What Is Mercedes DISTRONIC PLUS?

Mercedes DISTRONIC PLUS is an autonomous cruise control system found on some Mercedes models. The system uses short-range wide-angle (up to an 80 degree angle from 8 inches to 100 feet) and long-range narrow-angle (up to 60 degrees at 200 feet and 18 degrees at 650 feet) radar sensors to scan the traffic ahead. When the car senses a slow vehicle ahead it will brake the vehicle automatically, and then accelerate back up to your preset speed again when traffic clears. DISTRONIC PLUS can bring the car to a complete stop if necessary. To get the car moving again after it comes to a stop the driver needs to tap the accelerator pedal or press the cruise control lever. If the car senses that it needs a harder application of the brakes than the system can provide by itself an intermittent warning tone will sound and a warning will be displayed in the instrument cluster.