2005 Mercedes SL-Class Owner's Manual - Page 218

Controls in detail Driving systems Setting the following distance in Distronic You can set the specified following for Distronic by varying the time setting between 1.0 and 2.0 seconds. Using this time setting and the current speed of your vehicle, Distronic calculates and sets the required following distance to the vehicle ahead. The set distance will be shown in the speedometer display field. The thumbwheel for making the time setting is located on the lower section of the center console. Warning! Decreasing distance Decreasing the distance setting tells Distronic to maintain a smaller following distance to the vehicle ahead. Turn thumbwheel 2 towards ®. Distance warning function When Distronic is deactivated, this function will continue to warn you when recognizing a stationary obstacle or a slower vehicle moving in your vehicle's path and the danger of a collision exists: The DTR warning lamp E comes on red. An intermittent warning will sound if necessary. If these warnings are issued, you must brake manually to maintain a safe distance and avoid a collision with the vehicle ahead. 1 Distance warning function on/off switch 2 Thumbwheel for setting distance Increasing distance G It is up to the driver to exercise discretion to select the appropriate setting given road conditions, traffic, driver's preferred driving style and applicable laws and driving recommendations for safe following distance. Increasing the distance setting tells Distronic to maintain a greater following distance to the vehicle ahead. Turn thumbwheel 2 towards ¯. 216