Bumpdaddy

Been looking for an answer on the Internet and can't seem to find it. Maybe you can help. On the original window sticker of the pre-owned GL I'm about to purchase, it says "214 Adaptive Damping System - SPC - $800". On the GL brochure, it doesn't list "Adaptive Damping" as a stand alone option, but it does list "Active Curve System" and in parentheses right below it says "Includes Adaptive Damping System". Is what is on my window sticker the same thing as "Active Curve System"? To me, if it was, I would think the window sticker would say "Active Curve System" not "Adaptive Damping System". I do have the "sport/comf" button on the center console. Any clarity would be appreciated.

Jim Ma

The easiest way to tell if you have active curve and you don't have access to the original spec is to open the hood and there should be a small black reservoir in the front left of He engine bay. It's shaped like a triangle and is right in front of a fuse box. Its not labeled other than Hydraulic Fluid only. ADS can come without Active Curve but if you have Active Curve you must have ADS

Bumpdaddy

Thanks for the clarification. This makes sense now. I do have the original window sticker, but like I mentioned above, it doesn't mention "Active Curve", but it does have "ADS". Per your instructions, I'll check under the hood when I get back to the dealer, but I'm guessing I don't have Active Curve. What was confusing me was the spec sheet in the brochure for building an ML doesn't have ADS listed as a stand alone option. See attached.

cmginc

Active Curve is about a $3k option. It would clearly be called out. It is only standard on the AMG models.

vroooom

would you be able to notice the benefit of active curve system on regular roads (not off roads)?

fabbrisd1

Yes.... think of Active Curve as a "intelligent" anti-sway bar - keeps MB flat around turns by adding up-force on inner-curve side and adding down-force on outer-curve side.

The overall "effect" is lowering the SUV center of gravity thru curves.

Do a google for some videos - kindof neat - and for what it's designed to do - quite effective..

cmginc

Huge difference with Active Curve... very flat in turns on winding roads.

rorywquin

In the UK it is called ABC (active body control). Earlier models did not have the curve system (even with ABC). ABC now comes with curve as standard on new vehicles. Not sure if this applies to all models but does for the SL.

rorywquin

Actually it leans into the bends like a motorbike.

Todd in PA

No it doesn't, I have it and it just keeps the car flat around corners. It's particularly awesome!

rorywquin

Yes it does. Read up on line and on the Mercedes sites. It is not designed to improve cornering (you can try on your car - I believe that is is only active in eco & comfort mode) - just ride comfort. Leans in to off set the roll in the opposite direction that would normally happen.

Todd in PA

Good advice to follow, try it yourself, I did and found this.
http://techcenter.mercedes-benz.com/...em/detail.html
and this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rbr...ature=youtu.be
The video clearly shows there is less lean while cornering, but not banking into the turn, that is Active body Control. The pictures show the active anti roll bar which decouples while the vehicle is going straight and tightens up when cornering. This gives you a really plush ride but keeps the vehicle flat when cornering.

I OWN a 2014 GL 350 Bluetec with ADS and Active Curve system. I don't have Eco mode, or Sport mode. Do you have a vehicle that has Active Curve? Have you driven a vehicle with Active Curve? My GL corners like a 2 1/2 ton sports car!

rorywquin

So what is the picture I posted demonstrating ? I am referring to the "curve tilt" system. Maybe we are referring to different things.

To answer your questions
1) not yet
2) yes

cmginc

ABC is only available on rear wheel drive cars, such as the SL, and does perform as you described. Active Curve is available on SUV models (Std. on AMG) to lower the center of gravity and flatten the vehicles around curves.

rorywquin

Ah ok. So " curve tilt" is something different.

http://mercedesblog.com/how-it-work-...rcedes-sl-400/

Apologies to all for my confusion.

cincy8

I have active curve. A couple of times I've gotten msgs that active curve was disabled. I noticed the difference just on highway driving. But I don't know if disabled active curve rides the same as no active curve at all.