Distronic plus

Important safety notes

WARNING
DISTRONIC PLUS does not react to: • people or animals • stationary obstacles on the road, e.g.

stopped or parked vehicles • oncoming and crossing traffic

As a result, DISTRONIC PLUS may neither give warnings nor intervene in such situations.

There is a risk of an accident.

Always pay careful attention to the traffic situation and be ready to brake.

WARNING
DISTRONIC PLUS cannot always clearly identify other road users and complex traffic situations.

In such cases, DISTRONIC PLUS may: • give an unnecessary warning and then brake the vehicle
• neither give a warning nor intervene • accelerate unexpectedly

There is a risk of an accident.

Continue to drive carefully and be ready to brake, in particular when warned to do so by DISTRONIC PLUS.

WARNING
DISTRONIC PLUS brakes your vehicle with up to 40% of the maximum braking force. If this braking force is insufficient, DISTRONIC PLUS warns you visually and audibly. There is a risk of an accident.

In such cases, apply the brakes yourself and try to take evasive action.

WARNING
If you call up the stored speed and it differs from the current speed, the vehicle accelerates or decelerates. If you do not know the stored speed, the vehicle could accelerate or brake unexpectedly. There is a risk of an accident.

Pay attention to the road and traffic conditions before calling up the stored speed.

If you do not know the stored speed, store the desired speed again.

If you fail to adapt your driving style, DISTRONIC PLUS can neither reduce the risk of accident nor override the laws of physics.

DISTRONIC PLUS cannot take account of road, weather and traffic conditions.

DISTRONIC PLUS is only an aid. You are responsible for the distance to the vehicle in front, for vehicle speed, for braking in good time and for staying in lane. Only engage DISTRONIC PLUS when the current road, weather and traffic conditions permit it to be done safely, and adapt your driving style accordingly. Drive carefully and maintain a suitable distance to the vehicle in front.

If DISTRONIC PLUS detects a risk of collision but cannot sufficiently decelerate the vehicle in order to maintain the set distance, you will be warned visually and acoustically.

DISTRONIC PLUS cannot prevent a collision without your intervention. An intermittent warning tone will then sound and the distance warning lamp will light up in the instrument cluster. Brake immediately in order to increase the distance from the vehicle in front, or take evasive action, provided it is safe to do so.

DISTRONIC PLUS may not detect narrow vehicles driving in front, e.g. motorcycles, or vehicles driving on a different line. Therefore, always pay attention to traffic conditions even when DISTRONIC PLUS is activated.

Otherwise, you may fail to recognize dangers in time, cause an accident and injure yourself and others.

In particular, the detection of obstacles can be impaired if there is: • the sensor is dirty or covered • snow or heavy rain • interference by other radar sources • there is the possibility of strong radar reflections, for example, in parking garages.

If DISTRONIC PLUS is activated, the vehicle brakes automatically in certain situations.

This can happen unexpectedly, especially when towing or in a car wash. There is a risk of an accident. In these or similar situations, deactivate DISTRONIC PLUS.

If you want DISTRONIC PLUS to assist you, the following activation conditions must be fulfilled  and the radar sensor system must be operational.

General notes

DISTRONIC PLUS regulates the speed and automatically helps you maintain the distance to the vehicle detected in front.

DISTRONIC PLUS brakes automatically so that the set speed is not exceeded.

On long and steep downhill gradients, especially if the vehicle is laden or towing a trailer, you must select shift range 1, 2 or 3 in good time. By doing so, you will make use of the braking effect of the engine, which relieves the load on the brake system and prevents the brakes from overheating and wearing too quickly.

If DISTRONIC PLUS detects a slower-moving vehicle in front, your vehicle is braked in order to maintain the preset distance to the vehicle in front.

If there is no vehicle in front, DISTRONIC PLUS operates in the same way as cruise control in the speed range between 20 mph (Canada: 30 km/h) and120 mph (Canada: 200 km/h). If a vehicle is driving in front of you, it operates in the speed range between 0 mph (0 km/h) and 120 mph (Canada: 200 km/h).

Do not use DISTRONIC PLUS while driving on roads with steep gradients.

