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DISTRONIC, function - GF30.30-P-3200GZ

ENGINE 113, 156, 272, 629, 642 in MODEL 164.1 with CODE (219) Distronic (DTR) 

ENGINE 273, 629, 642 in MODEL 164.8 with code (219) Distronic (DTR) 

ENGINE 113, 156, 272, 642 in MODEL 251 with CODE (219) Distronic (DTR) 

Fig 1: DISTRONIC, Function Diagram
G05259988Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA.

Detection of a vehicle traveling ahead with DISTRONIC activated 

The DISTRONIC regulates the speed and the distance to the next vehicle ahead according to the driver's commands (nominal speed and nominal distance to the next vehicle ahead) in the speed range from 30 km/h to 180 km/h.

In doing so, DISTRONIC regulates the set target speed in an empty lane (no vehicle moving ahead) as per conventional cruise control. As the car approaches a preceding vehicle, the speed is reduced in order to maintain the target distance set by the driver by:

If the traffic situation allows an increase in speed as the vehicle immediately ahead has accelerated or left the lane, for example, Distronic increases the speed back up to the set target speed.

Function requirements 

Dirt/function test 

To guarantee smooth functioning of the radar system after each engine start, the DTR control unit (A89n1) performs a dirt/function test of the radar sensor. If a malfunction is established or no objects (for the function test) are available in the radar sensor detection range, DISTRONIC cannot be activated and the message 'DISTRONIC not available appears in the multifunction display (A1p13) of the instrument cluster (A1).

The DTR control unit actuates the radar sensor, evaluates the radar sensor data and then transmits this data via the drive dynamic CAN to the ESP control unit (N47-5).

Following evaluation of all sensor data and input signals, the ESP control unit takes over control of the entire longitudinal movement of the vehicle in DISTRONIC operation. For this purpose, it sends signals (for shifting gear, accelerating or decelerating) via the drive CAN to the corresponding control units.

The ESP control unit also actuates warning chimes and displays in the instrument cluster.

Automatic acceleration 

The automatic maximum acceleration by DISTRONIC is limited to around 1 m/s2 for reasons of safety and comfort.

Automatic braking 

Intervention by the brake system is restricted to 20% (approx. 2 m/s2 ) of the maximum possible deceleration capacity for reasons of safety and comfort. Driving situations requiring more than 20% braking power are signaled to the driver visually by the DTR warning lamp (A1e59) in the instrument cluster and acoustically by a tone. This takeover tone is an intermittent tone and signals to the driver to observe the traffic situation carefully and to intervene if necessary and to reassume full control of the vehicle. The tone is shut off automatically when the situation becomes less critical; it cannot be deactivated manually.

Target speed 

The minimum target speed that can be set is 30 km/h and the maximum target speed 180 km/h.

The CC [TPM] switch can be moved up or down (S40/4 or S40 for USA ONLY ) to increase or decrease the nominal speed in 1 km/h or 10 km/h increments (two settings).

Activation 

DISTRONIC can be activated from 30 km/h up to a speed of 180 km/h.

Pulling or moving the CC [TPM] switch up or down will activate DISTRONIC

1st  By pulling the CC [TPM] switch, DISTRONIC is activated with the last saved target speed provided that a target speed has already been saved since the last engine start (set). If no target speed is stored, the current vehicle speed is set as the target speed.

2.  By moving the CC [TPM] switch up or down, DISTRONIC is activated with the current vehicle speed as the target speed.

IMPORTANT The message "DISTRONIC not available" is displayed, for example, when the radar plate in the radiator grill is soiled or iced up, operation is not possible due to weathering or the transmitter/receiver signals are restricted by external influences (e.g. EMC interference).

DISTRONIC activated 

Fig 2: Display - DISTRONIC Activated
G05259992Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA.

In the Electronic Speedometer (A1p8) of the instrument cluster, when DISTRONIC is activated, the segments between the measured speed of the vehicle moving ahead and the set target speed are illuminated.

The vehicle immediately ahead is shown with the current distance from it in meters in the multifunction display of the instrument cluster.

IMPORTANT If no vehicle is detected immediately ahead then segments of the electronic speedometer between 0 km/h and the set nominal speed are lit up (Cruise control mode).

Target distance 

Using the DTR distance potentiometer (S40/4r1 or S40r1 for USA ONLY ), which is integrated in the CC [TPM] switch, the target distance to the vehicle ahead can be set in six increments between approx. 1.0 s and 2.0 s depending on the speed.

At setting three and at a speed of 100 km/h, this corresponds to a target distance of around 42 m.

The target distance is converted from seconds to meters depending on the speed of the vehicle, and is displayed in the form of a white line on the range indicator in the multifunction display of the instrument cluster.

The target distance in the distance indicator matches the current vehicle speed without the driver having to adjust the DTR distance potentiometer.

IMPORTANT The legally required minimum distance is thus always guaranteed in the setting range for the target distance.

Target distance falls short 

Fig 3: Display - Target Distance Falls Short
G05259993Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA.

If the set target speed to the vehicle ahead falls short, DISTRONIC reduces the speed.

In driving situations requiring more than 20 % braking power, the DTR warning lamp in the instrument cluster is lit and the takeover tone signals to the driver to carefully observe driving situation and to intervene himself by measured heavy braking or steering if necessary.

Special driving situations 

Deactivation 

DISTRONIC is deactivated when:

  Component description for the CC [TPM] switch S40 At USA ONLY GF30.20-P-2100GR 
  Component description for the CC [TPM] switch S40/4 except USA ONLY GF30.20-P-2100GT
  Component description for the DTR controller unit A89 GF30.30-P-3210GZ