Driving stability control systemsVehicle equipmentAll standard, country-specific and optional
equipment that is offered in the model series is
described in this chapter. Therefore, equip‐
ment is also described that is not available in a
vehicle, e. g., because of the selected optional
equipment or country variant. This also applies
for safety-related functions and systems.
Antilock Brake System ABS ABS prevents locking of the wheels during
braking.
The vehicle remains steerable even during full
brake applications, thus increasing active
safety.
ABS is operational every time you start the en‐
gine.
Brake assistant
When you apply the brakes rapidly, this system
automatically produces the maximum braking
force boost. This then reduces braking dis‐ tance to a minimum during full braking. This
system utilizes all of the benefits provided by ABS.
Do not reduce the pressure on the brake pedal
for the duration of the full braking.
When equipped with Driving Assistant Plus or
with Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go
function, ACC is supported by the braking in‐
tervention if there is a possible risk of collision.
To do this, the braking force is automatically increased if the braking pressure is insufficient
when the brakes are applied.Adaptive brake assistant
In combination with the Active Cruise Control,
this system ensures that the brakes respond
even more rapidly when braking in critical sit‐
uations.
Drive-off assistant
This system supports driving away on gradi‐
ents. The parking brake is not required.1.Hold the vehicle in place with the foot
brake.2.Release the foot brake and drive away
without delay.
After the foot brake is released, the vehicle is
held in place for approx. 2 seconds.
Depending on the vehicle load or when a trailer
is being used, the vehicle may roll back
slightly.
Driving off without delay
After releasing the foot brake, start driv‐
ing without delay, since the drive-off assistant
will not hold the vehicle in place for more than
approx. 2 seconds and the vehicle will begin
rolling back.◀
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control
The concept DSC prevents traction loss in the driving
wheels when driving away and accelerating.
DSC also recognizes unstable vehicle condi‐
tions, such as fishtailing or nose-diving. Sub‐
ject to physical limits, DSC helps to keep the
vehicle on a steady course by reducing engine
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speed and by applying brakes to the individual
wheels.
Adjust your driving style to the situation
An appropriate driving style is always the
responsibility of the driver.
The laws of physics cannot be repealed, even
with DSC.
Therefore, do not reduce the additional safety
margin by driving in a risky manner.◀
Indicator/warning lamps The indicator lamp flashes: DSC con‐
trols the drive forces and brake forces.
The indicator lamp lights up: DSC has
failed.
Deactivating DSC: DSC OFF
When DSC is deactivated, driving stability is
reduced during acceleration and when driving in bends.
Stabilizing interventions by the Integral Active
Steering system are only performed by the rear axle steering.
To increase vehicle stability, activate DSC
again as soon as possible.
Deactivating DSC Press and hold the button, but not lon‐
ger than approx. 10 seconds, until the
indicator lamp for DSC OFF lights up in the in‐
strument cluster and DSC OFF is displayed.
The DSC system is switched off.
Steering and, depending on the equipment,
the chassis are adjusted for sporty driving.
Activating DSC Press the button.
DSC OFF and the DSC OFF indicator
lamp go out.Indicator/warning lamps
When DSC is deactivated, DSC OFF is dis‐
played in the instrument cluster.
The indicator lamp lights up: DSC is
deactivated.
DTC Dynamic Traction
Control
The concept The DTC system is a version of the DSC in
which forward momentum is optimized.
The system ensures maximum forward mo‐
mentum on special road conditions, e.g., unp‐
lowed snowy roads, but driving stability is lim‐
ited.
It is therefore necessary to drive with appropri‐
ate caution.
You may find it useful to briefly activate DTC
under the following special circumstances:▷When driving in slush or on uncleared,
snow-covered roads.▷When rocking the vehicle or driving off in
deep snow or on loose surfaces.▷When driving with snow chains.
Deactivating/activating DTC Dynamic
Traction Control
Activating the Dynamic Traction Control DTC
provides maximum traction on loose ground.
