Distronic MERCEDES-BENZ M-Class 2011 W164 User Guide

Activating DISTRONIC, storing and
maintaining the current speedGWarning!
The vehicle can be braked when DISTRONIC
is activated. For this reason, deactivate
DISTRONIC if the vehicle is to be set in motion
by other means (e.g. in a car wash or by
towing).
You can activate DISTRONIC in the following
circumstances:
R if the engine has been started and you have
been driving for up to two minutes
R while driving, except if you brake
R if the parking brake is not applied
R if ESP ®
is activated
R if the transmission is in position D
Activating while driving
When driving at speeds below 20 mph
(30 km/h) , you can only activate DISTRONIC
PLUS if the vehicle in front has been detected
and is shown in the multifunction display. If
the vehicle in front is not shown in the
multifunction display and is no longer being
detected, because it has changed lanes, for
example, DISTRONIC is deactivated and you
hear a warning tone.
XBriefly pull the cruise control lever towards
you ? or press it up : or down ; to the
pressure point.
DISTRONIC is activated.XKeep the cruise control lever pressed
up : or down ; until the desired speed
is set.XRemove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
Your vehicle adapts its speed to that of the
vehicle in front, but only up to the desired
stored speed.
i You can use the cruise control lever to set
the stored speed and the thumbwheel on
the cruise control lever to set the specified
minimum distance ( Y page 177).
i
If you do not fully release the accelerator
pedal, the DISTRONIC Override message
appears in the multifunction display. The
set distance to a slower-moving vehicle in
front will then not be maintained. You will
be driving at the speed you determine by
the position of the accelerator pedal.
Driving
If there is no vehicle in front, DISTRONIC
operates in the same way as cruise control.
If a slower-moving vehicle is detected in front,
DISTRONIC causes your vehicle to brake and
maintain the preset distance to the vehicle in
front.
If DISTRONIC detects a faster-moving vehicle
in front, it increases the driving speed, but
only up to the desired speed you have stored.GWarning!
If you depress the brake pedal, DISTRONIC is
deactivated. DISTRONIC will then no longer
brake your vehicle. In such cases, control the
distance from vehicles traveling in front with
the brake alone. You could otherwise cause
an accident and thereby injure yourself and
others. The driver remains fully responsible
for the vehicle's distance from other vehicles,
the speed being driven and for braking in good
time.
Stopping
GWarning!
DISTRONIC must never be operated,
activated or deactivated by a passenger or
from outside the vehicle.
If DISTRONIC detects that the vehicle in front
is stopping, it brakes your vehicle until it is
stationary.
i Depending on the specified minimum
distance, your vehicle will come to a
standstill at a sufficient distance behind the
vehicle in front. The specified minimum
distance is set using the thumbwheel on
the cruise-control lever.
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DISTRONIC is deactivated automatically
when stopping:
R on flat stretches of road or on downhill
gradients when the vehicle is stationary
R while the vehicle is still moving on uphill
gradients, to prevent the vehicle from
unexpectedly rolling back when
DISTRONIC is deactivated
If DISTRONIC is deactivated, you will hear a
warning tone.XTo prevent the vehicle from rolling away,
apply the foot brake or parking brake.
Setting a speed
GWarning
Keep in mind that it may take a brief moment
until the vehicle has made the necessary
adjustments.
Increase or decrease the set vehicle speed to
a value that the prevailing road conditions and
legal speed limits permit. Otherwise, sudden
and unexpected acceleration or deceleration
of the vehicle could cause an accident and/
or serious injury to you and others.
XPress the cruise control lever to the
pressure point, up : for a higher speed or
down ; for a lower speed.XKeep the cruise control lever pressed until
the desired speed is reached.XRelease the cruise control lever.
The new speed is stored. DISTRONIC is
activated and adjusts the vehicle's speed
to the new speed stored.
Setting in 1 mph (Canada: 1 km/h)
increments
XBriefly press the cruise control lever to the
pressure point, up : for a higher speed or
down ; for a lower speed.
The last speed stored is increased or
reduced.Setting in 5 mph (Canada: 10 km/h)
incrementsXBriefly press the cruise control lever
beyond the pressure point, up : for a
higher speed or down ; for a lower speed.
The last speed stored is increased or
reduced.
Storing the current speed or calling up
the last speed stored
GWarning
The set speed stored in memory should only
be set again if prevailing road conditions and
legal speed limits permit. Possible
acceleration or deceleration differences
arising from returning to the preset speed
could cause an accident and/or serious injury
to you and others.
XBriefly pull the cruise control lever towards
you ?.XRemove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
DISTRONIC is activated and accepts the
current speed if it is activated for the first
time, or adjusts the vehicle's speed to the
last speed stored.
