Exploit all available traction at each wheel.

The dream pursued.

continued from ESP

picture Bosch

Sensotronic Brake Control (SBC)

More effective kicking
Sensotronic Brake Control is the name given to an innovative electronically controlled brake system which will be fit
future passenger vehicles of the Stuttgart manufacturer. It shall perfect the art of deceleration.

Stuttgart. When a driver presses the brake pedal, his foot moves a piston, which is connected to the brake booster and maste
cylinder.

This means: The firmer the push, the higher the pressure in the brake lines, and the higher
force exerted by the brake pads onto the brake disc. A simple principle. With Sensotronic
Control (SBC) there will still be a brake pedal and master cylinder, but there are quite a few
differences as well.

Because the driver's brake commands are processed by a computer, which also
continuously receives sensor signals from each individual wheel and the steering system.
these data the optimal brake pressure is calculated for each wheel individually. And this,
promises Mercedes, is advantageous, when braking with full force, when braking in curves
slippery surfaces.

The driver doesn't feel any of this. The push onto the brake pedal feels like it always did. But starting from the master cylinder
doesn't continue hydraulically, but electronically. Sensors obtain the pressure and the speed, with which it builds up. This info
is passed electrically to the controller, which then calculates the brake force - as described above. If the electricity fails and SB
stops working, the good old hydraulic will be used instead, and the car decelerated via the front wheels.

SBC STOP

The system offers several additional functions besides a new braking behavior, due to its electronic brain: In stop-and-go traff
vehicle brakes automatically, when the foot is lifted off the accelerator pedal ("Traffic Jam Assist"). It can be engaged under 10
using the the cruise control lever and switches off automatically at higher speeds. It remains active under 40 MPH. When eng
the instrument cluster indicates "SBC S". One can also activate it on downhill slopes via cruise control, so the car won't speed
the set limit. It was deleted starting with MY 2005.

SBC SOFT STOP

is not yet released, though few people are aware of it since Mercedes advertises it already. It might be released lateron. In cit
soft-stop supposedly allows soft, jerkless stopping. Not sure if it's needed since SBC brakes can be modulated well, with good

SBC HOLD

A "drive-away assistant" prevents the vehicle from rolling backwards or forward when starting on a hill or steep incline. A firm
onto the brake pedal, and the car remains stopped, even when taking the foot off the brake pedal, until the driver accelerates
the vehicle begins to roll. When set, the instrument cluster indicates SBC HOLD. I like using this function and miss it when sw
back to other cars. As far as I know it was first introduced in the spring of 2003 in the 04 E-class Estate and lateron in the 200

DRY BRAKE

And finally there is the dry brake function. It is always activated when the windshield wipers run. The system then knows, that
and, with short brake pulses unnoticed by the driver, keeps the brake discs always dry and fully functional.
Braking in a curve. Left: conventional. Right: with SBC.
Notice the unequal braking forces, smaller lateral force, better stability and alignment with SBC.

SBC world premiered at the international auto show (IAA) in Frankfurt in September 2001 with the new SL, in a 2 wheel drive
version. The new E-Class followed in 2002, and the Estate in 2003. The full four-wheel drive Sensotronic debuted in the E-Cla
4matic in 2003.

Cars with SBC

Mercedes SL roadster (R230)
Mercedes E-Class sedan (W211) and Estate (S211) until mid 2006
Mercedes E-Class 4matic sedan (W211) and 4matic Estate (S211) until mid 2006
Mercedes SLR McLaren (C199)
Maybach 57 and 62 (W240)
Mercedes CLS coupe (C219) until mid 2006

Bosch SBC schematic

Mercedes SBC schematic
MB SBC in a curve

SBC to be adapted or changed

Due to its complexity, serviceability and costs, Sensotronic may be changed in future Mercedes models. Several of the new S
functions may be integrated into a more conventional hydraulic ESP system.
September 15, 2003

SBC service and recall

Brake pads and fluid levels are inspected during normal servicing. With the new electric braking system additional items need
checked. The codes need to be read out and if the brake system has been activated more than 300,000 times e.g. in taxi serv
Europe, it should be inspected and replaced if appropriate.
April 30, 2004

500.000th Mercedes Actros with Telligent brake rolls off the line
The Actros was introduced in 1996 and the second version in 2003 and beca
the workhorse in many truck fleets. Half a million have been manufactured. T
brake system on the 1996 Actros was revolutionary using disk brakes, electr
control and the Telligent onboard data communications network.
Telligent® brake system
June 25, 2007

created Nov 2000 and updated from time to time

credits: Spiegel, Daimler, Bosch, MBUSA, NHTSA

Es soll die Kunst des Bremsens perfektionieren. - Jürgen P

Wolfgang's ML Page
Mechanics and Electronics (+
Software)
ABS
Anti-lock Braking System
ASR
Anti Spin Regulation
ESP
Electronic Stability Progra