Battery Charging
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 42
Likes: 7
From: CA
2019 E63S Sedan
Battery Charging
I have a pretty short daily commute, 7.5 miles each way, and it doesn't seem to be enough distance to keep the battery fully charged. Aside from probably the first week of receiving the car, the Mercedes Me app has always shown my battery as partly charged. Even on the occasions where I've driven the car long distances, 45+ mins, when I park the car, the Mercedes Me app shows the battery as fully charged, but typically the car continues to run some exhaust fan for a bit after parking and if I check the app 30 minutes later, it's showing the battery as partly charged again. Outside of the first week, the eco start/stop function also hasn't worked since. Based on some other threads I've read, it seems this is automatically disabled when your battery charge is low. I don't care about the start/stop, but I'm trying to figure out whether there is an actual issue with my battery. Never had any issues starting the car however, so it doesn't seem to be too serious. If I run the AC and radio for about 10 minutes while the engine is off, I get battery critical messages along with a message that COMAND is going to be shut off soon.
Has anyone else run into this issue or is this normal and just caused by the shorter daily commute? If not normal, have you had success getting the battery replaced under warranty as I think a lot of times dealers try to pass this off as a wear item, but I've had the car for less than a year. Finally, just been thinking about getting a trickle charger instead, so does any standard 12V trickle charger work with our batteries or do we need something special for the 48V battery? Thanks.
Has anyone else run into this issue or is this normal and just caused by the shorter daily commute? If not normal, have you had success getting the battery replaced under warranty as I think a lot of times dealers try to pass this off as a wear item, but I've had the car for less than a year. Finally, just been thinking about getting a trickle charger instead, so does any standard 12V trickle charger work with our batteries or do we need something special for the 48V battery? Thanks.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2017
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M8 convert + model Y
just go ahead and demand battery replacement under warranty. I've done that also because of my short commute. Also, there is possibility MB uses some old batteries (like tires) for new cars.
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Joined: Aug 2019
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From: Bay Area, CA
2020 E63S Wagon, 2007 335i convertible (tuned to 400hp), 2011 Audi A4 Avant
Is there any way to customize a setting to reduce the amount of time this fan runs? That might help somewhat
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Joined: Mar 2006
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From: San Jose area
'19 E63S sedan
I hang this charger on it once a week or so. You might find it takes up to 48 hours to completely charge the first time. These AGM batteries are capable of accepting a much fuller charge than the car's electrical system will provide. They changed my battery (after saying it checked okay) when I complained that the ECO system wasn't working well, but I still had partial-charge status. With a charger on it now and then, problem solved. It's also good for vacations instead of standby mode.
I have it on it now because I'm downloading new maps and the update takes about 35 minutes in the car, so it's nice to not worry about draining the battery.
I have it on it now because I'm downloading new maps and the update takes about 35 minutes in the car, so it's nice to not worry about draining the battery.
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From: Cary, NC
2024 AMG EQE SUV , 2021 E63S Wagon - gone, 2018 E63S Sedan - gone
I hang this charger on it once a week or so. You might find it takes up to 48 hours to completely charge the first time. These AGM batteries are capable of accepting a much fuller charge than the car's electrical system will provide. They changed my battery (after saying it checked okay) when I complained that the ECO system wasn't working well, but I still had partial-charge status. With a charger on it now and then, problem solved. It's also good for vacations instead of standby mode.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I have it on it now because I'm downloading new maps and the update takes about 35 minutes in the car, so it's nice to not worry about draining the battery.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I have it on it now because I'm downloading new maps and the update takes about 35 minutes in the car, so it's nice to not worry about draining the battery.
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From: San Jose area
'19 E63S sedan
I had my 2018 E63S into the dealer several weeks ago with the complaint that the ECO start function was not working. The tech checked the battery and pronounced it good. He then went on to document that the problem was the a/c temp not being achieved which was total BS. I purchased the MB charger and hooked it up that evening. The charger was unable to bring the battery to a full charge and could only get it to 50%. The ECO still would not work after 24hours on the charger. Additionally I could hear the battery boiling. I took it back to the shop and demanded that the battery be changed out. This time the tester showed the battery to be bad and it was replaced. The ECO start was restored even though the battery was not fully charged. I placed the battery on the charger and it was fully charged in 12 hours. My observation from all of this was that the original battery had a bad cell, but which somehow passed the battery test as good. I don't drive the car more than 25 miles a day and only every 3 days. The ECO start continues to function after the car is driven about 5 minutes from start. So, having a fully charged battery is not a requirement for proper functioning. Oh, and when I place the battery on the charger, I do not hear any boiling sounds from the battery during the charging cycle.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 42
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From: CA
2019 E63S Sedan
Thanks for the suggestions. Going to try getting one of those CTEK trickle chargers and give that a shot. Really hate having to go into the dealer even if everything's covered under warranty, so will only do that as a last resort.
