markchenguk

My car is a C200 AMG Line (UK 2015). I can change the agility setting to ECO/Comfort/Sport etc using the toggle switch on the centre console. However, I noticed when I start the engine in the morning, it always goes back to Comfort. Does anyone know how to set the default to "ECO"?

StanNH

That is the default mode, and it's normal for the car to always start in Comfort mode. A minor annoyance, but an annoyance none the less.

markchenguk

Thanks for the reply, StanNH. This is what I notice and I keep changing it to ECO everytime thinking it will save some fuel. In the Vehicle Settings, it seems you can change the default mode but it still starts with Comfort.


The big question is if it is really saving fuel, or in other words, is it worth the bother?

Mike5215

MidCity Engineering makes an auto-stop defeat module for the 205 that will also retain the last agility mode at restart.

Razzyh

Stick to comfort mode, eco mode is really for motorway cruising and is dangerous (imo) at junctions/roundabouts etc. as when you want to pull out there is a delay with the throttle response.

markchenguk

Just read the car manual, it retains setting for 4 hours. If the engine is started after 4 hours, it will always go back to Comfort mode. I can live with that.


My next question is what ECO will do different from Comfort mode? I read it will reduce the air con, and heated seat. What else will it do to save the fuel? Is it really saving fuel and how much? Is it worth to worry about if it is sub-10%?

Razzyh

i doubt you'll save that much in fuel.

MJ83

Be thankful you have this available to you in the UK. They robbed us of this feature in the US, and our car defaults to comfort immediately after turning the car off.

sean1.8t

It does not retain the mode for 4 hours. Your car will always revert to "comfort" mode when started. Even if you stop the car and turn it on 1 second later.

The heated seat is an electrical function and is not effected by different mode settings. But yes, the A/C is dialed back. As well as throttle response, ignition timing, mapping, boost(not sure on this, just guessing), as well as a few other things that simply dial down power of the motor to save fuel.

You'll likely only gain 1 or 2 MPGs when in "ECO" mode compared to "Comfort". Only way to find out is to calculate your mileage by driving a few tanks of gas in each mode. It's hard to be scientific about this since there are so many variables while driving, but if you do very similar driving throughout each tank, it'll be close enough.


At the end of the day, if you're driving a Mercedes, you really shouldn't be concerned with a difference of MPGs. That's for people that can only afford 7 year old Kia's. Just my opinion of course.

gfmohn

Agreed. At one stop sign which I pass regularly, Comfort has too much lag for me. I normally use Comfort, but visibility is so limited at that stop sign and the crossing traffic some on so fast, that I shift to Sport as I approach it. (On my C300 4MATIC Luxury, Sport Plus just adds noises not appropriate to a Mercedes. The car is not quicker off the line and does not accelerate harder.)

DBOC205

It's market dependent. There's a bit setting within the ECU which determines the default behavior and there are three modes (always remember, remember for 4 hours or never remember). Default for US market is not to remember the last mode.

grege

Great info DBOC! Have you any idea if dealers will change this in your region? I'd like to ask mine to be reset remember last at restart, no revert. My wife would also like the same in her A. Both Nov 2016 new cars. Greg

auditoamg

Do you know what controller this is from???
I have a vendor that MIGHT be able to program this via obdii as they currently make a module that reprograms eco mode off permanently.

They are out of Russia and asked for the controller!
If this works, it will be better than the mid city module and require no wiring...

DBOC205

I seriously doubt that dealers have capability or will power to change it. You need factory ECU software to manipulate the settings, although Xentry Online coding (which is what dealers have access to) can also influence it since that can flash a module, but this is limited to 'official' factory config and upgrades only (linked to the vehicle configuration in their database via the VIN), to guard against incorrect configurations being loaded onto the vehicle.

Vediamo is one of the tools that allows you to do coding and get all kinds of data from the many ECUs on the car. You can get hold of Vediamo easily enough but the engine control modules on the 205 are locked down to protect them from changes. Some people out there claim to have cracked the seed/key/response algorithm to unlock modules but its all murky business. MHH Auto forums is the place to look if you want to explore that world in more detail.

DapperStyle

I wonder what's the benefit of MB having such a locked down system vs BMW/VAG that aren't as locked down.

grege

Yeah that was my feeling too DBOC, it will be tightly managed. I have a product of my own that has canbus interface, may try to find what the codes are from the control switches and just emulate that, which is no doubt what the midcity does.
Dapper - when u think of the liability potential from permitting people to fiddle with car software, I'm not surprised!

gfmohn

I take back what I implied about Eco mode! I merely assumed that Eco would be less responsive than Comfort mode. I had actually used Eco only a couple times when the car was new. Since I commented on Mar. 25, I have run a couple tankfuls of gas through the car. I used Eco, except when I forgot to engage it). My mileage (measured with pump receipts and odometer readings) increased from about 21.6 to 24.7 MPG (or 14.3%). "Your mileage may vary!"

What surprised me most was the responsiveness of Eco, at least in my car. It moves off the line IMMEDIATELY, much better than in Comfort. That first car length or two is all I care about. Of course, there is less total power, but the turbo and/or the engine does not have to wind up to deliver it. If I need more power, all I have to do is step on the pedal harder. Who floors it in winding lanes and 40-MPH suburban road? The overall effect is like driving a fairly powerful manual transmission car in a cruising gear and then stomping the gas without downshifting. It suits my driving style.

DapperStyle

It's not really "permitting" if it's not advertised. With BMW and VAG they certainly don't advertise it but those who do their research can reap the benefits and take on the risk.

Tim Gates

YES!!!! Glide mode only works in eco-mode. Glide mode is available in automatics when you lift your foot off the Excelerator pedal the car disengages the gear so you are gliding and the engine is running at tickeover. You can tell this because the D the drive has no number next to it and it’s just green and the revs drop down to tickover. This saves a lot of petrol in my experience. If you have an auto break I on the front of your car when the car in front gets to a certain distance it will automatically re-engage the gear

krazzdav

DBOC or anyone else have you done this in a MED40? I looked and tried changing a few settings around where you set the ECO Start/Stop to last mode but Comfort still defaults when the vehicle is first started.

Could it be possible this isn't listed now and have to manually code the setting like the momentary blinker flash? If so what bits need changed?

fabbrisd1

eBay - Vladimir from Belarus - his OBD module does the hard re-programming ob boot-up that is necessary to get "last mode selected" - on US spec MB's - you can't get there with "soft" over-ride tfrom SDFS/or-equivalents..

krazzdav

Any hard obd module that people sell is just doing the soft programming behind the seens.

Anyone know where in Vediamo to change the comfort transmission feature to last mode or which bit to change in MED40 via Vediamo like DBOC did on another ECU?
I did already configure the Eco start to last mode so it remains off now.

jnash

select your *.cbf module into Vediamo, then do an init with the car's module, then save the file to an HTML, then you can read the HTML in formatted space in a browser with all your settings. Then you can search for the parameter you want to change offline. It might be in german of course.