roberte59

My car has the '997 Driver Assistance Package', but I can't figure out how to change the following distance. My previous MB's have had the adjustable distance switch on the cruise control stalk but this car does not. I've looked in the owners manual and the onboard manual as well, but I can't find the answer. I'm thinking it has something to do with the Steering Assist. Any help would be great. Thanks!

SteveVukelich

On the left side of the steering wheel is the stalk for the cruise control. The following distance is set by twisting the end of the stalk.

roberte59

I tried it, but the end of the stalk doesn't twist. The distronic display comes up with the distance intervals on the instrument display, but there's no way to increase or decrease the following distance. I'm very familiar with Distronic Plus as this is my third car with this feature. Thanks.

SteveVukelich

On the left side of the steering wheel there are three stalks. The smallest one, nearest the panel (and furthest away) is for steering wheel adjustment and steering wheel heat. The top stalk is the turn signal / wiper / high beam stalk. The bottom stalk is for cruise control. The end of the stalk is the following distance control knob; it show the back of the lead car (on the left) and the front of your car (on the right); there is a horizontal arrow with arrow heads on each end. A picture is attached (I hope).

roberte59

Steve, thanks for the picture. This is really strange, the car is an Edition 1 which comes with the heated steering wheel and Distronic plus, but the control stalks for both are missing these features. I'm wondering if they installed the wrong stalks for the left side of the steering wheel at the factory. As you can see from my picture I have the steering assist button which wouldn't come without the Distronic. I'll have to ask the dealer tomorrow. Thanks Again!

SteveVukelich

That looks like a big oops.

LETO

roberte59: Does the tip of your stalk for both distronic & steering wheel turn eventhough the icons are missing?

Definitely an error at assemby

Long3494Qut

Especially with the image of the distronic that is a big whoopsie. Let your dealer know!

roberte59

LETO- Neither stalk turns. Going to the dealer tomorrow to see what they say.

06E55

Me thinking whoever installed the stalks on your vehicle is going to have a word with his/her supervisor when word makes it to Stuttgart...

LETO

do you have the distronic shield in your front grill. ie. the plastic covered slats along the center rib of the grill?

I know you car is supposed to be equipped. Just a check to see if it is just the stalks or a bigger missing part issue

roberte59

It has all the correct parts including the grill shield, and it does work properly in traffic. I'm thinking someone wasn't paying attention in Sindelfingen.

LETO

big oops! & quite embarrassing for MB

Kratos-TM

Big Oops......someone is gonna hear some harsh words from their manager!

I hope they're not being pushed too hard to move too fast at the factory....

aypues

Jesus Christ. what a nightmare. They better give you some service credit for all the hassle.

xolinlevh

Yea id love to hear what the dealer/benz reply to this one is...

newyorktoLA

Oh my...Hope it all works out for you. I hope the dealer doesn't pull BS by claiming your car doesn't have Distronic! My dealer did this once when Distronic wasn't working haha

roberte59

Brought it in yesterday, but since it's so new they didn't have an answer. They were as surprised as I was. I'm still waiting to hear back from the dealer but it's definitely a production snafu.