E63Wagen, I've never seen an option allowing you to set the fan timer, nothing in the manual either. My car also has a weird electric whine that starts up any time I get near with the Keyless-Go, so I'm sure there're all sorts of electric drains going on with the car even when it's parked and turned off.
E63Wagen, I've never seen an option allowing you to set the fan timer, nothing in the manual either. My car also has a weird electric whine that starts up any time I get near with the Keyless-Go, so I'm sure there're all sorts of electric drains going on with the car even when it's parked and turned off.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2010
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From: North CA
2021 E63S and 2025 GT63
48V a Typo?
I have a pretty short daily commute, 7.5 miles each way, and it doesn't seem to be enough distance to keep the battery fully charged. ....
Has anyone else run into this issue or is this normal and just caused by the shorter daily commute? If not normal, have you had success getting the battery replaced under warranty as I think a lot of times dealers try to pass this off as a wear item, but I've had the car for less than a year. Finally, just been thinking about getting a trickle charger instead, so does any standard 12V trickle charger work with our batteries or do we need something special for the 48V battery? Thanks.
Has anyone else run into this issue or is this normal and just caused by the shorter daily commute? If not normal, have you had success getting the battery replaced under warranty as I think a lot of times dealers try to pass this off as a wear item, but I've had the car for less than a year. Finally, just been thinking about getting a trickle charger instead, so does any standard 12V trickle charger work with our batteries or do we need something special for the 48V battery? Thanks.
Suspect there could be something wrong with my battery as well. Here is the story:
My car showed up at VPC with low battery, the next ‘me connect’ was sending panic messages about battery at critical level and threatening to shut down some features. Eventually they charged it at VPC. Thought that’s the end of story.
Car got to the dealer few days after I left for vacation and was sitting at their lot for about a month, locked up, engine off. Few days before getting back home another “battery is low” message showed up. Picked up car yesterday with “partially charged”.
Hooked up CTEK 12 V charger for the full cycle and now app shows “battery charged”.
Find this really odd, as I never had any issues with W212 battery. Both AGM batteries, only manufactured 5 years apart. Driven under the same conditions: short commute, car sitting locked up for a month, or so during vacation....
will watch closely what happens next.
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Joined: Mar 2006
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From: San Jose area
'19 E63S sedan
There is no 48 V CTEK battery charger.
Suspect there could be something wrong with my battery as well. Here is the story:
My car showed up at VPC with low battery, the next ‘me connect’ was sending panic messages about battery at critical level and threatening to shut down some features. Eventually they charged it at VPC. Thought that’s the end of story.
Car got to the dealer few days after I left for vacation and was sitting at their lot for about a month, locked up, engine off. Few days before getting back home another “battery is low” message showed up. Picked up car yesterday with “partially charged”.
Hooked up CTEK 12 V charger for the full cycle and now app shows “battery charged”.
Find this really odd, as I never had any issues with W212 battery. Both AGM batteries, only manufactured 5 years apart. Driven under the same conditions: short commute, car sitting locked up for a month, or so during vacation....
will watch closely what happens next.
Suspect there could be something wrong with my battery as well. Here is the story:
My car showed up at VPC with low battery, the next ‘me connect’ was sending panic messages about battery at critical level and threatening to shut down some features. Eventually they charged it at VPC. Thought that’s the end of story.
Car got to the dealer few days after I left for vacation and was sitting at their lot for about a month, locked up, engine off. Few days before getting back home another “battery is low” message showed up. Picked up car yesterday with “partially charged”.
Hooked up CTEK 12 V charger for the full cycle and now app shows “battery charged”.
Find this really odd, as I never had any issues with W212 battery. Both AGM batteries, only manufactured 5 years apart. Driven under the same conditions: short commute, car sitting locked up for a month, or so during vacation....
will watch closely what happens next.