Driving stability is limited during acceleration
and when driving in bends.
Activating DTC Press the button.
TRACTION is displayed in the instru‐
ment cluster and the indicator lamp for DSC
OFF lights up.
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Deactivating DTCPress the button again.
TRACTION and the DSC OFF indica‐
tor lamp go out.
Indicator/warning lamps When DTC is activated, TRACTION is dis‐
played in the tachometer.
The indicator lamp lights up: DTC Dy‐
namic Traction Control is activated.
xDrive
xDrive is the all-wheel-drive system of your ve‐
hicle. Concerted action by the xDrive and DSC
further optimize traction and driving dynamics.
The xDrive all-wheel-drive system variably dis‐
tributes the drive forces to the front and rear
axles as demanded by the driving situation and
road surface.
HDC Hill Descent Control
The concept HDC is a downhill driving assistant that auto‐
matically controls vehicle speed on steep
downhill gradients. Without applying the
brakes, the vehicle moves at slightly more than
walking speed.
Hill Descent Control can be activated at
speeds below approx. 22 mph/35 km/h. When
driving downhill, the vehicle reduces its speed
to approx. walking speed and then keeps its
speed constant.
As long as there is active braking, the system
is on standby. The system does not brake the
vehicle during this time.
Only use HDC in low gears or in selector lever
position D or R.Increasing or decreasing vehicle
speed
Specify desired speed in the range from ap‐
prox. 4 mph/6 km/h to approx. 15 mph/25 km/h
using the rocker switch of the cruise control on
the steering wheel. Vehicle speed can be
changed by lightly accelerating.▷Press up the rocker switch to the point of
resistance: the speed increases gradually.▷Press up the rocker switch past the point
of resistance: the speed increases while
the rocker switch is pressed.▷Press down the rocker switch to the point
of resistance: the speed decreases gradu‐
ally.▷Press down the rocker switch past the
point of resistance: when driving forward,
the speed decreases to approx.
6 mph/10 km/h; when reversing, the speed
decreases to approx. 4 mph/6 km/h.
Activating HDC
Press the button; the LED above the but‐
ton lights up.
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Integral Active SteeringThe concept
Integral Active Steering is a combination of Ac‐
tive Steering and rear axle steering.
Active Steering varies the steering angle of the
wheels in relation to the steering wheel move‐
ment as a function of the speed.
At speeds up to approx. 37 mph/60 km/h, e.g.,
in curves, the steering angle is increased, i.e.,
steering becomes more direct.
The rear axle steering acts to increase maneu‐
verability by turning the rear wheels slightly in
a direction opposite to the front wheels.
At higher speeds, the steering angle is increas‐
ingly reduced.
The rear wheels are turned to the same angle
as the front wheels.
In critical situations, Integral Active Steering
can specifically steer the front and rear wheels
to stabilize the vehicle before the driver inter‐
venes, e.g., when braking where road condi‐
tions differ on the left and right sides of the ve‐
hicle.
InitializingIn rare cases, it may become necessary to initi‐
alize the Integral Active Steering.
The warning lamp lights up. A Check
Control message is displayed.1.With the engine running, turn the steering
wheel all the way to the left and right sev‐
eral times in a uniform manner until the
warning lamp disappears.2.Have the system checked if the warning
lamp does not go out after moving the
steering wheel approx. 6 times or if the
steering wheel is at an angle.Using snow chains
Note When snow chains are in use, refer to
page 223, rear wheel steering is deactivated.
Programs The system offers several different programs.
The programs can be selected via the Driving
Dynamics Control, refer to page 133.
SPORT
Consistently sporty tuning of the Integral Ac‐
tive Steering for greater driving agility.
COMFORT Balanced tuning of the Integral Active Steering
for optimal traveling comfort.
Malfunction
In the event of a malfunction, the steering
wheel must be turned further, while the vehicle
responds more sensitively to steering wheel
movements in the higher speed range.
