2006 Mercedes E-Class Owner's Manual - Page 251

Controls in detail Driving systems Immediately brake the vehicle to avoid a collision. Under no circumstances should the driver await the intermittent warning sound before braking. See the following warning note. The intermittent warning sound ceases and the red distance warning lamp l goes out when the necessary distance to the vehicle ahead is again established. Warning! G 1 Segments If Distronic detects a vehicle directly ahead, the segments (representing the difference) from the speed of the vehicle ahead to the set speed come on. If Distronic calculates that there is a danger of collision: The distance warning lamp l in the instrument cluster comes on red. An intermittent warning sounds. An intermittent warning sounds and the distance warning lamp l in the instrument 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 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 vehicle in front of you. The warning sound is intended as a final caution that you have not interceded with your own braking inputs to avoid a potentially dangerous 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. 250