SL/R231: Distronic Plus - Not so good
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 376
Likes: 12
From: Atlanta, GA
SL550 Designo Crystal & Red Interior - SL55 Silver & Black Interior - E550
Distronic Plus - Not so good
Hey All,
I have the Distronic Plus package on my SL but I find it a real PITA when I'm using it. I'm the type of person that's always looking in my mirrors watching where traffic is coming from and I hate to sit in the outside lane on freeways. The problem I have is that it's slowing me down too much before the car in front of me or getting me stuck in the outside lane way too early. It also makes for a very choppy ride. What do you guys think of it? You like it? Maybe I'm just doing it wrong?
I have the Distronic Plus package on my SL but I find it a real PITA when I'm using it. I'm the type of person that's always looking in my mirrors watching where traffic is coming from and I hate to sit in the outside lane on freeways. The problem I have is that it's slowing me down too much before the car in front of me or getting me stuck in the outside lane way too early. It also makes for a very choppy ride. What do you guys think of it? You like it? Maybe I'm just doing it wrong?
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Joined: Sep 2018
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From: New Orleans Area
2015 E400 Sedan
What distance do you have it set at?
in close or far back? experiement with it.
Probably not so good in ATL traffic on those crazy interstates thru town as too many people lane change and going varying speeds. White knuckle driving there.
in close or far back? experiement with it.
Probably not so good in ATL traffic on those crazy interstates thru town as too many people lane change and going varying speeds. White knuckle driving there.
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Sarasota, Florida
2023 E450 Cabriolet, 2019 F150 Platinum, 2014 Dodge Challenger R/T
When closing on someone it takes some practice to figure out how close you an get before you move to another lane without the radar kicking in and slowing you down... and do experiment with the distance knob... i tend to keep it at 200-300 feet with light traffic and at 100 feet with moderate traffic...
I can say if you stay in 1 lane and set it to 100 it will go all the way to a stop and keep you tied to the car in front of you... I had to tap the gas to get to move again but then it stayed latched on to the car in front of me again. Saved my knee on a 1500 mile trip recently....
I can say if you stay in 1 lane and set it to 100 it will go all the way to a stop and keep you tied to the car in front of you... I had to tap the gas to get to move again but then it stayed latched on to the car in front of me again. Saved my knee on a 1500 mile trip recently....
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Joined: Jan 2017
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From: God's County (Yorkshire)
Shanks’s Pony
Using DAP you need to look out for the little red dots that light up on the outer edge of the speedo. One will be at your set speed and another will be the speed of the car ahead of you (when detected). If it is going slower, when you reach your set distance your car is going to slow down.
When Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC is activated, one or more segments
in the set speed range light up.
If Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC detects a vehicle in front, segments from speed of the vehicle in front 
to stored speed 
light up.
With DAP I adjust the following distances as traffic changes but I find it really good when I do use it. I particularly like it in slow moving traffic.
I don't believe any of the systems in our cars should be considered "set and forget". You need to continually adjust according to traffic (viz in slow moving traffic following distances can be closer and as traffic speeds up you need to increase your following distance.
On a long trip I will also be switching between S, I* and C/CV (I rarely use S+ unless I'm in a tunnel ;-) ) depending on roads & traffic.
Being retired, I rarely need to drive when the roads are really busy and prefer to take the twisty country roads when I can.
Displays on the speedometer
When Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC is activated, one or more segments
in the set speed range light up.If Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC detects a vehicle in front, segments
from speed of the vehicle in front to stored speed light up.With DAP I adjust the following distances as traffic changes but I find it really good when I do use it. I particularly like it in slow moving traffic.
I don't believe any of the systems in our cars should be considered "set and forget". You need to continually adjust according to traffic (viz in slow moving traffic following distances can be closer and as traffic speeds up you need to increase your following distance.
On a long trip I will also be switching between S, I* and C/CV (I rarely use S+ unless I'm in a tunnel ;-) ) depending on roads & traffic.
Being retired, I rarely need to drive when the roads are really busy and prefer to take the twisty country roads when I can.
Last edited by rorywquin; Oct 30, 2019 at 03:51 PM.
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From: South Florida
2013 SL550 (Lux Sport), 2006 CL55 AMG (Muscle). S550 (Wife's Sedan)
Thanks for the info as I've hardly used Distronic Plus since most of my 231 driving has been local...
In fact, I think I've actually used the Parking Assist Feature more than Distronic Plus thus far!...
In fact, I think I've actually used the Parking Assist Feature more than Distronic Plus thus far!...
Last edited by bob55; Oct 31, 2019 at 10:49 AM.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 62
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From: San Francisco
I've had my SL for over 2 years, and I didn't know you could set it... Now I know -- you adjust it by turning the knob at the end of the cruise control stick -- and it works great. Before, I was getting too close for comfort to the car in front of me at highway speeds, and now I adjust it based on speed and traffic. Thank you for letting me know!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,306
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From: Sarasota, Florida
2023 E450 Cabriolet, 2019 F150 Platinum, 2014 Dodge Challenger R/T
I've had my SL for over 2 years, and I didn't know you could set it... Now I know -- you adjust it by turning the knob at the end of the cruise control stick -- and it works great. Before, I was getting too close for comfort to the car in front of me at highway speeds, and now I adjust it based on speed and traffic. Thank you for letting me know!
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Joined: Jan 2017
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From: God's County (Yorkshire)
Shanks’s Pony
It is a balancing game - set it too far and it reacts to cars way ahead, too close and it is white knuckle time. Definitely not "set and forget".
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Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 72
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From: Overland Park, KS
2013 SL550 Edition 1 and 2017 GLS 550
I have a 2015 GL550 and a 2013 SL550 Edition1, both with the DAP. It IS an active, not “set and forget” situation. Too much distance, and cars come in between you and the car in front of you and you get that much further behind. To close and the car breaks fast and furious, especially at stop lights where my cars look like they’re going to crash into the car in front!
Kind of fun sometimes to get my wife all excited where she starts yelling “slow down,” but in traffic or long cruises, it is nice not to have to worry about the car in front of you!
Kind of fun sometimes to get my wife all excited where she starts yelling “slow down,” but in traffic or long cruises, it is nice not to have to worry about the car in front of you!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,040
Likes: 234
From: God's County (Yorkshire)
Shanks’s Pony
I have a 2015 GL550 and a 2013 SL550 Edition1, both with the DAP. It IS an active, not “set and forget” situation. Too much distance, and cars come in between you and the car in front of you and you get that much further behind. To close and the car breaks fast and furious, especially at stop lights where my cars look like they’re going to crash into the car in front!
Kind of fun sometimes to get my wife all excited where she starts yelling “slow down,” but in traffic or long cruises, it is nice not to have to worry about the car in front of you!
Kind of fun sometimes to get my wife all excited where she starts yelling “slow down,” but in traffic or long cruises, it is nice not to have to worry about the car in front of you!
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 376
Likes: 12
From: Atlanta, GA
SL550 Designo Crystal & Red Interior - SL55 Silver & Black Interior - E550
After more use, I've grown comfortable with it now. On a fairly open freeway, I now use it on the lowest distance setting and while I don't run up behind other cars, it's not slowing me down way too soon either. Everyone that pointed out that it's not a "set and forget" system is absolutely right. It's a good tool to have but don't get complacent. The only thing I would have liked to have seen is the ability to set the distance to your comfort level, whatever that is, before you start braking.
And before I go, I did wonder if the brake lights activate when it starts slowing you down?
And before I go, I did wonder if the brake lights activate when it starts slowing you down?
