Eco Start/Stop and Agility select questions.

[iliria]

When I got my W205 the start/stop function was turned on however I have noticed that it is not as smooth as I thought it would be. You can feel a shudder and the car jolts when the engine turns on. It's more of a nuisance than beneficial. I have tried to turn it off n the agility select menu but that doesnt seem to work. Is there a different way to turn it off?

Also in the Agility Select menu I have noticed that Drive and Steering can be set to be in particular modes such as Echo, Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus. May I ask what does each particular mode do to the drive and steering?

I am aware that each of those Drive modes affect the fuel consumption in a different way but does the type of steering affect fuel consumption too? I am wondering if I should have the Drive in Comfort mode and the Steering in Sport mode? Can someone help me clarify this in my head please?

 

[c63chris]

The stop/start comes into its own when in a queue of traffic as you find the engine will be off more than on. Takes a bit to get used to but you forget about it after a while. The agility menu save fuel by switching things off e.g. the steering is firmer in sport than comfort and the gearbox holds gears longer. The eco settings tend to be the reverse though it can turn off the a/c as well. If you have the air suspension that can be adjusted as well.

 

[iliria]

The start stop is very annoying in the inner city trips (and those are the bulk of my driving) because the engine stops when you break and come to a halt and then literally 2 seconds later when the queue gets going it starts again. Sometimes there's not even a 1 second gap between stop and start (literally). It truly is annoying. Plus, surely all this starting and stopping cant be doing the car much good?

 

[Deleted member 65149]

First off, the mechanics are strengthened to cope with regular start/stop so not a problem.

Secondly, it sounds like you need to learn how to drive in heavy traffic. Despite what most people do, it's not compulsory to stay within 3cm of the car in front. Just work on gaps and thinking ahead, then you'll find that your journey is a lot smoother because you're using the throttle and brake far less. And because you're not braking to a stop so often, the start/stop doesn't come into effect. Thinking soon becomes good for you and your car.

 

[400ixl]

If you control the brake pedal you can come to a halt and not have it cut out. You just have to have the right amount of pressure on the pedal. Too much and it will cut out.

Its all about control with the pedal. Quite easy once you learn how to use it.

 

[geraldrobins]

If its not as smooth as you think it ought to be then take it back to your dealer. Mine works fine. I also find that in 'town traffic' after several stop starts, the stop function de- activates due to battery condition.

 

[c63chris]

The start stop is very annoying in the inner city trips (and those are the bulk of my driving) because the engine stops when you break and come to a halt and then literally 2 seconds later when the queue gets going it starts again. Sometimes there's not even a 1 second gap between stop and start (literally). It truly is annoying. Plus, surely all this starting and stopping cant be doing the car much good?

When you are coming to a stop you can lightly hold the car on the brakes without the stop/start activating . You are supposed to do this if you can see you won't be sropp d for long. It's only when you press do n on the pedal it stops the engine.

 

[geraldrobins]

Have you tried knocking it down to 1st gear, as the car will go slower of course, but will take longer to catch up the car in front, by which time it might have moved. Works for me sometimes.

 

[iliria]

If its not as smooth as you think it ought to be then take it back to your dealer. Mine works fine. I also find that in 'town traffic' after several stop starts, the stop function de- activates due to battery condition.

I'm not sure if the smoothness is related to an actual fault. My expectation was that I wouldnt be able to fel the car starting or stopping at all but this is not the case. I have found the same thing myself. Quite often the start stop doesnt trigger. Or sometimes if the engine has stopped it will restart again "for no apparent reason" if the radio is on, or I answer the phone, etc.

Also the start/stop was less frequent when I had the Drive on Comfort and Steering on Sport. It happens more often now that both Drive and Steering are both on Comfort. At least I think so anyway.

I just find it strange that the ability to deactivate the start stop is not given.

 

[coneybiller]

I don't know a huge amount about the start/stop feature, but as for the engine cutting in again when on the phone or the radio is on, that will be because of the battery voltage getting low. If the battery voltage gets low because of systems using it (radio system, lights, etc) then the engine will cut back in to keep the voltage level up. Would imagine it'll be much the same for the A/C system (if that does work still with the engine off, I don't know), allowing the system to stay at a specified temperature.

 

[400ixl]

I just find it strange that the ability to deactivate the start stop is not given.

Because if they gave that option your road tax would go up significantly as over the course of the banding test it would produce far more.

This is why you can only temporarily disable it.

 

[Yugguy]

Welcome to the internets.

Op asks a question. NOONE answers him, instead he gets a stream of lectures on how to drive.

Stop start is a ******** gimmick to allow manufacturers to fudge mpg and tax bands.

 

[coneybiller]

Actually the OP asked several questions. Some of which, were answered. Agreed the lecturing on "how to drive" was a bit strong by some, but the OP has had some questions answered.
I'm sure the OP thanks you for your helpful answer too by the way....

 

[geraldrobins]

Welcome to the internets.

Op asks a question. NOONE answers him, instead he gets a stream of lectures on how to drive.

Trying to help maybe

Stop start is a ******** gimmick to allow manufacturers to fudge mpg and tax bands.

But it does reduce mpg on the urban cycle under test conditions. The test may not be realistic but this is not the manufacturers fault.

Youre allowed not to like it but some do.

 

[190]

There is no question that stop start will save fuel as after all when stopped with the engine running you are doing zero MPG.

My problem with it is that I simply do not trust the manufacturers to have engineered it so that 50,000 start stop cycles have zero impact on engine wear and reliability. If they were building engines that didn't have for example timing chain problems I might give them the benefit of the doubt but as it is every start stresses a component like a timing chain and sprockets not to mention all bearings reverting from hydrodynamic lubrication to boundary lubrication. MB know perfectly well how to engineer a durable timing chain. The reason it doesn't last the distance is the engineering was compromised in the quest for lower fuel economy and emissions. Do you think they might have compromised stop/start for the same ends ?

I'll adopt it when it's been proven to work for the life time of the car.

 

[400ixl]

Plenty of 200,000+ mile taxis out there using it in city conditions where it cuts in a lot.

I did ask a taxi driver with a 300k E class how reliable it had been once when it kicked in when I was in the cab. It was still working fine for him. Sample of 1 I know but I certainly haven't seen major issues reported with it.

 

[flowrider]

How does stop/start effect starter motor life. Surely it will have a negative effect.

 

[190]

Plenty of 200,000+ mile taxis out there using it in city conditions where it cuts in a lot.

That's good evidence and just the sort of thing we need to hear.

 

[Yugguy]

Aye. Each to their own. I don't like it, and probably never will.

 

[Deleted member 6183]

I'll adopt it when it's been proven to work for the life time of the car.

Never then.