GF30.30-P-3300FL Distronic Plus, Function
GF30.30-P-3300FL DISTRONIC PLUS, Function
- with CODE (233) Distronic Plus
Detection of vehicle cutting in, with DISTRONIC PLUS activated
Distronic PLUS function requirements, general
^ Circuit 61 "ON" (engine running)
^ "ADTR_AVL" (Advanced DISTRONIC PLUS) coded in front SAM control unit with fuse and relay module (N10/1)
^ Radar sensor system not disabled
^ Long range radar soiling and function test completed successfully
^ Electronic Stability Program (ESP) not deactivated
^ Driver door closed and driver seat belt plugged in
^ Parking brake not applied
^ Gear range "D" engaged
^ Cruise control lever (S40/4) in the position DISTRONIC PLUS (LIM indicator lamp (LIMITER) off) (except code (494) USA version)
Distronic PLUS, general
Die Distronic PLUS sets the vehicle speed and distance from the vehicle in front according to the values set by the driver (specified speed and distance), within a range from 0 to 200 km/h.
If the lane is unoccupied (no vehicles in front), the Distronic PLUS sets the specified speed just like a 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:
- Reducing engine power
- Activating the brakes
- Changing gear (downshift)
If the traffic situation allows the speed to be increased again, for example because the preceding vehicle accelerates or leaves the lane, DISTRONIC PLUS increases the speed back to the set target speed.
Above approx. 30 km/h the functionality of DISTRONIC PLUS is the same as that of the conventional DISTRONIC.
The signals from cruise control lever are detected by the steering column tube module control unit (N80) and transmitted to the radar sensors control unit (N62/1) via the chassis CAN (CAN E).
The set maximum speed is transmitted from the radar sensors control unit via the chassis CAN to the IC (A1). The radar sensors control unit also actuates warning chimes and displays in the instrument cluster.
DISTRONIC controller unit (A89) evaluates the radar sensor data from the DISTRONIC radar sensor (A89b1) (long range radar) and transmits the data via the vehicle dynamics CAN (CAN H) to the radar sensors control unit.
Evaluation of the radar sensors on the left and right inside, bumpers at the front (A86/1b2, A86/1b3) (short range radar) takes place via the sensor-CAN (CAN S) by the radar sensors control unit.
The radar sensors control unit then fuses the data representing identical objects from the long and short range radar.
After evaluating all the sensor data and input signals, the radar sensors control unit assumes full control of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction by transmitting signals for acceleration, deceleration, braking and gear changing to the respective control units.
The requests to accelerate or decelerate are transmitted via the chassis CAN to the CDI control unit (N3/9) (for a diesel engine) or to the ME-SFI [ME] control unit (N3/10) (for a gasoline engine). A braking request is sent to the Electronic Stability Program Premium control unit (N30/7) via the chassis CAN.
A switching request at the automatic transmission is transmitted to the electronic transmission control control unit (N15/3) (for transmission 722.6) or to the fully integrated transmission control controller unit (Y3/8) (for transmission 722.9) via the chassis CAN and drive train CAN (CAN C).
Distronic PLUS function sequence
The function sequence is described in the following points:
^ Function sequence for soiling and function test
^ Function sequence for automatic acceleration
^ Function sequence for automatic braking
^ Function sequence for Distronic PLUS activation
^ Function sequence for specified speed
^ Function sequence for specified distance
^ Function sequence for special driving situations
^ Automatic start-off function sequence (for Stop & Go traffic)
^ Function sequence for Distronic PLUS deactivation
Function sequence for soiling and function test
To ensure correct functioning, the long range radar carries out a soiling and function test at every engine start. The DISTRONIC PLUS cannot be activated if a malfunction is established or if there are no objects (for the function test) in the detection range of the long range radar sensor.
The message "DISTRONIC PLUS unavailable" by the IC in the multifunction display (A1p13).
Function sequence for automatic acceleration
The automatic maximum acceleration of DISTRONIC PLUS is limited to approx. 2.5 m/s 2 for reasons of safety and comfort.
Function sequence for automatic braking
Intervention by the brake system is limited to 40% (about 4 m/s 2 ) of the maximum possible braking power for reasons of safety and comfort. Driving situations requiring more than 40 % braking power are indicated to the driver visually by the DISTRONIC warning lamp (A1e59) in the instrument cluster and acoustically by a tone. This tone is an intermittent chime which advises the driver to observe the traffic situation and intervene if necessary (take over control).
The tone is shut off automatically when the situation becomes less critical; it cannot be deactivated manually.
Function sequence for Distronic PLUS activation
Pulling on the cruise control lever activates the DISTRONIC PLUS with the last saved target speed provided that a target speed ha already been saved (set) since the last engine start. If there is no stored target speed, DISTRONIC PLUS sets the current vehicle speed as the target speed.
