Why do some Mercedes have this on their grill?
Discussion
Yes, radar.
Which I may add is quite rubbish.
On a sharp right-hander on the motorway/duel carriageway it'll detect a truck in the inside lane and think it's in your lane and slam the brakes on.
Besides it's not very smooth and I never use it when I am driving a customers S class.
4-10 must do better!
Which I may add is quite rubbish.
On a sharp right-hander on the motorway/duel carriageway it'll detect a truck in the inside lane and think it's in your lane and slam the brakes on.
Besides it's not very smooth and I never use it when I am driving a customers S class.
4-10 must do better!
I disagree. Not sure what version you tried but on my 2010 E Class it is extremely impressive.
The sytem is known as Distronic and was introduced in the late 90s S-class. The current version is known as Distronic Plus. The system uses radar to lock onto the vehicle in front and is effectively adaptive cruise control, so it will slow if the car in front slows and brake (to a stop) if necessary. You can adjust the distance to the vehicle in front (which is useful in slow moving, stop/start traffic as it results in a more gentle braking pattern when everyone is driving up the car in fronts backside, ironically if all cars were fitted with the system start/stop traffic would all but disappear).
It has never (60k so far, mainly motorway, dual carraigeway) incorrecly identified something in another lane, indeed the system is designed to disengage if loses track (which has only happened a couple of times, as it usually picks up next car without any intervention).
It doesn't replace the driver and it isn't an excuse to disengage your brain (there are enough people who appear to do this when they get in a car) but if you understand what it is, how it works and adapt your driving to style to take full adavntage it is simply remarkable. Reduces fatigue levels dramatically on long journeys and especially in poor visibility.
Each to their own, personally I wouldn't be without it.
Regards, Neil
The sytem is known as Distronic and was introduced in the late 90s S-class. The current version is known as Distronic Plus. The system uses radar to lock onto the vehicle in front and is effectively adaptive cruise control, so it will slow if the car in front slows and brake (to a stop) if necessary. You can adjust the distance to the vehicle in front (which is useful in slow moving, stop/start traffic as it results in a more gentle braking pattern when everyone is driving up the car in fronts backside, ironically if all cars were fitted with the system start/stop traffic would all but disappear).
It has never (60k so far, mainly motorway, dual carraigeway) incorrecly identified something in another lane, indeed the system is designed to disengage if loses track (which has only happened a couple of times, as it usually picks up next car without any intervention).
It doesn't replace the driver and it isn't an excuse to disengage your brain (there are enough people who appear to do this when they get in a car) but if you understand what it is, how it works and adapt your driving to style to take full adavntage it is simply remarkable. Reduces fatigue levels dramatically on long journeys and especially in poor visibility.
Each to their own, personally I wouldn't be without it.
Regards, Neil
NJS25 said:
I disagree. Not sure what version you tried but on my 2010 E Class it is extremely impressive.
The sytem is known as Distronic and was introduced in the late 90s S-class. The current version is known as Distronic Plus. The system uses radar to lock onto the vehicle in front and is effectively adaptive cruise control, so it will slow if the car in front slows and brake (to a stop) if necessary. You can adjust the distance to the vehicle in front (which is useful in slow moving, stop/start traffic as it results in a more gentle braking pattern when everyone is driving up the car in fronts backside, ironically if all cars were fitted with the system start/stop traffic would all but disappear).
It has never (60k so far, mainly motorway, dual carraigeway) incorrecly identified something in another lane, indeed the system is designed to disengage if loses track (which has only happened a couple of times, as it usually picks up next car without any intervention).
It doesn't replace the driver and it isn't an excuse to disengage your brain (there are enough people who appear to do this when they get in a car) but if you understand what it is, how it works and adapt your driving to style to take full adavntage it is simply remarkable. Reduces fatigue levels dramatically on long journeys and especially in poor visibility.
Each to their own, personally I wouldn't be without it.
