Has anyone ever seen Gliding Mode on the dash??

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Nov 29, 2024 | 04:20 AM
  #1  



With the car in Eco Mode on a long flat highway I saw this come up on the dash when taking my foot off the throttle...Gliding Mode appears, the engine shuts off and it's just coasting in silence....I've never heard of this before??
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Nov 29, 2024 | 09:12 AM
  #2  
Quote:


With the car in Eco Mode on a long flat highway I saw this come up on the dash when taking my foot off the throttle...Gliding Mode appears, the engine shuts off and it's just coasting in silence....I've never heard of this before??
That looks like a pre-facelift E 53. Yes, that makes sense, gliding mode is explained in the operator's manual.

Some models require auto start/stop on for gliding mode to work even in Eco drive program for example my pre-facelift C 43.
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Nov 29, 2024 | 09:13 AM
  #3  
Others for example facelift C 43 requires the drivemode to be in slippery and reduced.
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Nov 29, 2024 | 12:05 PM
  #4  
It's engine/model specific. For example, E63s has to be in individual mode with auto start/stop enabled, and glide mode will disconnect engine from transmission and engine will rev at idle rpm. For GLE63s with the mild hybrid battery, engine will shut off.
Reply 1
Nov 29, 2024 | 02:03 PM
  #5  
It's a documented feature. Depending on the model, glide mode is active in Eco and Comfort modes. In the latest AMG models it's only active under the following conditions.


