Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Tech Help

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 11-21-2005, 07:18 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 320
S-Class Safety

"The new Mercedes S class has a sophisticated radar-based braking system - when it works. A TV demonstration ended up in a 3-car pile-up when the S-class' safety radar failed."


http://www.askaprice.com/torque-article.asp?article=Mercedes_makes_mess_of_safety_demonstration&item=669

__________________
Zafar
94 E320 58000 Miles
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 11-21-2005, 08:33 PM
ILUVMILS's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,082
Last month I had the chance to take a ride in a new W221 with this option. It's known as Distronic Plus. It's basically an "improved" version of the previous Distronic system which has been around for several years. Many Forum members know that Distronic is a cruise control system that uses radar to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle it's following. It can apply as much as 30% braking to achieve this. At about 9 mph an audible tone is heard and a warning light comes on. This lets the driver know that Distronic is no longer active. Distronic Plus can slow the car to a complete stop and hold it without ever touching the brake pedal. A tap on the gas pedal releases the brakes and the car will automatically resume the previously set speed, if traffic conditions allow. I imagine this could make stop-and-go driving or traffic jams from HELL more tolerable. Anyone who has ever driven with Distronic knows it takes some getting used to and the new system will undoubtedly have an even steeper learning curve. One thing it can't do though, is stop the car to avoid an object that's not moving. A deer in the headlights, broken down car in the road, etc., are in big trouble. That must be why MB markets this option as a convenience feature, and not a safety feature. Anyhow, I'm glad no one got hurt on the TV crash, but can you imagine the looks on the faces of the MB people in the studio??? Priceless
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 11-21-2005, 11:54 PM
wbain5280's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Northern Va.
Posts: 3,386
Maybe one day MB will start selling their cars to people who don;t want all this fancy schmancy stuff, or have them as delete options.
__________________
Regards

Warren

Currently 1965 220Sb, 2002 FORD Crown Vic Police Interceptor

Had 1965 220SEb, 1967 230S, 280SE 4.5, 300SE (W126), 420SEL

ENTER > = (HP RPN)

Not part of the in-crowd since 1952.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 11-21-2005, 11:59 PM
A. Rosich's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 883
The Distronic Plus is an extra cost option in Europe and most world markets. I would assume it would be made standard in the U.S. as it happens with most extra cost options on M.B.s

But been such a controversial item and due to liability legal issues I would bet MBUSA would not offer the Distronic Plus not even as an option in the U.S.

The original distronic offered on the W220 was first proven over a two year period before being allowed to be fitted on U.S. production vehicles.

__________________
A. Rosich
CL 500, 1998
S 500 L, 1998
E 320 T, 1995 [Sadly sold ]
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:49 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page