adaptive cruise control (ACC) 128adaptive cruise control (ACC)Speed and distance control systemApplies to vehicles: with adaptive cruise controlDescription
The adaptive cruise control is a combined speed and
distance control system to assist the driver.Adaptive cruise control allows you to maintain any desired constant
speed between 30 and 200 km/h. In addition, the system controls
the distance maintained to the vehicle in front (subject to certain
limitations as described below).
The system can be used to greatest effect on long motorway jour-
neys or on other main roads with long straight sections.
How is the system operated?
The adaptive cruise control system is operated via a control lever on
the steering wheel ⇒page 131, “Setting the speed” and
⇒page 133, “Setting the distance”.Driver messages
When the system is being used, important information is displayed
in the speedometer and on the instrument cluster display screen
⇒page 134, “Driver messages”.
Please note the following points:
The adaptive cruise control has certain limits determined by the
system itself. This means that the driver may in some situations
have to intervene and control the speed and distance to the vehicle
in front himself ⇒page 138, “Driver intervention prompt” and
⇒page 140, “System limitations”.
WARNING
Please always direct your full attention to the road, even when you
are using adaptive cruise control. It is always the driver who is
responsible for determining the speed and for keeping a safe
distance to the other vehicles on the road.•
For safety reasons, the adaptive cruise control must not be
used in city traffic, stop-go traffic, roads with a lot of bends or in
difficult driving conditions (such as ice, fog, loose grit or gravel,
heavy rain, aquaplaning) - this could cause an accident!
•
When you take a turn-off, drive along a motorway exit lane or
pass through roadwork sections, please temporarily switch off the
adaptive cruise control in order to avoid the vehicle accelerating to
the selected speed.
•
The adaptive cruise control can only control the distance to
vehicles in front. As a rule, it cannot recognize vehicles travelling
in other lanes. For this reason, please temporarily switch off the
system if you are travelling in the inside lane and vehicles in the
overtaking lane are travelling at a slower speed than you are.
Otherwise, you would overtake these vehicles on the inside.
Fig. 136 Trim grille
(front right): Position of
radar sensor
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adaptive cruise control (ACC) 130Applies to vehicles: with adaptive cruise controlHow does the distance control work?
Vehicles in front are detected by a radar sensor.The adaptive cruise control uses a radar sensor ⇒fig. 137 which is
integrated in the front of the vehicle and is subject to certain system
limitations ⇒page 140. Stationary objects are disregarded. The
system requires reflecting surfaces in order to be able to measure
the distance. If the ACC is unable to measure the distance it will not
respond.
No vehicle in front
When there is no vehicle in front, the adaptive cruise control works
like a speed control system. It maintains a constant target speed
specified by the driver.
Vehicle in front
If you catch up with a vehicle driving in front, the adaptive cruise
control will reduce the speed accordingly (within the limits set by
the system ⇒page 138, “Driver intervention prompt” and
⇒page 140, “System limitations”) and adapt it to the speed of the
vehicle in front. Then the system will try to adjust the distance to the
car in front according to the settings selected. During the adjust-
ment process the system may temporarily not be able to adhere to
the distance you had specified ⇒ in “Description” on page 128.If the vehicle in front accelerates, the adaptive cruise control will
also accelerate, up to the target speed you have specified.
Driver intervention prompt
In some situations, it is necessary for the driver to brake the vehicle
with the foot brake in order to keep a safe distance to the vehicle in
front or to avoid a collision. In this case, a warning message will
appear in the display and you will also hear a warning tone
⇒page 138.
When overtaking
When you move into the overtaking lane and no vehicle is detected
in front, the adaptive cruise control will accelerate up to the target
speed and then maintain it.
Overriding
You can still use the accelerator pedal at any time to increase speed
in the normal way. The previously programmed speed will be
resumed when the accelerator pedal is released.
Note
•
Please note that acceleration will vary depending on the preset
programme. If you have, for example, selected “Distance 1” and the
driving programme “dynamic”, acceleration will be more "sporty".
However, if you have set the system to “Distance 4” and driving
programme “comfort”, acceleration will be more gradual. For a
detailed description please refer to ⇒page 133, “Setting the
distance”.
•
No vehicle in front, Vehicle in front and a Driver intervention
prompt will be indicated by an indicator lamp ⇒page 134, “Indi-
cator lamp and display in the speedometer”.
Fig. 137 Area covered
by radar sensor
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adaptive cruise control (ACC)131
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
Applies to vehicles: with adaptive cruise controlSwitching the system on and off– Pull the control lever to position ⇒fig. 138 to switch
on the system.
– Press the control lever to position (click stop engaged)
to switch the system off.Applies to vehicles: with adaptive cruise controlSetting the speedImportant: The system must be switched on.– Drive at the desired speed. The speed must be in the
range between 30 and 200 km/h.
– Press the button -arrow- ⇒fig. 139 to confirm the
target speed you wish to store.
When the button is released, the current speed is stored in the
memory and the vehicle will then maintain this speed.
