2008 Mercedes SL-Class Owner's Manual - Page 222

Controls in detail Driving systems If Distronic detects a vehicle directly ahead, the Distronic indicator lamp E in the speedometer dial comes on white. If Distronic calculates that there is a danger of collision: The distance warning lamp E in the speedometer comes on red. An intermittent warning sounds. Immediately apply the brake 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 E goes out when the necessary distance to the vehicle ahead is established again. Warning! G Warning! G An intermittent warning sounds and the distance warning lamp (red) E in the speedometer dial 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 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, 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. Distronic brakes your vehicle with a maximum deceleration of 6.5 ft/s2 (2 m/s2). This corresponds to about 20% of the maximum deceleration ability of your vehicle. Distronic brakes the vehicle in an effort to restore the preset distance or to maintain the set speed. 221