Driving stability control systemsVehicle features and optionsThis chapter describes all standard, country-
specific and optional features offered with the
series. It also describes features that are not
necessarily available in your car, e. g., due to
the selected options or country versions. This
also applies to safety-related functions and
systems. The respectively applicable country
provisions must be observed when using the
respective features and systems.
Antilock Brake System ABS ABS prevents locking of the wheels during
braking.
The vehicle contains its steering power 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 greatest possible
braking force boost. It reduces the braking dis‐
tance to a minimum during emergency stop.
This system utilizes all of the benefits provided
by ABS.
Do not reduce the pressure on the brake pedal
for the duration of the emergency stop.
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 off on inclines.
The parking brake is not required.1.Hold the vehicle in place with the foot
brake.2.Release the foot brake and drive off with‐
out delay.
After the foot brake is released, the vehicle is
held in place for approx. 2 seconds.
Depending on the vehicle load, 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 to
roll back.◀
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control
The concept DSC prevents traction loss in the power
wheels when driving off and accelerating.
DSC also recognizes unstable vehicle condi‐
tions such as fishtailing or nose-diving. Within
the physical limits DSC helps to keep the vehi‐
cle on a steady course by reducing engine
speed and by applying brakes to the individual
wheels.
Note 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The laws of physics cannot be repealed, not
even with DSC.
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Before leaving the vehicle, secure it
against moving on its own.
Before leaving the vehicle with the engine run‐
ning: set the parking brake and ensure that the
Steptronic transmission is in position P. Other‐
wise, the vehicle may begin to move.◀
At a glance
Buttons on the steering wheelPress but‐
tonFunctionCruise control on/off, interrupt,
refer to page 142Store/maintain speed, refer to
page 143Resume speed, refer to
page 144Reduce distance, refer to
page 144Increase distance, refer to
page 144rocker switch:
Maintain, store, change speed,
refer to page 143
Buttons are arranged according to vehicle's
series, optional features and country specifica‐
tions.
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 prevent 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 found near the interior rearview
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 inte‐
rior mirror, e.g., carefully remove salt residue in
the winter.
Switching on/off and interrupting
cruise control
Switching on Press button on the steering wheel.
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The indicator lights in the instrument cluster
light up and the mark in the speedometer is set
to the current speed.
Cruise control can be used.
Switch off Deactivated or interrupted system
With deactivated or interrupted system
use your brakes, steering and moves as usual
to avoid the chance of an accident.◀
To switch off the system while standing, step
on brake pedal at the same time.
Press button on the steering wheel.▷If active: press twice.▷If interrupted: press once.
The displays go out. The stored desired speed
is deleted.
Interrupting Press 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 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 while 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 curb or shoulder
markings.▷If the detection range of the radar is dis‐
rupted, e.g., by dirt or heavy fog.
Maintaining, storing, and changing the
speed
Hints Adjusting the desired speedModify desired speed to road conditions
and be ready to brake at all times; otherwise,
there is the risk of an accident.◀
Differences in speed
Large differences in speed relative to
other vehicles cannot be compensated by the
system such as in the following situations:
▷When fast approaching a slowly moving
vehicle.▷When another vehicle suddenly swerves
into the wrong lane.▷When stationary objects are approached at
high speed.◀
Maintaining/storing the speed
Press 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.
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Distance informationThe symbol is displayed when the dis‐
tance from the vehicle traveling ahead
is too short.▷Active Cruise Control switched off.▷Display in the Head-up Display selected,
refer to page 102.▷Distance too short.▷Speed greater than approx.
40 mph/70 km/h.
System limits
Speed range The system is best used on well-constructedroads.
The minimum speed that can be set is
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 lidacity of the system and the
automatic braking lidacity are limited.
Two-wheeled vehicles for instance might not
be detected.
Limited detection potential
Because of the limited possible detec‐
tion, you should be alert at all times so that you
can intervene if needed; otherwise, there is the
risk of an accident.◀
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 needed. You must react yourself; other‐
wise, there is the risk of an accident.◀
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Cruise controlThe concept The system maintains a preset speed via the
buttons on the steering wheel. The system
brakes on downhill gradients if engine braking
is insufficient.
General information
Depending on the driving settings, the features
of the cruise control can change in certain
areas.
Hints Unfavorable conditions
Do not use the system if unfavorable
conditions make it impossible to drive at a con‐
stant speed, e.g.:▷On winding roads.▷In heavy traffic.▷On slippery roads, in fog, snow or rain, or
on a loose road surface.
Otherwise, you could lose control of the vehi‐
cle and cause an accident.◀
Controls
Overview
Press but‐
tonFunctionCruise control on/off, interrupt,
refer to page 148Store/maintain speed, refer to
page 149Resume speed, refer to
page 149rocker switch:
Maintain, store, change speed,
refer to page 149Buttons are arranged according to vehicle's
series, optional features and country specifica‐
tions.
Switching on Press button on the steering wheel.
The marking in the speedometer is set to the
current speed.