As DISTRONIC PLUS transmits radar waves, it can resemble the radar detectors of the responsible authorities. You can refer to the relevant chapter in the Operator's Manual if questions are asked about this.

USA only:
This device has been approved by the FCC as a “Vehicular Radar System”. The radar sensor is intended for use in an automotive radar system only. Removal, tampering, or altering of the device will void any warranties, and is not permitted by the FCC. Do not tamper with, alter, or use in any non-approved way.

Any unauthorized modification to this device could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

Canada only: This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: 1. This device may not cause interference, and
2. this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.

Removal, tampering, or altering of the device will void any warranties, and is not permitted. Do not tamper with, alter, or use the device in any non-approved way.

Any unauthorized modification to this device could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.

Cruise control lever

1To activate or increase speed 2 To set the specified minimum distance 3 LIM indicator lamp
4 To activate at the current speed/last stored speed
5 To activate or reduce speed 6 To switch between DISTRONIC PLUS and variable SPEEDTRONIC
7 To deactivate DISTRONIC PLUS

With the cruise control lever, you can operate DISTRONIC PLUS and variable SPEEDTRONIC.

► To switch between variable SPEEDTRONIC and DISTRONIC PLUS:

press the cruise control lever in the direction of arrow B.

LIM indicator lamp = on the cruise control lever indicates which function you have selected:
• LIM indicator lamp = off: DISTRONIC PLUS is selected.

• LIM indicator lamp = on: variable SPEEDTRONIC is selected.

Activating DISTRONIC PLUS

Activation conditions

In order to activate DISTRONIC PLUS, the following conditions must be fulfilled:

• the engine must be started. It may take up to two minutes after pulling away before DISTRONIC PLUS is operational.

•  the parking brake must be released.

•  the differential lock must be deactivated.

•  ESP® must be active, but not intervening.

• the transmission must be in position D.

• the driver's door must be closed when you shift from P to D or your seat belt must be fastened.

• the front-passenger door and rear doors must be closed.

•  the vehicle must not skid.

•  the DISTRONIC PLUS function must be selected .

• the transfer case must be in the HIGH RANGE transmission position.

•  the vehicle must not be on an uphill or downhill gradient of more than 22-25%.

•  the radar sensor must be free from dirt .

Activating while driving

When driving at speeds below 20 mph (30 km/h) you can activate DISTRONIC PLUS if the vehicle in front has been detected and is shown in the multifunction display. If the vehicle in front is no longer detected and displayed, DISTRONIC PLUS switches off and a tone sounds.

► Briefly pull the cruise control lever towards you 4, or press it up 1 or down 5.

DISTRONIC PLUS is selected.

► Press the cruise control lever up 1 or down 5 repeatedly until the desired speed is set.

► Remove your foot from the accelerator pedal.

Your vehicle adapts its speed to that of the vehicle in front, but only up to the desired stored speed.

If you do not fully release the accelerator pedal, the DISTRONIC PLUS Passive message appears in the multifunction display. The set distance to a slowermoving vehicle in front will then not be maintained. You will be driving at the speed you determine by the position of the accelerator pedal.

Switching on while stationary

This function may be useful if you want to keep up with the traffic flow, e.g. at the end of a tailback.

You can only activate DISTRONIC PLUS if: Rthe vehicle in front and Ryour vehicle are stationary X Briefly pull the cruise control lever towards you 4, or press it up 1 or down 5.

DISTRONIC PLUS is selected.

DISTRONIC PLUS can be activated at a standstill at under 20 mph (30 km/h) only if a vehicle in front has been detected.

Therefore, the DISTRONIC PLUS distance display in the instrument cluster should be activated .

► Keep the cruise control lever pressed up 1 or down 5  until the desired speed is set.

You can use the cruise control lever to set the stored speed and the control on the cruise control lever to set the specified minimum distance .

Activating at the current speed/last stored speed

WARNING
If you call up the stored speed and it differs from the current speed, the vehicle accelerates or decelerates. If you do not know the stored speed, the vehicle could accelerate or brake unexpectedly. There is a risk of an accident.

