e63amg2014

I would normally pass about 5-6 stop lights in the New York city and engine would stop/start automatically this summer with ECO mode as it should. A while ago, I noticed, ECO mode would turn off automatically, when the engine was restarted at the light after one stop, and would not turn on even if I press the ECO button manually. It is not like ECO mode is not working, but it is strange that now ECO would disable itself after one stop/start at the light. It is like ECO is working only at one stop light. Please let me know if this is something has to with battery being not fully charged? If I turn off the ignition completely and start again, ECO mode would come back. Anyone have similar experience? Thanks for your input.

PeterUbers

mj_39

e63amg2014

In my case, no indication of any error code messages, it was working before, but as you said it should not deactivate itself. If the parameters are not met, it should not have been activated in the first place I guess. Thank you.

e63amg2014

Yes, I have not been driving for couple for days, and I only make short trips around the area. So, may be battery was not charged fully. But, if it is a case, then it should not be activated in the first place. Thanks for your input.

jvakos

99% sure its your trunk battery that is low- that is the battery that is used when ECO mode kicks in. had mine replaced under warranty and it works consistently now. have yours checked out....

Rehabguy

Turn the knob to S or S+ and forget ECO... that's why you bought a E63! Problem fixed! How much fuel does "shutting off the engine at a traffic light for 45 secs actually save anyone? I feel it's more of a drain on your battery more than anything...

Merry Xmas, all!

e63amg2014

Ok. Thank you. Makes sense. Will check out the battery. Is that battery covered under CPO?

mj_39

You are absolutely correct. However, starting the car and hitting that green button has become a habit. Not having to do that anymore makes you wonder why, and whats causing it.

e63amg2014

Thank you all your messages. If I understood correctly ECO Start/Stop system is ideal for situations where there are prolonged stops, but is slightly less efficient on short, frequent stops. I had very short frequent stops so is it possible that software system has learned that it was inefficient and adjusted ECO to work only at one stop? I measured the auxiliary battery with multimeter and it was 12v+ so battery seems to be fine.

FastWgn

Nope - wish it was that smart! It's more related to engine temp, battery charge, etc.
BTW - there is significant additional wear on the engine doing the start-stop thing, and many (including me) don't like it at all. And as discussed above - doesn't deliver any real world fuel savings. I have disabled it - or rather - have it disabled by default and I can turn it on as needed.

e63amg2014

Ok Thank you. I plan to disable it on start for the future, but just wanted it have it back to be working on multiple stops as well, since it is kind of annoying something is not working as it should. Battery also seems to be fine by multimeter, so another possibility might be a cold weather (or) software.

rustybear3

I'm sorry, but there are just as many tech articles to disprove this as opposed to those that believe it's a problem. By and large, most engineers will tell you that there is no added stress on your car -- it's been engineered to deal with the new technology.

Liking it or not, a simple push of the button disables it. For myself personally, I like it on long, traffic stops.

Vrodman

+100

Not to mention extra wear and tear on your starter!

e63amg2014

Problem solved after replacing both batteries (main and aux), but something very annoying about the MB dealer. Quoted $700 for the batteries, but it end up $850 and when I asked, $150 additional charge was for diagnosis. But the service manager never said about additional $150 when I spoke. Is that normal for the MB dealers do charge for diagnosis on top of your service? Normally when you do the work with them, diagnosis is waived.

patrickkc

I feel like my battery is dying too because my car hasn't shut off at any stop lights since summer time. I wonder if there is a way to get this covered under warranty. Pretty sure it's battery problem that's causing my auto start /stop not working anymore since reading your post. Sometimes i have slow cranks to start car like dying batt.

e63amg2014

CPO is not covered, but if you still have 4 years factory warranty it should cover. You also have 2014 E63 AMG? Do you have ECO button green light when you start a car?

patrickkc

Mine is 2016 so still on the 4 years factory warranty. My eco light comes on green, but the car never turns off. In the summer it'd stop at every traffic light, but since Oct, I never notice it turning off anymore. Sometimes when I make short trips, my car cranks kinda slow like a car with dying battery. I took it to my mech and he checked the battery said it was okay. I'm thinking it might have something to do with my dash-cam parking mod draining the battery out thus eco mode not working. That or dying battery.

amgboy916

hate to break it to you buddy but it definitely wears down your starter. take it from a guy who had to have his starter replaced... idk what articles you read but it is not like the bmw stop/start that has its own dedicated starter. its a useless function that does more harm than good. and it was only included to appease regulations. you can of course use it at your own risk but consider all of these factors

FastWgn

Depends actually. Dealer can replace if they see fit (under warranty). Even though I know the MB warranty specifically excludes batteries.
Done to me at last visit when there was other warranty work being done.

FastWgn

Second this. Which is why have had my turned off (or you can just always go in S or S+)

e63amg2014

Did you meant MB dealer charged you for the battery while under 4 years factory warranty?

jvakos

i had this same issue and it was fixed under factory warranty - dealer installed a new trunk battery which controls the ECO function. have them check that and they should give you a new battery under warranty and once its installed the ECO function will work all the time.

i personally find the ECO function useless living in downtown Chicago where i'm in stop and go all the time and any stop light is maybe 30 seconds of waiting. ECO was not a reason I bought the E63 but if your battery is bad and you are under factory warranty then get MB to give you a new one regardless if you use ECO going forward or not !

FastWgn

No, under CPO warranty they replaced the battery.

e63amg2014

Don't understand then why would a dealer in my area charged for the batteries under CPO.