The Mercedes-Benz 4MATIC system: when does it really help us?

The vast majority of vehicles sold by Mercedes-Benz in Canada come standard with the 4MATIC all-wheel drive system. Across the range, different versions of the system exist, as not all model configurations are the same.

An S-Class and a G-Class are not the same thing. However, where the system's mission is the same is to provide optimal traction at all times.

It's all well known. However, how can the 4MATIC system really help us? And we're not talking about the simple additional traction we get in the snow here. Let's look at three situations where the 4MATIC system is there for us.

Rain

When you drive a Mercedes-Benz model in the snow, the 4MATIC system gives you optimum traction and you feel it working for you. However, it is always active, even when there is no snow. And that's when we tend to forget it.

Driving in the rain is a good example of this. No matter how good your tires and traction are, you can always encounter puddles, whether it's on side roads or major highways. At high speeds, aquaplaning can be very dangerous because it can be very difficult to control. Fortunately, thanks to the work of the 4MATIC system, we often go through these situations without realizing that our lives are hanging by a thread. Thanks to its reaction capacity, which is calculated in milliseconds, the system detects when a wheel no longer has grip and transfers the power to those that do. This is all done without having the time to think about it.

In an emergency situation

Driving courses do not teach us everything and in everyday life, we are not necessarily subject to all possible contexts. As a result, when an emergency situation arises, many drivers are often caught off guard and are unsure how to react. The speed with which a decision is made is crucial. It can make the difference between avoiding an accident and being in the middle of it.

Let's take a simple example. You are driving on a road and an oncoming vehicle is about to turn in front of you and sees you at the last second. It panics and brakes, blocking your lane as it passes. The first reaction is to brake, but on a slippery surface, you will probably hit the vehicle. With the 4MATIC system, you have another option; gently accelerate and go around the vehicle. Yes, accelerate, because you will then ask the system to find you the best possible traction. This will allow you to pass the vehicle, even if it means driving on the shoulder.

Getting out of a risky situation

In the same vein, have you ever found yourself in heavy traffic during a snowstorm with the fear that one of the drivers around you might lose control of their vehicle and come and hit you or cause a pile-up?

If you're in this kind of situation and you're driving a Mercedes-Benz, think about getting out of it. Of course, you can slow down to find a less crowded environment, but you can also accelerate to get away from vehicles that make you suspicious.

In fact, it's important to understand that you enjoy incredible traction with your Mercedes-Benz vehicle. The goal is to do what it allows you to do so that you can exploit it to keep you away from riskier driving situations.

The goal is not to drive irresponsibly and think you're invincible with the 4MATIC system. Rather, it's about understanding how stable the system is in the worst conditions, stability that allows you to accelerate out of a dangerous situation, even when the road is slippery.