SL/R231: Eco Stop Start GRIEF
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From: Florida
AMG SLS & S coupe
Eco Stop Start GRIEF
OK, the post has been up here long enough. I was mad and wanted to tell my story of woe to those who would listen. I always got a kick reading posts from those who don't care for the system and would like it defeated.
It's a stupid thing to get upset about. There are others out there who can only dream about having a problem such as this and call it grief.
Now they auto-generate one of these for me...
We are interested in learning more about your experience with our Customer Assistance Center on 12/13/2012.
We value your opinion and your time. To help us understand your experience, please take a few moments to complete this brief survey. Your feedback will be used to improve the quality of service we provide
FA-GET-A-BOUT IT
It's a stupid thing to get upset about. There are others out there who can only dream about having a problem such as this and call it grief.
Now they auto-generate one of these for me...
We are interested in learning more about your experience with our Customer Assistance Center on 12/13/2012.
We value your opinion and your time. To help us understand your experience, please take a few moments to complete this brief survey. Your feedback will be used to improve the quality of service we provide
FA-GET-A-BOUT IT
Last edited by Daytona-flyer; Oct 18, 2013 at 05:46 PM. Reason: Text
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From: Central Texas
2022 AMG SL63
So you are saying it doesn't turn off when you stop? Mine does if the conditions are right and I have the green box around the ECO button. Do you ever get a green box around the ECO button?
I found this on another forum here for the conditions.
1. The combustion engine must have attained the necessary operating
parameters (e.g. the minimum coolant temperature).
2. The relevant conditions relating to the vehicle must be met (e.g. sufficient voltage in the on-board electrical system, the interior climate has been regulated following the key start, the accumulator for the air suspension or brake system is sufficiently full). And the vehicle must be stationary, of course.
3. The relevant conditions relating to the driver must be met: the transmission selector lever must be set to D or N; no movement of the accelerator or the steering wheel; the driver's foot must be on the brake or the HOLD function must be active; the doors must be closed, the driver's seat belt must be fastened and the bonnet must be closed.
4. The ECO start/stop must not have been switched off via the ECO button.
5. Relevant speeds must have been exceeded after starting with the ignition key or during manoeuvring, for example
I found this on another forum here for the conditions.
1. The combustion engine must have attained the necessary operating
parameters (e.g. the minimum coolant temperature).
2. The relevant conditions relating to the vehicle must be met (e.g. sufficient voltage in the on-board electrical system, the interior climate has been regulated following the key start, the accumulator for the air suspension or brake system is sufficiently full). And the vehicle must be stationary, of course.
3. The relevant conditions relating to the driver must be met: the transmission selector lever must be set to D or N; no movement of the accelerator or the steering wheel; the driver's foot must be on the brake or the HOLD function must be active; the doors must be closed, the driver's seat belt must be fastened and the bonnet must be closed.
4. The ECO start/stop must not have been switched off via the ECO button.
5. Relevant speeds must have been exceeded after starting with the ignition key or during manoeuvring, for example
Last edited by Centexhokie; Oct 16, 2013 at 10:07 AM.
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From: San Francisco
2015 S550 Coupe
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From: Florida
AMG SLS & S coupe
I drive the same route every day, with the top down and A/C off. The system will work on day out of ten (if I'm lucky).
If I shut off the engine at a red light, with all the parameters made, The Icon might change to green as I accelerate past ten MPH. It will usually stay on for a while. Sometimes it goes yellow after only a minute.
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From: Florida
AMG SLS & S coupe
Mercedes Customer Service called and disputed what the service advisor said regarding the system operating correctly (see first post). She reiterated that the dealership said, "The system functions normally".
She said this has to be taken care of at the dealer level.
They just don't care.
She said this has to be taken care of at the dealer level.
They just don't care.
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Member
Joined: Jul 2013
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From: Central Texas
2022 AMG SL63
I drive the same route every day, with the top down and A/C off. The system will work on day out of ten (if I'm lucky).
If I shut off the engine at a red light, with all the parameters made, The Icon might change to green as I accelerate past ten MPH. It will usually stay on for a while. Sometimes it goes yellow after only a minute.
If I shut off the engine at a red light, with all the parameters made, The Icon might change to green as I accelerate past ten MPH. It will usually stay on for a while. Sometimes it goes yellow after only a minute.
