MERCEDES-BENZ S55AMG 2000 W220 Owner's Manual

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The speed stored in memory is displayed in the
multifunction display, and one or two segments around
the stored speed light up in the speedometer dial, see
page 270.
1Accelerate and set:
To increase the speed by 5 mph (Canada: 10 km/h) –
brief ly lift lever up.
2Decelerate and set:
To reduce the speed by 5 mph (Canada: 10 km/h) –
briefly depress lever.3Canceling
To cancel Distronic, briefly push lever to position 3.
The last set speed remains stored in memory.
4Resume
•If the lever is briefly pulled to position 4 when
driving at a speed above approximately 25 mph
(Canada: 30 km/h), the vehicle resumes the
speed which was selected prior to the
cancellation of Distronic.
•For minor increases of speeds in increments of
1 mph (Canada: 1 km/h) – briefly pull lever to
position 4.
The last memorized speed is canceled when the
electronic key in the starter switch is turned to
position 1 or 0.
1
3
4
2

259 Driving systems
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cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Activation of Distronic
Any given speed above approximately 25 mph
(Canada: 30 km/h) can be maintained:
•Normally the vehicle is accelerated to the desired
speed with the accelerator.•Speed is set by briefly moving the control lever to
position 1 or 2.
The stored speed is displayed in the multifunction
display for approximately 5 seconds (see also
page 269), and one or two segments around the
stored speed light up on the speedometer dial (see
also page 270).
•Remove foot from the accelerator.
•When briefly lifting the control lever to position 1,
the vehicle speed will increase in increments of
5 mph (Canada: 10 km/h).
The stored speed is displayed in the multifunction
display for approximately 5 seconds (see also
page 269), and one or two segments around the
stored speed light up on the speedometer dial (see
also page 270).
•When briefly lowering the control lever to
position 2, the vehicle speed will decrease in
increments of 5 mph (Canada: 10 km/h).
The stored speed is displayed in the multifunction
display for approximately 5 seconds (see also
page 269), and one or two segments around the
stored speed light up on the speedometer dial (see
also page 270).
P54.70-2154-26

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•For a more precise setting the speed can be
increased in increments of 1 mph (Canada: 1 km/h)
by briefly pulling the control lever in direction (4).
Caution!
If the driver’s foot is not fully removed from the
accelerator pedal, the Distronic control system will be
overridden and it will not regulate the preset vehicle
speed and following distance. The vehicle speed and
following distance will be determined only by the
accelerator pedal position.Invalid attempts to activate
The multifunction display will show “–––” during
invalid attempts to activate Distronic:
•below a speed of approximately 25 mph
(Canada: 30 km/h),
•while the electronic stability program (ESP) is
switched off – ESP warning lampv in
speedometer dial is illuminated, see page 114,
•by moving the distronic control lever in “RESUME”
direction (4) when no speed is stored in memory,
•during the initialization and self-test phase after the
engine is started – this can take up to 2 minutes,
•while depressing the service brake pedal,
•while the parking brake is set – check ;warning
lamp (Canada: !) in instrument cluster, see
page 114,
•with the gear selector lever in position “P”, “R”
or “N” – check gear range indicator display in
instrument cluster, see page 114.
Wa r n i n g !
Distronic brakes (up to 20% of vehicle braking
power) the vehicle to restore the preset distance or
to maintain the speed. The brake pedal is
automatically retracted as this happens.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
system.Do not place your foot under the brake pedal – your
foot could become caught.

261 Driving systems
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cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Deactivation of Distronic
Briefly move the distronic control lever in “OFF”
direction (3) – the stored speed remains in the memory
until the electronic key in the starter switch is turned to
position 1 or 0.
Distronic is also deactivated if:
•the service brake pedal is depressed,
•the parking brake is activated,
•the vehicle decelerates to less than approximately
25 mph (Canada: 30 km/h), e.g. while maintaining
the distance to the vehicle ahead,•the gear selector lever is moved to position “N”,
•the electronic stability program (ESP) is active,
•the electronic stability program (ESP) is switched off
manually,
•Model S 55 AMG only:
the vehicle speed exceeds approximately 160 mph
(260 km/h).
Note:
A signal sounds and the message “DTR OFF” appears
for 5 seconds in the multifunction display everytime
Distronic is deactivated.
Wa r n i n g !
The Distronic switches off and releases the brakes
when the vehicle decelerates below the minimum
speed of 25 mph (Canada: 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.

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Driving with Distronic activated
With the electronic key in starter switch position 2, the
distance warning lamp l in the speedometer dial comes
on and goes out with the engine running.
If the distance sensor detects a slower vehicle moving in
front, your vehicle speed will be reduced by
deceleration and braking of up to 20% of the vehicle
braking capacity, so that you follow the vehicle ahead at
the preset distance, see page 268. Segments in the
speedometer illuminate to indicate the speed range from the speed of the vehicle in front up to your
vehicle’s selected speed. See also page 269 for notes on
the multifunction displays.
Wa r n i n g !
Distronic brakes (up to 20% of vehicle braking
power) the vehicle to restore the preset distance or
to maintain the speed. The brake pedal is
automatically retracted as this happens.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
system.Do not place your foot under the brake pedal – your
foot could become caught.

