with a maxi-
mum deceleration of 6.5 ft/s
2
(2 m/s
2
). This
corresponds to about 20% of the maximum
deceleration of your vehicle.
Distronic brakes the vehicle in an effort to
restore the preset distance or to maintain
the set speed.
Keep driver’s foot area clear at all times, in-
cluding the area under the brake pedal. Ob-
jects stored in this area may impair pedal
movement which could interfere with the
braking ability of the Distronic system.
Do not place your foot under the brake pedal
– your foot could become caught.