2011 Mercedes ML-Class Owner's Manual - Page 71

Anti-theft systems emergency braking situations, for example. You could lose control of the vehicle and cause an accident. Adapt your driving style to the changed driving characteristics. X 69 Distance warning function (vehicles with DISTRONIC) This function warns you from a speed of approximately 20 mph (30 km/h), if: a period of several seconds, the distance to the vehicle in front is too short for the speed at which you are traveling. The · distance warning lamp in the instrument cluster will light up. Ryou are approaching the vehicle in front rapidly. An intermittent warning tone will then sound and the · distance warning lamp in the instrument cluster will light up. You must apply the brakes yourself in order to maintain the appropriate distance to the vehicle in front and prevent a collision. Rfor Anti-theft systems Immobilizer The immobilizer prevents your vehicle from being started without the correct SmartKey. When leaving the vehicle, always take the SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. The engine can be started by anyone with a valid SmartKey that is left inside the vehicle. X To activate with the SmartKey: remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock. X To activate with KEYLESS-GO: switch the ignition off and open the driver's door. X To deactivate: switch on the ignition. G Warning! If the distance warning lamp · in the instrument cluster comes on while driving and/or an intermittent warning sounds, immediate attention on the part of the driver is required. As required by the traffic situation, apply the brakes and navigate around a possible obstacle. However, do not drive by relying on the distance warning function, as this will result in an emergency braking application. This will not always enable you to avoid a collision, especially when traveling on varying road surface conditions and with varying driver reaction. Complex driving situations are not always fully recognized by the distance warning function. This could result in wrong or missing distance warnings. i The immobilizer is always deactivated when you start the engine. In the event that the engine cannot be started when the starter battery is fully charged, the immobilizer may be faulty. Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or call 1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in USA) or 1-800-387-0100 (in Canada). ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system) A visual and audible alarm is triggered if the alarm system is armed and you open: Ra door vehicle with the mechanical key Rthe tailgate Rthe hood The alarm is not switched off, even if you close the open door that has triggered it, for example. Rthe Z Safety To activate/deactivate: activate or deactivate the distance warning function in the on-board computer (Y page 219). After activation, the Ä symbol is displayed in the lower multifunction display.