One or two red diodes will light up in the speedometer dial
⇒page 134 to mark the speed which is currently stored in the
system. At the same time, the speed will briefly be displayed in the
system status indicator ⇒page 136.
Note
For safety reasons, the speed setting will be deleted when the igni-
tion is switched off.Applies to vehicles: with adaptive cruise controlSetting a new speed
The speed can be altered without touching the acceler-
ator or the brake.
Fig. 138 Control lever
for: Switching the
system on and off
A1A2
Fig. 139 Control lever
for: Setting speed
SET
SET
Fig. 140 Control lever
for: Setting a new
speed
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adaptive cruise control (ACC) 132
Setting a higher speed
–Briefly move the control lever up towards ⇒fig. 140.
The speed will be incremented by one graduation on the
scale in the speedometer.
– Press the control lever up towards and hold it in this
position. The speed setting is indicated by the diodes in
the speedometer; the speed will be increased accord-
ingly.
Setting a lower speed
–Briefly move the control lever down towards . The
speed will be reduced by one graduation on the scale in
the speedometer.
– Press the control lever down towards and hold it in
this position. The speed setting is indicated by the
diodes in the speedometer; the speed will be reduced
accordingly.After releasing the control lever, the system will adapt your speed to
the setting you have selected.
Following any changes, the new stored speed will be displayed
briefly in the system status indicator ⇒page 136.
Note
You can still use the accelerator pedal at any time to increase speed
in the normal way. The previously programmed speed will be
resumed when the accelerator pedal is released. You can set a new
speed at any time by pressing the button ⇒page 131,
fig. 139.
Applies to vehicles: with adaptive cruise controlSwitching off the system (with speed memory function) and reactivating it
In some situations it makes sense to switch off the
system.Switching off the system (with speed memory
function)
– Press the brake pedal, or
– Press the control lever in direction ⇒fig. 141.
Reactivating the system
– Release the brake pedal and pull the lever in direction .
WARNING
It is dangerous to resume a set speed which is too high for the
current road, traffic or weather conditions - risk of accident.
Note
When switching off the system (with speed memory function) the
speed stored at this point remains in the memory.
A+
A+
A-
A-
SET
Fig. 141 Control lever
for: Switching off the
system (with speed
memory function) and
reactivating it
A2
A1
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adaptive cruise control (ACC)133
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
Applies to vehicles: with adaptive cruise controlSetting the distance
The distance can be set in 4 different stages.– Briefly press the sliding switch ⇒fig. 142 once towards
or . The display in the instrument cluster will briefly
show the current distance setting.
– Press the sliding switch again towards or to
increase or reduce the distance by one level at a time.Choosing the distance
The adaptive cruise control system determines the distance to the
vehicle in front by time intervals. It defines a time-based distance to
the vehicle in front which is kept at a constant level. This converts
to a distance which depends on the speed - the higher the speed,
the higher the safety distance in metres ⇒.
The actual distance maintained by the adaptive cruise control can
be longer or shorter, depending on the traffic situation and the
driving style of the driver in front.
Distance 1
This setting is suitable for brisk driving in a line of traffic. The time
interval is 1 second. This is equivalent to (for instance):•
A distance of 14 metres at a speed of 50 km/h
•
A distance of 36 metres at a speed of 130 km/h
Distance 2
This setting is suitable for relaxed “moving with the flow” in a line
of traffic. The time interval is 1.3 seconds. This is equivalent to (for
instance):•
A distance of 18 metres at a speed of 50 km/h
•
A distance of 47 metres at a speed of 130 km/h
Distance 3
This (recommended) setting is suitable for relaxed “moving with the
flow” in a line of traffic. The time interval is 1.8 seconds. This is
equivalent to (for instance):•
A distance of 25 metres at a speed of 50 km/h
•
A distance of 65 metres at a speed of 130 km/h
Distance 4
This setting is suitable for single-carriageway roads. The time
interval is 2.3 seconds. This is equivalent to (for instance):•
A distance of 32 metres at a speed of 50 km/h
•
A distance of 83 metres at a speed of 130 km/h
You can control the acceleration and braking response of your
vehicle in adaptive cruise control mode by adjusting the settings on
the sound system or MMI* ⇒page 139. Depending on the driving
program and distance selected, acceleration and braking response
will range from dynamic (1) to relaxed (5).
Fig. 142 Control lever
for: Setting the
distance
A+
A-
A+
A-
Driving pro-
gram
dynamic
standard
comfort
Distance 1
1
2
3
Distance 2
2
3
4
Distance 3
2
3
4
Distance 4
3
4
5
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adaptive cruise control (ACC) 134
WARNING
When setting the distance, the driver is responsible for adhering
to the laws and regulations which apply in the country he is trav-
elling in.Driver messagesApplies to vehicles: with adaptive cruise controlMessages in the instrument cluster
The instrument cluster displays various driver messages.Fig. 143 Overview of instrument cluster
Indicator lamp and speedometer display
Instrument cluster display
System status indicator Indicator lamp and speedometer display
Section of the display shows important information regarding
the use of the adaptive cruise control system. The target speed you
have set is marked by diodes in the speedometer.