263 Driving systems
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cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index The distance warning sound continues until the driver
activates the brake pedal, or the preset distance is
obtained. As soon as the preset distance is obtained, the
distance warning lamp goes out.Caution!
If the driver’s foot is not fully removed from the
accelerator pedal, the Distronic control system will be
overridden and it will not regulate the preset vehicle
speed and following distance. The vehicle speed and
following distance is determined only by the accelerator
pedal position.
Distronic works on steep uphill and downhill gradients
by downshifting gears and applying the brakes to
maintain the speed selected by the driver. The
transmission will upshift again once the gradient evens
out.
The speed can be increased (e.g. for passing) by using
the accelerator. After the accelerator is released, the
previously set speed will be resumed automatically.
Distronic is deactivated if a vehicle in front causes your
vehicle to slow down to less than approximately 25 mph
(Canada: 30 km/h). A signal sounds and the message
“DTR OFF” appears for 5 seconds in the multifunction
display.
Wa r n i n g !
A continuous warning sounds and the distance
warning lamp 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 vehicle in front of you. 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 an impact being avoided.Tailgating increases the risk of an accident.

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Additional driving hints
Important!
When starting the engine, Distronic goes through an
initialization and self-test phase.
The most likely cause for a malfunctioning system is
caused by a dirty sensor (located behind the hood
grille), especially at times of snow and ice or heavy rain.
In such a case, Distronic will switch off, and the
message “DISTRONIC – CLEAN SENSOR!” appears in
the multifunction display.
For cleaning and care of the Distronic sensor, see
page 378.
The following are some sample situations which may
influence the functions of Distronic.
Wa r n i n g !
Distronic works to maintain the speed selected by
the driver unless a moving obstacle proceeding
directly ahead of it in the same travel direction is
detected (e.g. following another vehicle ahead at a
distance set by Distronic). This means that:• your vehicle can pass another vehicle after you
change lanes,• while in a sharp turn or if the vehicle in front
is in a sharp turn, Distronic could lose sight of
a vehicle traveling in front of it, then your
vehicle could accelerate to the previously
selected speed.Distronic regulates only the distance between your
vehicle and those directly ahead, but does not
register stationary objects in the roadway, e.g.:
• a stopped vehicle in a traffic jam.
• a disabled vehicle.
• an oncoming vehicle.
The driver must always be on the alert and observe
all traffic and intercede with steering and braking
inputs as necessary.Wa r n i n g !
Distronic should not be used in snowy or icy road
conditions.

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cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Traveling through turns or bends in the roadway may
result in Distronic detecting a moving vehicle traveling
in front but not in your lane of travel, causing your
vehicle to brake late or unexpectedly. You must be
prepared to intercede with accelerator or brake
application as necessary.The Distronic system’s detection zone is relatively
narrow at the start and becomes broader as it senses
further from the vehicle. Thus, Distronic may not
recognize another vehicle coming into your path close
to the front of your vehicle. You must be prepared to
intercede with braking or steering as necessary.
A vehicle not traveling directly in front of you could
cause detection problems, the actual distance to that
vehicle really being much shorter.

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A vehicle changing lanes at close range is only
recognized when entering the area scanned by
Distronic. You must apply the service brakes to gain
sufficient distance to the vehicle ahead.A narrow vehicle (e.g. a motorcycle) is only recognized
when entering the area scanned by Distronic. You must
apply the service brakes to gain sufficient distance to
the vehicle ahead.

267 Driving systems
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cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Distance warning function
Even if Distronic is deactivated, the distance to the
vehicle ahead continues to be measured, see page 269
for multifunction display.
The Distronic lamp in the speedometer dial illuminates
to advise the driver of a situation which under normal
braking conditions and dry surfaces should have been
addressed by the driver.
The distance notification function can be activated
separately, see page 267. It operates when driving at
speeds above approximately 25 mph
(Canada: 30 km/h).
When recognizing a stationary obstacle or a slower
vehicle moving in the vehicle’s path and the danger of a
collision exists, the distance warning lamp in the
speedometer dial lights up and simultaneously a
continuous warning sounds.
Note:
Model S 55 AMG only:
Distance notification function is deactivated if the
vehicle speed exceeds approximately 160 mph
(260 km/h).Important!
With the Distronic switched off, only the distance
notification function operates, meaning the vehicle does
not slow down.
Important!
Complex driving situations are not always fully
recognized by Distronic, which could result in wrong or
missing distance warnings.
See page 264 for additional driving hints.
Wa r n i n g !
If the distance warning lamp in the speedometer
dial lights up while driving and a continuous
warning sounds, immediate attention on the part of
the driver is required.As required by the traffic situation, apply the
service brakes and navigate around a possible
obstacle. However, do not drive by relying on the
distance notification function as that will result in
an emergency braking application which,
especially depending on road surface conditions
and driver reaction, will not always be able to avoid
a collision.