ECO Mode
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 463
Likes: 145
From: Toronto, Canada
2023 GLE63S - Edition 55
There are a lot of variables to the answer to this question... For starters, it depends on the car, how annoying it is and also your daily commute, whether you spend tons of time sitting in traffic. On my wife's Tiguan, I've programmed it to be always off because its a terrible implementation, its rough and you notice an obvious jerk every time it engages. On my GLE450, because of the EQ Boost electric hybrid setup, it's virtually invisible and works seamlessly. There are other factors that have been debated regarding the wear and tear on the engine and components but again with the setup in the 450, its not your typical starter motor so that argument is somewhat irrelevant. I have been getting 26-27 MPG lately so it seems to be working well.
Another really cool feature of the ECO mode is the coasting ability. I've coasted for several minutes on the odd occasion and I can see my fuel economy numbers climb. It also uses the radar system to detect traffic ahead and engages the motor which then uses compression to slow you down. It's truly a clever system !
Another really cool feature of the ECO mode is the coasting ability. I've coasted for several minutes on the odd occasion and I can see my fuel economy numbers climb. It also uses the radar system to detect traffic ahead and engages the motor which then uses compression to slow you down. It's truly a clever system !
Last edited by chrislk55; Nov 20, 2020 at 05:27 PM.
Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 129
Likes: 20
From: Florida
2025 Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid + 2023 EQS 580 SUV
There are a lot of variables to the answer to this question... For starters, it depends on the car, how annoying it is and also your daily commute, whether you spend tons of time sitting in traffic. On my wife's Tiguan, I've programmed it to be always off because its a terrible implementation, its rough and you notice an obvious jerk every time it engages. On my GLE450, because of the EQ Boost electric hybrid setup, it's virtually invisible and works seamlessly. There are other factors that have been debated regarding the wear and tear on the engine and components but again with the setup in the 450, its not your typical starter motor so that argument is somewhat irrelevant. I have been getting 26-27 MPG lately so it seems to be working well.
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 3,391
Likes: 1,040
From: Boise
2024 GMC Canyon Denali..... 2018 Audi SQ5
The feature that’s different in Eco is the way the 450 engine is uncoupled from the drive train and shuts off going down grades or coasting while recharging the battery. That’s the way I remember the description. Never tried it but in the mountains it could make a difference in mpg.
Last edited by Ron.s; Nov 20, 2020 at 05:34 PM.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 3,391
Likes: 1,040
From: Boise
2024 GMC Canyon Denali..... 2018 Audi SQ5
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 496
Likes: 214
From: Philadelphia, PA
2020 Mercedes GLE 450
On 350, the engine is decoupled from the transmission.
On 450, the engine is actually turn off when the condition met.
It is only active when engine is on ECO mode, and you can tell it is active when the gear indicator has a green 'D'
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 463
Likes: 145
From: Toronto, Canada
2023 GLE63S - Edition 55
The feature that’s different in Eco is the way the 450 engine is uncoupled from the drive train and shuts off going down grades or coasting while recharging the battery. That’s the way I remember the description. Never tried it but in the mountains it could make a difference in mpg.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 3,391
Likes: 1,040
From: Boise
2024 GMC Canyon Denali..... 2018 Audi SQ5
Here’s what Mercedes says about EQ Boost-Eco assist:
ECO Assist takes the following traffic situations and information into account in its driving recommendations and efficiency strategy:
Within the limits of the system, ECO Assist regulates the impetus according to the situation as soon as the driver's foot is lifted off the accelerator. The driver is given a discreet prompt to do this by the appearance of a "release accelerator" symbol in the central display (or if installed, in the head-up display). At the same time a diagram gives the driver the reason for the recommendation (e.g. "Junction ahead" or "Gradient ahead").
To increase the driver's motivation to follow the recommendations of ECO Assist, the on-board computer records how many kilometres/for how much time during a journey the car is driven with the engine switched off, and shows this in the central display. Rewards not only materialise in the shape of reduced fuel consumption, but also of increased (fully electric) range.
This is for the S class-the display on the 450 only shoes the foot off accelerator if I remember correctly.
ECO Assist takes the following traffic situations and information into account in its driving recommendations and efficiency strategy:
- Route profile (bends, junctions, roundabouts)
- Speed limits
- Distance from vehicles ahead.
Within the limits of the system, ECO Assist regulates the impetus according to the situation as soon as the driver's foot is lifted off the accelerator. The driver is given a discreet prompt to do this by the appearance of a "release accelerator" symbol in the central display (or if installed, in the head-up display). At the same time a diagram gives the driver the reason for the recommendation (e.g. "Junction ahead" or "Gradient ahead").
To increase the driver's motivation to follow the recommendations of ECO Assist, the on-board computer records how many kilometres/for how much time during a journey the car is driven with the engine switched off, and shows this in the central display. Rewards not only materialise in the shape of reduced fuel consumption, but also of increased (fully electric) range.
This is for the S class-the display on the 450 only shoes the foot off accelerator if I remember correctly.
Last edited by Ron.s; Nov 20, 2020 at 06:43 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 777
Likes: 416
From: Pennsylvania
2024 GLE 450 4matic
The stop/start function is at best an annoyance and eventually an expensive repair to replace the starter. I can't tell any difference between Eco mode and Comfort. Remember we're dealing with government bureaucrats who aren't that bright. These green technologies are developed to satisfy a feel good agenda rather than something practical.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 882
Likes: 159
S204 C250 CDI Sport
Tried and tested and found to have a saving , trouble is that's the same lab treadmill that gives us the BS mpg figures too .
Real world no gain , switch it off , disable , program , your chain tensioner , engine mounts , starter motor , alternator , battery and ring gear will thank you for it .