The indicator lamp shows whether the system has detected a
vehicle in front.
Instrument cluster display
You can call up the display for the adaptive cruise control by repeat-
edly pressing the button on the windscreen wiper lever. For
more details refer to ⇒page 27.
System status indicator
The information in section of the display is not shown perma-
nently. It only appears if you, for example, set or change the speed
setting, change the time interval, when messages are displayed, or
if the adaptive cruise control is switched off for safety reasons.
Applies to vehicles: with adaptive cruise controlIndicator lamp and display in the speedometer
AAABAC
AA
AA
AB
RESET
AC
AC
Fig. 144 Instrument
cluster: Indicator lamp
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adaptive cruise control (ACC)135
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data Target speed
The target speed set by the driver is indicated by a red diode in the
speedometer.
If the speed setting is between two graduations on the speedom-
eter dial, the two closest diodes will both light up ⇒fig. 143.
It is only possible to set target speeds ranging from 30 to 200 km/h.
This speed range is illuminated slightly by the diodes on the speed-
ometer dial.
Indicator lamp (symbol)
•
No vehicle in front: The green indicator lamp ⇒page 134,
fig. 144 shows that the adaptive cruise control system is in cruise
mode and that there is no vehicle in front. It maintains the stored
target speed.
•
Vehicle in front: The green indicator lamp shows that the
system has detected a vehicle in front. The speed is adapted to the
vehicle in front. The adaptive cruise control system accelerates and
brakes the vehicle automatically.
•
Driver intervention prompt: When the red indicator lamp
flashes , this is a warning for the driver to intervene. The driver
has to brake the vehicle with the foot brake. This warning lamp will
always appear when the adaptive cruise control system alone is not
able to brake the vehicle sufficiently to maintain a safe distance to
a vehicle in front. An audible alarm (warning tone) will also sound
when the lamp starts to flash. For further information on the driver
intervention prompt ⇒page 138.Note
•
If you exceed the target speed by using the accelerator, the
driver intervention prompt will not be accompanied by a warning
tone. The indicator lamp shown in the speedometer will also switch
off if the target speed is exceeded.
•
You can change the volume of the warning tone on the sound
system or MMI* ⇒page 139, “Setting the warning tone volume and
driving program”.
Applies to vehicles: with adaptive cruise controlInstrument cluster displayRepeatedly press the button on the windscreen wiper lever
to select whether you wish to display information regarding the on-
board computer, the navigation system* or the adaptive cruise
control in this section of the display screen.
Vehicle image
Distance
System status
Vehicle image
The vehicle image will show you whether the system has detected a
vehicle in front.•
Vehicle outlined: No vehicle in front
•
Vehicle in white: A vehicle in front has been detected
•
Vehicle in red: Driver intervention prompt
Distance
The arrows and scale indicate the distance to the vehicle in front.
•
No vehicle in front: If there is no vehicle in front, no arrows will
be shown.
AA
AA
AB
AB
AC
AC
Fig. 145 Instrument
cluster: Display
RESET
AAABACAAAB
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adaptive cruise control (ACC) 136•
Vehicle in front: If a vehicle is detected in front, the arrows will be
on the scale. The green area of the scale represents the distance
setting. If you approach the vehicle in front slowly, the arrows will
move from the grey area into the green area of the scale.
•
Driver intervention prompt: If you approach the vehicle in front
quickly, the arrows act as a warning. When the actual distance is
shorter (or is likely to become shorter) than the distance selected,
the arrows move into the red area of the scale. In certain situations,
you may need to intervene as the driver ⇒page 138, “Driver inter-
vention prompt”.
Status
•
ACC OFF (in white letters): The adaptive cruise control is
switched off.
•
ACC AVAILABLE (in white letters): The system is switched on but
the control has not yet been activated.
•
OVERRIDE (in white letters): You have exceeded the target speed
by accelerating.
•
DISTANCE! (in red letters): The distance to the vehicle in front is
not sufficient and you have to brake the vehicle with the foot brake.
•
DISTANCE 1 to DISTANCE 4 (in green letters): Shows the time
interval you have selected. The adaptive cruise control is in cruise
mode.
•
DISTANCE 1 - dyn., DISTANCE 1 - comf. etc. (in green letters): If
the settings are adjusted on the sound system or MMI* such that
the “standard” driving program is replaced by “comfort” or
“dynamic”, the message above will indicate the setting.
Applies to vehicles: with adaptive cruise controlSystem status indicator in the instrument cluster display
The text messages and symbols in this section of the
display are not shown permanently.Time intervals (e.g.
)
The various symbols for the time intervals -arrow- ⇒fig. 146 appear
when you change the settings.
The symbol
indicates that the warning tone has been switched
off.
...
The text message ... (three white dots) appears if a setting made
with the control lever cannot be implemented. There can be several
reasons for this:
•
You have pulled the control lever towards you to resume the
programmed cruising speed, without a target speed having been
set.
•
The control lever has been pushed up / down to increase / reduce
the speed, without a target speed having been set.
AC
Fig. 146 Instrument
cluster: Further infor-
mation
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