If you’ve received the Distronic Plus inoperative warning error on your dashboard of Mercedes Benz model, which can also disable blind spot assist and Pre-Safe functions, don’t worry - we’ve put together a short guide as to why this error can occur, and what can be done to fix it.
New Mercedes-Benz car models have even more sophitiscated cruise control feature and it is called Active Distance assist distronic or adaptive cruise control system. It is curenntly being fitted to the newest models such as S-class W222 E-class W213 S218 C238 A238 and many other.
New C-class W205 GLC C253 X253 car has different shape cruise control sensor A2059005918 and or A2059005918, at first glance it could look like CCTV, but it is sophisticated new radarsensor.
The most popular combination for S-class W222 is active distance assist distronic and steering assist, which means distronic will help you to avoid crash with another car, adjust speed, acceleration and braking and steering wheel assist will help you to stay in the lines by gently steering, you can even remove your hands off the steering wheel, but for your safety car will start displaying warning message to put your hands back on the steering wheel as soon as possible.
Adaptive cruise control is the newest invention in this niche and it is completely autonomous, which means you just need to set-up distronic plus while you're driving and car will take care of all of the aspects such as speed, distance, when to stop or start moving.
What is Mercedes-Benz DISTRONIC Plus and what it does?
It is additional feature added to the current cruise control system, it is adaptive cruise control with an option to adapt to the current situation. Even though cruise control is amazing option by itself when you can set up a speed and relax, sometimes it is really frustrating when a car in front of you accelerates or brakes too often, so mercedes-benz came out with Distronic Plus, which will brake or accelerate if need depending on the car ahead of you to avoid accident and you won't need to keep re-adjusting cruise control's speed.
Is it safe to drive with distronic plus malfunction ?
Yes, it is! You can drive your car without hesitation, but ofcourse as any malfunction you should take care of it as soon as possible, the only inconvience you are going to experience while driving car with not working cruise control distronic plus is that, your car cruise feature won't work and that would be it. Continue reading to find out how to fix this option the cheapest way without spending a fortune at dealer shop!
What causes issues with Mercedes Benz Distronic Plus cruise control ?
When there’s a problem with your Distronic Plus system, you’ll be alerted to the error by a message on your dashboard which reads, “Distronic Plus inoperative”. The issue can happen for numerous reasons, such as: driving in heavy rain, snow, fog or other challenging weather conditions; dirt or obstructions on the bumper covering the sensors; transmission interference; water or dirt in the sensors; issues with fuses or connections to sensors; issues with steering; over or underinflated tyres; problems with wheel speed sensors; the wrong tyre size fitted, electrical issues with the battery or alternator and ofcourse faulty radar sensor.
Ways you can try to fix the problem
Firstly, if you’ve been driving in the weather conditions outlined above, you should drive to an open area, park up, and restart your Mercedes Benz once the rain, snow or fog has subsided. If the error message doesn’t reoccur, it’s likely the weather was interfering with the radar sensors, and the issue is resolved. Also, ensure that your bumper is clean to resolve any possible false readings due to dirt.
If the error persists, check the pressure of your tyres and ensure those fitted comply with the requirements stated in your vehicle handbook. Also, check for issues with your battery or alternator - this can easily be done with a multimeter, and battery replacement isn’t often costly if this seems to be the cause, but ofcourse always put all the things into consediration if all other functions are working properly it is very very likely that battery is to blame. If this doesn't work go the last and the most common issue, which causes distronic plus malfunction is faulty radar, have your sensors assessed - they may be damaged and require replacement.
Sometimes at first sight sensor looks perfectly fine, but as it is being fitted onto rough area of the car - the bumber and this area gets a lot of moisture and water, it is very important carefully remove it and check for any moisture or mold on the connector plugs, on radar's and car's plug as well, if you see any mold or moisture it is definitelly that part has failed due to this issue.
If you did check all connectors and weren't able to see any moisture, it could be that sensor has failed due to it's limited liftetime as well, all electronic parts have a certain life-time depending on their quality, design etc, sometimes short-circuit causes them to fail as well.
In that case you'll need to buy a new mercedes-benz distronic plus radar sensor and fit it, after fitting it could be that coding using dealer software Xentry Star might be required to enable distronic plus function again.
More information about Distronic Plus and part numbers
Distane cruise control sensors are being manufactured by well-known european companies. First generation was being made by autoliv asp inc sweden company and Veoneer Inc Sweden and approximatelly about 2015 when new models of mercedes cars came out such as new C-class W205 or E-Class W213 it was factory fitted with new radars made by german company continental and bosch.
Below you will find some part, software and hardware numbers:
- ZB A0009055701
- SW A0009028407
- HW A0009056700
- ZB A0009059906
- SW A0009028332
- HW A0009056700
- LU A0009003212
- HW A0009013706
- FW A0009029835
- LU A0009006314
- HW A0009013706
- FW A0009023141
- LU A0009007913
- HW A0009010607
- FW A0009020338
- A205 900 5918
- 205-900-59-18
- A2059005918
- HW A2059018702
- 13/25
- A205 900 55 16
- A2059005516
- 205-900-55-16
- A9079001103 - 0203302031
- ZB A0009054603
- SW A0009028016
- HW A0009056600
- LU A2129004603 HW A2129011504 FW A2129021602
- LU A2124404714 HW A2125450416 FW A2124421156
- LU A2129003300 HW A2129016102 FW A2129025300
- A0009051302 A0009028710 A0009056600
- A0009055601 A0009028307 A0009056600
Distronic Plus is available on the following Mercedes-Benz cars:
- A class W177 Sedan Saloon Hatchback
- A160 A160d A180 A180d A200 A200d A220 A220d A250e A35 A45 AMG 4Matic
- E Class W213 S213 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
- E Class Coupe C238 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
- E Class Convertible A238 2017, 2018, 2019
- E Class E200 E250 E300 E350e Hybrid E400 E450 E200d E220d E300d E350d E400d 4MATIC E43 AMG
- GLC X253 C253 W253 Hatchback Coupe 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
- GLC GLC300 GLC350e GLC220d GLC 220d GLC250d GLC350d GLC300 4 MATIC GLC43 GLC63 AMG
- ML GLE SUV W166
- GLE W292 Coupe
- GL GLS X166
- C Class W205 S205 A205 C205 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
- C Class C180 C200 C220 BlueTec C250 C300 C350e C400 C450 C43 C450 C63 AMG
- S Class C217 Coupe 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
- S Class A217 Convertible 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
- S Class W222 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
- S Class S350 S400 Hybrid S500 S600 S300 BlueTEC S350 4Matic S550 S63 AMG, S65 AMG
- CLS Class Coupe C257 2018, 2019
- G Class W463 2018, 2019
- Sprinter W906
- V class VitoW447
Browse our range of Mercedes Benz parts or contact us for more help with your Mercedes Benz.
