Vrodman

Hey guys,

New to this board. Mostly hang in the w212 e63 board.

Bought the wife a 2013 fully loaded GLK 350 4matic.

We both find the automatic eco mode annoying. Guess we are not "green" people!

I checked out the manual and couldnt find a way to change the default at strartup to off instead of on.

Minor annoyance I admit. But having to turn it off everytime we get in is annoying.

Thanks in Advance!

NYCGLK

Sales guy said he has people offering cash to get this reprogrammed. So don't think you can change this without special equipment.

Vrodman

Thats not good. Ugh.

If people are that annoyed with it you would think they would offer a fix.

I have my e63 at dealer right now for warranty work. I will ask my advisor when I pick it up and see if he has an answer.

If he does I will update this thread.

Thanks for your reply.

spyked

I often wonder how long the button on the dash will last. I press it at least twice a day to turn off the stop/start function. BMW allowed their service people to program it. And now it's OFF as the default. You would think BMW's largest competitor, Mercedes, would allow it to be turned off permanently too.

bop11

Can't do it. It is that way to meet the EPA and CAFE millage requirement. Been like that since 2009.

NYCGLK

eco function didn't come out till 2012.

On my 2010, even tranny stays in "Sport". That changed in 2011 and now it reverts to "Comfort" every start.

PaulE550

Welcome to the wonderful world of government mandated vehicle setups in pursuit of an illusionary environmental goal. Sorry Vrodman, but there isn't a way to change the default setting of ECO Start / Stop. At least not without pulling the front console apart, which I have no interest in doing. So we all just have to start our vehicles and push the ECO button on the console. Not a biggie. You get used to it.

By the way, there is a similar thread on this exact same subject for almost every MB model on this site. That should tell you how popular this feature is.

sethro1980

No need to inject political rhetoric into a car forum. The need to reduce fossil fuel consumption is not an "illusionary environmental goal," but a real and necessary issue. Europe is way ahead on this. I can't point fingers because I chose the 350 instead of the diesel. But you wont find me complaining about having to press a button to save a couple mpg. It's not hard to do. Besides, when in S mode, my GLK holds gears far too long, especially 4th, even when not accelerating but just cruising at 45mph.

PaulE550

You'll notice if you actually read my posts, that I'm not complaining. I'm just telling people to not get so worked up over ECO Start / Stop and to just push the button, if they don't like it. After all, that is what the button is there for. By the way, MB had to incorporate technology like ECO into their vehicles to meet the increasing CAFE standards and tighter EPA rules, which are all designed to meet a specific political goals. So you can't completely divorce politics from any car forum today. Cars are constantly being redesigned to adhere to political mandates.

As to the need to emulate Europe in regards to reducing fuel consumption and increasing regulatory rules, if you really feel that way why are you driving an SUV? Hardly a typical vehicle for most Europeans even with a few kids. Shouldn't you be driving something more environmentally responsible along the lines of a Toyota Prius or a Smart car? Something with a much smaller carbon footprint and much better gas mileage.

Mulepick

I'd rather pay a little more for gas than prematurely replace a starter.

fabbrisd1

Well... Eco primarily uses injection to select cylinders to "restart" most of the time...

PaulE550

Exactly! A few pennies more for gas to be cheaper than having to get a new starter from MB much sooner than normal.

fabbrisd1

Interesting chat - a bit opinionated, but energetic..

1) Eco start/stop came from Euro mandate..under current US Federal and State fuel efficiency guidlines and objective... Eco start/stop has no impact..

2) Of interest - for owner's that take interest in everyday fuel economy.. are surpised at the positive impact... in 20-25 minute commute traffic my non-metro area, suprisingly the % of drive time - 10%-20% spent at stoplights etc. My daughter in San Diego, her case, reports her overall 14 E350 "saves" her about 10% with Eco on, as compared to Eco off...again her #'s becuase she wanted to "measure" the impact.

3) ZRe-start normally is accomp[lished without starter ... by engine detecting those cyclinders near TDC..and injection overide injects more fuel, actually similar to a "diesel" startup..with the tranny lept at operating pressure by electric pump for roll-off.. kindof a combo of higher injection pressures. electronic injection control, and tranny and coolant systems circulating at pressure.

4) Sure, would prefer user option set off or on, rather than consoloe switch for balance of drive..

C_DirtyTwo

So even if you have a DAS with developer mode you can't turn off the automatic eco mode?

SteveE400

Don't forget that the posts in the other forums also mention a company in Chicago that markets a module that can be installed which will allow the user to decide the default mode for their car (e.g. the user can set their car to always start with Eco off).


I'm not sure of any impact this add-on may have to warranty, and I am not in any way affiliated with that company - just mentioning it so that interested parties know the info is there if they search for it.

dbldpr

Module is from Midcity engineering in Chicago Google it, contact them and they can send out the module. Then have someone install module. Had it done no effect on warranty. One of the Best things I have done to car. Look up previous post under eco button disconnected on the forum it gives phone number.

ZZGlk

I looked on the Midcity Engineering site and the module they sell is listed as working for S and E class vehicles. I sent a message asking about availability for GLK, but haven't heard back at this time. I'm thinking a simple time delay relay would probably duplicate the function of pushing the button to defeat Eco, but haven't been able to locate a wiring diagram to confirm it. I am hoping Alldata will have the diagram available soon. They current have up to 2012 data (which doesn't have Eco circuitry), but nothing for my 2013 yet. Once I hear back from Midcity or confirm wiring for a time delay shutoff , I'll post the info.

dbldpr

They are bad at getting back. I would call them about 11:30 am central time. I know they have a module for all the Mercedes. Good luck

fabbrisd1

I would suggest trying MidCity's distributor MovingOn Sounds - (516) 489-9015 - good people, and they have good hands on experience.. upstate NY fols if I remember correctly ---

AZ350GLK

The ECO mode is a bunch of BS.
Here in Phoenix it won't turn on once you have the A/C running on low on 2x speed.
I also find it annoying and rather have it turn on at my liking.
Also wish that the exhaust would sound more mean without turning on sports mode.

dbldpr

Contact Mid city engineering in Chicago and they will send you a module that will automatically turn it off when you start up. If you are not handy then someone will have to install it. With installation mine cost about $200.

Mulepick

ECO is the default mode to avoid the gas guzzler tax.

meecmerc

AND every coil - which are hard to find for this reason

SteveKing84

Raise the dead, it's Halloween time! 🎃