auto parking brake
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 86
Likes: 2
From: Ontario, CANADA
2015 C450; 2008 RX400h
auto parking brake
My C450 has the parking brake automatically applied when the car is parked and shut off. Sometimes however, parking brake is not applied. This inconsistency is annoying when starting up the car. Is this just a defect or are there situations where the parking brake is not applied?
Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 217
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From: New Jersey
2016 C300
My parking brake is only applied when I open the door (regardless if engine is on or off). Otherwise it stays in neutral. Though I have noticed the parking brake being automatic at times. Maybe it depends on what driving mode you're in? I'm almost always in individual with manual transmission setting.
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,447
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From: Tampa, FL
2019 E450 4Matic & 2018 E400 4Matic
Don't know if it's a 2016 thing, but on my 2016, every time I start my car, the parking brake is engaged and isn't released until I put my foot on the accelerator. There's always a delay when I push the pedal until the parking brake releases.
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,258
Likes: 19
From: Mississauga, ON CA
15 Mercedes C400, 12 Mercedes C250 coupe
99% of the time my 15 C400 never has the parking brake engaged on startup, however rarely i do notice it engaged, very randomly, maybe it depends on if parked on an incline or not? (never actually tested)
Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 90
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From: Slough, UK
C Class W204
I've noticed this in my car as well.
It seems to automatically put the car in park 99% of the time if the car is not level.
Also does it 99% of the time if I keep my foot on the brake as I turn the engine off.
(EDIT) That is not pushing the brake harder to activate brake-holding, just having the foot on the brake pedal normally
However my 16 build does occasionally leave the gearing as is, and I have to manually do it
All this is before opening the car door, of course, as that always activates the park brake
It seems to automatically put the car in park 99% of the time if the car is not level.
Also does it 99% of the time if I keep my foot on the brake as I turn the engine off.
(EDIT) That is not pushing the brake harder to activate brake-holding, just having the foot on the brake pedal normally
However my 16 build does occasionally leave the gearing as is, and I have to manually do it
All this is before opening the car door, of course, as that always activates the park brake
Last edited by HorshamRebel; Jan 6, 2016 at 06:06 AM.
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Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 121
Likes: 3
W205
There is a difference between park (on the gearbox) and auto handbrake (electronic handbrake).
Im not sure which one is talked about here so:
park on the gearbox is automatic as soon as you open the drivers door, I presume though that is only if your going at a certain speed.
Auto handbrake or electronic handbrake - I've notice mine engages mostly when you have the brake auto hold feature active (and so gearbox still in a gear) and then switch the engine off. There may be other ways of automatically activating but I'm unaware.
Im not sure which one is talked about here so:
park on the gearbox is automatic as soon as you open the drivers door, I presume though that is only if your going at a certain speed.
Auto handbrake or electronic handbrake - I've notice mine engages mostly when you have the brake auto hold feature active (and so gearbox still in a gear) and then switch the engine off. There may be other ways of automatically activating but I'm unaware.
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Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 90
Likes: 1
From: Slough, UK
C Class W204
I think that the originator was taking about the Auto Handbrake, I certainly was.
I know about, and use the brake-hold feature, which you activate with the foot hard on the brake, whilst waiting at lights etc.
I was talking about when you turn the engine off after you get to your destination, as I'm sure the originator was, where the brake is automatically put into Park (P)
I know about, and use the brake-hold feature, which you activate with the foot hard on the brake, whilst waiting at lights etc.
I was talking about when you turn the engine off after you get to your destination, as I'm sure the originator was, where the brake is automatically put into Park (P)
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Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 121
Likes: 3
W205
I think that the originator was taking about the Auto Handbrake, I certainly was.
I know about, and use the brake-hold feature, which you activate with the foot hard on the brake, whilst waiting at lights etc.
I was talking about when you turn the engine off after you get to your destination, as I'm sure the originator was, where the brake is automatically put into Park (P)
I know about, and use the brake-hold feature, which you activate with the foot hard on the brake, whilst waiting at lights etc.
I was talking about when you turn the engine off after you get to your destination, as I'm sure the originator was, where the brake is automatically put into Park (P)
Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 121
Likes: 3
W205
from the manual - Automatics
Applying automatically (vehicles with automatic transmission)
The electric parking brake is automatically applied when the transmission is in position P and:
the engine is switched off or
the driver is not wearing a seat belt and the driver's door is opened
To prevent the electric parking brake from being automatically applied, pull handle .
The electric parking brake is also applied automatically if:
DISTRONIC PLUS brings the vehicle to a standstill or
the HOLD function is keeping the vehicle stationary
Active Parking Assist is keeping the vehicle stationary
In addition, at least one of the following conditions must be fulfilled:
the engine is switched off
the driver is not wearing a seat belt and the driver's door is opened
there is a system malfunction
the power supply is insufficient
the vehicle is stationary for a lengthy period
The red indicator lamp in the instrument cluster lights up.
The electric parking brake is not automatically applied if the engine is switched off by the ECO start/stop function.
Applying automatically (vehicles with automatic transmission)
The electric parking brake is automatically applied when the transmission is in position P and:
the engine is switched off or
the driver is not wearing a seat belt and the driver's door is opened
To prevent the electric parking brake from being automatically applied, pull handle .
The electric parking brake is also applied automatically if:
DISTRONIC PLUS brings the vehicle to a standstill or
the HOLD function is keeping the vehicle stationary
Active Parking Assist is keeping the vehicle stationary
In addition, at least one of the following conditions must be fulfilled:
the engine is switched off
the driver is not wearing a seat belt and the driver's door is opened
there is a system malfunction
the power supply is insufficient
the vehicle is stationary for a lengthy period
The red indicator lamp in the instrument cluster lights up.
