TPAbnz

So what aspect of SBC is working here on my 2005 CDI?

I was leaving the Tampa 7th floor airport parking garage, spiraling down the ramp without the accellerator pressed. As soon as the car reached about 10 mph, the brakes were automatically applied and the car was allowed to speed up, then the brakes applied again.

No cruise control.

Also, SoftStop® was, I understand, discontinued for 2005. What was SBC doing?

konigstiger

My guess:

SBC =

ABS (anti lock brakes) prevents the wheels from locking up during braking, maintaining steerability and directional control during deceleration;
ASR (automatic slip regulation) prevents drive wheel from spinning while driving;
EBR (electronic brake regulation) reduces brake slip at the drive wheels during deceleration to ensure directional stability. When engine braking causes the rear wheels to reduce speed quicker then the front wheels (causing the rear of the vehicle to slide), the throttle is opened slightly to reduce the engine braking effect;
ESP (electronic stability program) prevents vehicle from breaking away when over steering or under steering;
ETS (electronic traction system) self explanatory
BAS (brake assist system) monitors release of brake pedal and application of brake. When anticipated (identified by the rapid release of the gas pedal), slight pressure is applied;
EBP (brake force distribution) allows brake proportioning front to back and side to side.

If BAS, ABS, ASR, or EBR brake function is required the ESP control module takes priority over the SBC control module.

lkchris

ESP was controlling your car.

Turn it off next time and see what happens.

But have your foot over the brake pedal!

jangy

You sure it was the brakes and not the engine? I've never heard of that on an E. The MLs have hill decent, which you can program in a speed for it to try to maintain. Also, I am pretty sure none of the US versions have that feature, but Euro ones do. If you have a grey market car, then that would explain.

lkchris

Went on MBCA 50th anniversary tour to Germany.

Rode in 2007 CLS (not out yet) on the skidpad in Unterturkheim

It was mild cobblestones, wetted down.

With ESP off, car spun off

With ESP on, no problems.

ESP works the brakes.

Was driving 2006 E in Texas when beer can blew out of pickup truck bed and headed right for my face. Involuntary swerve was VERY POSITIVELY controlled by ESP. Couldn't believe the how positively the car was controlled--it really grabbed it. ESP, of course, operates individual wheel brake.

konigstiger

I reiterate, in detail - EBR via ESP control module.