AvWuff

Hi guys,

The Diesel GLK250 sold in North America does not come with the ECO Start/Stop feature. The GLK350 (gasoline) does. This is the feature where the engine turns off when you stop at a red light in most circumstances.

I drove a 2013 GLK250 in Germany that had this feature, so it is something that is available on Diesel cars.

Does anyone have any ideas on how we might "enable" this feature on our cars?

Thanks,
-av

fabbrisd1

Not possible...

AvWuff

I appreciate your reply, but it clearly is possible, since the German cars have it, and the cars are made in the same factory. I drove one there and it worked very well.

Clearly there is simply a difference in the parts and/or programming, and I am curious as to what that difference is.

mjhawkins2346

Not possible doesn't refer to the possibility just to the effort and the size of your wallet. There may be a lot of ECU changes and reprogramming, different wiring harness hookups, beefier parts. You can't possibly recover the expense and support from MB would be a nightmare.
I am a mileage hound too but the project would consume you.

fabbrisd1

Not possible is exactly the way it is - not possible - US mandate Eco is not approved/yet for GLK250

AvWuff

I'm in Canada... ;-)

Anyway thanks for your advise. I imagine it probably is a really simple thing, like just a reprogrammed ECU.

Peef

Not necessarily - at the very least there needs to be a more robust starter motor, if only due to an order of magnitude higher number of cycles it'll have to endure

koalatm

Agreed. I'd be worried about the starter motor for one. Also, the excess wear and tear are not appealing IMO.

The amount it would cost to retrofit would likely negate the fuel savings unless over a very extended range.