Setting the specified minimum distance
You can set the specified minimum distance
for DISTRONIC by varying the time span
between one and two seconds. This time span
determines the distance that DISTRONIC
should maintain from the vehicle in front,
depending on the road speed. You can see
this distance in the multifunction display
( Y page 179).
GWarning!
It is up to the driver to exercise discretion to
select the appropriate setting given road
conditions, traffic, driver's preferred driving
style and applicable laws and driving
recommendations for safe following distance.
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XTo increase: turn thumbwheel ; towards
= .
DISTRONIC then maintains a greater
distance between your vehicle and the
vehicle in front.XTo decrease: turn thumbwheel ;
towards :.
DISTRONIC then maintains a shorter
distance between your vehicle and the
vehicle in front.
i Make sure that you maintain the
minimum distance to the vehicle in front as
required by law. Adjust the distance to the
vehicle in front if necessary.
DISTRONIC displays in the
speedometer
When DISTRONIC is activated, one or
two segments in the set speed range light up.
i For design reasons, the speed displayed
in the speedometer may differ slightly from
the speed set for DISTRONIC.
If DISTRONIC detects a vehicle in front,
segments ; between the speed of the
vehicle in front : and stored speed = light
up.GWarning!
An intermittent warning sounds and the
distance warning lamp · in the instrument
cluster is illuminated if the Distronic system
calculates that the distance to the vehicle
ahead and your vehicle’s current speed
indicate that the Distronic will not be capable
of slowing the vehicle sufficiently to maintain
the preset following distance, which creates
a danger of a collision.
Immediately brake the vehicle to increase
your distance to the preceding vehicle. The
warning sound is intended as a final caution
in which you should intercede with your own
braking inputs to avoid a potentially
dangerous situation. Do not wait for the
operation of the warning signal to intercede
with your own braking. This will result in
potentially dangerous emergency braking
which will not always result in an impact being
avoided.
Tailgating increases the risk of an accident.
GWarning
DISTRONIC brakes your vehicle with a
maximum deceleration of 13 ft/s 2
(4 m/s 2
).
This corresponds to approximately 40% of
your vehicle's maximum possible braking
power.
You must apply the brakes yourself to avoid a
collision. DISTRONIC brakes the vehicle to
restore the set distance to the vehicle in front
or to restore the set speed. In this case, the
brake pedal is depressed automatically,
which can be seen by a movement of the
brake pedal.
Always keep the driver's footwell clear,
including the area under the brake pedal.
Objects in this area may impair pedal
movement and cause the DISTRONIC braking
function to malfunction.
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Do not place your foot under the brake pedal
– your foot could become caught.
DISTRONIC displays in the
multifunction displayXPress the V or U button to select the
DISTRONIC menu (Y page 207).
Display when DISTRONIC is switched off
When DISTRONIC is deactivated, you will see
the following in the multifunction display:
:Vehicle in front, if detected;Distance indicator, displaying current
distance to the vehicle in front=Specified minimum distance to the
vehicle in front, adjustable?Own vehicle
Display when DISTRONIC is activated
After this time, you will see the following in
the multifunction display while DISTRONIC is
activated:
:DISTRONIC activated;Stored speed
When activating DISTRONIC and when setting
the speed, stored speed ; appears for
around five seconds.
After approximately five seconds, current
saved speed ; is shown in the status
indicator in the multifunction display
DTR XXX Miles .
Deactivating DISTRONIC
There are a number of ways to deactivate
DISTRONIC:
XBriefly press the cruise control lever
forwards :.
or
XBrake.
i
The last speed stored remains stored until
you switch off the engine.
i DISTRONIC is not deactivated if you
depress the accelerator pedal. If you
accelerate to overtake, DISTRONIC adjusts
the vehicle's speed to the last speed stored
after you have finished overtaking.
DISTRONIC is automatically deactivated if:
R you apply the parking brake.
R you are driving slower than 20 mph
(25 km/h) and there is no vehicle in front,
or if the vehicle in front is no longer
detected.
R ESP ®
intervenes or if you deactivate ESP ®
.
R you shift the transmission to P, R or N.
If DISTRONIC is deactivated, you will hear a
warning tone. You will see the DISTRONIC
Off message in the multifunction display for
approximately five seconds.
Tips for driving with DISTRONIC
The following contains descriptions of certain
road and traffic conditions in which you must
be particularly attentive. In such situations,
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brake if necessary. DISTRONIC is then
deactivated.
GWarning!
The Distronic works to maintain the speed
selected by the driver unless a moving
obstacle proceeding directly ahead of it in the
same travel direction is detected (e.g.
following another vehicle ahead of you at your
set distance).