2) For a month of sitting, the car must be put in standby mode, per the manual, if it's not on a battery minder. The car is always communicating with the mother ship (you'd like to know where it is and if a tire has gone flat, right?) by radio and that will run the battery down after a couple of weeks. Standby mode turns that off.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2019
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From: CA
2019 E63S Sedan
This is the charger I ended up ordering:
Seems like it's CTEK's latest version and has AGM support. I know nothing about electronics, but it seems like it should work. Will test it out this weekend and let you guys know how it goes.
For standby mode, I've tried using it when going on vacation in the past, but always got an error message saying something along the lines of battery charge being too low to enter standby mode so I just gave up. Car still started after 3 weeks, but I did get a battery critical messages from the Mercedes Me app the last week.
For standby mode, I've tried using it when going on vacation in the past, but always got an error message saying something along the lines of battery charge being too low to enter standby mode so I just gave up. Car still started after 3 weeks, but I did get a battery critical messages from the Mercedes Me app the last week.
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From: North CA
2021 E63S and 2025 GT63
1) E53's have a 48V system with a lithium-ion battery. The integrated starter/motor/alternator is the only way to charge that battery as far as I know.
2) For a month of sitting, the car must be put in standby mode, per the manual, if it's not on a battery minder. The car is always communicating with the mother ship (you'd like to know where it is and if a tire has gone flat, right?) by radio and that will run the battery down after a couple of weeks. Standby mode turns that off.
2) For a month of sitting, the car must be put in standby mode, per the manual, if it's not on a battery minder. The car is always communicating with the mother ship (you'd like to know where it is and if a tire has gone flat, right?) by radio and that will run the battery down after a couple of weeks. Standby mode turns that off.
1–> where does e53 come from?
2–> standby is a moot point as I never put w212 in standby
and if I remember correctly W212 was communicating with the mother ship as well
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From: North CA
2021 E63S and 2025 GT63
This is the charger I ended up ordering: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CD44RQO Seems like it's CTEK's latest version and has AGM support. I know nothing about electronics, but it seems like it should work. Will test it out this weekend and let you guys know how it goes.
For standby mode, I've tried using it when going on vacation in the past, but always got an error message saying something along the lines of battery charge being too low to enter standby mode so I just gave up. Car still started after 3 weeks, but I did get a battery critical messages from the Mercedes Me app the last week.
For standby mode, I've tried using it when going on vacation in the past, but always got an error message saying something along the lines of battery charge being too low to enter standby mode so I just gave up. Car still started after 3 weeks, but I did get a battery critical messages from the Mercedes Me app the last week.
it took almost 12 hours for my partially charged battery.....
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From: San Jose area
'19 E63S sedan
I'm not sure why doing what the manual says to do is moot. It works but it's your car
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2021 E63S and 2025 GT63
i am explaining apples-to-apples comparison between the two cars AGM batteries.
one is holding voltage for extended period of time and the other one is not.
One would expect that after 5 years Battery quality and reliability improved, correct?
my suspicion is that something is wrong with the battery as other members experienced as well.
makes sense?
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Joined: Mar 2006
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From: San Jose area
'19 E63S sedan
Sorry, but am confused as why is standby even mentioned here.
i am explaining apples-to-apples comparison between the two cars AGM batteries.
one is holding voltage for extended period of time and the other one is not.
One would expect that after 5 years Battery quality and reliability improved, correct?
my suspicion is that something is wrong with the battery as other members experienced as well.
makes sense?
i am explaining apples-to-apples comparison between the two cars AGM batteries.
one is holding voltage for extended period of time and the other one is not.
One would expect that after 5 years Battery quality and reliability improved, correct?
my suspicion is that something is wrong with the battery as other members experienced as well.
makes sense?
As to 212 vs. 213, they're very different cars and the 213 has totally different electronics and electrical system. The 212 had a second battery, which the 213 doesn't. I never had a 212 so I don't know if it even had a standby mode. All I know is that if I keep my battery charged with the CTEK and use standby when I leave the car garaged for two weeks or longer, I no longer get low-charge alerts.