I wasn't trying to be argumentative to you, but I was trying to figure out whether it was a condition problem, a sensor problem or a software problem. I'm an engineer, we look at things that way. If it works some of the time then I would say that it is unlikely to be a software/system problem, but instead a sensor problem that isn't telling the software that the conditions are not appropriate to stop/start. My guess (and that is what it is) is that it is a themostat issue. On my car it will rarely go green shortly at a light, but will go green after a longer drive. If it was a voltage issue then I would think it would be the opposite of what you have described.
Sorry you are having trouble with the dealership. I am 3 weeks into waiting for my replacement window trim so I can empathize with your dealer frustration. I haven't called MB, but it sounds like they won't step up either.
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AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
I definitely feel for for you because you want it to work. And it should.
I for one hate ECO and turn it off the moment I get in the car. That said, MB's ECO system in known to be the best working one around (in terms of smooth start/stop activation).
I suggest you contact the dealer or MB to get you a tech that can drive with you to see the system in action or lack thereof. Too many times, techs simply do a readout of the system and if the computer & errors codes look good, it's good. No actual tests.
I had this one time with our SL55; forced a dealer to let a tech take an extended drive with. They said it was good but the car lacked power; turned out the supercharger never engaged. Of course, few techs have the comparison to tell how fast the car would normally be... Typical trust in the computer only, not the people...
Good luck!
I for one hate ECO and turn it off the moment I get in the car. That said, MB's ECO system in known to be the best working one around (in terms of smooth start/stop activation).
I suggest you contact the dealer or MB to get you a tech that can drive with you to see the system in action or lack thereof. Too many times, techs simply do a readout of the system and if the computer & errors codes look good, it's good. No actual tests.
I had this one time with our SL55; forced a dealer to let a tech take an extended drive with. They said it was good but the car lacked power; turned out the supercharger never engaged. Of course, few techs have the comparison to tell how fast the car would normally be... Typical trust in the computer only, not the people...
Good luck!
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From: Florida
AMG SLS & S coupe
If I'm sitting at a red light, I can force the system to go green by stopping and restarting the engine just before driving away (if system conditions are met). This works about 30% of the time. If the engine is off for any longer it wont work. Sometimes it will stay green, most of the time, it goes yellow shortly.
Thermostat issue? It could be.
Last edited by Daytona-flyer; Oct 17, 2013 at 05:33 AM.
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From: Florida
AMG SLS & S coupe
At this point, I only forwarded this thread to cust. svce. Did I go overboard with my post? Perhaps I shouldn't type in the morning. At least until I settle down for the day.
Last edited by Daytona-flyer; Oct 17, 2013 at 06:37 AM.
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From: Central Texas
2022 AMG SL63
Last week, it was again placed on the shop's analyzer. No bad sensors were found.
If I'm sitting at a red light, I can force the system to go green by stopping and restarting the engine just before driving away (if system conditions are met). This works about 30% of the time. If the engine is off for any longer it wont work. Sometimes it will stay green, most of the time, it goes yellow shortly.
Thermostat issue? It could be.
If I'm sitting at a red light, I can force the system to go green by stopping and restarting the engine just before driving away (if system conditions are met). This works about 30% of the time. If the engine is off for any longer it wont work. Sometimes it will stay green, most of the time, it goes yellow shortly.
Thermostat issue? It could be.
Good luck.
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2013 SL550
Hi,
OK, I am weird, but I actually like the ECO feature and would like it even more if it worked as advertised....
I will take this discussion one stop further....
I have on many occasions pulled up to a light with the ECO light green. The engine stops when I engage the break then a few seconds later the engine starts again, on it's own - without me moving my foot off the break, and the ECO light goes to yellow.
Again, like the concept, even like the system when it works, but hate that it works when it feels like it and the dealer says it works normally!
OK, I am weird, but I actually like the ECO feature and would like it even more if it worked as advertised....
I will take this discussion one stop further....
I have on many occasions pulled up to a light with the ECO light green. The engine stops when I engage the break then a few seconds later the engine starts again, on it's own - without me moving my foot off the break, and the ECO light goes to yellow.
Again, like the concept, even like the system when it works, but hate that it works when it feels like it and the dealer says it works normally!
