2008 Mercedes CL-Class Owner's Manual - Page 448

Controls in detail Driving systems Warning! G Warning! G Warning! G An intermittent warning sounds and the distance warning lamp l in the instrument cluster is illuminated if the DISTRONIC Plus system calculates that the distance to the vehicle ahead and your vehicle's current speed indicate that DISTRONIC Plus 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 your distance to the preceding vehicle. 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. This will result in potentially dangerous emergency braking which will not always result in an impact being avoided. Tailgating increases the risk of an accident. DISTRONIC Plus brakes your vehicle with a maximum of 13 ft/s2. This corresponds to about 40% of the maximum deceleration of your vehicle. You must also apply the brakes yourself to avoid a collision. DISTRONIC Plus brakes the vehicle in an effort to restore the preset distance or to maintain the set speed. The brake pedal is automatically applied as this happens which results in the brake pedal moving. Keep driver's foot area clear at all times, including the area under the brake pedal. Objects stored in this area may impair pedal movement which could interfere with the braking ability of the DISTRONIC Plus system. Do not place your foot under the brake pedal - your foot could become caught. If you do not receive visual or acoustic warning signals during a critical traffic situation, DISTRONIC Plus has either not recognized the collision risk, has been deactivated, or is malfunctioning. Remember, whether or not DISTRONIC Plus is operating, it is ultimately always the drivers responsibility to apply the brakes in order to control the vehicle and avoid a collision. 447