Pay attention to the road and traffic conditions before calling up the stored speed.

If you do not know the stored speed, store the desired speed again.

► Briefly pull the cruise control lever towards you 4.

► Remove your foot from the accelerator pedal.

DISTRONIC PLUS is activated. The first time it is activated, the current speed is stored. Otherwise, it sets the vehicle cruise speed to the previously stored value.

Driving with DISTRONIC PLUS

Pulling away and driving

► If the vehicle in front pulls away:

remove your foot from the brake pedal.

► Briefly pull the cruise control lever towards you 4, or press it up 1 or down 5.

or
► Accelerate briefly.

Your vehicle pulls away and adapts its speed to that of the vehicle in front.

If there is no vehicle in front, DISTRONIC PLUS operates in the same way as cruise control.

If DISTRONIC PLUS detects that the vehicle in front has slowed down, it brakes your vehicle. In this way, the distance you have selected is maintained.

If DISTRONIC PLUS detects that the vehicle in front is driving faster, it accelerates your vehicle, but only up to the speed you have stored.

If you depress the brake, DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated unless your vehicle is stationary.

Changing lanes

If you change to the passing lane, DISTRONIC PLUS supports you when:
• you are driving faster than 40 mph (60 km/h).

• DISTRONIC PLUS is maintaining the distance to a vehicle in front.

• you switch on the appropriate turn signal.

• DISTRONIC PLUS does not detect a danger of collision.

If these conditions are fulfilled, your vehicle is accelerated. Acceleration will be interrupted if changing lanes takes too long or if the distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front becomes too small.

i When changing lanes, DISTRONIC PLUS monitors the left lane on left-hand drive vehicles and the right lane on right-hand drive vehicles.

Stopping

WARNING
When leaving the vehicle, even if it is braked only by DISTRONIC PLUS, it could roll away if: • there is a malfunction in the system or in the voltage supply.

• DISTRONIC PLUS has been deactivated with the cruise control lever, e.g. by a vehicle occupant or from outside the vehicle.

• the electrical system in the engine compartment, the battery or the fuses have been tampered with.

• the battery is disconnected.

• the accelerator pedal has been depressed, e.g. by a vehicle occupant.

There is a risk of an accident.

If you wish to exit the vehicle, always turn off DISTRONIC PLUS and secure the vehicle against rolling away.

If DISTRONIC PLUS detects that the vehicle in front is stopping, it brakes your vehicle until it is stationary.

Once your vehicle is stationary, it remains stationary and you do not need to depress the brake.

Depending on the specified minimum distance, your vehicle will come to a standstill at a sufficient distance behind the vehicle in front. The specified minimum distance is set using the control on the cruise control lever.

On steep uphill or downhill inclines or if there is a malfunction, the transmission may also automatically be shifted into position P.

Displays in the instrument cluster

Displays in the speedometer

Example: DISTRONIC PLUS displays in the speedometer When DISTRONIC PLUS is activated, one or two segments 2 in the set speed range light up.

If DISTRONIC PLUS detects a vehicle in front, segments 2 between speed of the vehicle in front 1 and stored speed 3 light up.

i For design reasons, the speed displayed in the speedometer may differ slightly from the speed set for DISTRONIC PLUS.

Display when DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated

Distance display when DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated

1 Vehicle in front, if detected 2 Distance indicator, current distance to the vehicle in front
3 Specified minimum distance to the vehicle in front; adjustable 4 Own vehicle

You can select the distance display in the Assistance menu  of the onboard computer.

► Select the Distance Display function using the on-board computer.

Display when DISTRONIC PLUS is activat

Distance display with DISTRONIC PLUS activated in the multifunction display

1 DISTRONIC PLUS activated 2 Own vehicle
3 Specified minimum distance to the vehicle in front; adjustable 4 Vehicle in front, if detected

In the Assistance menu  of the on-board computer, you can select the distance display.

► Select the Distance Display function using the on-board computer .

You will see the stored speed for about five seconds when you activate DISTRONIC PLUS.

