2012 merc amg

I don't really hear this feature talked about much but anything 2018 and up with the 4.0 motor has it and not really sure how much I like it. There is no light or gauge on the dash to alert the driver as to when deactivation kicks in which is kind of strange but i can tell as you get just a slight vibration when the car is running in V4 formation. I also noticed this on my 2018 E63 amg with the 4.0. MB states this feature is good for a extra 10 percent increase in fuel economy, I'm really not so sure, my 2017 with the 4.7 and no cylinder deactivation seemed to get about the same fuel economy which was around 27 MPG at a constant highway speed. Does anyone else here notice this slight vibration in V4 mode crossing along the highway or am I just super sensitive. It's not really bad but is noticeable. At first I thought maybe it was tire balance issue but I don't think so. I am kinda a nit picker with mechanical type things.

The other thing I wish there was an indicator light for is when the Magic Body Control was active just so the driver knows it is working. I think once the sun starts going down it is not functional as the cameras cannot see the bumps in the road. They coulda had some kinda indicator saying MBC not active or something like that. At night time my 2017 seemed to ride better with it's non run flat tires, during the daylight hours my new to me 2018 with MBC seems to ride better.

Streamliner

I leased a 2018 S560 sedan for about 2.5 years and then traded it for a 2020. If there is cylinder deactivation, it is unknown to me, as the engine/transmission never reveal any hint that part of the engine is shutting down or restarting. The power is seamless and the car is a joy to drive. If I can’t feel it, if I can’t notice it, then I really don’t care.

2012 merc amg

There definitely is, it started with 2018 model year. With my 2018 E63 amg a light would come on the dash when it was activated, no light in the S class. I could feel it in that car and it feels the same with this S class, slight vibration in the steering wheel cruising along the highway or even around town at speeds over 45 mph with reduced load. The 2018 AMG also had a light that would come on with a glide mode when I let off the accelerator which displayed a sailboat. The S class does not have this glide feature, probably something to do with the different trans types, dual clutch vs torque converter. The glide feature seemed kinda useless as does the cylinder deactivation. Streamliner, do you find that the MBC makes much of difference?, seems like more than 50 percent of the time I really cant tell that much of difference although I do wish there was some kind of indicator showing it was active so at least I would know. I assume anytime it is light out and the car is in comfort mode the system is active.

The only other worrisome thing is the recall which may come out to do with the drain plugs with the possibly of the engine loosing oil under high oil pressures. I've seen a picture those plugs are in front of the block on the engine. I can't seem to find out which cars are affected but it looks to be 2018 and up.

Streamliner

I have the 2020 S560 with MBC and a 2019 E450 Wagon with AirMatic. The AirMatic is a wonderful suspension, but MBC really outshines it. I especially love the “curve” feature which makes this big, heavy saloon corner like it is on rails.

2012 merc amg

Yes the car does have a better feel to it than the 2017. I noticed that right away when I first test drove it. I still have not had much of a chance in corners to try the curve setting. I guess the main thing holding the car back is the Conti SSR run flats. I miss my Tiger Paws. Guess I’m stuck with the Conti’s for another 20k miles they are brand new.

teksurv

Not a S, but in my car the car has to be put into Eco mode (one below Comfort) in order to activate the sail function.

Streamliner

I drive my S in the “curve” mode, 100% of the time.

SW20S

Let me be your guinea pig, my replacements for those same tires go on tomorrow

With that said, don't wait 20k miles. I always replace crappy tires on new cars, I did it on my Lexuses too. You have such a great car, its a shame to make do on tires that diminish its performance for 20k miles.

2012 merc amg

Ya I hear you with replacing the SSR's. But I've found these type of tires very difficult to sell, probably would end up just giving them away which is kinda a waste. I'm sure you're gonna say when you put on the non run flats you are getting the car drives much better, no doubt it will. For me I'm just tired of tinkering around with things. Seems like 90 percent of the time when I do something like this the car will will have to go back to the independent shop or dealer or whoever installs the tires to get the balancing re done as they won't do that right and I'll have a steering wheel shake after. I dunno maybe it's a just a florida things but I get tired of bouncing back and forth to repair shops or dealers.

Interesting Streamliner about leaving it in curve mode all the time. I guess that's not such a bad idea. I did hit the curve mode button today when merging onto a sharp curve with the on ramp onto interstate 75, Yes the car does seem to handle better in that mode. I could feel the car leaning to the inside of the curve as if the curve was banked or something like a nascar race track. From what I read in the owners manual it looks like MBC is still active in that mode although not of active while in Sport mode. I'll have to try eco mode to and see if I get any better gas mileage on the highway. So far I'm always just a tad below 28 mpg with highway driving. Not all that great.

