Mitch Alsup

I am the owner of a GLS 450 made in the first few weeks of production.
During my annual service (which for me ended up at 1.5 years) the starter battery was replaced under warranty.

About 2 weeks ago, the check engine light illuminated (50%-70% of the time) and at the service, the tech determined that the starter battery capacity was the root of the CEL, and replaced the battery.

This could be completely coincidental, but I generally get 4+ years of life out of a battery in a new car/SUV.

So, let us use this thread to accumulate statistics on starter battery replacements due to the stop-start feature on these SUVs. Just to see if battery life is being negatively impacted by this new feature.

fabbrisd1

Well... frankly ECO start-stop doesn't use the "starter" motor like conventional start up - think of ECO start-stop as as a "bump-start" triggered thru the fuel injection.

If ECO bothers you - check out the trickster USB reprogrammer from Vladimir on eBay

Mitch Alsup

ECO does not bother me, I kinda like it.
However if it costs a battery per year (per 2 years), it is not worth the gasoline savings.

And where others have early battery replacements (or not) is the reason this thread exists.
I am particularly interested about those GLSs past their second year, and older.

opelrsx

Anyone has that OBD plug from ebay? Does it void warranty?

The ECO start-stop is very annoying to me. Sure you can just press the button turn it off, but everytime you change driving mode, it will restart on its own.

DoberdadinMD

I did a test drive of an '18 GLS450 and the engine isn't cutting out when stopping despite the indicator light being on. I thought it was standard for this MY, but maybe it was an option? It's not an AMG and I was in comfort mode.

chassis

Were the climate control, heated seats, rear glass defroster or steering wheel heating turned on?

DoberdadinMD

Climate control was most likely on. Definitely none of the others. We were 70F here today.

John CC

I was going to say, ours doesn't do it very often in the winter, but...

DoberdadinMD

Thanks for the replies. It sounds like this was standard on this model year and may or may not be working on this particular vehicle.

mike10872

same here. light is green no CEL. never worked since i purchased it used with 59k from a non dealer.

John CC

There are a lot of conditions that must be met for the start/stop system to activate. From the Owner's manual:
The ECO start/stop function is operational when:
.

• the indicator lamp in the ECO button is lit green.
• the Sport Plus or Sport drive program is not selected (Mercedes-AMG vehicles)
• no off-road program has been selected
• the outside temperature is within the range that is suitable for the system
• the engine is at normal operating temperature
• the set temperature for the vehicle interior has been reached
• the battery is sufficiently charged
• the system detects that the windshield is not fogged up when the air-conditioning system is switched on
• the hood is closed
• the driver's door is closed and the driver's seat belt is fastened

There is also an auxiliary battery that I understand is required for the system to function.

CrazyBiker

Thanks! I was wondering why the start stop no longer works since cooler weather has started