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From: North CA
2021 E63S and 2025 GT63
I suspect something is wrong with battery because:
1. Car showed up with discharged battery at the VPC
2. Battery got discharged again, after sitting at the dealer
Agree there is more electronic in W213, however all this is used only when engine is running
sitting idle and communicating with mother ship should not take more power than W212
on contrary, should be less power used as power consumption in electronics is aggressively driven down....
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: San Jose area
'19 E63S sedan
Can you pls read before typing reply.
I suspect something is wrong with battery because:
1. Car showed up with discharged battery at the VPC
2. Battery got discharged again, after sitting at the dealer
Agree there is more electronic in W213, however all this is used only when engine is running
sitting idle and communicating with mother ship should not take more power than W212
on contrary, should be less power used as power consumption in electronics is aggressively driven down....
I suspect something is wrong with battery because:
1. Car showed up with discharged battery at the VPC
2. Battery got discharged again, after sitting at the dealer
Agree there is more electronic in W213, however all this is used only when engine is running
sitting idle and communicating with mother ship should not take more power than W212
on contrary, should be less power used as power consumption in electronics is aggressively driven down....
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 42
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From: CA
2019 E63S Sedan
Just an update, I received the charger Friday and hooked it up. Took around 10-11 hours to fully charge the battery. Drove the car around the past couple days running errands, all for short distances, and the battery's never dropped to the point where the app has reported that it's either partly charged or critical, and Eco Stop and Go is now operating correctly also. Seems like I must've just let it drop too low previously and never drove it far enough to ever get it back close to a full charge. So if others are running into these issues, would highly recommend this as a first option to try rather than getting it replaced by the dealer under warranty.
Also, forgot how terrible the Eco Stop and Go option is now that it's actually functioning correctly and wish there was a way to default it to off if I'm in comfort mode. I don't see any reason why it would shut down my engine while I'm stopped for a few seconds at a stop sign waiting for another car to clear the intersection before going. Would be great if we could adjust the delay to something like 10 seconds of full stop before it kicked in.
Also, forgot how terrible the Eco Stop and Go option is now that it's actually functioning correctly and wish there was a way to default it to off if I'm in comfort mode. I don't see any reason why it would shut down my engine while I'm stopped for a few seconds at a stop sign waiting for another car to clear the intersection before going. Would be great if we could adjust the delay to something like 10 seconds of full stop before it kicked in.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 961
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From: Canada
2019 E63s
You can turn off eco mode
Just an update, I received the charger Friday and hooked it up. Took around 10-11 hours to fully charge the battery. Drove the car around the past couple days running errands, all for short distances, and the battery's never dropped to the point where the app has reported that it's either partly charged or critical, and Eco Stop and Go is now operating correctly also. Seems like I must've just let it drop too low previously and never drove it far enough to ever get it back close to a full charge. So if others are running into these issues, would highly recommend this as a first option to try rather than getting it replaced by the dealer under warranty.
Also, forgot how terrible the Eco Stop and Go option is now that it's actually functioning correctly and wish there was a way to default it to off if I'm in comfort mode. I don't see any reason why it would shut down my engine while I'm stopped for a few seconds at a stop sign waiting for another car to clear the intersection before going. Would be great if we could adjust the delay to something like 10 seconds of full stop before it kicked in.
Also, forgot how terrible the Eco Stop and Go option is now that it's actually functioning correctly and wish there was a way to default it to off if I'm in comfort mode. I don't see any reason why it would shut down my engine while I'm stopped for a few seconds at a stop sign waiting for another car to clear the intersection before going. Would be great if we could adjust the delay to something like 10 seconds of full stop before it kicked in.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,217
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From: North CA
2021 E63S and 2025 GT63
Just an update, I received the charger Friday and hooked it up. Took around 10-11 hours to fully charge the battery. Drove the car around the past couple days running errands, all for short distances, and the battery's never dropped to the point where the app has reported that it's either partly charged or critical, and Eco Stop and Go is now operating correctly also. Seems like I must've just let it drop too low previously and never drove it far enough to ever get it back close to a full charge. So if others are running into these issues, would highly recommend this as a first option to try rather than getting it replaced by the dealer under warranty.
Also, forgot how terrible the Eco Stop and Go option is now that it's actually functioning correctly and wish there was a way to default it to off if I'm in comfort mode. I don't see any reason why it would shut down my engine while I'm stopped for a few seconds at a stop sign waiting for another car to clear the intersection before going. Would be great if we could adjust the delay to something like 10 seconds of full stop before it kicked in.
