I think they use satellites for this. It is run by Hughes (same as OnStar), but they don't really want you to know this. I hear it's the same call center, even. MB owners get to pay more for the same services (more or less).

 

I'm not saying you're wrong, but that is a little strange that they would distinguish between those two cases. Either way, the service isn't active and help isn't coming if you have an accident.

Did you or your dealer activate the trial period for mbrace in your car? I wonder if they consider the trial to be "having had mbrace active at one point."

It operates on the Verizon network, which is the most comprehensive coast to coast, although there are still areas without coverage. If you read any of the mbrace information or the contract, it states that services are not available in areas without cellular reception.

I'm looking at a GLK brochure right now and endnote number 9 reads in part:

"All Mercedes-Benz mbrace services operate only where cellular and Global Positioning System satellite signals are available, which are provided by third parties and not within the control of Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.... Some services may be limited or restricted in some areas...."

You could try but you would not win that one. Mercedes-Benz has no responsibility, control, or liability for the availability or unavailability of cellular towers. If you have an accident in a dead zone, there is absolutely nothing that Mercedes-Benz COULD have done to help you. This is different from having an accident in an area with reception and the car knowing that you had an accident but not calling for help. In that case, Mercedes-Benz COULD have programmed the car to call anyway but they CHOSE not to, and that could potentially be actionable.

There is no message for that.

There is verbiage in the contract regarding areas without cellular reception. If you have signed or otherwise agreed to that contract then you accepted those terms.

That's not the same as disclaiming liability for the service not being active. If the service isn't active, it's because you either didn't agree to the contract or you did at one time but then canceled the service, and guess what also ended with the cancelation. The contract. So someone without active service is not bound by the contract and any disclaimers in said contract are worthless. In short, you could still sue for inactive service.

Yes, mbrace is provided by Hughes and some aspects of the service use satellites. Sending addresses to your car or sending a remote lock/unlock command to your car, to give just two examples, use the satellites. When you initiate an mbrace call and speak to someone or use the automated system, or when the car automatically summons help in an accident, it places a standard telephone call via ordinary cellular service on the Verizon network. It does not use satellite phone service; that would be prohibitively expensive.

 

Redline, Did they perform the Service Bulletin I told you about? Is the rattle still there upon startup?