MERCEDES-BENZ Tech
	DISTRONIC ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL Smart Radar-Based System Maintains Distance from Car in Front The innovative Distronic adaptive cruise control from Mercedes-Benz uses a radar sensor at the front of the car to help maintain a pre-set distance from the car ahead. Taking its name from the words “distance” and “electronic,” Distronic cruise control is available on a number of 2006 Mercedes models. The optional Distronic system operates much like conventional cruise control tip the stalk on the steering column, and the car maintains this set cruising speed. However, when a Distronic-equipped vehicle recognizes a slower moving vehicle in its path, it automatically slows down to maintain a driver’s set following distance. Pull into a clear left lane, and the car resumes its original speed setting. If a slower car pulls in front, the Distronic car again slows down to preserve the pre-set following distance. The following distance can be adjusted slightly via a thumbwheel mounted on the centre console. Distronic Can Even Apply the Brakes Not only will Distronic reduce throttle opening and downshift the transmission to control vehicle speed, but it can also apply partial braking automatically (up to 20 percent of full braking force), if needed, to maintain the desired following distance. A red triangle in the instrument panel will light and an audible beep will sound when the system recognizes that it cannot maintain the established following distance. The pictogram also helps the driver monitor the car ahead. The system is activated by tipping the stalk above the turn signal lever on the steering column, just as with conventional Mercedes cruise control. The driver can make the following distance a little closer by scrolling a console-mounted thumbwheel forward, and by scrolling rearward, the following distance is increased. Beside the thumbwheel is a switch that activates the system warning chime. The chime serves to alert the driver of a potential collision. This feature can also be enabled if Distronic is not active. Radar Sensor Makes It Work Mounted behind the grille, a radar sensor sends out three separate, overlapping cone-shaped beams of three degrees in width, that cover about one traffic lane. These 77-gigahertz (combined) radar beams can project up to several hundred feet down the road ahead, and the sensor receives any signals that are reflected back from objects ahead. The radar sensor sends the information about objects ahead to a microprocessor via a discrete circuit, and in turn, the microprocessor decides how to vary the acceleration and whether to apply the brakes. The system assumes that any object with the same closing rate as its own speed is stationary, and that higher closing speeds indicate opposing traffic. The major benefit of the new cruise control system is that it makes driving more relaxed and less stressful.