SL-Class (R231) 2013 on: Discussion on the SL550

SL/R231: Auto Start/Stop

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Jun 23, 2019 | 06:20 PM
  #1  
rmorin49's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Veteran: Army
10 Year Member
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 521
From: Hagerstown MD
2015 SL400; 2019 X5M40i
Auto Start/Stop

I was able to code this on my BMW so that it will retain its previous setting. In other words turn it off and it will remain off the next time the car is driven. I understand this is not possible on the SL and dealers will not turn it off. Am I correct? I just can't remember to turn it off each time I start the car. I find it aggravating and do not believe the small fuel savings is worth the extra wear and tear on the starter and engine.
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2019 | 06:33 PM
  #2  
Keon's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 398
Likes: 135
SL550
There are some modules that can be fitted to the car that disable this, such as SmartTOP
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2019 | 08:10 PM
  #3  
allfortheunion's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 195
Likes: 60
From: SoCal
2020 SL550. 2018 E400S4. 2014 CLS550
Colonel - its especially annoying on the SL because the button is to the rear of the shift knob and not on the dash. There is a seller on ebay that sells a module that does exactly what you described for your BMW, so it is possible, just not via the dealer. I got one for my E and SL both and it works exactly as described, and I’m very happy with it. There’s a video in the item description that shows installation and function. Its also fully reversible. It comes from Belarus but arrived in about 10 days. Search Mercedes Eco Start Stop on ebay if you are interested. Its pricy but to me worth a one time expense to forego the aggravation every single time I start the car.
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2019 | 07:01 AM
  #4  
rorywquin's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,040
Likes: 234
From: God's County (Yorkshire)
Shanks’s Pony
Originally Posted by Keon
There are some modules that can be fitted to the car that disable this, such as SmartTOP
Yep - just fitted one to my SL.
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2019 | 08:41 AM
  #5  
eddieo45's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,124
Likes: 223
From: Milton/Westport, MA USA
me: 2015 SL400 & 2015 ML400; wife: 2022 GLC Coupe; daughter: 2017 GLC SUV
Originally Posted by rmorin49
I find it aggravating and do not believe the small fuel savings is worth the extra wear and tear on the starter and engine.
I find it interesting which things can aggravate some of us. It's not about fuel savings, it's about emissions and the fate of the planet. The mayor of Boston lives down the street from me and he has a police detail outside 24/7. No matter what the weather the officers have their windows up, car running. I find that aggravating.
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2019 | 09:02 AM
  #6  
whoover's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,278
Likes: 377
From: San Jose area
'19 E63S sedan
Originally Posted by eddieo45
I find it interesting which things can aggravate some of us. It's not about fuel savings, it's about emissions and the fate of the planet. The mayor of Boston lives down the street from me and he has a police detail outside 24/7. No matter what the weather the officers have their windows up, car running. I find that aggravating.
Police cars must idle at all times. They have lots of computers and communications equipment that would kill the battery in minutes, so their heavy-duty alternators must be kept running. In my county, some of the equipment takes five minutes to reboot, and you wouldn't want them having to wait that long before responding to a call you made.
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2019 | 05:15 PM
  #7  
rmorin49's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Veteran: Army
10 Year Member
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 521
From: Hagerstown MD
2015 SL400; 2019 X5M40i
Originally Posted by allfortheunion
Colonel - its especially annoying on the SL because the button is to the rear of the shift knob and not on the dash. There is a seller on ebay that sells a module that does exactly what you described for your BMW, so it is possible, just not via the dealer. I got one for my E and SL both and it works exactly as described, and I’m very happy with it. There’s a video in the item description that shows installation and function. Its also fully reversible. It comes from Belarus but arrived in about 10 days. Search Mercedes Eco Start Stop on ebay if you are interested. Its pricy but to me worth a one time expense to forego the aggravation every single time I start the car.

