Mercedes-Benz

Function of Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC

Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC maintains the set speed on free-flowing roads. If vehicles ahead are detected, the set distance is maintained, if necessary until the vehicle comes to a halt. The vehicle accelerates or brakes, depending on the distance to the vehicle in front and the set speed. Speed and distance are set and stored on the steering wheel. The speed can be set in the range between 20 km/h and 160 km/h or between 20 km/h and the vehicle's maximum speed.

Other features of Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC:

Depending on the preselected distance, DISTRONIC intervenes either dynamically (short distance) or to save fuel (long distance).
Depending on the vehicle mass detected, the dynamics of the DISTRONIC intervention are reduced.
Rapid acceleration to the stored speed is initiated if the turn signal indicator is switched on to change to the overtaking lane.

Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC is only an aid. The driver is responsible for the distance to the vehicle in front, for vehicle speed and for braking in good time.

System limits

The system may be impaired or may not function in the following instances, for example:

The radar sensors are affected by snow, rain, fog, heavy spray, glare, direct sunlight or greatly varying light conditions.
The radar sensors may malfunction in multi-storey car parks or on roads with steep uphill or downhill gradients.
If the radar sensors are dirty or covered.
On icy or slippery roads, braking or accelerating can cause the drive wheels to lose traction and the vehicle could then skid.
Stationary objects are not detected if these were not previously detected as moving.
On bends, target vehicles may be lost or not recognised correctly. As a result, a target vehicle is not used to regulate the speed which may lead to unwanted acceleration.

Do not use Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC in these situations.

WARNING Risk of accident from acceleration or braking by Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC

Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC may accelerate or brake in the following cases, for example:

If the vehicle pulls away using Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC.
If the stored speed is called up and is considerably faster or slower than the currently driven speed.
If Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC no longer detects a vehicle in front or does not react to relevant objects.

Always carefully observe the traffic conditions and be ready to brake at all times.

Take into account the traffic situation before calling up the stored speed.

WARNING Risk of accident due to insufficient deceleration by Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC

Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC brakes your vehicle with up to 50% of the possible deceleration. If this deceleration is not sufficient, Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC alerts you with a visual and acoustic warning.

Adjust your speed and maintain a suitable distance from the vehicle in front.

Brake the vehicle yourself and/or take evasive action.

WARNING Risk of accident if detection function of Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC is impaired

Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC does not react or has a limited reaction:

when driving on a different lane or when changing lanes
to pedestrians, animals, bicycles or stationary vehicles, or unexpected obstacles
to complex traffic conditions
to oncoming vehicles and crossing traffic

As a result, Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC may neither give warnings nor intervene in such situations.

Always observe the traffic conditions carefully and react accordingly.

Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC may not detect narrow vehicles driving in front, e.g. motorcycles and vehicles not travelling in line with your vehicle.