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.
Anti-lock Braking 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.
Automatic Differential Brake The system controls the driving force by auto‐
matic braking intervention on individual
wheels. The function corresponds to a differ‐
ential lock: the system detects if a wheel be‐
gins to spin, because of loose road surface,
e.g., and automatically brakes it.
The driving force is diverted to the wheel with
better traction.
As a result, the engine force is transferred
more efficiently to the wheels during accelera‐
tions.
Dynamic Performance
Control DPC
The Dynamic Performance Control increases
both the agility of the vehicle as well as the
lane stability.
The system seamlessly handles the distribu‐
tion of the drive torque between the two rear
wheels.
Depending on the situation, the drive torque is
shifted from the wheel on the inside of the
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Displaying distribution of the drive
torque1."Vehicle info"2."xDrive status"3. "Torque distribution"
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.
Activating HDC
Press button; the LED above the button
lights up.
Deactivating HDC Press button again and the LED goes
out. HDC is automatically deactivated
above approx. 37 mph/60 km/h.
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The system ensures consistent comfort by
keeping spring travel constant in all driving sit‐
uations.
Malfunction
A Check Control message is displayed. The system is disrupted. Vehicle handling may be altered and driving comfort may be noticeably
reduced. Visit the nearest dealer’s service cen‐ ter or another qualified service center or repair
shop.
Driving Dynamics Control
The concept The 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
OFF-button.
Overview
Button in the vehicleOperating the programsPress buttonProgramDSC OFF
TRACTIONSPORT+
SPORT
COMFORT
ECO PRO
Automatic program change
The system may automatically switch to COM‐
FORT in the following situations:
▷Failure of DSC Dynamic Stability Control.▷The vehicle has a flat tire.▷Failure of Dynamic Damping Control, Dy‐
namic Drive or xDrive.▷When activating cruise control in TRAC‐
TION or DSC OFF mode.
DSC OFF
Driving stability is limited during acceleration
and when driving in curves.
To increase vehicle stability, activate DSC
again as soon as possible.
Deactivating DSC: DSC OFF Press and hold this button but not lon‐
ger than approx. 10 seconds, until the
indicator lamp for DSC OFF lights up in the in‐
strument cluster and displays DSC OFF.
The DSC system is switched off.
Activating DSC Press button.
DSC OFF and the DSC OFF indicator
lamp go out.
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Indicator/warning lights
When DSC OFF is activated, DSC OFF is dis‐
played in the instrument cluster.
The indicator lamp lights up: DSC OFF
is activated.
TRACTION Maximum traction on loose road surfaces. DTC
Dynamic Traction Control is switched on. Driv‐
ing stability is limited during acceleration and
when driving in curves.
Activating TRACTION Press button.
TRACTION is displayed in the instru‐
ment cluster and the indicator lamp for DSC
OFF lights up.
Deactivating TRACTION Press button again.
TRACTION and the DSC OFF indica‐
tor lamp go out.
Indicator/warning lights
If TRACTION is activated, TRACTION is dis‐
played in the instrument cluster.
The indicator lamp lights up: TRAC‐
TION is activated.
SPORT+ Sporty driving with optimized suspension and
adapted engine control with limited driving sta‐
bilization.
Dynamic Traction Control is switched on. The driver handles several of the stabilization
tasks.Activating SPORT+
Press button repeatedly until SPORT+
appears in the instrument cluster and
the DSC OFF indicator lamp lights up.
Automatic program change When switching on the manual speed limiter or
activating cruise control, the program automat‐
ically switches to SPORT mode.
Indicator/warning lights
SPORT+ is displayed in the instrument cluster.
The DSC OFF indicator lamp lights up:
Dynamic Traction Control is activated.
SPORT Consistently sporty tuning of the suspension
and engine control for greater driving agility
with maximum driving stabilization.
The program can be configured to individual
specifications.
The configuration is stored for the profile cur‐
rently used.
Activating SPORT Press button repeatedly until SPORT
is displayed in the instrument cluster.
COMFORT
For a balanced tuning with maximum driving
stabilization.
Activating COMFORT Press button repeatedly until COM‐
FORT is displayed in the instrument
cluster.
In certain situations, the system automatically
changes to the NORMAL program, automatic
program change, refer to page 142.Seite 143Driving stability control systemsControls143
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Driving comfortVehicle features and options
This 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.
Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function, ACC
The concept
Use this system to select a desired speed that
the vehicle will maintain automatically on clear
roads.
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 system au‐
tomatically reduces the speed, applies the
brakes lightly, or accelerates again if the vehi‐
cle ahead begins moving faster.
If the vehicle ahead of you brakes to a halt, and
then proceeds to drive again within a brief pe‐
riod, the system is able to detect this within the
given system limits. Your own vehicle will
brake automatically and then accelerate again.
If the vehicle ahead of you drives away again
after a prolonged period, briefly press the ac‐
celerator pedal or press the appropriate button
to reactivate the system. The vehicle will auto‐
matically accelerate.As soon as the road is clear, the vehicle accel‐
erates to the desired speed.
The speed is also maintained downhill, but
may not be maintained uphill if engine power is
insufficient.
General information
Depending on the driving settings, the features
of the cruise control can change in certain
areas.
