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Stability system – introduction The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system consists of a number of functions designed tohelp reduce wheel spin, counteract skidding andto generally help improve directional stability.
A pulsating sound will be audible when the system is actively operating and isnormal. Acceleration will also beslightly slower than normal.
WARNING
•The stability system (ESC) is intended to help improve driving safety but cannotdeal with all situations, or traffic, road andweather conditions. Speed and drivingstyle should always be adapted to thecurrent driving situation.
• ESC supplements, but can never replace,the driver's judgment and responsibilitywhen operating the vehicle. The driver isalways responsible for operating the vehi-cle in a safe manner in accordance withapplicable traffic regulations.
ESC consists of the following functions:
• Traction control
• Spin control
• Active Yaw Control
• Engine Drag Control •
Corner Traction Control
Traction Control (TC)
This function is designed to help reduce wheel spin at low speeds by transferring power from adrive wheel that begins to lose traction to thewheel on the opposite side of the vehicle (on thesame axle).
Spin Control (SC)
The SC function is designed to help prevent the drive wheels from spinning while the vehicle isaccelerating.
Active Yaw Control (AYC)
This function helps maintain directional stability, for example when cornering, by braking one ormore of the wheels if the vehicle shows a ten-dency to skid or slide laterally.
Corner Traction Control (CTC)
CTC compensates for understeering and helps provide additional stability when acceleratingthrough a curve by preventing the inside wheelfrom spinning. This is particularly useful whenaccelerating on a curving highway on-ramp. CTC is most effective if the stability system's Sport
mode is selected. See the section about
Sport mode.
Engine Drag Control (EDC)
EDC helps keep the engine running if the wheels show a tendency to lock, e.g., when shifting downin the Geartronic manual shifting mode or whileusing the engine's braking function on a slipperysurface. If the engine were to stop, power steer- ing would not function, making the vehicle moredifficult to steer.
Trailer Stability Assist (TSA)
The TSA helps stabilize a vehicle that is towing a trailer when the vehicle and trailer have begun tosway. See Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) (p. 285)for more information. This system is automatically deactivated if the driver selects
Sport mode.
Related information
•Stability system – operation (p. 167)
• Stability system – symbols and messages (p. 168)
• Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) (p. 285)
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Stability system – operation
Operation
Sport mode
The stability system is always activated and can- not be switched off.However, the driver can select Sport mode, which offers more
active driving characteristics. Sport mode can be selected in
the MY CAR menus, see My Car – introduction (p. 71).
In Sport mode, the engine management system
monitors movement of the accelerator pedal and steering wheel for sportier driving by allowingmore lateral movement of the rear wheels beforeESC is activated. Under certain circumstances, such as when driv- ing with snow chains, or driving in deep snow orloose sand, it may be advisable to temporarily use Sport mode for maximum tractive force.
If the driver releases pressure on the accelerator pedal, ETC will also activate to help stabilize thevehicle. To switch to Sport mode:
Sport mode remains active until the driver
switches it off in the menu or until the engine is switched off. ETC will return to normal modewhen the engine is restarted.
Related information
• Stability system – introduction (p. 166)
• Stability system – symbols and messages(p. 168)
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SymbolMessage Description
Flashing symbol. ESC is actively functioning to help counteract wheel spin and/or a skid.
Steady glow.
Sport mode has been activated.
Please note that ESC is not deactivated at this time but its functionality is reduced.
WARNING
The stability system is intended to help improve driving safety. It supplements, but cannever replace, the driver's judgment andresponsibility when operating the vehicle.Speed and driving style should always beadapted to traffic and road conditions.
Related information
• Stability system – introduction (p. 166)
• Stability system – operation (p. 167)
DRIVER SUPPORT
* Option/accessory.
170
Adjustable steering force *
Steering force increases with the speed of the vehicle to give the driver enhanced sense ofcontrol and stability. At low speed the vehicle iseasy to steer in order to facilitate parking, etc.
