Start/Stop ECO Deactivation
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 160
Likes: 82
From: Sandy Springs, GA
'15 E350, '20 S560
Start/Stop ECO Deactivation
I didn’t realize it until yesterday, but the system is designed to deactivate when the ambient temperature is low, somewhere around 40° and lower. Fortunately, I live in Atlanta where this feature isn’t tested too often, but it was yesterday and probably will be again for the remainder of this week. There are other times when the “little green gremlin” doesn’t appear but I thought this case was interesting. Another detailed explanation brought to me courtesy of Grok.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,641
Likes: 1,224
From: Phoenix
222 S-65
I didn’t realize it until yesterday, but the system is designed to deactivate when the ambient temperature is low, somewhere around 40° and lower. Fortunately, I live in Atlanta where this feature isn’t tested too often, but it was yesterday and probably will be again for the remainder of this week. There are other times when the “little green gremlin” doesn’t appear but I thought this case was interesting. Another detailed explanation brought to me courtesy of Grok.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2025
Posts: 784
Likes: 249
From: USA
I didn’t realize it until yesterday, but the system is designed to deactivate when the ambient temperature is low, somewhere around 40° and lower. Fortunately, I live in Atlanta where this feature isn’t tested too often, but it was yesterday and probably will be again for the remainder of this week. There are other times when the “little green gremlin” doesn’t appear but I thought this case was interesting. Another detailed explanation brought to me courtesy of Grok.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 713
Likes: 147
From: Aridzona
'15 S550, '10 E350 P1/P2, '02 ML320
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 5,156
Likes: 1,770
From: Colorado
G550
The cold temperature disable of ECO S/S is mainly a consequence of battery capacity which can be reduced to half at 32F/0C, and the less efficient charging at this temperature. Shutting off the engine and not having enough charge to restart it is avoided by disabling ECO S/S. It's easy enough to code off with OBD scanners, such as the Launch, which is what I and many others have done.
Banned
Joined: Nov 2025
Posts: 477
Likes: 187
From: US
Mercedes SL R231
It’s not a single sensor that controls the ECO START/STOP. There are multiple inputs, as stated elsewhere here, that the ECU uses. Best to completely disable it — there is no significant upside to using it.
Trending Topics
Member
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 112
Likes: 33
From: Mt Pleasant, SC
2018 S560
Experiments have been performed that showed Engine Start/Stop causes excessive wear to engines. Doesn't matter if the engine is warm or not, it still wears out faster. Best to disable it always if you care about engine longevity.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 3,154
Likes: 1,529
From: U.S.
Current/Last 5-years:GLS;G70;Alpina B8;X7;Accord. Sold:X7,TeslaS;S560;S550,X5;530e;L.Navigator;LS460
I've had that coded on my W222 in the past. Max from @EleBest , official forum sponsor, did it for me and he also eliminated the (4-cylinder) deactivation which is also a part of this eco mode while driving sometimes and cause tiny vibration.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 779
Likes: 205
From: Texas
63 Falcon vert
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2025
Posts: 265
Likes: 89
From: Seattle
Currently ‘2015 S550 4matic. Previously 03 E320, ‘06 S430, ‘08 S550 4matic
Who is Peter? What does it take for him to program my car to remember “last setting”.
I also have seen references to a module to plug into the car to reprogram the system.
They cost $200.
If someone out there has one they don’t need again, I would like to buy/rent it.
BTW…my S550 is 2015 4matic.
thanks for the help
Chuck
Member
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 224
Likes: 133
From: Colorado
2015 S550 4Matic, 2014 ML550
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2025
Posts: 265
Likes: 89
From: Seattle
Currently ‘2015 S550 4matic. Previously 03 E320, ‘06 S430, ‘08 S550 4matic
I thought that he might be BenzNinja but wanted to make sure.
