Driving Systems - Mercedes-Benz C-Clas 2016 Owner's Manual

You should drive particularly carefully on slip-
pery road surfaces. Avoid sudden acceleration,
steering and braking manoeuvres. Do not use
cruise control or DISTRONIC PLUS.
If the vehicle threatens to skid or cannot be
stopped when moving at low speed:
Vehicles with manual transmission: shift
X
to neutral.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
X
shift the transmission to position N.
Try to bring the vehicle under control by using
X
corrective steering.
The outside temperature indicator is not
designed to serve as an ice-warning device and
is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Changes in the outside temperature are dis-
played after a short delay.
Indicated temperatures just above the freezing
point do not guarantee that the road surface is
free of ice. The road may still be icy, especially in
wooded areas or on bridges. The vehicle could
skid if you fail to adapt your driving style. Always
adapt your driving style and drive at a speed to
suit the prevailing weather conditions.
You should pay special attention to road condi-
tions when temperatures are around freezing
point.
Further information on driving with snow chains
( page 345).
Y
Further information on driving with summer
tyres ( page 344).
Y
Observe the notes in the "Winter operation" sec-
tion ( page 344).
Y

Driving systems

Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive
Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive stands for inno-
vative driver assistance and safety systems
which enhance comfort and support the driver in
critical situations. With these intelligent co-ordi-
nated systems Mercedes-Benz has set a mile-
stone on the path towards autonomous driving.
Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive embraces all
elements of active and passive safety in one well
thought-out system – for the safety of the vehi-
cle occupants and that of other road users.
Further information on driving safety systems
( page 66).
Y
Cruise control
General notes
Cruise control maintains a constant road speed
for you. It brakes automatically in order to avoid
exceeding the set speed. Shift to a lower gear in
good time on long and steep downhill gradients.
Take particular note of this when driving a laden
vehicle and when towing a trailer. By doing so,
you will make use of the braking effect of the
engine. This relieves the load on the brake sys-
tem and prevents the brakes from overheating
and wearing too quickly.
Use cruise control only if road and traffic con-
ditions are appropriate for maintaining a steady
speed for a prolonged period. You can store any
road speed above 30 km/h. If you have set a
permanent limit speed, you cannot set the
speed any higher than the fixed limit speed
( page 171).
Y
Important safety notes
Cruise control can neither reduce the risk of an
accident if you fail to adapt your driving style nor
override the laws of physics. Cruise control can-
not take into account road, weather or traffic
conditions. Cruise control is only an aid. You are
responsible for maintaining a safe distance from
the vehicle in front, for vehicle speed, for brak-
ing in good time and for staying in lane.
Do not use cruise control:
in road and traffic conditions that do not allow
R
you to maintain a constant speed, e.g. in
heavy traffic or on winding roads.
on smooth or slippery roads. Braking or accel-
R
erating can cause the drive wheels to lose
traction and the vehicle could then skid.
when there is poor visibility, e.g. due to fog,
R
heavy rain or snow.
If there is a change of drivers, advise the new
driver of the speed stored.
i
The speed indicated in the speedometer
may differ slightly from the speed stored.
Driving systems
167
Z