What Mode Do You Drive In?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 9,141
Likes: 4,630
From: Maryland
2024 S580
I have started using Sport suspension on long, fast highway trips. I find that it flattens out the ride which can float around a little in Comfort. On a country road I will put it in Sport every time as it really flattens it out in cornering. Sometimes I will do that for an onramp or offramp too.
I love how quick it is to flick back and forth.
Member
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 228
Likes: 126
From: Zürich, Switzerland
S560 Long 4Matic (DE) MY 2018
E for long highway trips, since I use Distronic a lot, otherwise I (sport for steering and suspension, C for ESP and engine). S if I'm on the German Autobahn and in a hurry.
In all honesty, I don't notice that much of a difference, but that's probably because of the rather relaxed driving style I employ.
In all honesty, I don't notice that much of a difference, but that's probably because of the rather relaxed driving style I employ.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 35
Likes: 26
From: Texas
2014 S63 AMG
I need to try this
C for the suspension (unless I'm playing)
The S setting makes the transmission smother up and down thru the gears.
Just have to keep it calm when I have passengers
Love this AMG
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 779
Likes: 205
From: Texas
63 Falcon vert
E for long highway trips, since I use Distronic a lot, otherwise I (sport for steering and suspension, C for ESP and engine). S if I'm on the German Autobahn and in a hurry.
In all honesty, I don't notice that much of a difference, but that's probably because of the rather relaxed driving style I employ.
In all honesty, I don't notice that much of a difference, but that's probably because of the rather relaxed driving style I employ.
Member
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 228
Likes: 126
From: Zürich, Switzerland
S560 Long 4Matic (DE) MY 2018
Indeed, near traffic lights it tends to brake more abruptly than what I'm used to, which is why I tend to brake myself more often than not. But on the highway, it keeps the distance and the pace well enough that I rarely have to bother.
Last edited by Quenthel; Jan 9, 2023 at 12:19 AM.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 635
Likes: 68
From: Raleigh, NC
2020 S560 4Matic
You might have enjoyed my 2001 C240 4Matic with manual transmission. I have not used manual mode in my S560. I tried Eco when I first bought it but I leave it in Comfort usually. If only there was a way to change it?!?! (rhetorical)
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 409
Likes: 211
From: Atlanta, GA
2020 S450 4Matic, 2022 GLS450 4Matic, 2015 C300
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 635
Likes: 68
From: Raleigh, NC
2020 S560 4Matic
Do you use Distronic on city streets? I tried once but wasn’t sure it was slowing down fast enough. So I braked manually.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 566
Likes: 261
From: In The Woods
2019 W222 S560 4Matic/2025 Yukon Denali
I have used distronic a few times, it's neat as a feature.
I prefer to drive myself around, but in traffic it has no idea what to do so it shuts off.
On the highway, it's a nice feature.
My wife stated that it would be great for drunk people....
I prefer to drive myself around, but in traffic it has no idea what to do so it shuts off.
On the highway, it's a nice feature.
My wife stated that it would be great for drunk people....
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 9,141
Likes: 4,630
From: Maryland
2024 S580
I think if you look at it as it driving and you driving you miss whats really great about the feature. What it does is help you drive. On a long trip on the highway you don't realize how much of the strain of driving it takes off of you, it keeps the car between the lanes, it handles most of a lane change maneuver, it watches out for people cutting you off or suddenly slowing down. Only meant to be used on the highway. I look at it as I'm still driving the car, I'm pointing the car where I want it to go and it does the rest.
I just got back from a 850 mile round trip roadtrip in our Pacifica minivan, which has radar cruise control but no lane centering or self driving of any kind and the difference in driver fatigue is really significant.
I just got back from a 850 mile round trip roadtrip in our Pacifica minivan, which has radar cruise control but no lane centering or self driving of any kind and the difference in driver fatigue is really significant.
Member
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 228
Likes: 126
From: Zürich, Switzerland
S560 Long 4Matic (DE) MY 2018
Yes, I use it in the city quite a bit. It's not perfect, since I need to brake myself about 40% of the time, either because I'll make the car stop smoother (30%) or because e.g. there might be a bend ahead and there's a car stopped at the traffic light but feels like my car won't have enough time to do the calculations for braking properly (10%). Never tried that last one, I generally won't trust the car if it doesn't start braking at a point I'd consider acceptable.
Keep in mind that driving in the city tends to be a bit different here because of the heavy policing. If the limit is 50km/h, you really need to stay under it with perhaps an extra 4-5km/h of tolerance by by the police radar, but go any faster and the radars will get you; 56km/h on a 50km/h road will mean you get a fine, but 70 on the same road means summons :/ .
I also have Distronic set to the second farthest away setting, in order to give the car (and me) enough time to react. Finally, I have the facelift version and I am not sure if there is a difference between the pre and the post facelift versions of Distronic+.
Keep in mind that driving in the city tends to be a bit different here because of the heavy policing. If the limit is 50km/h, you really need to stay under it with perhaps an extra 4-5km/h of tolerance by by the police radar, but go any faster and the radars will get you; 56km/h on a 50km/h road will mean you get a fine, but 70 on the same road means summons :/ .
I also have Distronic set to the second farthest away setting, in order to give the car (and me) enough time to react. Finally, I have the facelift version and I am not sure if there is a difference between the pre and the post facelift versions of Distronic+.
Last edited by Quenthel; Jan 10, 2023 at 08:15 AM.
