Intelligent Drive a gimmick?
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Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 69
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From: Montreal
Anything SV
Intelligent Drive a gimmick?
Currently configuring the wife's next car (C450) and we're debating whether to get Intelligent Drive or not. Those who got it, do you regret it or are you happy with it? If you had to order your car again what would you do?
Most importantly, can you change the "default settings" to set which function you want/don't want when you turn the car on? We're worried it might be too intrusive when driving and too annoying to have to manually turn off/on certain functions.
Opinions? Comments?
Most importantly, can you change the "default settings" to set which function you want/don't want when you turn the car on? We're worried it might be too intrusive when driving and too annoying to have to manually turn off/on certain functions.
Opinions? Comments?
Member
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 95
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From: USA
CLS550, 57’ Chevy Nomad, Subaru LGT wagon
I have it and had to gt use to the breaking pressure it applies automatically. I guess its a good thing for those who don't pay attention or for those that are not necessarily the best drivers.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 789
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From: Eastern Massachusetts
2021 E450, 2020 C43, 2015 C300, 2007 C280
Car of the future!
Currently configuring the wife's next car (C450) and we're debating whether to get Intelligent Drive or not. Those who got it, do you regret it or are you happy with it? If you had to order your car again what would you do?
Most importantly, can you change the "default settings" to set which function you want/don't want when you turn the car on? We're worried it might be too intrusive when driving and too annoying to have to manually turn off/on certain functions.
Opinions? Comments?
Most importantly, can you change the "default settings" to set which function you want/don't want when you turn the car on? We're worried it might be too intrusive when driving and too annoying to have to manually turn off/on certain functions.
Opinions? Comments?
You cannot turn off Pre-Safe. Distronic Plus must be turned on each time you use it. Then it turns itself off as soon as you touch the brake pedal or accelerator. You can individually disable Lane-keeping Assist and Steering Assist. However, neither one of these will take control away from you. Both are very easily overridden.
Automatic braking can be applied by two different systems. Distronic Plus brakes and accelerates as necessary to maintain a set distance from the vehicle ahead. DISTRONIC PLUS IS AN OPTION. It brakes only for vehicles moving in the same direction. It will not brake for oncoming vehicles or stationary objects. (So do not rely on it when approaching a stopped car!) It will brake strongly (even to a full stop), but does not go to full emergency braking. (Some commenters have said it goes to a maximum of 40% braking.) ... Distronic Plus does deactivate if you press the brake or accelerator pedal. When it deactivates, the center of the instrument panel displays "Distronic Suspended." ... Distronic Plus is for convenience, not for safety.
There is a second system for preventing collisions. ... Pre-Safe will apply up to full emergency braking to prevent a collision or reduce its severity. PRE-SAFE IS STANDARD. Pre-safe will warn you of the danger of collision by displaying a bright red triangle in the lower left of the instrument panel, plus a loud tone. In addition to vehicles (including oncoming, crossing, or stopped), it will also warn of other stationary objects (trees, curbs, etc.), pedestrians, and bicyclists. PRE-SAFE WILL NOT INITIATE BRAKING UNLESS AND UNTIL YOU STEP ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. When approaching a sharp curve, I have had Pre-safe show an alert for trees close to the road. But it did not brake, UNLESS I WAS BRAKING FOR THE CURVE. Several times, I have had it make an alert for no apparent reason, just driving down the road. But again, it did not brake.
[Full disclosure: other MBWorld commenters have reported that Pre-safe DID initiate full braking, for no apparent reason. Following cars were barely able to avoid collision. Disturbing as this may sound, I would not let it discourage me from buying a Mercedes. First, it does seem to be extremely rare. Second, notice I said "buying a Mercedes." I am not talking about your decision about an option. If you want a Mercedes, Pre-safe is standard on Mercedes. Other makes probably have worse problems. Mercedes has been producing these systems longer than these other makes. Soon, these systems will be required on all vehicles. You still fly Airbus airliners, don't you? They are completely computerized, completely fly-by-wire. Nothing mechanical connects the cockpit controls with the control surfaces. In normal operation, the computers often override the pilot's input. And they do have occasional computer glitches.]
