Vulcaneer

New owner here. I kinda like this feature. The MB Sales guy told me this feature "does not use the starter. But releases an electric charge into the cylinder that has the piston which is positioned ready to start." My response was..."So, you mean to tell me that it uses a capacitive discharge type of system?" He said, "Yeah that is exactly it. When you release the brake, the electronic system send a charge to the system to start that cylinder." But my question is..." is that really the way it works?

I did a search. And the best I can come up with is that the system uses a "Starter assist"...What the heck does that mean?

This is a great forum with many well informed folks. I am glad to be a new member.

volrus

Interested in this also...

vic viper

The system uses the starter motor, its not more exotic than that unfortunately.

Vulcaneer

Thanks for the reply. I really had to wonder, since when ECO starts the motor, I really don't hear the starter motor. As I do when starting normally with the key. Since the system has been out a few years, has anyone heard of premature wear or failure on the starter motor?

Ron Jr

I hate ECO and wish I could turn it completely off.

fordracefan

I found this on the web for the CLS in 2010. So it is probably how it works in the W204. It isn't just the starter, but it does say the starter has been designed to withstand 8x the number of starts as before.

http://media.daimler.com/dcmedia/0-9...0-0-0-0-0.html

JaredP

I wanted to hate it, but could not find a reason to. I can't see how you would possibly have a problem with it.

stratman1954

I find the system to be somewhat erratic as far as when it chooses to turn off as well as having some engine vibration upon shut-off. I don't like it at all.

Ron Jr

To much hesitation on the restart. So as soon as I start the car off it goes.

Go Navy

I will not buy a Mercedes, or any car for that matter, that has this absurd Eco start feature, whether by any other name. This is a manifestation of the Kool Aid drinkers gone completely 'round the bend. Yes, I'm aware of the arguments in its favor, and I reject all of them. Yes, I drove an MB with it and do not like it at all.

fordracefan

I really want to like this feature, but when it shuts off the car when it is 95º and turns off the a/c and it doesn't shut down the car when it is 75º and I have then windows down and the A/C off it becomes very easy to dislike the system.

Gashde

Doesn't it shut off the engine but A/C still runs?? that's how it is with my mother's E class.

I always switch it off whenever I drive her car anyways, not the ECO type of guy

fordracefan

On my 2012 the A/C kicks off but the fan keeps blowing.

Vulcaneer

Agree, sometimes erratic. But I don't really care. Sometimes it shuts off sometimes it does not. Am sure it has it's reasons for it's behavior. I like when it shuts off and all is quiet. Of course, in New Hampshire so when the A/C goes off...not a big deal.

JaredP

This is exactly how I feel. It's difficult to notice when the engine turns off or on, so it makes no difference to me if the feature is meeting its parameters to be enabled/disabled.

jsa330

I hate it as well...I can feel it turning on and off, also don't like that the engine isn't running at all times. Really annoying and not worth the little bit of extra savings on gas.

Fortunately, I have to push only one button to turn it off...part of my startup routine.

BTW, this is my first post here - hello everyone!