Also, forgot how terrible the Eco Stop and Go option is now that it's actually functioning correctly and wish there was a way to default it to off if I'm in comfort mode. I don't see any reason why it would shut down my engine while I'm stopped for a few seconds at a stop sign waiting for another car to clear the intersection before going. Would be great if we could adjust the delay to something like 10 seconds of full stop before it kicked in.
there is no way to disable Eco when starting the engine ... the easiest way is to turn it off after starting the engine —> one step
the other way is selecting S+ mode, or I* setting, but this requires few steps
or, the last resort buying 3rd party solution...
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From: Southern California
2018 E63S AMG
Or bump to Sport mode or higher, that disables Eco mode too I think.
I’ve recharged my battery a couple of times and it restores Eco mode operation for a while but after several days or a week it stops working again.
Not designed for someone who only has a 4 mile commute I guess.
I’ve recharged my battery a couple of times and it restores Eco mode operation for a while but after several days or a week it stops working again.
Not designed for someone who only has a 4 mile commute I guess.
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2024 EQE AMG SUV . 2021 GLE AMG 63s Coupe
I've just dropped off my wagon at the Mercedes dealer for the battery warning message telling me to stop the car and let it idle in place due to the battery being under charged.
I thought this was odd the day after a 900 mi. road trip without any issues.
After a few starts and stops the message keeps coming on even with the charge voltage being 14.8 volts at the battery terminals..
It's hard to believe that the battery has failed after only 18 months.
I never have my car in the Eco mode while in comfort setting or any other setting, the last thing I want is to have the car constantly restarting over and over while in traffic.
Too much wear and tear on the starter and discharge of the battery to justify the slightest decrease in fuel consumption to make any real sense..
I thought this was odd the day after a 900 mi. road trip without any issues.
After a few starts and stops the message keeps coming on even with the charge voltage being 14.8 volts at the battery terminals..
It's hard to believe that the battery has failed after only 18 months.
I never have my car in the Eco mode while in comfort setting or any other setting, the last thing I want is to have the car constantly restarting over and over while in traffic.
Too much wear and tear on the starter and discharge of the battery to justify the slightest decrease in fuel consumption to make any real sense..
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From: Southern California
2018 E63S AMG
Was in several Mercedes taxis last week in Switzerland. Mostly E class but at least one S class. They were all running Eco mode and stopping and starting at intersections. I've noticed this in other car brands as well in Europe. Seems pretty common.
After a 900 mile road trip it does indeed seem really strange to get that kind of message.
The battery in our 2015 Honda Odyssey failed after barely a year. Had an intermittent problem where the car would be fine, then you'd drive to the grocery store or gas station, get back in the car and click click click, dead battery. I kept one of those portable USB charger/boosters in the car to jump it just in case. Had both the battery and the charging system checked and both were claimed to be OK.
Finally, the car died one time in the garage and I called Honda to come jump it because roadside assistance was included in our warranty. They came and put the car on a flat bed and took it to the dealer who this time declared it a bad battery. Replaced under warranty and haven't had any problems since.
Other than my F-250 diesel which is a bit hard on batteries, mostly because the truck sits too much, all the other battery failures I've had have been on new cars typically around the end of the warranty period. I think they really cheap out on batteries in the new cars. All the aftermarket replacements have way outlasted the factory batteries by a couple years at least.
After a 900 mile road trip it does indeed seem really strange to get that kind of message.
The battery in our 2015 Honda Odyssey failed after barely a year. Had an intermittent problem where the car would be fine, then you'd drive to the grocery store or gas station, get back in the car and click click click, dead battery. I kept one of those portable USB charger/boosters in the car to jump it just in case. Had both the battery and the charging system checked and both were claimed to be OK.
Finally, the car died one time in the garage and I called Honda to come jump it because roadside assistance was included in our warranty. They came and put the car on a flat bed and took it to the dealer who this time declared it a bad battery. Replaced under warranty and haven't had any problems since.
Other than my F-250 diesel which is a bit hard on batteries, mostly because the truck sits too much, all the other battery failures I've had have been on new cars typically around the end of the warranty period. I think they really cheap out on batteries in the new cars. All the aftermarket replacements have way outlasted the factory batteries by a couple years at least.
