The MBUSA Customer Assistance Center and the Corporate Communications area have received
calls with respect to whether there are any implications for Mercedes-Benz due to the Toyota
recall. While there have only been a few of these inquiries, we thought we would share them with
you in the event that similar questions arise at the retail level:
Q. CAN WHAT'S HAPPENING ON TOYOTAS HAPPEN TO MY MERCEDES?
A. These are two different systems. For example, Mercedes-Benz vehicles have something
called "smart pedal technology" or brake-override system, which can slow a vehicle when the
driver applies the brake pedal if an accelerator pedal ever becomes stuck.
Q. HOW DOES THE MERCEDES “SMART PEDAL TECHNOLOGY” WORK?
A. Simply put: When the Mercedes-Benz brake pedal is pressed and the accelerator pedal
remains engaged, the electronic signal propelling the car is interrupted, and the vehicle is
automatically slowed to idle.
Q. HOW LONG HAS MERCEDES HAD THE “SMART PEDAL TECHNOLGY”?
A. Mercedes-Benz started introducing the “smart pedal technology” in our vehicles as early as
2002.
Q. HAS MERCEDES HAD ANY SIMILAR INSTANCES?
A. We wouldn’t have the same situation because the Mercedes-Benz and Toyota systems are
different. On a Mercedes-Benz, our technology includes an electronic fail-safe system which
will slow a vehicle when the driver applies the brake pedal if an accelerator pedal ever
becomes stuck.
Q. DOES MERCEDES USE THE SAME ACCELERATOR PEDAL SUPPLIER AS TOYOTA?
A. Not only does Mercedes-Benz use a different supplier, the Mercedes-Benz and Toyota
systems are different. On a Mercedes-Benz, our technology includes an electronic fail-safe
system which will slow a vehicle when the driver applies the brake pedal if an accelerator
pedal ever becomes stuck.
If there are any further questions, please contact the Customer Assistance Center at
1-800-FOR_MERCedes (1-800-367-6372).
TO: Mercedes-Benz Dealer Principals, General Managers, Sales Managers,
Service Managers, Parts Managers
FROM: Frank J. Diertl – General Manager, Engineering Services
DATE: February 8, 2010
RE: Comments to Toyota’s Accelerator Pedal Recall Campaign

 

.....Q. HOW LONG HAS MERCEDES HAD THE “SMART PEDAL TECHNOLOGY”?
A. Mercedes-Benz started introducing the “smart pedal technology” in our vehicles as early as 2002....

Huh....

My 2001 C320's electronic throttle could be disabled by the brakes.

2001 came before 2002.

 

Worst comes to worst, if you pedal sticks, slap your car in neutral. Sure you're car is now a lemon and you'll most likely blow up your engine, but at least you're still alive.

 

and then turn off your ignition?

 

And yes! Turn off your engine when you've pulled over to the side of the road. When you turn off your engine, your power steering dies so you might want to wait till you've coasted to the side of the road and once you're in a safe place, turn it off.

 

Why would you lose your engine if you run it against the RPM limiter? Don't you do it in traffic at times? The engine is built to accept this even on an autobahn at full load.

You can test this "smart pedal technology" like I've done after a car wash while driving the car to my garage. I'd like to warm up brake discs to make them dry but it does not work simply by pressing the gas pedal and the brake pedal at the same time (guess which one wins). Don't test it at full throttle.

 

does that mean we cant do burnouts? =P

 

Have to put dyno mode on.

 

For our non US members with push button start, how long does it take for your car to turn off when you press the "stop" button and the car is in gear? Apparently the Hwy Patrolman and his family that died in the ES300 was pressing the "off button" but it didn't stop the engine. They are set up so when the car is in gear, the button has to be held for three seconds.

 

You can pull out the push button start button and use the regular key on our Benzes. Maybe you can do that instead. I would assume that not cutting the car by pressing the button when the car is running is a safety feature on the Lexus. Best thing to do is to not switch off the car since all your pumps, steering, fluids will stop flowing but instead put the car into neutral and hit the brakes. Even if you're running, I'm sure you can place the car in neutral. I've done it a few times on my cars without any problems.