Setting a speed

1 To store the current speed or a higher speed
2 To store the current speed or a lower speed

► Press the cruise control lever up 1 for a higher speed or down 2 for a lower speed.

► Keep the cruise control lever pressed until the desired speed is reached.

► Release the cruise control lever.

The new speed is stored. DISTRONIC PLUS is activated and adjusts the vehicle's speed to the new speed stored.

► To adjust the set speed in 1 mph increments (1 km/h increments): briefly press the cruise control lever up 1 or down 2 to the pressure point.

Every time the cruise control lever is pressed up 1 or down 2 the last speed stored is increased or reduced.

► To adjust the set speed in 5 mph increments (10 km/h increments): briefly press the cruise control lever up :1or down 2 to the pressure point.

Every time the cruise control lever is pressed up 1 or down 2, the last speed stored is increased or reduced.

 DISTRONIC PLUS is not deactivated if you depress the accelerator pedal. If you accelerate to overtake, DISTRONIC PLUS adjusts the vehicle's speed to the last speed stored after you have finished overtaking.

Setting the specified minimum distance

You can set the specified minimum distance for DISTRONIC PLUS by varying the time span between one and two seconds. With this function, you can set the minimum distance that DISTRONIC PLUS keeps to the vehicle in front, dependent on vehicle speed. You can see this distance in the multifunction display .

► To increase: turn control 3 in direction 2.

DISTRONIC PLUS then maintains a greater distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front.

► To decrease: turn control 3 in direction 1.

DISTRONIC PLUS then maintains a shorter distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front.

Make sure that you maintain the minimum distance to the vehicle in front as required by law. Adjust the distance to the vehicle in front if necessary.

Deactivating DISTRONIC PLUS

There are several ways to deactivate DISTRONIC PLUS: X Briefly press the cruise control lever forwards 1.

or
► Brake, unless the vehicle is stationary.

or
► Briefly press the cruise control lever in the direction of arrow 3.

Variable SPEEDTRONIC is selected. LIM indicator lamp 2 in the cruise control lever lights up.

When you deactivate DISTRONIC PLUS, you will see the DISTRONIC PLUS Off message in the multifunction display for approximately five seconds.

The last speed stored remains stored until you switch off the engine.

DISTRONIC PLUS is automatically deactivated if:
• you engage the parking brake.

• you are driving more slowly than 15 mph (25 km/h) and there is no longer a vehicle in front, or if the vehicle in front is no longer detected.

• ESP® intervenes or you deactivate ESP®.

• the transmission is in the P, R or N position.

• you pull the cruise control lever towards you in order to pull away and the frontpassenger door or one of the rear doors is open.

• the vehicle has skidded.

If DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated, you will hear a warning tone. You will see the DISTRONIC PLUS Off message in the multifunction display for approximately five seconds.

In the Assistance menu  of the on-board computer, you can select the distance display.

Tips for driving with DISTRONIC PLUS

General notes

The following contains descriptions of certain road and traffic conditions in which you must be particularly attentive. In such situations, brake if necessary. DISTRONIC PLUS is then deactivated.

Cornering, going into and coming out of a bend

The ability of DISTRONIC PLUS to detect vehicles when cornering is limited. Your vehicle may brake unexpectedly or late.

Vehicles traveling on a different

DISTRONIC PLUS may not detect vehicles traveling on a different line. The distance to the vehicle in front will be too short.

Other vehicles changing lanes

DISTRONIC PLUS has not detected the vehicle cutting in yet. The distance to this vehicle will be too short.

Narrow vehicles

DISTRONIC PLUS has not yet detected the vehicle in front on the edge of the road, because of its narrow width. The distance to the vehicle in front will be too short.

Obstructions and stationary ve

DISTRONIC PLUS does not brake for obstacles or stationary vehicles. If, for example, the detected vehicle turns a corner and reveals an obstacle or stationary vehicle, DISTRONIC PLUS will not brake for these.

Crossing vehicles

DISTRONIC PLUS may detect vehicles that are crossing your lane by mistake. Activating DISTRONIC PLUS at traffic lights with crossing traffic, for example, could cause your vehicle to pull away unintentionally.