Real world no gain , switch it off , disable , program , your chain tensioner , engine mounts , starter motor , alternator , battery and ring gear will thank you for it .
Junior Member
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 44
Likes: 11
From: Ontario, Canada
E63S Wagon
I find the feature to be very annoying at times ... roll up to my garage door, press the opener, car has shut itself off for a few seconds etc. etc. etc. I can't believe it does anything significant for fuel economy but it certainly must add wear and tear to various components.
Worst of all, I was always taught with turbocharged cars NEVER to turn them off immediately after coming to rest unless they'd had a minute or so at idle (this is especially true if you've been driving hard) -- that's just enough time for the red hot bearings to cool down a bit thus prolonging the life of the turbocharger. Eco start/stop completely overlooks this element of "turbo care" -- okay, with modern bearing materials and synthetic oils etc. it's probably not as critical as it once was, nevertheless, it can't be doing any good.
I ALWAYS TURN OFF THIS DAMN ANNOYING FEATURE AND IF I COULD PERMANENTLY DEFEAT IT I WOULD.
Worst of all, I was always taught with turbocharged cars NEVER to turn them off immediately after coming to rest unless they'd had a minute or so at idle (this is especially true if you've been driving hard) -- that's just enough time for the red hot bearings to cool down a bit thus prolonging the life of the turbocharger. Eco start/stop completely overlooks this element of "turbo care" -- okay, with modern bearing materials and synthetic oils etc. it's probably not as critical as it once was, nevertheless, it can't be doing any good.
I ALWAYS TURN OFF THIS DAMN ANNOYING FEATURE AND IF I COULD PERMANENTLY DEFEAT IT I WOULD.
Last edited by Spitfire63; Nov 22, 2020 at 10:19 AM.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 226
Likes: 64
bmw 535i xdrive
I think you’re confusing the auto start/stop with the ECO mode. Start/stop is active both in the ECO mode and the COMFORT mode. My question is if anyone has noticed better MPG in the ECO mode?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,771
Likes: 1,264
From: Lake Oswego, OR
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
ECO mode
I got almost 30 mpg for 200 miles in my 450 descending from Crater Lake to the coast (-6,000 ft.) using ECO mode. But, typically I don't bother with it.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 7,018
Likes: 2,199
From: Colorado
'21 AMG53 wDPP & ARC, 19 GLC300 - Former-03 C240,2 ML BlueTecs,20 GLE450 E-ABC,15 Cayenne D,17 Macan
I find the feature to be very annoying at times ... roll up to my garage door, press the opener, car has shut itself off for a few seconds etc. etc. etc. I can't believe it does anything significant for fuel economy but it certainly must add wear and tear to various components.
Worst of all, I was always taught with turbocharged cars NEVER to turn them off immediately after coming to rest unless they'd had a minute or so at idle (this is especially true if you've been driving hard) -- that's just enough time for the red hot bearings to cool down a bit thus prolonging the life of the turbocharger. Eco start/stop completely overlooks this element of "turbo care" -- okay, with modern bearing materials and synthetic oils etc. it's probably not as critical as it once was, nevertheless, it can't be doing any good.
I ALWAYS TURN OFF THIS DAMN ANNOYING FEATURE AND IF I COULD PERMANENTLY DEFEAT IT I WOULD.
Worst of all, I was always taught with turbocharged cars NEVER to turn them off immediately after coming to rest unless they'd had a minute or so at idle (this is especially true if you've been driving hard) -- that's just enough time for the red hot bearings to cool down a bit thus prolonging the life of the turbocharger. Eco start/stop completely overlooks this element of "turbo care" -- okay, with modern bearing materials and synthetic oils etc. it's probably not as critical as it once was, nevertheless, it can't be doing any good.
I ALWAYS TURN OFF THIS DAMN ANNOYING FEATURE AND IF I COULD PERMANENTLY DEFEAT IT I WOULD.
HOWEVER most manufacturers of turbo cars fixed that deficiency in the 80's, when they added electric-driven pumps (water and/or oil) that cools the turbos after the engine stops. So it's not an issue any more.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 44
Likes: 11
From: Ontario, Canada
E63S Wagon
I wasn't really confusing anything with anything, but you're quite correct, you were specifically asking about ECO mode, which is not what I ranted on about.
Last edited by Spitfire63; Nov 22, 2020 at 01:28 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 44
Likes: 11
From: Ontario, Canada
E63S Wagon
That's good to know ... I wasn't aware of that ... is this 100% the case for our cars and for other modern era turbo vehicles?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 7,018
Likes: 2,199
From: Colorado
'21 AMG53 wDPP & ARC, 19 GLC300 - Former-03 C240,2 ML BlueTecs,20 GLE450 E-ABC,15 Cayenne D,17 Macan
What I don't know, is if most manufacturers enable their thermo-sensors to re-start a cooling cycle should the turbo housing reheat from a heat soak, until the threat has passed completely.
And I assume (!) that what I heard from our Bluetec, for maybe 15 minutes after shutdown, was the coolant pump restarting from time to time to re-cool the turbo. I haven't noticed it with the 450, but I was still in break-in mode.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 463
Likes: 145
From: Toronto, Canada
2023 GLE63S - Edition 55
I've been using ECO mode exclusively for the past few days and I've consistently seen a 2-3 MPG improvement from comfort mode. I've been getting 26 - 26.5 MPG on my daily commute which is a mix of city and highway driving. That's very similar to what I was getting with my previous ML350 diesel. Pretty impressive !!!
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 698
Likes: 154
From: Teaneck, NJ
2023 EQB300
I consistently used ECO mode in my 2018 GLC and now in the 2021 GLE350. I push it to Sport to merge onto short NJ hwy entrances. The GLC had a Sport+ which gave better shift points and more zip for merges. Never programmed Individual mode.