The cruise control can be used.
Switch off Deactivated or interrupted system
With deactivated or interrupted system
use your brakes, steering and moves as usual
to avoid the chance of an accident.◀
Press button on the steering wheel.▷If active: press twice.▷If interrupted: press once.
The displays go out. The stored desired speed
is deleted.
Interrupting When active, press the button.
The system is automatically interrupted if:
▷The brakes are applied.▷Selector lever position D is disengaged.▷DTC Dynamic Traction Control is activated
or DSC is deactivated.▷DSC is actively controlling stability.▷When SPORT+ is activated with Driving
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Pathway lines▷Pathway lines can be superimposed on the
image of the rearview camera.▷They help you to estimate how much
space is needed when parking and maneu‐
vering on level pavement.▷They are dependent on the current steer‐
ing angle and are continuously adjusted to
the steering wheel movements.
Turning circle lines
▷Turning circle lines can only be superim‐
posed on the rearview camera image to‐
gether with pathway lines.▷They show the course of the smallest pos‐
sible turning radius on a level road.▷Only one turning radius line is displayed af‐
ter the steering wheel is turned past a cer‐
tain angle.Obstacle marking
Obstacle markings can be faded into the image
of the rearview camera.
Their colored margins match the markings of
the PDC. This simplifies estimation of the dis‐
tance to the object shown.
Parking using pathway and turning
radius lines
1.Position the vehicle so that the turning ra‐
dius lines lead to within the limits of the
parking space.2.Turn the steering wheel to the point where
the pathway line covers the corresponding
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Cameras
The lenses of the Top View camera are located
at the bottom in the mirror housings. The im‐
age quality may be impaired by dirt.
Clean the camera lenses, refer to page 236.
Switching on/off
Switching on automatically With the engine running, engage lever in posi‐
tion P R.
The rearview camera image is displayed. To
switch to the Top View:
"Rear view camera"
Automatic deactivation during forward
travel
The system switches off when a certain driving
distance or speed is exceeded.
Switch the system back on if needed.
Switching on/off manually Press button.
▷On: the LED lights up.▷Off: the LED goes out.
Top View is displayed.
The rearview camera image is displayed when
the reverse gear is engaged by pressing the
button.
Display
Visual warning
The approach of the vehicle to an object can
be shown on the Control Display.
When the distance to an object is small, a red
bar is shown in front of the vehicle, as it is in
the PDC display.
The display appears as soon as Top View is
activated.
When the image of the rearview camera is dis‐
played, it is possible to reel to top view:
"Rear view camera"
Brightness
With Top View switched on:
1. Select the symbol.2.Turn the controller until the desired setting
is reached, and press the controller.
Contrast
With Top View switched on:
1. Select the symbol.2.Turn the controller until the desired setting
is reached, and press the controller.
Displaying the turning radius and
pathway lines
▷The static, red turning radius line shows
the space needed to the side of the vehicle
when the steering wheel is turned all the
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▷The variable, green pathway line assists
you in assessing the amount of space ac‐
tually needed to the side of the vehicle.
The lane line depends on the engaged
gear and the current steering angle. The
track line is continuously adjusted for the
steering wheel movement.
"Parking aid lines"
Turning circle and pathway lines are displayed.
System limits
Top View cannot be used in the following sit‐
uations:
▷With a door open.▷With the trunk lid open.▷With an exterior mirror folded in.▷In poor light.
A Check Control message is displayed in some
of these situations.
Parking assistant The concept
This system assists the driver in parking paral‐
lel to the road.
Ultrasound sensors measure parking spaces
on both sides of the vehicle.
Manual transmission:
Steptronic transmission:
The parking assistant calculates the best pos‐
sible parking line and during the parking proce‐
dure takes control of steering, the acceleration
and braking and if needed changes the gears.
Hold down the parking assistant button for the
duration of the parking procedure. At the end
of the parking procedure, the P selector lever
position is set.
When parking, also take note of the visual and
acoustic information and instructions issued
by the PDC, the parking assistant and the rear‐
view camera and react accordingly.
A component of the parking assistant is the
PDC Park Distance Control, refer to page 150.
Hints Personal responsibility
Even an active system does not relieve
the driver from personal responsibility while
driving.
Technically the system has its limits, it cannot
independently react to all traffic situations.
Monitor your driving, be on the alert, observe
the vehicle surroundings and other traffic and
react when needed - risk of accident.◀
Changes to the parking space
Changes to the parking space after it was
measured are not taken into account by the
system.
Therefore, always be alert and ready to inter‐
vene; otherwise, there is the risk of an acci‐
dent.◀
Transporting cargo
Cargo that extends beyond the perimeter
of the vehicle is not taken into account by the
system during the parking procedure.
Therefore, always be alert and ready to inter‐
vene; otherwise, there is the risk of an acci‐
dent.◀
Curbs
The parking assistant may steer the vehi‐
cle over or onto curb if need be.Seite 158ControlsDriving comfort158
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