The stability-enhancing intervention may be
deactivated.
Proceed cautiously and drive defensively.
Have the system checked.
Driving Dynamics Control The conceptThe Driving Dynamics Control can be used to
adjust the driving dynamics of the vehicle. For
this purpose various programs are available for
selection that are activated via the two buttons
of the Driving Dynamics Control and the DSC
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At a glance
Buttons on the steering wheelPress the
buttonFunctionCruise control on/off, interrupt,
refer to page 137Store/maintain speed, refer to
page 138Resume speed, refer to
page 139Reduce distance, refer to
page 139Increase distance, refer to
page 139With Traffic Jam Assist: Adjust
distance, refer to page 139Rocker switch:
Change/maintain speed, refer to
page 138Traffic Jam Assist: Traffic Jam
Assist on/off, interrupting, refer
to page 143
The arrangement of the buttons varies accord‐
ing to the how the vehicle is equipped or coun‐
try-specific variants.
Radar sensor
A radar sensor is located in the front bumper
for detecting vehicles on the road ahead of the
vehicle.
A dirty or covered sensor may hinder the de‐
tection of vehicles.
▷If necessary, clean the radar sensor. Re‐
move layers of snow and ice carefully.▷Do not cover the view field of the radar
sensor.
Camera
The camera is located near the base of the
mirror.
Keep the windshield in the area behind the in‐
terior rearview mirror clean and clear.
A dirty or covered area in front of the interior
mirror may hinder the detection of vehicles.
▷If necessary, clean the area in front of the
interior mirror, e.g., carefully remove salt
residue in the winter.
Switching on/off and interrupting cruise control
Switching on Press the button on the steering
wheel.
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The indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
light up and the mark in the speedometer is set
to the current speed.
Cruise control can be used.
Switching off Deactivated or interrupted system
If the system is deactivated or inter‐
rupted, actively intervene by braking, steering
and, if necessary, with evasive maneuvers; oth‐
erwise, there is the danger of an accident oc‐
curring.◀
If switching off the system while stationary,
press on the brake pedal at the same time.
Press the button on the steering
wheel.▷If active: press twice.▷If interrupted: press once.
The displays go out. The stored desired speed
and distance are deleted.
Interrupting Press the button on the steering
wheel.
If interrupting the system while stationary,
press on the brake pedal at the same time.
The system is automatically interrupted in the
following situations:
▷When the brakes are applied.▷When the clutch pedal is depressed.▷When selector lever position D is disen‐
gaged.▷When DTC Dynamic Traction Control is
activated or DSC is deactivated.▷When DSC is actively controlling stability.▷When SPORT+ is activated with Driving
Dynamics Control.▷If the safety belt and the driver's door are
opened when the vehicle is standing still.▷If the system has not detected objects for
an extended period, e.g., on a road with
very little traffic without road edge line
markings.▷If the detection range of the radar is dis‐
rupted, for example, by dirt or heavy fog.
Maintaining/storing the speed
Press the button.
Or:
Press the rocker switch while the system is in‐
terrupted.
When the system is switched on, the current
speed is maintained and stored as the desired
speed.
This is displayed, refer to page 140, in the
speedometer and briefly in the instrument
cluster.
When cruise control is maintained or stored,
DSC Dynamic Stability Control is switched on,
if necessary.
Changing, maintaining, and storing
the speed
The rocker switch can be pressed while the
system is interrupted to maintain and store the
current speed. DSC Dynamic Stability Control
is switched on, if necessary.
Adapting the desired speed
Adapt the desired speed to the road con‐
ditions and be ready to brake at all times; oth‐
erwise, there is the danger of an accident oc‐
curring.◀
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The vehicle symbol flashes orange:
The conditions are not adequate for
operating the system.
The system was deactivated but applies the
brakes until you actively resume control by
pressing on the brake pedal or accelerator
pedal.
The vehicle symbol flashes red and an
acoustic signal sounds:
You are requested to intervene by
braking or making an evasive maneuver.
