Distronics Plus with Steering Assist
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2015 S550
Distronics Plus with Steering Assist
I have an "S class" Mercedes with Distronics Plus and Steering Assist. When using this feature on a straight road the car is like a ball in a pinball machine. Looks like I'm driving drunk. Goes from one side of the road to the other. Is this normal?? Why doesn't it just stay in the center of the road? The lines are clearly marked.
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Tesla Model S P100D
I have an "S class" Mercedes with Distronics Plus and Steering Assist. When using this feature on a straight road the car is like a ball in a pinball machine. Looks like I'm driving drunk. Goes from one side of the road to the other. Is this normal?? Why doesn't it just stay in the center of the road? The lines are clearly marked.
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2015 S550
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2015 White/brown Nappa S550, '13 S550 4 matic, 11 S550 sold, '10 S550 Sports BLACK 08 S550 P3 sport
what you are describing might be due to a tire pull or alignment problem. the distronic tries to keep the car straight and the pull is making the car drift. hence the constant juggling. mine drives straight.
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The difference appears to be what kind of road you are driving on.
On a highway, straight or into curves, the cars drives well.
It has more problems on smaller highways which can be single lane in each direction without dividers where we live. Road markings are poor and the next lane is the shoulder.
On those roads, the car tries to orient itself on either the left or right lane markings, causing it appear like a drunk driver, even on straight sections.
I have to admit that It don't actually care as I like to drive myself (only use cruise in heavier traffic and there the stop-n-go steering is awesome).
On a highway, straight or into curves, the cars drives well.
It has more problems on smaller highways which can be single lane in each direction without dividers where we live. Road markings are poor and the next lane is the shoulder.
On those roads, the car tries to orient itself on either the left or right lane markings, causing it appear like a drunk driver, even on straight sections.
I have to admit that It don't actually care as I like to drive myself (only use cruise in heavier traffic and there the stop-n-go steering is awesome).
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Most of the time these systems are not designed to keep you perfectly centered in the lane. They are designed to keep you within your designated lane unless you indicate a lane change. So it will push away from one line but it can easily drift over to the other.
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Does anyone know if the Mercedes Steering Assist system would steer away from an impending side collision? Would the system steer the car away from another car that might momentarily infringe on your lane from one side?
I know if you accidentally try to change lanes onto someone else, the system will brake and individual wheel and try to yank you back but that's a different scenario.
I know if you accidentally try to change lanes onto someone else, the system will brake and individual wheel and try to yank you back but that's a different scenario.
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My steering assist also is pretty wobbly. As a matter of fact, my car is a little back and forth too as I drive it. It only has about 400 miles on it so I am assuming I need to put more miles on it and get the tires a bit worn down perhaps before it stabilizes a bit. Mine is definitely NOT pulling one side or another as I have checked that. But in general the steering wheel is VERY responsive to the slightest movement so I have a wee bit trouble keeping it dead center in the lane. I come from a 7 series BMW that was firmly planted on the road so I am not used to this but I bet it will improve with time.
Last edited by kath00; Nov 10, 2015 at 01:11 AM.
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My steering assist also is pretty wobbly. As a matter of fact, my car is a little back and forth too as I drive it. It only has about 400 miles on it so I am assuming I need to put more miles on it and get the tires a bit worn down perhaps before it stabilizes a bit. Mine is definitely NOT pulling one side or another as I have checked that. But in general the steering wheel is VERY responsive to the slightest movement so I have a wee bit trouble keeping it dead center in the lane. I come from a 7 series BMW that was firmly planted on the road so I am not used to this but I bet it will improve with time.
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2015 S550 4matic, 1960 Chevy Impala Conv, (Previously 2002 S500, 2008 S550 4Matic)
I am enjoying the Distronic Plus was little anxious when I tried it first time but now getting the hang of it. The car is running straight without any wobbling. Amazed at the advancement in navigation.
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2015 S550 4matic, 1960 Chevy Impala Conv, (Previously 2002 S500, 2008 S550 4Matic)
The process or activity of accurately ascertaining one's position and planning and following a route in this case I was relating it to the wobbling and was amazed what the sensors can do to keep one centered in the lane 
while one is navigating the road specially when the red hand shows up on the steering wheel on the screen.
while one is navigating the road specially when the red hand shows up on the steering wheel on the screen.
Last edited by wows500; Nov 13, 2015 at 09:55 AM.
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Others can chime in on this with their opinion, but I seriously doubt the tires have anything to do with the vehicle staying centered within the lanes. I have Distronic Plus on my S550 and it works just fine (as advertised) as far as I am concerned. What you call the "wobble" is extremely slight. Mine has behaved exactly the same since I bought the car new in April 2014.
The Mercedes Distronic system in my experience has been decent but what it really lacks is the ability to update the software. The Distronic sensor array (hardware) is quite advanced and could actually be the best in the automotive industry. Too bad they did not have the foresight to be able to improve and update the software subsystems that handle the lane holding capability.
Would be interesting to see if the newly designed E Class coming out will have better land holding software that can be updated and made better.
Last edited by WEBSRFR; Nov 13, 2015 at 04:19 PM. Reason: Tidy grammar.
