SBC Hold works how exactly?

[Burger]

I believe my car (2007 SL350) is supposed to have SBC with the SBC hold function. Stupid question, but I don't find the handbook very clear on it... How is it supposed to work?

I've understood from the handbook that with my foot on the brake, I just press it a little harder and SBC Hold will appear on the dash display? Is that correct? If so, just how much harder are you supposed to press the pedal and for how long?

Clearly, to date, I've failed to get SBC Hold to display and so I'm wondering if this is something else the dealer needs to fix?

Thanks,

 

[Alps]

Hi Burger, are you sure? i thought SBC was gone from late 2006... i know specifically for the w211 they took ti out when they facelifted from late 2006 cars.

in answer to your question tho, when you stop you depress the brake pedal to the floor and a little SBCH appears on your cluster with the H highlighted. it acts like a handbrake essentially, then as soon as you touch your accellerator, it disengages and off you go.

 

[kwakdonut]

Thought they had stopped installing that?

 

[Burger]

Well you guys made me question my sanity so I just got the handbook from the car. Here's what it says...

Depress the brake.

Depress the brake again quickly until SBC H appears in the multi-function display.

So it looks like I 'should' have it on my car as it's not identified as an optional feature.

However, I find those instructions very ambiguous...

Depress the brake, then with it depressed, depress more (quickly) - Heck, what's the definition of quickly?

OR

Depress the brake then quickly release it and depress it again, quickly of course?

I think I've tried all options but haven't seen SBC H appear at all.

Perhaps one for the dealer when they have my car next week to fit the new rear window and stop the brakes squealing... the list is growing

Thanks,

 

[Alps]

Hi dave

worth remembering that the manual for your car may cover SBC, as it may not have been updated at that point, obviously it has to cover the previous cars too which did have it.

most probably you will not have it, easiest way of checking is when you open the engine bay there is a silver SBC pump unit with SBC wirtten on it (front left hand side ).

 

[Burger]

Out of curiosity I just checked the on-line user guide for the 2011 SL's and it seems SBC and SBC Hold is still fitted...

The instructions also seem a little clearer...



Depress the brake pedal.

With increased force, depress the brake pedal further until SBC H appears in the multifunction display.

SBC Hold is activated. You can release the brake pedal.


It doesn't say this, but I wonder if you only see it on the display if it's on the ODO display. I rarely have that display on to be honest... usually I have it on the audio displays. Perhaps that's why I've never seen it?

Thanks,

 

[Gareth]

You don't need to press the brake again QUICKLY, I can do it as slow as I like and it engages. To engage it, I press the brake pedal normally to bring the car to a stop, then just press the pedal firmly (quickly or not ) to the floor and it engages.

 

[Burger]

easiest way of checking is when you open the engine bay there is a silver SBC pump unit with SBC wirtten on it (front left hand side ).

Thanks, just checked, it's there alright. Big silver thing with pipes and a sticker that says SBC.

 

[Burger]

You don't need to press the brake again QUICKLY, I can do it as slow as I like and it engages. To engage it, I press the brake pedal normally to bring the car to a stop, then just press the pedal firmly (quickly or not ) to the floor and it engages.

I doubt, but admittedly haven't tried, that I would get my pedal to the floor. I'll be out in the car again this evening though and will try harder. Hm, reminds me of my old school reports... must try harder

 

[camerafodder]

Dave

if you have SBC use it like this:
When you have come to a halt with your foot on the brake just gently but quickly stab the pedal and SBC HOLD will appear on your instrument display. You can then take your foot off and the car will stay where it is until you press the accelerator. SBC will then automatically disengage and you will move forward.

 

[timskemp]

Simply bring the car to a halt, then press the brake pedal harder and it should engage. It won't engage if the door is open (I think)

SBC is brilliant, I think it's loss from the W211E class was driven as much by cost reduction as it was by reliability - facelifted models also lost rain sensor and ambient lighting from the standard spec.

I believe the SLR, SL and Maybach all still use SBC.

 

[Burger]

Thanks fellas.

I'm very used to the principal at least of electronic braking having driven a Jag XJ for the last 7 years with an electronic hand brake. Very useful indeed. Still can't get used to the Merc one

Can anyone tell me if the SBC H showing is dependent on the display setting? Like I said I usually have it on Audio or the trip computer and so wonder if this is why I've never seen SBC H. Does it have to be on the ODO display?

Thanks again... Love all the answers Gives me lots to try.

 

[Alps]

Hi Dave

excellent, at least we know you have it! i am surprised tho, i really thought they had got rid of that system....learn a new thing everyday as they say!

SBCH is not dependent on what function s displayed on the cluster, it appears in little letters near the bottom. its a really good system. when youve stopped, press the brake gently as far as it will go, it should engage SBC H

Alps

 

[C240Sport97]

SBC was only removed from the E and CLS class. It was retained for the SL.

SBC H is great IMO.

 

[Dryce]

Can anyone tell me if the SBC H showing is dependent on the display setting? Like I said I usually have it on Audio or the trip computer and so wonder if this is why I've never seen SBC H. Does it have to be on the ODO display?

You can't tell it's operating if it's not displayed so it has to show.

There's a knack to activating it consistently - which you get used to very quickly. I just give a gentle little dip on the pedal once the car is stopped and it comes on every time.

If there's a problem then there should be a warning message instead of "SBC H" saying it's unavailable. So you should see something.

 

[Londonscottish]

Turns out I have it on mine - although I haven't really got the hang is it - whether I do the right dance on the brake pedal or not seems a bit hit and miss.

I'm glad I DO have it if only because the 7G box won't hold on an incline - on my C43's I could sit in D or reverse on fairly steep inclines and it would hold automatically. Without my doing strange stamps and spasms with my right leg.....wondreing whether or not I'm going to roll in that wall or not.....

 

[jdrrco]

you do get used to the feel of it. think of it like a "double-click" on your mouse and you'll not be far off.

i loved it and used it all the time, but a colleague of mine never used it in the four years he had his 211!

 

[Londonscottish]

you do get used to the feel of it. think of it like a "double-click" on your mouse and you'll not be far off.

i loved it and used it all the time, but a colleague of mine never used it in the four years he had his 211!

I think part of the problem is that I live in London which is in the most part flat. Therefore I don't need or use SBC.

When I go out of town and end up doing a three point turn in a sloping car park or whatever I think "b**ger - I wish I could use SBC Hold......"

I'll stick a yellow sticky on my dash to remind me to practice......

 

[Mactech]

Both my 211's had the hold facility which was slightly more fiddly to operate than on the 07 S class or my 59 plate CLS. They are both just intuative and I use the system at most traffic lghts etc. The ML has not got the system and I really miss it! My wife can't get the hold system to work at all despite some instruction and training! It's a bit Marmite....me I love it!

 

[Burger]

OK, I'm now unclear... The think of it as a mouse double click is what's thrown me this time

So I brake, foot on pedal... keep foot on pedal to stop.

Do I then...

a) Release pedal and press again (quickly, firmly, down to the floor, whatever)...

OR

b) Without releasing pedal press it further (quickly, firmly, down to the floor, whatever)?

OR

c) Develop my own completely new and unique technique so that when someone asks this question in the future I can give another variance.



Thanks,