Moving the cruise control lever up or down activates the DISTRONIC PLUS with the current vehicle speed as the target speed.
DISTRONIC PLUS can be activated from a standstill up to a speed of 200 km/h. However, at speeds <30 km/h, it can only be activated if a preceding vehicle is detected.
A preceding vehicle which is detected can be monitored in the IC for a switched on proximity graphic with its proximity graphic. The proximity graphic can be switched on or off over the left MFL button group (S110) in the menu "Assist." in the IC.
When stationary, DISTRONIC PLUS can only be activated if it can detect another stationary vehicle at a distance <6 m in front of it. To simplify activation when at a standstill, the driver can depress the brake pedal when activating DISTRONIC PLUS.
The message "DISTRONIC PLUS currently unavailable see operator's manual" is displayed if:
- Radar sensor system is disabled
- The radar plate in the radiator grille is dirty or iced up
- Radar operation is not possible due to weather conditions
- Transmission/reception signals are limited by external factors (e.g. electromagnetic interference)
- Radar system is outside the operating temperature
- On-board voltage is too low
A warning tone is also sounded in addition to the message.
Component Identification:
When DISTRONIC PLUS is activated, the segments between the measured speed of the vehicle moving ahead and the set target speed are illuminated in the speedometer (A1p8) in the instrument cluster.
The vehicle ahead is shown with the actual distance in meters.
If no vehicle immediately ahead is recognized for the activated DISTRONIC PLUS, one or two segments are lit up in the area of the set specified speed in the speedometer.
Function sequence for specified speed
The cruise control lever can be moved up or down to different degrees to increase or reduce the specified speed in 1 km/h or 10 km/h increments (two settings).
The minimum target speed that can be set is 30 km/h, while the maximum settable target speed is 200 km/h.
If DISTRONIC PLUS is activated at a speed < 30 km/h, the target speed is automatically set to 30 km/h.
If Distronic PLUS is activated at a speed between 200 and 260 km/ h, the specified speed is set automatically to the maximum permissible specified speed of 200 km/h.
Function sequence for specified distance
The DISTRONIC control (S40/4r1) can be used to set the specified distance from the vehicle in front in six steps between about 1.0 and 2.0 s, depending on vehicle speed.
In the third stage 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 host vehicle and is displayed in the form of a white line in the distance display in the instrument cluster.
The target distance in the distance display changes in correlation with the current vehicle speed without the driver having to adjust the DISTRONIC control.
The legally required minimum distance is thus always guaranteed in the setting range for the target distance.
Component Identification:
If the preceding vehicle comes within the set target distance, DISTRONIC PLUS reduces the speed.
In driving situations requiring more than 40% braking power (dangerous situations), the DISTRONIC warning lamp in the instrument cluster lights up 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 function sequence
- If the driver accelerates on his own initiative faster than the acceleration defined by DISTRONIC PLUS, then DISTRONIC PLUS does not shut down, but changes to the passive state.
The message "DISTRONIC PLUS passive" appears on the multifunction display of the instrument cluster, and in this case no distance control from the vehicle in front takes place. When the driver releases the accelerator pedal (vehicle speed drops), DISTRONIC PLUS stabilizes at the set target speed again and distance control is reactivated.
- The system does not operate for stationary objects (e.g. vehicles) unless a preceding vehicle is tracked to a standstill.
- If a vehicle cuts in between the host vehicle and the vehicle ahead (target vehicle), the system switches over to the new target vehicle.
- If the preceding vehicle turns off and there is another vehicle in front, the system only switches over to the new target vehicle if it is moving. In the event that a stationary obstruction is encountered, an intermittent takeover tone and the DISTRONIC warning lamp warn the driver about the impending collision.
- If the preceding vehicle leaves the same lane at a speed <30 km/h, DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated and a deactivation tone sounds.
Stop & Go traffic (traffic jam)
Automatic start-off function sequence (for Stop & Go traffic)
DISTRONIC PLUS-controlled start-off in stop & go traffic occurs only after the driver has acknowledged it by pulling on the cruise control lever or by briefly operating the accelerator pedal.
To facilitate operation of the system, the driver can depress the brake pedal while stationary without deactivating DISTRONIC PLUS. However, the driver must release the brake pedal in order to command start-off under DISTRONIC PLUS control.
Function sequence for Distronic PLUS deactivation
DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated if:
- The cruise control lever is pushed to the front
- The cruise control lever is pressed in the Variable Speed Limiter position to switch over (LIM indicator lamp lights up) (except code (494) USA version)
- The brake pedal is depressed (except when stationary)
- Parking brake is actuated
- Gear range "N" or "R" engaged
- A vehicle in front moving at a speed of <30 km/h is no longer detected (lost)
- ESP operates
- ESP switched off
- ESP deactivated (a fault)
- Radar function no longer available
- Ignition is switched off (circuit 15 OFF)