Banned
Joined: Nov 2025
Posts: 477
Likes: 187
From: US
Mercedes SL R231
Mid City Engineering makes the module. It is for a single car use. You cannot reuse on a different car. Put the money towards a BenzNinja Club lifetime membership. You will get so much more use out of it.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2025
Posts: 265
Likes: 89
From: Seattle
Currently ‘2015 S550 4matic. Previously 03 E320, ‘06 S430, ‘08 S550 4matic
I am looking into the BenzNinja program.
At my age (77) a lifetime membership to anything is almost laughable!
However, once I get things arranged, it sounds like a lot of fun to play with upgrades.
I appreciate your help
Chuck
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 743
Likes: 228
From: Santa Barbara, CA
S550C4, Porsche Cayenne
I didn’t realize it until yesterday, but the system is designed to deactivate when the ambient temperature is low, somewhere around 40° and lower. Fortunately, I live in Atlanta where this feature isn’t tested too often, but it was yesterday and probably will be again for the remainder of this week. There are other times when the “little green gremlin” doesn’t appear but I thought this case was interesting. Another detailed explanation brought to me courtesy of Grok.
Banned
Joined: Nov 2025
Posts: 477
Likes: 187
From: US
Mercedes SL R231
thank you..that advice helps a lot.
I am looking into the BenzNinja program.
At my age (77) a lifetime membership to anything is almost laughable!
However, once I get things arranged, it sounds like a lot of fun to play with upgrades.
I appreciate your help
Chuck
I am looking into the BenzNinja program.
At my age (77) a lifetime membership to anything is almost laughable!
However, once I get things arranged, it sounds like a lot of fun to play with upgrades.
I appreciate your help
Chuck
Banned
Joined: Nov 2025
Posts: 477
Likes: 187
From: US
Mercedes SL R231
One of my cars is like that. The problem is that it would start working when I didn’t expect it. I HATE Start/Stop! Both cars now have it permanently deactivated.
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,498
Likes: 6,347
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 573
Likes: 179
From: Half Moon Bay, CA
2016 S550e, 2005 Nissan Xterra 4x4, 1984 300ZX
The S550e does this but totally smooth and engine shuts down as you coast or brake into a stop, and the electric motor brings the car off the line and it gently kicks in. This is the only car that I have not deactivated this (well rental cars at least where I literally Googled it as it was so annoying).
Benzninja was awesome, for sure you need to turn on the Intelligent Lighting System (ILS), which is the biggest upgrade I did with him (Google it total game changer for night driving), he also converted my gas gauge to gallons vs percentage, video/text while moving (not that great as my 16' still is not very good at text as you cannot use the excellent voice input), engine data (horsepower/torque/amps/oil temp) and lowered by 1". He also updated the maps which I don't use often.
Benzninja was awesome, for sure you need to turn on the Intelligent Lighting System (ILS), which is the biggest upgrade I did with him (Google it total game changer for night driving), he also converted my gas gauge to gallons vs percentage, video/text while moving (not that great as my 16' still is not very good at text as you cannot use the excellent voice input), engine data (horsepower/torque/amps/oil temp) and lowered by 1". He also updated the maps which I don't use often.
Member
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 112
Likes: 33
From: Mt Pleasant, SC
2018 S560
ILS+ is nice. Although, I also have a 2023 Audi S8 in my garage and enabled the Matrix headlights with highway light carpet. Now THAT is on a completely different level. The Audi lights are the best in the game these days.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 573
Likes: 179
From: Half Moon Bay, CA
2016 S550e, 2005 Nissan Xterra 4x4, 1984 300ZX
You cannot compare a 2023 to a 2015 model, I am sure MB did a lot of big improvements too...but if you have a W222 this upgrade is well worth it and I just cannot understand why USDOT will not let MB turn this on for you market. So many people I know are complaining about LED headlights and how bright they are, with ILS you don't have to worry about blinding people with low beams or high beams
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,641
Likes: 1,224
From: Phoenix
222 S-65