Adjustable steering force *Steering force can be changed under MY CAR
Car settingsSteering wheel force.
Select Low, Medium or High. For a description
of the menu system, My Car – introduction (p. 71).
NOTE
This steering force level menu function can- not be accessed when the vehicle is inmotion.
NOTE
In certain situations, the power steering may become too warm and will have to be tempo-rarily cooled down. While this is happening,the power steering effect will be reducedslightly and somewhat more effort may berequired to turn the steering wheel. If this occurs, a message will be displayed in the instrument panel.
Road Sign Information (RSI) * –
introduction
RSI is a feature that helps the driver see road signs with the posted speed limit.
Introduction
Examples of readable road signs
If the vehicle passes a sign showing the speed limit, this will be displayed in the center console.
WARNING
RSI does not function in all situations and is only intended to provide supplementary infor-mation. The driver is always responsible for operating the vehicle safely.
Related information
• Road Sign Information (RSI) – operation (p. 171)
• Road Sign Information (RSI) – limitations(p. 172)
DRIVER SUPPORT
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173
Related information
•Cruise control (CC) – engaging and setting speed (p. 173)
• Cruise control (CC) – deactivating (p. 175)
Cruise control (CC) – engaging and setting speed
Cruise control is designed to assist the driver by maintaining a set speed. It is primarily intendedfor use on long straight roads in steady traffic,such as on highways and other main roads.
Engaging the cruise control function
Steering wheel-mounted controls and display
Standby mode
Resume set speed
Deactivating
Activate/set speed
Selected speed ( gray symbol indicates
standby mode)
Cruise control active: white symbol ( gray
symbol indicates standby mode) Before a speed can be set, the cruise control system must be engaged (put in standby mode).
–Press the
CRUISE button (1).
> The symbol
illuminates and the text(---) mph (5) indicates that cruise control
is in standby mode.
NOTE
Putting cruise control in standby mode does not set a cruising speed.
Setting a speed
Use the or buttons set the vehicle's cur-
rent speed. The set speed is shown in the display.
NOTE
Cruise control cannot be engaged at speeds below 20 mph (30 km/h).
Adjusting the set speedAfter a speed has been set, it can be increased or decreased by using the
or buttons.
1. Press
or briefly and release the but-
ton to increase or decrease vehicle speed by approximately 1 mph or 1 km/h.
> This will become the set speed when the button is released.
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Cruise control (CC) – deactivating Cruise control is designed to assist the driver by maintaining a set speed. It is primarily intendedfor use on long straight roads in steady traffic,such as on highways and other main roads.
Automatic deactivationThe cruise control is automatically deactivated temporarily if one of the following occurs:
• If the speed drops below approximately 20 mph (30 km/h).
• When the brake pedal is depressed.
• If the gear selector is moved to position
N.
• During wheel spin or wheel lock-up.
• If the vehicle's speed is increased by usingthe accelerator pedal for more than 1 minute.
• Engine speed (rpm) is too high or too low.
The currently set speed will be saved in the sys-tem's memory.
Temporary deactivationThe driver can temporarily deactivate the cruise control by pressing 0. The saved speed is shown
in brackets in the information display.
Resume set speedIf the cruise control has been deactivated tempo- rarily, it can be reactivated by pressing
. The
vehicle's speed returns to the most recently set speed.
WARNING
There may be a significant increase in speed after the
button has been pressed.
Deactivation
The Cruise control is disengaged by pressing or by switching off the engine. The set speed is cleared.
WARNING
Cruise control should not be used in heavy traffic or when driving on wet or slipperyroads. Cruise control may not maintain setspeed on steep downgrades.
Related information
• Cruise control (CC) – introduction (p. 172)
• Cruise control (CC) – engaging and setting speed (p. 173)
Adaptive Cruise Control – introduction
ACC is an optional system designed to assist the driver by maintaining a set speed or a settime interval to the vehicle ahead. It is primarilyintended for use on long straight roads in steadytraffic, such as on highways and other mainroads.