This means that:
RYour vehicle can pass another vehicle after
you have changed lanes.
RWhile in a sharp turn or if the preceding
vehicle is in a sharp turn, the Distronic
could lose sight of the preceding vehicle.
Your vehicle could then accelerate to the
previously selected speed.
The Distronic regulates only the distance
between your vehicle and those directly
ahead of it, but does not register stationary
objects in the road, e.g.:
Ra stopped vehicle in a traffic jam
Ra disabled vehicle
Ran oncoming vehicle
The driver must always be alert, observe all
traffic and intercede as required by means of
steering or braking the vehicle.
GWarning!
The Distronic should not be used in snowy or
icy road conditions.
Cornering, going into and coming out of a
bend
The ability of DISTRONIC to detect vehicles
when cornering is limited. Your vehicle may
brake unexpectedly or late.
Vehicles traveling on a different line
DISTRONIC may not detect vehicles traveling
on a different line. The distance to the vehicle
in front will be too short.
Other vehicles changing lane
DISTRONIC has not detected the vehicle
cutting in yet. The distance to this vehicle will
be too short.
Narrow vehicles
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DISTRONIC has not yet detected the vehicle
in front on the edge of the road, because of
its narrow width. The distance to the vehicle
in front will be too short.
Obstructions and stationary vehicles
DISTRONIC does not brake for obstructions
or stationary vehicles. If, for example, the
detected vehicle turns a corner and reveals
an obstacle or stationary vehicle, DISTRONIC
will not brake for these.
Crossing vehicles
DISTRONIC may detect vehicles that are
crossing your lane by mistake. Activating
DISTRONIC at, for example, a traffic light with
crossing traffic, could cause your vehicle to
pull away at the wrong time.
Level control
Important safety guidelines
Level control automatically adapts the vehicle
level to the current operating and driving
situation. This results in reduced fuel
consumption and improved handling.
When you are driving in ADS COMF or AUTO
ADS(Y page 184), the vehicle is
automatically lowered to high-speed level as
the speed increases. As the vehicle speed
decreases, the vehicle is raised back up to
highway level.
In ADS SPORT(Y page 184), the vehicle
skips highway level and, depending on the
basic setting, lowers directly to high-speed
level (Y page 182).
Make changes to the vehicle level while the
vehicle is in motion. This enables the vehicle
to adjust to the new level as quickly as
possible.
The vehicle level may change visibly if you
park the vehicle and the outside temperature
changes. If the temperature drops, the
vehicle level is lower; with an increase in
temperature, the vehicle level rises.
When you unlock the vehicle or open a door,
the vehicle begins to balance the load
discrepancies while still parked. However, for
significant level changes, e.g. after the
vehicle has been stationary for a long period,
the engine must be on. For safety reasons,
the vehicle is only lowered when the doors are
closed. Lowering is interrupted if a door is
opened, and it continues once the door has
been closed.
GWarning!
Make sure that nobody is in the vicinity of the
wheel arch or the underbody when changing
the vehicle level. You could otherwise trap
yourself or others.
GWarning!
Always select as low a vehicle level as
possible. If the vehicle level is high, the vehicle
center of gravity shifts upwards. This
increases the risk of the vehicle tipping over.
Adapt your driving style to suit the vehicle
level. ESP® cannot reduce the risk of an
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GWarning!
The outside temperature indicator is not
designed to serve as an ice-warning device
and is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Indicated temperatures just above the
freezing point do not guarantee that the road
surface is free of ice. The road may still be icy,
especially in wooded areas or on bridges.
Changes in the outside temperature are
displayed after a short delay.
Speedometer with segments
The segments in the speedometer indicate
which speed range is available.
DISTRONIC mode:
One or two segments around the stored
speed light up.
Operating the on-board computer
The on-board computer is activated as soon
as you turn the SmartKey to position 1 in the
ignition lock.
You can control the multifunction display and
the settings in the on-board computer using
the buttons on the multifunction steering
wheel.
:Multifunction display;~
6Makes/accepts or rejects/
ends a callW
XSelects submenus in the
Settings menu
Changes values
Adjusts the volume
Operates RACETIMER in AMG
vehicles?Switches on the Voice Control
System; see the separate
operating instructions=V
USelects a menu: scrolls back
and forthASwitches off the Voice Control
System; see the separate
operating instructions&
*Press briefly:
Scrolls back and forth within a
menu
In the Audio menu: selects a
stored station, an audio track
or a video scene
In the Telephone menu:
switches to the phone book
and selects a name or a
telephone number&
*Press and hold:
In the Audio menu: selects
the previous/next station or
selects an audio track using
rapid scrolling
In the Telephone menu:
starts rapid scrolling through
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Menus and submenus
Menu overview
The number of menus shown depends on the optional equipment in the vehicle.