SW20S

I feel ya there. I’ve got a great shop though that always does it right so I’m not real worried about that.

2012 merc amg

The Cylinder deactivation is actually very hard to feel. It was done well by MB and most would not notice it. I think in reality what I'm feeling on the highway is tire vibration. Either my wheel balancing is off or the run flat tires are producing a slight vibration or it's possible I have a slightly bent rim or two. You can feel the cylinder deactivation if you are cruising along say around 50 mph under light throttle load and then you push the pedal down a little that slight vibration will go away as all eight cylinders are activated. A lot of people might not even be able to pick this up as it is so faint. I guess I'm just really perceptive with mechanical type things and feel these different things going on. Gonna bring the car in this week to get the wheel balancing checked out, I don't know why I'm even screwing around with this and not just scrapping the run flat tires. The tires were brand new when the car was Certified 3 weeks ago and only have around 500 miles on them. Conti SSR run flats. Hopefully I can make them work if only they would be a little smoother on the highway, I sure do hope it's just simple wheel balancing.

Denis Osullivan

Did this ever get resolved with your car? It seems I have the same critical vibration feeling with my car. I feel it in the steering wheel while maintaining highway speeds over 65mph. My wheels have been road forced balanced at the dealer.

Fred2

Where can I read up about the mechanics of the cylinder deactivation?
Is it just cutting off the injectors, or is something done with the cams or lifters?

2012 merc amg

I'm pretty sure my tires were flat spotted when I got the car as the car must have sat around some before I bought it. Seems like the tire and wheel vibration has gone away. I still do feel the Cylinder deactivation vibration. Mainly loafing along anything over 35 or so on back roads at a constant speed. Theres a slight vibration in the steering wheel. I did notice this too when I had my 2018 AMG E63. With that I verified that it was the cylinder deactivation with the light on the dash that would come on. The S does not have that light but the same system of cylinder deactivation. To learn more you might try a goggle search of Cylinder deactivation Mercedes, something like that.

S_W222

@2012 merc amg not sure if you stil havel this light vibration at very light acceleration and low speeds, but it seems like a common thing on many MB cars and only small % of drivers would notice it. I know what the solution is by the way. You have to deactivate the cylinder deactivation which is causing all that. You can simply deactivate cylinder deactivation operation by turning off the engine Auto stop/go button. See below.

ZAS “Cylinder deactivation” possible if:
• ECO start-stop system active, not deactivated via the Start / Stop key “—> so this means, if you turn it off, ZAS will be of too!” wierd connection between the two.
• Coolant temperature> 46 ℃ depending on the surrounding temperature and
requests for heating the cabin
• Comfort or ECO driving program from 2nd gear
• Vehicle speed> 18 km / h at engine speed <1600 rpm ("DCT")
• Vehicle speed> 45 km / h depending on the comfort request ("NVH")
• Catalyst temperature> 320 ℃
• Intake air temperature> -30 ℃
• Battery voltage> 10 V
ZAS not possible if:
• Coolant temperature> 110 ℃
• Sport, Manual driving modes, and during manual gear shifting
• Vehicle speed> 170 km / h or engine speed> 3800 rpm

2012 merc amg

I normally do turn off the eco button after I start the car. I’ve heard both start/stop and cyl deactivation is not good for the engine.

vinflouen

I have a 19 s560,
I tuned it with Renntech which did away with the cyl deactivation.
I also had benzninja take out eco stop start.
a tuned 560 is crazy fast.

S_W222

Was the tuning done specifically to remove cyl deactivation, or to make the engine smoother, or for increased HP?

vinflouen

HP

S_W222

what is the best website/resource in the US to get the module to deactivate the Auto Start/Stop?

vinflouen

benzninja.
it’s via programming.

W205C43PFL

You could consider the module by midcity engineering, mbhouse etc. never personally used it but mentioned several times by forum members, not sure if it works on this car though.

MBGuy2022

The build code on my 2019 S560 for this option is
936 CYLINDER SHUT-OFF

I'm getting an HHT module so I hope that takes care of the cylinder shut-off issues I get by disabling it.

W205C43PFL

Please let us know your experience with the HHT module once you get it.

MBGuy2022

It just arrived today. I have a few things to do before I will plug it in. Spark plugs, exhaust flap issue, engine and transmission module updates need to be addressed before I do anything with the tune. In the meantime I'm playing with the lowering module that came with it. I will start a new thread or continue another one on the engine tune when it's time.