2008 Mercedes R-Class Owner's Manual - Page 264

Controls in detail Driving systems Warning! G Warning! G Warning! G Distronic 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's speed, distance to the preceding vehicle and, most importantly, brake operation to ensure a safe stopping distance, always remains with the driver. Distronic cannot take road and traffic conditions into account. Complex driving situations are not always fully recognized by Distronic. This could result in wrong or missing distance warnings. Distronic adaptive cruise control is no substitute for active driving involvement. It does not react to pedestrians or on stationary objects, nor does it recognize or predict the lane curvature or the movement of preceding vehicles. Distronic can only apply a maximum of 20% of the vehicle's braking power. It is the driver's responsibility at all times to be attentive to the road, weather and traffic conditions. Additionally, the driver must provide the steering, braking and other driving inputs necessary to remain in control of the vehicle. High-frequency sources such as toll stations, speed measuring systems etc. can cause the Distronic system to malfunction. Distronic requires familiarity with its operational characteristics. We strongly recommend that you review the following information carefully before operating the system. Warning! G Distronic cannot take road and traffic conditions into account. Only use Distronic if the road, weather and traffic conditions make it advisable to travel at a constant speed. Warning! G Use of Distronic can be dangerous on slippery roads. Rapid changes in tire traction can result in wheel spin and loss of control. 263