Method for automatically braking a vehicle equipped with an electronically controlled brake system

Method for automatic braking, without active braking operation by a driver, of a vehicle equipped with an electronically controlled braking device, including a service brake operable electrically and to which is applicable a service braking pressure (pB), and a parking brake operable electrically and to which is applicable a parking braking pressure (pF), comprising the acts of:

• starting from the vehicle being stationary as a result of the service brake being applied, releasing the service brake and applying the parking brake as a function of a release criterion;
• initiating without delay application of the parking brake in response to the release criterion;
• and
• selecting the release criterion to comprise operation of a control element for application of the parking brake, wherein releasing the service brake is initiated only when the parking brake is applying a selected minimum braking effect (zlimit);
• wherein, when the service brake is used for braking before the vehicle is stationary, a service braking force required to stop the vehicle by braking is calculated and is compared with a maximum parking braking force producible by the parking brake, at least one of an audible and visual warning signal being produced if the service brake force required is greater than the maximum parking braking force.