If you have Distronic Plus activated when approaching a slower vehicle, you may feel strong braking at the same time the Pre-Safe alert activates (red light and tone). But if you are not stepping on the brake pedal, the automatic braking is occurring because of Pre-Safe, not Distronic Plus. Pre-Safe is showing and sounding a warning, because that braking through Distronic Plus is NOT strong enough to prevent a collision!
To obtain the protection of full emergency braking through Pre-Safe, you must step on the brake pedal. No matter how lightly you step on the brake pedal, Pre-Safe will apply whatever braking it thinks is necessary to prevent collision or reduce its severity. If you step on the brakes after receiving a Pre-Safe alert and you do not sense Pre-Safe applying additional braking, it is because you are already applying enough braking force to avoid a collision...
There is a second system for preventing collisions. ... Pre-Safe will apply up to full emergency braking to prevent a collision or reduce its severity. PRE-SAFE IS STANDARD. Pre-safe will warn you of the danger of collision by displaying a bright red triangle in the lower left of the instrument panel, plus a loud tone. In addition to vehicles (including oncoming, crossing, or stopped), it will also warn of other stationary objects (trees, curbs, etc.), pedestrians, and bicyclists. PRE-SAFE WILL NOT INITIATE BRAKING UNLESS AND UNTIL YOU STEP ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. When approaching a sharp curve, I have had Pre-safe show an alert for trees close to the road. But it did not brake, UNLESS I WAS BRAKING FOR THE CURVE. Several times, I have had it make an alert for no apparent reason, just driving down the road. But again, it did not brake.
[Full disclosure: other MBWorld commenters have reported that Pre-safe DID initiate full braking, for no apparent reason. Following cars were barely able to avoid collision. Disturbing as this may sound, I would not let it discourage me from buying a Mercedes. First, it does seem to be extremely rare. Second, notice I said "buying a Mercedes." I am not talking about your decision about an option. If you want a Mercedes, Pre-safe is standard on Mercedes. Other makes probably have worse problems. Mercedes has been producing these systems longer than these other makes. Soon, these systems will be required on all vehicles. You still fly Airbus airliners, don't you? They are completely computerized, completely fly-by-wire. Nothing mechanical connects the cockpit controls with the control surfaces. In normal operation, the computers often override the pilot's input. And they do have occasional computer glitches.]
If you have Distronic Plus activated when approaching a slower vehicle, you may feel strong braking at the same time the Pre-Safe alert activates (red light and tone). But if you are not stepping on the brake pedal, the automatic braking is occurring because of Pre-Safe, not Distronic Plus. Pre-Safe is showing and sounding a warning, because that braking through Distronic Plus is NOT strong enough to prevent a collision!
To obtain the protection of full emergency braking through Pre-Safe, you must step on the brake pedal. No matter how lightly you step on the brake pedal, Pre-Safe will apply whatever braking it thinks is necessary to prevent collision or reduce its severity. If you step on the brakes after receiving a Pre-Safe alert and you do not sense Pre-Safe applying additional braking, it is because you are already applying enough braking force to avoid a collision...
.... I "tested" the automatic braking [in Sept.]. In heavy traffic on I-287 in NY State at 60 MPH, an 18-wheeler suddenly changed lanes and [cut off a car which] cut off the car in front of me. I braked hard, but not full braking. I [did not] need full braking, and I was more concerned with giving the lady behind me as much room as possible. My C300 with Distronic Plus disagreed, and [Pre-Safe] slammed on full emergency braking. Full emergency braking is very impressive! My wife is short, and had her seat back reclined half-way back. The braking almost submarined her out from under her lap belt!
