E300 hybrid mpg drop after software update

[horse]

Had a few strange issues a few months ago where car shutdown while driving - steering went stiff, and red warning light saying disengage parking brake. happened twice when my misses was driving only lasting for 1 or 2 seconds but I never witnessed it.

Garage could not find anything but did a number of software updates. Never did it again but the MPG has dropped by 6-7MPG since.

Anyone else had a big drop in MPG after an update?

 

[0101]

I had the 'disengage parking brake' error message recently some 20 minutes into my journey. Pulled over into a side road and rang my MB dealership. They told me I must have forgotten to disenagge the parking brake when I set off; was not impressed to say the least.

I am going to book the car into another dealership shortly to have them check for faults. Lets see if they perform any software updates and if this impacts on the mpg.

What sort of mpg were you getting before? I'm hovering on around 50mpg, albeit in a saloon (30% motorway / 70% town) having now done around 7,000 miles. Using standard BP / Shell diesel and running 2.3 bar all around.

 

[horse]

Interesting you had the same issue.

Mines an estate with 14K miles. Average from new on the trip before the software update was 48.7 but now dropped to 45.6 but I've not reset it so actual drop is much higher. Used to get mid to high 50's on long motorway trips and mid 40's on shorter stop start journeys. Just driven 50miles this morning and got 37!

 

[geraldrobins]

Ambient temperature maybe? Especially on shorter journeys.

 

[cp3377]

Ambient temperature maybe? Especially on shorter journeys.

Winter diesel and temperatures do make a significant difference to diesels and with this being my second winter with the E300 it makes at least a 10% difference at all times and more on short journeys as it takes longer to warm up and therefore longer until the electric motor can kick in. I know petrol cars are also affected but there seems to be a greater differential with diesels. I had the software upgrade as soon as it came out but noticed no difference. My overall average has dropped from 51.4 to 49.6 on the trip computer over the past couple of months.

So I think you're right. I don't think the software update has affected matters, more likely the ambient temperature and also perhaps the apparently different diesel formula used during winter months. Still pretty economic for a 1800kg lump though!

 

[horse]

Yes, I think the temperature is definitely a factor and I expect to get less in the winter. it just seems the drop is much bigger than I've previously noticed in the winter (I've had a E250 before with the same engine) and specifically I noticed it immediately after the update.

 

[Wheelsnuts]

No doubt 0101's dealership would suggest that the drop in mpg must be because you are driving round with the parking brake on!