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Nov 29, 2024 | 07:41 PM
  #6  
I've tested it and it ends up providing poorer mileage than the default comfort settings. Part of it comes down to how you use it, it tends to trick you into loosing too much speed on downhill sections and costing you on the uphill. Aside from very long downhill sections it doesn't seem to offer anything mileage wise. The novelty is nice l, but it's novelty.
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Nov 29, 2024 | 08:41 PM
  #7  
Quote: I've tested it and it ends up providing poorer mileage than the default comfort settings. Part of it comes down to how you use it, it tends to trick you into loosing too much speed on downhill sections and costing you on the uphill. Aside from very long downhill sections it doesn't seem to offer anything mileage wise. The novelty is nice l, but it's novelty.
If I recall correctly, someone explained in another thread (forgot who or where the thread is) that modern DI engines cuts fuel anyways when you left off gas unless gliding on the highway and/or gliding on country roads, it might not save much fuel or any at all.
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Nov 29, 2024 | 09:39 PM
  #8  
Quote: If I recall correctly, someone explained in another thread (forgot who or where the thread is) that modern DI engines cuts fuel anyways when you left off gas unless gliding on the highway and/or gliding on country roads, it might not save much fuel or any at all.
​​​​
There's a big difference between cutting fuel to the engine and disconnecting the drive train. Theoretically, at least, it will save a lot of energy -- the energy that goes to regenerating the battery in an EV. Whether or not it's much of a real savings is another matter, but I do notice a slight improvement. It's also amazing how it works without you feeling a thing.
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Nov 29, 2024 | 10:06 PM
  #9  
Indeed, it's the transmission going into neutral and showing 0 HP without gliding that explains why it's not helpful in the E53. This depends on 0hp actually meaning zero fuel being used.
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Nov 30, 2024 | 03:05 AM
  #10  
The idea behind glide mode is to reduce drag from the drivetrain, so that when you take the foot off the throttle, the car doesn't slow down as much and you don't have to accelerate back up to speed again. Acceleration uses more fuel than cruising at a constant speed. As for fuel consumption, during glide mode the engine idles, so fuel is being burned as you glide, whereas during coasting as mentioned above, the ECU cuts fuel injection, so under full engine braking there's no fuel being burned, but as said, additional fuel is then burned to accelerate the vehicle back up to speed. Unfortunately, in the ICE vehicles, glide mode isn't really managed. In EVs such as the EQ models, you can select intelligent recuperation. When that is selected, the car decides when to glide and when to recuperate. Sometimes gliding is more efficient, other times recuperating is more efficient. Much of this stuff in ICE vehicles favors the EPA and WLTP cycles to get great mileage on paper, but in the real world the savings are often minimal. This kind of technology is often self-serving.
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Nov 30, 2024 | 08:27 AM
  #11  
Quote: There's a big difference between cutting fuel to the engine and disconnecting the drive train. Theoretically, at least, it will save a lot of energy -- the energy that goes to regenerating the battery in an EV. Whether or not it's much of a real savings is another matter, but I do notice a slight improvement. It's also amazing how it works without you feeling a thing.
EV is a good point and at least with glide modes on 48V mild hybrid vehicles such as the E 53 it turns off the engine instead of setting it at idling speed so yes it indeed save more fuel than just letting off the gas and staying at the same rpm range.
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Nov 30, 2024 | 08:29 AM
  #12  
Quote: The idea behind glide mode is to reduce drag from the drivetrain, so that when you take the foot off the throttle, the car doesn't slow down as much and you don't have to accelerate back up to speed again. Acceleration uses more fuel than cruising at a constant speed. As for fuel consumption, during glide mode the engine idles, so fuel is being burned as you glide, whereas during coasting as mentioned above, the ECU cuts fuel injection, so under full engine braking there's no fuel being burned, but as said, additional fuel is then burned to accelerate the vehicle back up to speed. Unfortunately, in the ICE vehicles, glide mode isn't really managed. In EVs such as the EQ models, you can select intelligent recuperation. When that is selected, the car decides when to glide and when to recuperate. Sometimes gliding is more efficient, other times recuperating is more efficient. Much of this stuff in ICE vehicles favors the EPA and WLTP cycles to get great mileage on paper, but in the real world the savings are often minimal. This kind of technology is often self-serving.
My bad, I forgot the vehicle shown is the one with the mild hybrid system that actually turns off the engine completely so unlike my other post, it indeed will save more fuel than just letting off gas in glide mode.
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Nov 30, 2024 | 08:31 AM
  #13  
I understand driving in neutral on the highway is illegal and dangerous but is it somehow related to glide mode, in anyway? (On non mild hybrid 48V vehicles) I understand glide mode and as explained decouples the drivetrain.
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Nov 30, 2024 | 10:04 AM
  #14  
On my 2018 E63S it will activate in Comfort mode as long as ECO isn't turned off.
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Nov 30, 2024 | 10:39 AM
  #15  
I don't know about the other models, but the E53 does 'intelligently' manage the glide and charges the battery at every coasting opportunity.
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Nov 30, 2024 | 01:58 PM
  #16  
Quote: I understand driving in neutral on the highway is illegal and dangerous but is it somehow related to glide mode, in anyway? (On non mild hybrid 48V vehicles) I understand glide mode and as explained decouples the drivetrain.
I suppose this is a grey area. The driver putting the transmission in neutral is illegal, because if they have to suddenly accelerate in an emergency they will likely scramble putting it back in D first. Glide mode on the other hand is automatic. It'll re-engage the drivetrain as soon as the driver steps back on the throttle, so there isn't the issue of not being able to accelerate in an emergency. In the AMGs with the MCT it also doesn't go into neutral. It just opens the clutch. With the TCT I'm not entirely sure how Glide mode is implemented technically. Whether it is putting it in actual Neutral or has a simpler way to decouple it. Putting it in neutral with a torque converter still causes drag from the torque converter. With the MCT once the clutch is open, the transmission is fully decoupled from the engine, so I'm not entirely sure what they do with the TCT to reduce drag from the torque converter. If they somehow depressurize it or whatever to let it free spin w/o any resistance.

Quote: On my 2018 E63S it will activate in Comfort mode as long as ECO isn't turned off.
Yes, PFL. Glide mode operation was changed with the FL models.
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Nov 30, 2024 | 02:15 PM
  #17  
Quote: I suppose this is a grey area. The driver putting the transmission in neutral is illegal, because if they have to suddenly accelerate in an emergency they will likely scramble putting it back in D first. Glide mode on the other hand is automatic. It'll re-engage the drivetrain as soon as the driver steps back on the throttle, so there isn't the issue of not being able to accelerate in an emergency. In the AMGs with the MCT it also doesn't go into neutral. It just opens the clutch. With the TCT I'm not entirely sure how Glide mode is implemented technically. Whether it is putting it in actual Neutral or has a simpler way to decouple it. Putting it in neutral with a torque converter still causes drag from the torque converter. With the MCT once the clutch is open, the transmission is fully decoupled from the engine, so I'm not entirely sure what they do with the TCT to reduce drag from the torque converter. If they somehow depressurize it or whatever to let it free spin w/o any resistance.