Function:Standard display menu (Y page 208)
R tire pressure loss warning system (Canada only) ( Y page 329)
R tire pressure monitor (USA only) ( Y page 331)
R ASSYST PLUS service interval display ( Y page 287);AMG menu in AMG vehicles ( Y page 209)=Offroad mode menu (Y page 211)?Audio menu ( Y page 211)ANavigation menu (Y page 212)BOffroad menu (Y page 213)
R level control ( Y page 181)
R compass display ( Y page 279)
R differential locks (status indicator) ( Y page 196)CDISTRONIC menu (Y page 173)DMessage memory 29
menu ( Y page 222)ESettings menu (Y page 213)29
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XPress the . reset button again.
The settings of most functions are restored
to the factory settings.
or
XIf you want to retain the settings, do not
press the . reset button a second time.
After approximately five seconds, the
Settings menu appears again.XPress V or U to select a different
menu.
Instrument cluster
Selecting the unit of measurement for
distance
This function is only available in Canada.
The Display Unit Speedometer/
Odometer function allows you to choose
whether certain displays appear in km/h or
mph.
The selected unit of measurement for
distance applies to:
R the analog speedometer
R the odometer and the trip odometer
R the trip computer
R the navigation instruction in the
Navigation menu
R DISTRONIC
XPress V or U on the steering wheel
to select the Settings menu.XPress & to call up the selection of
submenus.XPress W or X to select the
Instrument Cluster submenu.XPress & to select Display Unit
Speedometer/Odometer .XPress the W or X button to select
Km or Miles as the unit of measurement for
distance.XPress the &, V or U button to
select a different display.Selecting the unit of distance for the
digital speedometerXPress V or U on the steering wheel
to select the Settings menu.XPress & to call up the selection of
submenus.XPress the W or X button to select the
Instrument Cluster submenu.XPress the & button to display Display
Unit Digital speedometer .XPress the W or X button to select
Km or Miles as the unit of measurement for
distance.XPress the &, V or U button to
select a different display.
Selecting the language
The Language function allows you to select
the language for the instrument cluster.
XPress V or U on the steering wheel
to select the Settings menu.XPress & to call up the selection of
submenus.XPress W or X to select the
Instrument Cluster submenu.XPress the & button to select Language.XPress the W or X button to select the
desired language.XPress the &, V or U button to
select a different display.
Selecting the status line display
XPress V or U on the steering wheel
to select the Settings menu.XPress & to call up the selection of
submenus.XPress W or X to select the
Instrument Cluster submenu.XPress & to select Status Line
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Additional functions menu
Switching the distance warning
function on/off
This function is only available with
DISTRONIC.
XPress V or U on the steering wheel
to select the Additional functions menu.XPress the & or * button to select the
Distance Warning function.XPress the W or X button to activate
or deactivate the Distance Warning
system.
When the distance warning function
( Y page 69) is activated, the Ä symbol
is shown in the lower multifunction display.XPress the &, V or U button to
select a different display.
Activating/deactivating Blind Spot
Assist
Further information about Blind Spot Assist
( Y page 189).
XPress V or U on the steering wheel
to select the Additional functions menu.XPress the & or * button to select the
Blind Spot Assist function.XPress W or X to switch the Blind
Spot Assist function on or off.XPress the &, V or U button to
select a different display.
Setting DSR
The DSR Speed function allows you to set the
threshold speed (vehicle speed for driving
downhill) of the DSR ( Y page 192) to a value
between 3 mph (Canada: 4 km/h) and
10 mph (Canada: 18 km/h). The adjustment
is carried out in increments of 1 mph (Canada:
2 km/h).
XPress V or U on the steering wheel
to select the Additional functions menu.XPress the & or * button to select the
DSR Speed function.XPress the W or X button to set the
desired threshold speed.XPress the &, V or U button to
select a different display.
Trip computer menu
Trip computer "From start" or "From
reset"
The values in the From Start submenu refer
to the start of your journey, while those in the
From Reset submenu refer to the last time
you reset this submenu.
XPress V or U on the steering wheel
to select the trip computer menu.XPress & or * to select From Start
or From Reset .
Trip computer "After start" (example)
:Distance;Time=Average speed?Average fuel consumption
The From Start trip computer is reset
automatically when
R the ignition has been switched off for more
than 4 hours.
R 999 hours have been exceeded.
R 9999 miles have been exceeded.
The From Reset trip computer is
automatically reset if the trip exceeds
9999 hours or 99,999 miles.
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