Information WARNING
The system does not relieve from the
personal responsibility to correctly assess the
traffic situation. Based on the limits of the sys‐
tem, it cannot independently react to all traffic
situations. There is risk of an accident. Adjust
the driving style to the traffic conditions. Watch
traffic closely and actively interfere in the re‐
spective situations.◀
WARNING
An unsecured vehicle can put itself into
motion and roll away. There is risk of an acci‐
dent. Before exiting, secure the vehicle against
rolling.
In order to ensure that the vehicle is secured
against rolling away, observe the following:▷Set the parking brake.▷On uphill grades or on a slope, turn the
front wheels in the direction of the curb.▷On uphill grades or on a slope, also secure
the vehicle, e.g. with a wheel chock.◀Seite 145Driving comfortControls145
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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.▷After a longer stationary period when the
vehicle has been braked to a stop by the
system.
Maintaining, storing, and changing the
speed
Information WARNING
The desired speed can be incorrectly ad‐
justed or called up by mistake. There is risk of
an accident. Adjust the desired speed to the
traffic conditions. Watch traffic closely and ac‐
tively interfere in the respective situations.◀
WARNING
Risk of accident due to too high speed
differences to other vehicles, e.g. in the follow‐
ing situations:
▷When fast approaching a slowly moving
vehicle.▷Suddenly swerving vehicle onto the own
lane.▷When fast approaching standing vehicles.
There is risk of injuries or danger to life. Watch
traffic closely and actively interfere in the re‐
spective situations.◀
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.
This is displayed in the speedometer and
briefly in the instrument cluster, refer to
page 148.
DSC Dynamic Stability Control will be
switched on if needed.
Changing the speed
Press the rocker switch up or down repeatedly
until the desired speed is set.
If active, the displayed speed is stored and the
vehicle reaches the stored speed when the
road is clear.
▷Each time the rocker switch is pressed to
the point of resistance, the desired speed
increases or decreases by approx.
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▷Each time the rocker switch is pressed
past the point of resistance, the desired
speed increases or decreases by a maxi‐
mum of 5 mph/10 km/h.
Hold the rocker switch in position to repeat the
action.
Distance WARNING
The system does not relieve from the
personal responsibility. Due to the system lim‐
its, braking can be late. There is risk of acci‐
dents or risk of property damage. Be aware to
the traffic situation at all times. Adjust the dis‐
tance to the traffic and weather conditions and
maintain the prescribed safety distance, possi‐
bly by braking.◀
Reduce distance Press button repeatedly until the de‐
sired distance is set.
Instrument cluster will display selected dis‐
tance, refer to page 149.
Increase distance Press button repeatedly until the de‐
sired distance is set.
Instrument cluster will display selected dis‐
tance, refer to page 149.
Calling up the desired speed and distance
While driving Press button with the system
switched on.
In the following cases, the stored speed value
is deleted and cannot be called up again:
▷When the system is switched off.▷When the ignition is switched off.While standing
The system brought the vehicle to a complete
standstill:▷Green marking in the speedometer:
Your vehicle accelerates automatically as
soon as the vehicle in the range of the ra‐
dar sensor moves off.▷Speedometer markings turn orange: no au‐
tomatic driving off.
To accelerate to the desired speed auto‐
matically, press the accelerator or press
the RES or SET button.
Rolling bars in the distance display indicate
that the vehicle detected by the radar sensor
has driven off.
The system was paused or your vehicle was
brought to a halt actively through stepping on
the brake pedal and it is standing behind an‐
other vehicle:
1. Press button to call up a stored
desired speed.2.Release the brake pedal.3.Step on the accelerator briefly, or press the
RES rocker switch when the vehicle ahead
of you drives away.
Displays in the instrument cluster
Desired speed
▷The marking lights up green:
the system is active.▷The marking lights up or‐
ange: the system has been
interrupted.▷The marking does not light up: the system
is switched off.
With instrument display: the symbol is
displayed in the speedometer similarly
to the mark for the desired speed.
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Brief status displaySelected desired speed.
If no speed is indicated, it is possible that the
conditions necessary for operation are not cur‐
rently fulfilled.
Distance to vehicle ahead of you Shown is selected distance to the vehicle driv‐
ing ahead of you.Distance displayDistance 1Distance 2Distance 3Distance 4
This value is set automatically after
the system is switched on.The system has been interrupted or
distance control is temporarily sup‐
pressed because the accelerator
pedal is being pressed; a vehicle
was not detected.Distance control is temporarily sup‐
pressed because the accelerator
pedal is being pressed; a vehicle
was detected.Rolling bars: the detected vehicle has driven
away.
ACC is no longer accelerating. To accelerate
further, activate ACC by briefly stepping on
the accelerator pedal, pressing the RES but‐
ton or rocker switch.Indicator/warning lights
Symbol lights up orange:
A vehicle has been detected ahead of
you.
Symbol flashes orange:
The conditions are not adequate for
the system to work.
The system was deactivated but applies the
brakes until you actively resume control by
pressing on the brake pedal or accelerator
pedal.
Symbol flashes red and a signal
sounds:
You are requested to intervene by
braking or make an evasive maneuver.
Displays in the Head-up Display Some 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.
The distance information is active under the
following circumstances:▷Active Cruise Control switched off.▷Display in the Head-up Display selected,
refer to page 101.▷Distance too short.▷Speed greater than approx.
40 mph/70 km/h.
System limits
Speed range The system is best used on well-constructedroads.
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