Yes, PFL. Glide mode operation was changed with the FL models.
It is certainly not as reliable as you think... on the TCT at least: https://mbworld.org/forums/c450-c43-...lide-mode.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/glc63s-gl...e-gliding.html
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Nov 30, 2024 | 02:17 PM
  #18  
Quote: It is certainly not as reliable as you think... on the TCT at least: https://mbworld.org/forums/c450-c43-...lide-mode.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/glc63s-gl...e-gliding.html
Yeah, I wasn't really talking about malfunctions. That's a whole other can of worms.
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Nov 30, 2024 | 02:23 PM
  #19  
Quote: I suppose this is a grey area. The driver putting the transmission in neutral is illegal, because if they have to suddenly accelerate in an emergency they will likely scramble putting it back in D first. Glide mode on the other hand is automatic. It'll re-engage the drivetrain as soon as the driver steps back on the throttle, so there isn't the issue of not being able to accelerate in an emergency. In the AMGs with the MCT it also doesn't go into neutral. It just opens the clutch. With the TCT I'm not entirely sure how Glide mode is implemented technically. Whether it is putting it in actual Neutral or has a simpler way to decouple it. Putting it in neutral with a torque converter still causes drag from the torque converter. With the MCT once the clutch is open, the transmission is fully decoupled from the engine, so I'm not entirely sure what they do with the TCT to reduce drag from the torque converter. If they somehow depressurize it or whatever to let it free spin w/o any resistance.



Yes, PFL. Glide mode operation was changed with the FL models.
Actually, there was a change between 2018 and 2019. Starting in 2019, you have to be in I mode, where it is set up essentially as a clone of C mode. It won't glide in C. It would in 2018.
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Nov 30, 2024 | 04:08 PM
  #20  
Quote: Actually, there was a change between 2018 and 2019. Starting in 2019, you have to be in I mode, where it is set up essentially as a clone of C mode. It won't glide in C. It would in 2018.
Wasn't sure if the change took place with the 2020 FL or earlier for the W213, but yes the change happened around then. For the W205 it coincided with the FL. You are correct. Have to use I* mode with the Drive setting in Reduced or Moderate.
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Nov 30, 2024 | 05:36 PM
  #21  
Quote: Yeah, I wasn't really talking about malfunctions. That's a whole other can of worms.
I see, my bad then.
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Dec 2, 2024 | 10:13 AM
  #22  
Quote: If I recall correctly, someone explained in another thread (forgot who or where the thread is) that modern DI engines cuts fuel anyways when you left off gas unless gliding on the highway and/or gliding on country roads, it might not save much fuel or any at all.
​​​​

port injection on a manual transmission vehicle always cut injector power on engine braking... that was not the case with port injectors on automatic transmission as the old transmissions did not allow disconnect like the new ones do.
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Dec 2, 2024 | 10:16 AM
  #23  
FYI

On a 18 E63s

Glide does come on BUT does not stop the motor.. just lets it go to idle RPM. This is in Comfort mode with the Auto stop mode turned on (which not sure why they call it that).
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Dec 2, 2024 | 11:12 AM
  #24  
Quote: port injection on a manual transmission vehicle always cut injector power on engine braking... that was not the case with port injectors on automatic transmission as the old transmissions did not allow disconnect like the new ones do.
Quote: FYI

On a 18 E63s

Glide does come on BUT does not stop the motor.. just lets it go to idle RPM. This is in Comfort mode with the Auto stop mode turned on (which not sure why they call it that).
That makes sense, since you need 48V mild hybrid for the glide mode to turn off the engine.
Reply 1
Dec 3, 2024 | 06:17 PM
  #25  
I've had my 2019 E63s for three years and have yet to see the "Glide mode" icon on my dash and I've used all but the "I" drive mode. If I get 18-20 mpg on the highway with my driving style it's a "win" Glide mode or not.
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