LOL...most definitely! 
"black boxes"
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Westminster, MD / Wash. DC
Its big and Grey!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,586
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From: Sacramento
'08 AM Vantage V8 - '03 E500
NHTSA seems to be taking the California "black box" disclosure law national, right down to mandating disclosure in the owner's manual, where most people will never see it. The California law went into effect in 2004
California Vehicle Code §9951:
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/di...file=9950-9955
I don't have access to the paper owner's manual for my '03 right now, but the .pdf version of the US W211 owner's manual that I do have has a "Vehicle Data Recording" disclosure, big as life, on page 19. It even says "Including notice pursuant to California Code [sic] §9951."
California Vehicle Code §9951:
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/di...file=9950-9955
I don't have access to the paper owner's manual for my '03 right now, but the .pdf version of the US W211 owner's manual that I do have has a "Vehicle Data Recording" disclosure, big as life, on page 19. It even says "Including notice pursuant to California Code [sic] §9951."
Last edited by DWP; Aug 22, 2006 at 12:29 PM.
Out Of Control!!
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From: San Diego
2015 S212
Originally Posted by rodE350
Maybe not. This was not disclosed to me by my dealer when I bought my E.
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Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 13,394
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From: San Diego
2015 S212
You do not need a mod. Why would you care if MB can "see" it? There are no warranty claims on what exactly Normal Use is. Their own marketing claims certain performance characteristics (i.e. top speed, braking). The only time to worry is if you modify it and that has always been grounds to void the warranty on affected components. For those that are getting ECU mods, note that Flashes are VIN specific and NOT ECU specific. That is MBs way of keeping track of what ECU files are on your car.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA
2015 ML 350
I think everone is not worried about Manufacturers reading the info, but an insurance company or the Cops using it to determine "fault" in an accident or reckless speeds, or no application of the brakes in the seconds before impact.
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From: Boston
2004 E320, 2006 Infiniti G35X, Yamaha VMAX 700 (Snowmobile)
I have a friend who is a MA state trooper and is part of the accident recon team. He told me a while back they plug in and download information relivent to the braking, speed, lighting (on/off), time and engine fault codes. Not all cars have them but Mercedes is one that most def does.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 416
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From: Lone Star State.
W211 2005 CDI, X166 2013 350 BT, 997.1 2008 C4S
Beyond the legailities and "encroachment of your privacy", have you ever thought that the EDR may help put the pieces together in the event we are seriosuly harmed or worse killed in a MVA? It may serve a purpose that that none of us would like to think about. Yes, I do like to drive fast and yes I do drive aggressively but nothing that would make me think twice about my driving skills or my personal liablity in the event the "blckbox" is recording. Drive safe not stupid and there should no problems.
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Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Virginia
2005 Carlsson CD32 E320 CDI Inline-6
Post-crash fire
Airplane black boxes will survive a post crash fire, but not a car's.
So keep a gallon of kerosene and good working lighter on hand just in case.
If you don't like arson, just keep a good 3lb hammer and gallon of saltwater to beat-and-brine the ECU.
So keep a gallon of kerosene and good working lighter on hand just in case.
If you don't like arson, just keep a good 3lb hammer and gallon of saltwater to beat-and-brine the ECU.