Regards, Neil
I agree completely with this. I had Distronic on my previous MB and was very disappointed that it wasn't available on the current Elegance spec C Class I bought this year. Mine always worked well and made for a very stress free drive on long M'way trips. Would always spec it if available. The sytem is known as Distronic and was introduced in the late 90s S-class. The current version is known as Distronic Plus. The system uses radar to lock onto the vehicle in front and is effectively adaptive cruise control, so it will slow if the car in front slows and brake (to a stop) if necessary. You can adjust the distance to the vehicle in front (which is useful in slow moving, stop/start traffic as it results in a more gentle braking pattern when everyone is driving up the car in fronts backside, ironically if all cars were fitted with the system start/stop traffic would all but disappear).
It has never (60k so far, mainly motorway, dual carraigeway) incorrecly identified something in another lane, indeed the system is designed to disengage if loses track (which has only happened a couple of times, as it usually picks up next car without any intervention).
It doesn't replace the driver and it isn't an excuse to disengage your brain (there are enough people who appear to do this when they get in a car) but if you understand what it is, how it works and adapt your driving to style to take full adavntage it is simply remarkable. Reduces fatigue levels dramatically on long journeys and especially in poor visibility.
Each to their own, personally I wouldn't be without it.
Regards, Neil
I can see why, as a chauffeur, you may find the braking harsh under certain conditions and therefore not conducive to ensuring your passengers enjoy an unobtrusive drive.
The only issue I have found is when cars around are changing their speeds significantly, and that this can result in heavier braking than you would like. I use the distance control to negate this giving more room for the car to react in more gentle controlled manner and in more extreme circumstances take control of the braking to avoid this, or if possible simply move into another lane where the driving is less eratic. This is a key point as the only real issue with Distronic is the fact that other cars don't have it and that drivers find it difficult to maintain a constant speed and control acceleration/deceleration smoothly through the avoidance of excessive braking (a function of the ability to anticpate hazards and driving too close to the vehicle ahead).
As mentioned above, I have never had a situation when the car has picked a vehicle in another lane (as you described).
Regards, Neil
The only issue I have found is when cars around are changing their speeds significantly, and that this can result in heavier braking than you would like. I use the distance control to negate this giving more room for the car to react in more gentle controlled manner and in more extreme circumstances take control of the braking to avoid this, or if possible simply move into another lane where the driving is less eratic. This is a key point as the only real issue with Distronic is the fact that other cars don't have it and that drivers find it difficult to maintain a constant speed and control acceleration/deceleration smoothly through the avoidance of excessive braking (a function of the ability to anticpate hazards and driving too close to the vehicle ahead).
As mentioned above, I have never had a situation when the car has picked a vehicle in another lane (as you described).
Regards, Neil
I wasn't neccassarily referring to the braking, although that is harsh if you're not watching, but the acceleration after, for example, a car moves out your lane just after jumping in front of you.
I've had a few customers complain about a particular driver and they said he was driving too quick. He denied it of course and I kind of sided with him, until I drove the car, a 2010 S class with distronic, all became clear.
He drives with it disabled now.
But yes. Great system otherwise, especially in 30mph traffic, but a bit rubbish otherwise.
Whilst I'm at it. The beeping that happens if you indictate whilst a car is alongside. Rubbish as it wakes up passengers!
I've had a few customers complain about a particular driver and they said he was driving too quick. He denied it of course and I kind of sided with him, until I drove the car, a 2010 S class with distronic, all became clear.
He drives with it disabled now.
But yes. Great system otherwise, especially in 30mph traffic, but a bit rubbish otherwise.
Whilst I'm at it. The beeping that happens if you indictate whilst a car is alongside. Rubbish as it wakes up passengers!
cptsideways said:
Small Car said:
Can you use Distronic as a normal cruise with the system of radar disabled?
I cant remember re the merc's but every other manufacturers products I've tried wont allow you to have switchable basic cruiseBigBen said:
cptsideways said:
Small Car said:
Can you use Distronic as a normal cruise with the system of radar disabled?
I cant remember re the merc's but every other manufacturers products I've tried wont allow you to have switchable basic cruise
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