Auto start stop - increased wear or not?
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Joined: Sep 2020
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2020 GLS 450
Auto start stop - increased wear or not?
I hate the auto start stop Function on modern cars. My Porsche’s have it but I always shut it off. I was in an Uber and the guy said he had been through 2 starters on his car.
Now granted I am sure the parts on our new GLS 450 are more robust, but I am of the opinion to still turn it off as much as possible to prevent unnecessary wear and tear.
Are others in agreement or am I too worried about it? I keep my cars upwards to 8 years or more...
I could care less about gas mileage.
Now granted I am sure the parts on our new GLS 450 are more robust, but I am of the opinion to still turn it off as much as possible to prevent unnecessary wear and tear.
Are others in agreement or am I too worried about it? I keep my cars upwards to 8 years or more...
I could care less about gas mileage.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 16
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From: USA
2019 E300 Luxury Package 2020 GLS 450
The new 48V inline sixes actually don't have a traditional starter motor, its an "integrated starter generator". It should be resistant to excess wear from the stop start feature because it is basically an electric drive motor rather than a traditional smaller starter motor. I actually think the stop start system works really well on this engine specifically, its very unobtrusive and the highway fuel free coasting in eco mode got me roughly 28 mpg over a 6000 mile road trip.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 287
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From: McLean, VA
2011 Audi A4, 2014 E63S Wagon, 2020 GLS 580
Agree, the start stop system on the 580 is almost undetectable when it turns off and on compared to my 2014 E63S which turns off with a jolt and back on the same way.
My only complaint is with the drive by wire pedals. I have a hard time easing into the accelerator from a stop, the pedal seems very nonlinear. If you mash it, no problem, but trying to do a smooth takeoff in a 30 mph zone I find more difficult. I also find in certain situations like backing out of the garage, the brake by wire seems to over react, making for a choppy exit. I suspect this is the brakes working in combo with the parking sensors that are detecting close proximity to the garage door sidewall but it does make it hard to back out without the vehicle seeming to brake on its own.
My only complaint is with the drive by wire pedals. I have a hard time easing into the accelerator from a stop, the pedal seems very nonlinear. If you mash it, no problem, but trying to do a smooth takeoff in a 30 mph zone I find more difficult. I also find in certain situations like backing out of the garage, the brake by wire seems to over react, making for a choppy exit. I suspect this is the brakes working in combo with the parking sensors that are detecting close proximity to the garage door sidewall but it does make it hard to back out without the vehicle seeming to brake on its own.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 32
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From: Long Beach, CA
'20 GL450 Cardinal Red/Expresso, 991.1 C2S Cab, 991.2 GT3, 971 Panamera 4E-H ST
Coming up on 1k of ownership and I agree also... the stop/start and integration between the ICE and e-motor seems very seamless and the 48V setup gives me peace of mind. I also have a 2018 Panamera e-Hybrid, which is a plug in that can go 20+ miles on the battery alone. It feels a lot rougher transitioning between one to the other. The one paranoid thought I keep having on that car is that I'm cruising on battery power all the way to the freeway onramp, then I mash on the accelerator. The ICE goes from dead cold to red line in an instant and I blow up the engine, lol. No such fear with the GLS.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2017
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2020 GLS450 (wife) / 2024 Ford Bronco (mine) / 2014 VW Tiquan (son)
I’m not worried about it on this car either. It
starts so smoothly and instantly, it is truly unique. Only thing I think will wear out slightly faster with it on than off might be the engine mounts if the engine is rocking back and forth during the process - but an in-line versus a V design, I think is less rocking around.
now on my 2014 E350 sedan - yeah, second button I I always hit (first being the starter button) is the one that turns the start/stop off. Way too annoying and intrusive to live with in my opinion. That car only has 50k miles on it, and already on its second set of engine and transmission mounts, otherwise it’s a flawless road machine as well!
starts so smoothly and instantly, it is truly unique. Only thing I think will wear out slightly faster with it on than off might be the engine mounts if the engine is rocking back and forth during the process - but an in-line versus a V design, I think is less rocking around.
now on my 2014 E350 sedan - yeah, second button I I always hit (first being the starter button) is the one that turns the start/stop off. Way too annoying and intrusive to live with in my opinion. That car only has 50k miles on it, and already on its second set of engine and transmission mounts, otherwise it’s a flawless road machine as well!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2014
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From: WI
17 E43; 21 GLS580
On my quick test drive I dint even notice it. On my 550 its also imperceptible except that the AC stops cooling. With the 48V system doesnt happen since the compressor is electric.
