The adaptive cruise control is a combined speed and distance control system to assist the driver.

Trim grille (front right): Position of radar sensor

Adaptive cruise control allows you to maintain any desired constant speed between 30 and 200 km/h. In addition, the system controls the distance maintained to the vehicle in front (subject to certain limitations as described below).

The system can be used to greatest effect on long motorway journeys or on other main roads with long straight sections.

How is the system operated?

The adaptive cruise control system is operated via a control lever on the steering wheel, “Setting the speed” and, “Setting the distance”.

Driver messages

When the system is being used, important information is displayed in the speedometer and on the instrument cluster display screen, “Driver messages”.

Please note the following points:

The adaptive cruise control has certain limits determined by the system itself. This means that the driver may in some situations have to intervene and control the speed and distance to the vehicle in front himself, “Driver intervention prompt” and, “System limitations”.

WARNING

Please always direct your full attention to the road, even when you are using adaptive cruise control. It is always the driver who is responsible for determining the speed and for keeping a safe distance to the other vehicles on the road.

• • For safety reasons, the adaptive cruise control must not be used in city traffic, stop-go traffic, roads with a lot of bends or in difficult driving conditions (such as ice, fog, loose grit or gravel, heavy rain, aquaplaning) - this could cause an accident!
• • When you take a turn-off, drive along a motorway exit lane or pass through roadwork sections, please temporarily switch off the adaptive cruise control in order to avoid the vehicle accelerating to the selected speed.
• • The adaptive cruise control can only control the distance to vehicles in front. As a rule, it cannot recognize vehicles travelling in other lanes. For this reason, please temporarily switch off the system if you are travelling in the inside lane and vehicles in the overtaking lane are travelling at a slower speed than you are. Otherwise, you would overtake these vehicles on the inside.
• • Adaptive cruise control will not react when approaching a stationary obstacle, e.g. the end of a traffic jam or a broken-down vehicle, or if a vehicle should come towards you in the same lane.
• • Please make sure you do not unintentionally rest your foot on the accelerator - this will override the adaptive cruise control system which, as a result, will not automatically brake the vehicle.

Note

• • For safety reasons, the speed setting will be deleted when the ignition is switched off.
• • Switching on the adaptive cruise control automatically activates the Electronic Stabilisation Program (ESP) and the traction control system (ASR). These two systems cannot be deactivated while the adaptive cruise control is switched on.
• • Damage caused by impacts (e.g. if the vehicle is damaged when parking) can affect the radar sensor settings. This can cause the system to malfunction or switch off completely.
• • The radar sensor is heated. However, in winter conditions, you should make sure that the radar sensor is free of ice and snow before you set off. If necessary, carefully clean the cover of the radar sensor and the surrounding area, fig. 136.
• • To make sure that the radar sensor is fully operative, do not attach any objects (e.g. stickers, add-on parts or other accessories) to the area surrounding the radar sensor. Do not paint the area surrounding the radar sensor.