The electric parking brake is not automatically applied if the engine is switched off by the ECO start/stop function.
Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 121
Likes: 3
W205
manual cars
Applying automatically (vehicles with manual transmission)
The electric parking brake is applied automatically when the vehicle is being kept vehicle stationary by the HOLD function.
In addition, at least one of the following conditions must be fulfilled:
the engine is switched off
the driver is not wearing a seat belt and the driver's door is open
there is a system malfunction
the power supply is insufficient
the vehicle is stationary for a lengthy period
The red indicator lamp in the instrument cluster lights up.
The electric parking brake is not automatically applied if the engine is switched off by the ECO start/stop function.
Applying automatically (vehicles with manual transmission)
The electric parking brake is applied automatically when the vehicle is being kept vehicle stationary by the HOLD function.
In addition, at least one of the following conditions must be fulfilled:
the engine is switched off
the driver is not wearing a seat belt and the driver's door is open
there is a system malfunction
the power supply is insufficient
the vehicle is stationary for a lengthy period
The red indicator lamp in the instrument cluster lights up.
The electric parking brake is not automatically applied if the engine is switched off by the ECO start/stop function.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 725
Likes: 189
From: Chicago area
2015 E400 and 2015 GLK350
. . . AND if you want to open your door but not have the transmission shift to 'Park' just shift to neutral before you open the door. The car will then remain in neutral, and there will be an IC message reminding you that there is danger of the car rolling while in neutral.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,822
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From: Whitefield, NH
2015 C300 Sport: Palladium, Premium, Multimedia, Leather, BLIS
I just tried the auto-brake feature on my 2015. I put the car in Park, shut it off and opened the door. The PARK light came right on. This is a feature I knew knew was there.
Super Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 692
Likes: 24
From: Cambridge, MA
2015 C300 Sport 4MATIC
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,822
Likes: 33
From: Whitefield, NH
2015 C300 Sport: Palladium, Premium, Multimedia, Leather, BLIS
No ... on a level surface with the car in Park, the "PARK" light, which normally goes on when I set the emergency brake, engaged as soon as I opened the door with the ignition off. The HOLD function was not active.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 53
Likes: 1
From: Kyrenia - Cyprus /Guildford - UK
2016 C180 / 96 Nissan Skyline R33
When I turn it off and sit in the car with brake pressed, it goes to neutral position. As soon as I open the door to go out it goes to park position and engages the electronic parking brake. There is some kind of actuator noise which comes underneath while the brake engages.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,822
Likes: 33
From: Whitefield, NH
2015 C300 Sport: Palladium, Premium, Multimedia, Leather, BLIS
I just checked the function again, and I do not even have to open the door for the parking brake to engage. With the car in Park, when I shut the ignition off the PARK light comes on in about two seconds without opening the door.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA
C300W4
I know why. It's because on earlier production 2015's the behavior was not programmed in. On later 2015's it was programmed in. How do I know? I owned a C300 with build date April 2015 and it had the auto brake applied after going to Park and shutting off the engine. I recently traded the car for a different C300 with build date October 2014 and noticed the behavior was not there so I brought it to the dealer and they updated some software and voila it now does it.
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,135
Likes: 272
From: Sweden
S213
I know why. It's because on earlier production 2015's the behavior was not programmed in. On later 2015's it was programmed in. How do I know? I owned a C300 with build date April 2015 and it had the auto brake applied after going to Park and shutting off the engine. I recently traded the car for a different C300 with build date October 2014 and noticed the behavior was not there so I brought it to the dealer and they updated some software and voila it now does it.
Could you find out which control unit that was updated as I have been told by HQ that it isnt possible to implement this feature in earlier production vehicles.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,258
Likes: 19
From: Mississauga, ON CA
15 Mercedes C400, 12 Mercedes C250 coupe
I know why. It's because on earlier production 2015's the behavior was not programmed in. On later 2015's it was programmed in. How do I know? I owned a C300 with build date April 2015 and it had the auto brake applied after going to Park and shutting off the engine. I recently traded the car for a different C300 with build date October 2014 and noticed the behavior was not there so I brought it to the dealer and they updated some software and voila it now does it.
no parking brake engaged after car shut off
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1,015
Likes: 96
From: Northeast USA
AMG CLE 53
I have an early build (September 2014) C400 that doesn't automatically apply the parking brake. I recently drove a 2016 C300 loaner that had the feature. I didn't like the feature. Starting to move with the parking brake applied isn't very smooth. I'd rather apply the brake manually when needed.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 86
Likes: 2
From: Ontario, CANADA
2015 C450; 2008 RX400h
I am referring to the auto handbrake. To avoid confusion i will describe the situation.
I do nothing special when i park in my garage. My foot is on the brake to stop the car. Auto hold is not activated. With my foot remaining on the brakes i put the gear into park and then push the start button to shut off the engine.
The next day i put my foot on the brake pedal and press the start button to start the engine. With my foot on the brake pedal i put the gear into reverse. When the auto handbrake is working i take my foot off the brake and the car does not move until i press on the gas pedal and the auto handbrake is released. When it doesn't work and i don't notice the car immediately starts moving when i take my foot off the break pedal (obviously). This is disconcerting when it is not expected.
I do nothing special when i park in my garage. My foot is on the brake to stop the car. Auto hold is not activated. With my foot remaining on the brakes i put the gear into park and then push the start button to shut off the engine.
The next day i put my foot on the brake pedal and press the start button to start the engine. With my foot on the brake pedal i put the gear into reverse. When the auto handbrake is working i take my foot off the brake and the car does not move until i press on the gas pedal and the auto handbrake is released. When it doesn't work and i don't notice the car immediately starts moving when i take my foot off the break pedal (obviously). This is disconcerting when it is not expected.