Thanks. I'll check it out.
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2019 | 05:40 PM
  #8  
allfortheunion's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 195
Likes: 60
From: SoCal
2020 SL550. 2018 E400S4. 2014 CLS550
The other option would be the SmartTop module mentioned above. Over twice the cost and more complicated to install (the ebay module just plugs into the OBD port to run the install, then you remove it), but it gives you several other functions besides ECO On/Off. One that I find attractive is the one touch seat memory function. You are used to this, as was I, coming from BMWs, instead of in the MB having to keep the memory button depressed until the seat is finished moving. Also has similar function for controlling the top with the center console lever - you can just lift up and release and the top will open fully instead of having to keep holding the lever up the whole time. Small things, but satisfying to some people. (I think it might have been the legal department at Mercedes that decided these functions shouldn’t be one touch)
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jun 24, 2019 | 05:46 PM
  #9  
rmorin49's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Veteran: Army
10 Year Member
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 521
From: Hagerstown MD
2015 SL400; 2019 X5M40i
I used a similar unit in my C7 Corvette to prevent the engine from going into V4 mode but it had to remain connected when driving. I would remove it when the car went to the dealer. It left no trace of its use. It simply blocked the command for V4 mode. It didn't change any ECM settings.
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2019 | 06:10 PM
  #10  
eddieo45's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,124
Likes: 223
From: Milton/Westport, MA USA
me: 2015 SL400 & 2015 ML400; wife: 2022 GLC Coupe; daughter: 2017 GLC SUV
Originally Posted by whoover
Police cars must idle at all times. They have lots of computers and communications equipment that would kill the battery in minutes, so their heavy-duty alternators must be kept running. In my county, some of the equipment takes five minutes to reboot, and you wouldn't want them having to wait that long before responding to a call you made.
Excellent point!
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2019 | 06:20 PM
  #11  
rmorin49's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Veteran: Army
10 Year Member
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 521
From: Hagerstown MD
2015 SL400; 2019 X5M40i
Too bad someone hasn't developed an app like Bimmercode for MBs. There are a myriad of options for coding BMWs. There are easily recoded multiple times.
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2019 | 08:04 PM
  #12  
Wolfman's Avatar
Super Moderator
MBWorld Ambassador

20 Year Member
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,544
Likes: 3,675
From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
Originally Posted by rmorin49
Too bad someone hasn't developed an app like Bimmercode for MBs. There are a myriad of options for coding BMWs. There are easily recoded multiple times.
I found coding our BMW a PITA. Features that could simply be selected in the MB menu would have to be coded.
Like folding mirrors when locking. Then there is stupid stuff like the legal disclaimer at startup, the double door pulls and having to press the stop button twice. That can be coded out but only because a stubborn Bavarian engineer had to create user unfriendly features to begin with.
It’s the deep desire for BMW to do things different than MB...

The only thing they did better is the mentioned start/stop feature. They got so much grief that they introduced the memory setting one year after introduction
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2019 | 08:11 PM
  #13  
rmorin49's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Veteran: Army
10 Year Member
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 521
From: Hagerstown MD
2015 SL400; 2019 X5M40i
No argument there but at least Bimmercode allows one to code a lot of different options many of which are coded different for cars sold in places other than the US. I think some of the options may be due to US regulations. I could be wrong.
Reply
Old Jun 25, 2019 | 01:44 AM
  #14  
rorywquin's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,040
Likes: 234
From: God's County (Yorkshire)
Shanks’s Pony
Originally Posted by rmorin49
Thanks. I'll check it out.
As suggested - I'd opt for the Smatrtop. It is more complicated to install (and costs more) but not at all difficult - just needs some confidence when removing the carpet.......The ST module offers a host of features other those already mentioned - the main one for me is the remote roof opening using the key......basically 3 clicks on the open/close and you can walk away while the roof closes and the car locks.

On your model - it also gives the ability to open/close the roof while moving....I have this at standard on teh facelift but teh car has to be stopped tostrt the process.. With the ST the car can be moving slowly.

Last edited by rorywquin; Jun 25, 2019 at 01:47 AM.
Reply
Old Jun 25, 2019 | 06:59 AM
  #15  
rmorin49's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Veteran: Army
10 Year Member
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 521
From: Hagerstown MD
2015 SL400; 2019 X5M40i
What are the best sources for the Smartop?
Reply
Old Jun 25, 2019 | 08:52 AM
  #16  
rorywquin's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,040
Likes: 234
From: God's County (Yorkshire)
Shanks’s Pony
Originally Posted by rmorin49
What are the best sources for the Smartop?
Mods4Cars are the manufacturer and are in the USA. They sell direct!
Reply
Old Jun 25, 2019 | 09:03 AM
  #17  
rmorin49's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Veteran: Army
10 Year Member
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 521
From: Hagerstown MD
2015 SL400; 2019 X5M40i
Thanks
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:00 PM.

story-0
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE