2007 Mercedes S-Class Owner's Manual - Page 386

Controls in detail Driving systems DISTRONIC Plus* Warning! When activated, the DISTRONIC Plus adaptive cruise control system increases driving convenience afforded by the cruise control during travel on expressways and other major roads. If the DISTRONIC Plus distance sensor detects a slower moving vehicle directly ahead, your vehicle speed will be reduced so that you follow that vehicle at a preset distance. If there is no vehicle directly ahead of you, DISTRONIC Plus will function in the same way as cruise control ( page 380). DISTRONIC Plus functions within a speed range of 0 to 124 mph (0 to 200 km/h). G Warning! G DISTRONIC Plus 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 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 traffic conditions into account. Complex driving situations are not always fully recognized by DISTRONIC Plus. This could result in wrong or missing distance warnings. The DISTRONIC Plus adaptive cruise control is no substitute for active driving involvement. It does not react to pedestrians or stationary 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 vehicles 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 conditions and to provide the steering, braking and other driving inputs necessary to retain control of the vehicle. High-frequency sources such as toll stations, speed measuring systems etc. can cause the DISTRONIC Plus system to temporarily cease functioning properly. 385