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From: MA
13 SL550, 14 E63 Wagon, 15 S550, 11 M3, 08 F430 Spider, 12 ML350
Hi,
OK, I am weird, but I actually like the ECO feature and would like it even more if it worked as advertised....
I will take this discussion one stop further....
I have on many occasions pulled up to a light with the ECO light green. The engine stops when I engage the break then a few seconds later the engine starts again, on it's own - without me moving my foot off the break, and the ECO light goes to yellow.
Again, like the concept, even like the system when it works, but hate that it works when it feels like it and the dealer says it works normally!
OK, I am weird, but I actually like the ECO feature and would like it even more if it worked as advertised....
I will take this discussion one stop further....
I have on many occasions pulled up to a light with the ECO light green. The engine stops when I engage the break then a few seconds later the engine starts again, on it's own - without me moving my foot off the break, and the ECO light goes to yellow.
Again, like the concept, even like the system when it works, but hate that it works when it feels like it and the dealer says it works normally!
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 270
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From: Arlington VA
'24 CLE 53
Daytona,
I appreciate your presence here and feel your pain on this issue. Seems like the car no longer gives you joy as a result. You must get frustrated when people ask you blinding flash of the obvious questions. Those of us that have followed it already know you've devoted A LOT of intellectual rigor to the analysis of this issue. It's even worse in one respect because I just don't have a problem with my system, unless the above scenario is a problem. I hope you just disable the system and grow to re-love your car -- for one less mpg or so.
Thread Starter
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From: Florida
AMG SLS & S coupe
Mercedes customer service now says to have the shop bring in a Mercedes Technical Specialist. Perhaps he can figure it out. Perhaps the car need a new computer.
Don't get me wrong. I love the car and would buy it again, even with the ECO problem.
Don't get me wrong. I love the car and would buy it again, even with the ECO problem.
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From: Ft. Lauderdale
2013 MB SL550
We bought a CLS in the family this week in addition to the year old SL550.
Really strange but the ECO function in the CLS works perfectly at almost every intersection. The SL eco function has no rhyme or reason as to when it works and when it doesn't.
Like 2 very different systems in the 2 models.
Really strange but the ECO function in the CLS works perfectly at almost every intersection. The SL eco function has no rhyme or reason as to when it works and when it doesn't.
Like 2 very different systems in the 2 models.
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From: Irvine, California
2022 AMG SL63
Mercedes customer service now says to have the shop bring in a Mercedes Technical Specialist. Perhaps he can figure it out. Perhaps the car need a new computer.
Have you taken it in yet?
Have you taken it in yet?
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From: Florida
AMG SLS & S coupe
No, not yet. I've been tied up with things around the house. I'll get to when my wife gets home from her weekend in Vegas.
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From: Northern New Jersey
SL550 2013. E350-Wagon 2009. 1968 Karmann Ghia (127k miles).
I like the concept of Eco Stop/Start. Why not give the 8 cylinders a rest and save some gas at a red light, some of which are over a minute long? I always keep the Green Eco light on.
However, I also can report less than ideal performance. I'd call it erratic. I have 5,600 miles on my 2013 SL550. I agree with previous posters that a variety of factors (like engine temperature, outside weather, etc.) all need to be in place for Eco Stop to kick in. However, about half of the times I expect it to work, it does not. After not working for 3 previous lights, Eco Start suddenly works perfectly at the 4th and 5th stop lights.
Until I read this string of posts, I thought my car's Eco Stop simply needed an adjustment. Since an erratic Eco Stop/Start is virtually the only thing wrong with my car after half a year of driving it, I have not bothered to bring it back to the dealer. But now I will certainly keep closer track of ECO Start performance.
However, I also can report less than ideal performance. I'd call it erratic. I have 5,600 miles on my 2013 SL550. I agree with previous posters that a variety of factors (like engine temperature, outside weather, etc.) all need to be in place for Eco Stop to kick in. However, about half of the times I expect it to work, it does not. After not working for 3 previous lights, Eco Start suddenly works perfectly at the 4th and 5th stop lights.
Until I read this string of posts, I thought my car's Eco Stop simply needed an adjustment. Since an erratic Eco Stop/Start is virtually the only thing wrong with my car after half a year of driving it, I have not bothered to bring it back to the dealer. But now I will certainly keep closer track of ECO Start performance.
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2013 SL550
I took my car in today because of the ECO system still failing to work properly. Told the SA of all the problems I was having and left them the car for them to fix.
