GF30.30-P-3300LE Distronic Plus, Function
GF30.30-P-3300LE DISTRONIC PLUS, Function
- with CODE (233) Distronic Plus
- as of model year 09
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 the central gateway control unit (N93)
^ 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
^ CC [TPM] push button ( S40/4) in the position DISTRONIC PLUS
(LIM indicator lamp (LIMITER) off) (except code (494) USA version)
Distronic PLUS, general
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 the engine output
- Activating the brakes
- Shifting 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 the CC push button switch are detected by the steering column tube module (N80) and transmitted to the radar sensors control unit (SGR) (N62/1) via the chassis CAN (CAN E).
The instrument cluster (A1) sends the selected maximum speed via the chassis CAN and central CAN (CAN F) to the radar sensors control unit. The radar sensors control unit also actuates warning chimes and displays in the instrument cluster.
DTR controller unit (A89) evaluates the radar sensor data from the DTR 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 together 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 diesel engines) or to the ME-SFI [ME] control unit (N3/10) (for gasoline engines).
A brake request is transmitted via the vehicle dynamics CAN to the ESP control unit (N47-5) or regenerative braking system control unit (N30/6) (for hybrid).
A switching request at the automatic transmission is transmitted via the chassis CAN and drive train CAN (CAN C) to the ETC control unit (N15/3) (for transmission 722.6) or to the electric controller unit (VGS) (Y3/8) (for transmission 722.9).
Function sequence for Distronic PLUS
The function sequence is described in the following steps:
^ 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
^ Function sequence for specified speed
^ Function sequence for specified distance
^ Function sequence for special driving situations
^ Function sequence for automatic start-off (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 currently unavailable" appears in the multifunction display (A1p13) of the instrument cluster.
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 DTR 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
By pulling the CC [TPM] switch, DISTRONIC PLUS is activated with the last saved target speed provided that a target speed ha already been saved since the last engine start (set). If there is no stored target speed, DISTRONIC PLUS sets the current vehicle speed as the target speed.
By moving the CC [TPM] switch up or down, DISTRONIC PLUS is activated 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.
When a preceding vehicle is detected, it can be observed in the instrument cluster with its current speed and distance.
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 Unavailable" appears 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 electronic speedometer (A1p8) in the instrument cluster. The orange triangle at the top of the segment ring indicates the set target speed.
The vehicle immediately ahead is shown in the multifunction display of the instrument cluster with the current distance from it in meters
If there is no vehicle immediately ahead detected with DISTRONIC PLUS activated then no segments in the speedometer are lit up.
Specified speed function sequence
The CC [TPM] switch 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 of <30 km/h the nominal speed will 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
Using the DTR distance potentiometer (S40/4r1S40r1), the specified distance from the vehicle in front can be set 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 on the range indicator in 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.
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 DTR warning lamp in the instrument cluster lights up and the takeover tone signals to the driver carefully observe driving situation and to intervene himself by measured heavy braking or steering if necessary.
Function sequence for special driving situations
- 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 targets (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 DTR 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)
Function sequence for automatic start-off (for Stop & Go traffic)
DISTRONIC PLUS-controlled start-off in stop & go traffic occurs only after the driver has acknowledged it by pulling the CC [TPM] switch 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 CC [TPM] switch is pushed forwards
- The CC [TPM] push button switch 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)
