2008 Mercedes R-Class Owner's Manual - Page 273

Controls in detail Driving systems Setting the following distance in Distronic You can set the specified following distance 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 preceding vehicle. The set distance will be shown in the multifunction display ( page 267). The distance setting switch for the time setting is located on the cruise control lever on the left-hand side of the steering column. Warning! G Warning! G Distronic switches off and releases the brakes when the vehicle decelerates below the minimum speed of 20 mph (30 km/h) by operation of the system. At that time the driver must apply the brakes in order to reduce vehicle speed further or bring it to a stop. 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. ! Setting the automatic transmission to N while driving cancels the Distronic. However, the automatic transmission should not be set to N while driving except to coast when the vehicle is in danger of skidding (e.g. on icy roads). i Depressing the accelerator pedal does not deactivate the Distronic. After a brief acceleration (e.g. for passing), the Distronic will resume the last set speed. 1 Distance setting switch 2 To decrease distance 3 To increase distance 272