The SA called at 5 this evening. The conversation with the Service Writer basically went as follows after they had the car for about 5 hours:
SA We checked your ECO system and the computer says it works properly
ME Did you drive it? Did the ECO system light turn green and did the system work properly?
SA We drove it. The system light did not turn green and the system did not work, but the computer says the system is working properly. You just are not meeting the right conditions/parameters for the ECO system to enguage.
ME How far did you drive it? I test drove a new S class while I was waiting and it's system worked on the test drive.
SA We drove it for a little way. The S class is a different car.
ME Can you tell me which of the parameters are not being met to cause the system to not enguage.
SA No, we are not the factory, we just sell the cars! The computer says the system is working so we have to assume it is. Sorry!
{sigh} I just want what I pay for to work properly!!! I LOVE my car, but, feel the car should work as advertised.
The SA called at 5 this evening. The conversation with the Service Writer basically went as follows after they had the car for about 5 hours:
SA We checked your ECO system and the computer says it works properly
ME Did you drive it? Did the ECO system light turn green and did the system work properly?
SA We drove it. The system light did not turn green and the system did not work, but the computer says the system is working properly. You just are not meeting the right conditions/parameters for the ECO system to enguage.
ME How far did you drive it? I test drove a new S class while I was waiting and it's system worked on the test drive.
SA We drove it for a little way. The S class is a different car.
ME Can you tell me which of the parameters are not being met to cause the system to not enguage.
SA No, we are not the factory, we just sell the cars! The computer says the system is working so we have to assume it is. Sorry!
{sigh} I just want what I pay for to work properly!!! I LOVE my car, but, feel the car should work as advertised.
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AMG SLS & S coupe
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From: Irvine, California
2022 AMG SL63
So, it's working as it "should" just not the way it's advertised or anyone expects. Unfortunately, I suspect that the fellow is right when he said, "The computer says the system is working so we have to assume it is. Sorry!" It's a sorry implementation of a great idea. I think that it's in many cases it's a difference in the interior and exterior temperatures that goes beyond a certain parameter - in my case I mostly always have the top down and the greater the variation in outdoor temp and indoor temp the more likely it is to be on. In any case it's dodgy. To those of us with a strong engineering gene, it's difficult to accept the vagaries of the system.
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2013 SL550
I would not say it is working as it should.
Mine works about 10% of the time I am driving. Even my salesman says it should work more.... But, alas, he has no clout in service.
I live in Southern California, so I also drive with the top down most of the time. But, have to confess, I have been driving around with the top up lately just to see if it makes a difference..... Nope
All in all, I have no choice but to accept it. It does not mean I like it, nor does it mean that it is right.
Very sad!
Mine works about 10% of the time I am driving. Even my salesman says it should work more.... But, alas, he has no clout in service.
I live in Southern California, so I also drive with the top down most of the time. But, have to confess, I have been driving around with the top up lately just to see if it makes a difference..... Nope
All in all, I have no choice but to accept it. It does not mean I like it, nor does it mean that it is right.
Very sad!
So, it's working as it "should" just not the way it's advertised or anyone expects. Unfortunately, I suspect that the fellow is right when he said, "The computer says the system is working so we have to assume it is. Sorry!" It's a sorry implementation of a great idea. I think that it's in many cases it's a difference in the interior and exterior temperatures that goes beyond a certain parameter - in my case I mostly always have the top down and the greater the variation in outdoor temp and indoor temp the more likely it is to be on. In any case it's dodgy. To those of us with a strong engineering gene, it's difficult to accept the vagaries of the system.
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2013 SL550
hehe Yes, it does.
One nice ray of sunshine on a rainy day in Southern California..... Today, JD Powers was kind enough to send me a survey regarding any service issues on my 2013 SL550.
I did have a very small amount of satisfaction giving Fletcher Jones Motorcars Mercedes Benz Newport Beach horrible marks when it comes to customer service and abitlity to repair the products they sell!!!
One nice ray of sunshine on a rainy day in Southern California..... Today, JD Powers was kind enough to send me a survey regarding any service issues on my 2013 SL550.
I did have a very small amount of satisfaction giving Fletcher Jones Motorcars Mercedes Benz Newport Beach horrible marks when it comes to customer service and abitlity to repair the products they sell!!!
