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 or when a trailer
is 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 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The laws of physics cannot be repealed, not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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▷When freeing vehicle from deep snow or
driving off from loose grounds.▷When driving with snow chains.
Deactivating/activating DTC Dynamic
Traction Control
Activating DTC Press button.
TRACTION is displayed in the instru‐
ment cluster and the indicator lamp for DSC
OFF lights up.
Deactivating DTC Press button again.
TRACTION and the DSC OFF indica‐
tor lamp go out.
Indicator/warning lights
If DTC is activated, TRACTION is displayed in
the instrument cluster.
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 the rocker switch up 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 the rocker switch down to the point
of resistance: the speed decreases gradu‐
ally.▷Press the rocker switch down 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.Seite 136ControlsDriving stability control systems136
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COMFORT/ECO PROBalanced tuning.
COMFORT+ Comfort-oriented tuning of the shock absorb‐
ers for optimal traveling comfort.
Integral Active Steering The 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 215, rear wheel steering is deactivated.
Programs The system offers several different programs.
Select the programs via the Driving Dynamics
Control, refer to page 139.
SPORT
Consistently sporty tuning of the Integral Ac‐
tive Steering for greater driving agility.
COMFORT Balanced tuning between the COMFORT+ and
SPORT programs.
COMFORT+
Consistently comfort-oriented tuning of the In‐
tegral 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.
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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‐
ing, refer to page 143.Store/maintain speed, refer to
page 144.Resume speed, refer to
page 145.Reduce distance, refer to
page 145.Increase distance, refer to
page 145.rocker switch:
Maintain, store, change speed,
refer to page 144.
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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Displays in the Head-up DisplaySome system information can also be dis‐
played in the Head-up Display.
Distance information The 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 100.▷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 149Store/maintain speed, refer to
page 150Resume speed, refer to
page 150rocker switch:
Maintain, store, change speed,
refer to page 150Buttons 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.▷HDC is activated.▷When SPORT+ is activated with Driving
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Camera
The camera lens is located in the handle of the
tailgate. The image quality may be impaired by
dirt.
Clean the camera lens, refer to page 240.
Switching on/off
Switching on automatically With the engine running, engage lever in posi‐
tion P R.
The rearview camera image is displayed if the
system was switched on via the iDrive.
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.
The PDC is shown on the Control Display.
Switching the view via iDrive With PDC activated or Top View switched on:
"Rear view camera"
The rearview camera image is displayed.
Display on the Control Display
Functional requirement▷The rearview camera is switched on.▷The tailgate is fully closed.
Activating assistance functions
More than one assistance function can be ac‐
tive at the same time.
▷Parking aid lines
"Parking aid lines"
Lanes and turning radius are indicated.
▷Obstacle marking
"Obstacle marking"
Spatially-shaped markings are displayed.
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
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