When the driver has set the desired speed and the time interval to the vehicle ahead, ACC func-tions as follows:
• If there are no other vehicles in the laneahead of you, your vehicle will travel at theset speed.
• If ACC's radar sensor detects a slower mov-ing vehicle in the lane ahead, the system willadapt your vehicle's speed to help maintainthe set time interval to the vehicle ahead.When there are no longer slower movingvehicles ahead, your vehicle will accelerate toresume the set speed.
If ACC is switched off completely or in standbymode and your vehicle comes too close toanother vehicle ahead, the driver will be warnedby the Distance Alert system (see Distance Alert– introduction (p. 190)).
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•
Adaptive Cruise Control – setting speed (p. 179)
• Radar sensor (p. 185)
• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) – QueueAssist (p. 183)
• Adaptive Cruise Control – passing anothervehicle (p. 182)
• Adaptive Cruise Control – limitations(p. 185)
• Adaptive Cruise Control – function (p. 177)
• Adaptive Cruise Control – engaging (p. 179)
• Adaptive Cruise Control – deactivating(p. 181)
Adaptive Cruise Control – function
Function
Function overview 3
Warning light, braking by driver required
Controls in steering wheel
Radar sensor in front grille
Adaptive Cruise Control consists of:
• A cruise control system to maintain a set speed
• A system to maintain a set distance to thevehicle ahead, which is expressed as a timeinterval. For example, you can choose toremain approximately 2 seconds behind thevehicle ahead. The actual distance required to maintain a 2-second interval will varyaccording the speed of the vehicles.
WARNING
•
Adaptive Cruise Control is not a collision avoidance system. The driver is alwaysresponsible for applying the brakes if thesystem does not detect another vehicle.
• Adaptive Cruise Control does not react topeople or animals, or small vehicles suchas bicycles and motorcycles. It also doesnot react to slow moving, parked orapproaching vehicles, or stationaryobjects.
• Do not use Adaptive Cruise Control indemanding driving conditions such as citydriving or other heavy traffic situations, inslippery conditions, when there is a greatdeal of water or slush on the road, duringheavy rain or snow, in poor visibility, onwinding roads or on highway on- or off-ramps.
The distance to the vehicle ahead (in the samelane) is monitored by a radar sensor. Your vehi-cle's speed is regulated by accelerating andbraking. The brakes may emit a sound when theyare being modulated by the adaptive cruise con-trol system. This is normal.
3 The illustration is generic; details will vary, depending on the model
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DRIVER SUPPORT
182In the event of automatic deactivation, an audible signal will sound and the message
Cruise
control Cancelled is shown in the instrument
panel. The driver must then intervene and adapt the vehicle's speed to the surrounding traffic andregulate the distance to the vehicle ahead. An automatic switch to standby mode may be caused if:
• engine speed (rpm) is too high/low
• The driver's door is opened
• The driver unbuckles his/her seat belt
• the vehicle's speed goes below 18 mph(30 km/h)
• the wheels lose traction
• brake temperature is high
• the radar sensor is obstructed by, for exam-ple, wet snow or rain.
Resuming the set speedIf ACC is in standby mode, it can be reactivated by pressing the
button on the steering wheel
keypad. The vehicle will return to the most recently set speed.
WARNING
The vehicle may accelerate quickly after has been pressed if its current speed is con- siderably lower than the set speed.
Turning ACC off completely
Controls and display
Resume previous settings.
Off/On/Standby mode
• From standby mode, press (2)
once.
• From active mode, press (2)
twice.
The set speed and time interval are then cleared from the system's memory and cannot be resumed by pressing (1)
.
Related information
• Adaptive Cruise Control – introduction (p. 175)
Adaptive Cruise Control – passing another vehicle
Passing another vehicleIf your vehicle