Displays in the Head-up Display The information from Active Cruise Control
can also be displayed in the Head-up Display.
System limits
Speed range Best results are achieved when using the sys‐
tem on well-developed roads and highways.
The system is functional at speeds beginning
at approx. 20 mph/30 km/h.
The maximum speed that can be set depends
on the vehicle.
The system can also be activated when sta‐
tionary.
Comply with the legal speed limit in every sit‐
uation when using the system.
Detection range
The detection capacity of the system and the
automatic braking capacity are limited.
Two-wheeled vehicles for instance might not
be detected.
Limited detection capacity
Because of the limits to the detection ca‐
pacity, you should be alert at all times so that
you can intervene if necessary; otherwise,
there is the danger of an accident occurring.◀
Deceleration
The system does not decelerate for:▷Pedestrians or similar slow-moving road
users.▷Red traffic lights.▷Cross traffic.▷Oncoming traffic.
Swerving vehicles
A vehicle driving in front of you is not detected
until it is completely within the same lane as
your vehicle.
Swerving vehicles
If a vehicle driving ahead of you suddenly
swerves into your lane, the system may not be
able to automatically restore the selected dis‐
tance. This also applies to major speed differ‐
ences to vehicles driving ahead of you, e.g.,
when rapidly approaching a truck. When a ve‐
hicle driving ahead of you is reliably detected,
the system requests that the driver intervene
by braking and carrying out evasive maneu‐
vers, if necessary. You must react yourself;
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Traffic Jam AssistThe concept
In congestion situations, the system controls
the speed, steers independently as required
and keeps the vehicle close to the center of
the lane.
To the extent possible, the system automati‐
cally adjusts the speed to a slower vehicle
ahead of you. The distance that the vehicle
maintains to the vehicle ahead of you can be
varied. For safety reasons, it depends on the
speed. To maintain a certain distance, the sys‐
tem automatically reduces the speed, applies
the brakes lightly, or accelerates again if the
vehicle ahead begins moving faster.
When lane markings are detected, the system
keeps the vehicle in the center of the lane. For
this purpose, the system steers independently
as needed, for example, during cornering.
General information
The congestion assistant determines speed
and distance from the vehicle in front and the
position of the lane markings via a radar sensor
and a camera.
Sensors on the steering wheel detect whether
the steering wheel is being touched.
The system is deactivated as soon as the
steering wheel is no longer being touched.
In order to be able to use the Congestion As‐
sistant, place your hands around the steering
wheel.
When driving with gloves or with protective
covers, contact with the steering wheel cannot
be detected by the sensors. The system in this
case cannot be used.
Hints Personal responsibility
Even an active system does not release
the driver from personal responsibility for the
driving process, especially for lane tracking,adaptation of speed, distance and driving style
to the traffic conditions.
Because of technical system limits, the system
cannot independently react appropriately in all
traffic situations.
Monitor the driving process, the surrounding
area and what is occurring in traffic continu‐
ously and attentively and actively intervene as
required, e.g., by braking, steering or making
an evasive maneuver.◀
Unfavorable weather conditions
In the event of unfavorable weather and
light conditions, e. g. if there is rain, snowfall,
slush, fog or glare, this may result in poorer
recognition of vehicles as well as short-term
interruptions for vehicles and lane markings
that are already detected. Drive attentively, and
react to the current traffic events. Intervene ac‐
tively when necessary, e.g., by braking, steer‐
ing or making an evasive maneuver, otherwise,
there is danger of an accident.◀
Functional requirements▷Drive on approved road type. The data on
this are stored in the navigation system.
Approved road types are highways.▷Sufficient lane width.▷Lane marking on both sides is detected.▷Vehicle driving ahead is detected.▷Speed below 25 mph/40 km/h.▷Both hands on the steering wheel rim.▷Sufficient curvature.▷Drive in the center of the lane.Seite 143Driving comfortControls143
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