Turning off ECO stop start W204 for good

[190]

I don't doubt that in time it will be possible to engineer durability into a stop/start engine. But for now and until it is proven over a substantial mileage why should I believe that MB have engineered the current engines properly when it's already proven they can't engineer a simple timing chain and sprockets.

Single row chains were chosen over duplex chains to reduce internal frictional losses. A reduction in durability was the compromise they must have knowingly accepted in order to achieve the required headline emissions and MPG figures. What compromises might have been accepted for stop/start ?

 

[geraldrobins]

I can understand the concerns expressed about extra wear caused by the stop/start, but MB say that everything is strengthened to compensate so will it be a problem in real life. It may be noticeable after a few hundred thousand miles, but let's face it everything will be suffering by then.

What I don't understand is the claims of "several seconds" to start the engine when under start/stop conditions. My C350 petrol starts in less than a second so is barely noticeable. If a fraction of a second is going to compromise my safe exit from a junction I can assure you that I won't want to go. So, is it perhaps only lower powered models that give rise to a noticeable delay? If so, I have to agree with the other posters who have suggested burning lots of extra calories by extending your left arm and pressing the Eco button at the start of each journey.

I fully agree I don't experience any noticeable delay in the restart.

 

[grober]

My concern would not be with crank bearing surfaces so much as potential premature dual mass flywheel failure . Early component failure due to extra stress might be difficult to prove however since the stop start facility will be employed far more in city driving than motorway cruising-meaning that mileage is not going to be accurate measure. If you accept that this measure is required by legislation to reduce vehicle pollution in cities where cars are often sat stationary idling for periods of time then best to accept it and be thankful owners with concerns on potential long term damage still retain the facility to switch it off. There may come a time when even that facility is withdrawn.

ps for those advocating some sort of permanent defeat situation I would urge caution as with modern cars with complex multiple interdependant ECU electronic systems the maxim " use it or lose it" applies. Meaning that even if you switch it off most of the time it may do no harm to "exercise it" now and then.

 

[190]

While I would want to permanently turn it off, it must breach the cars emissions certificate to do so. Just as increasing the tyre width by 10mm will jump some blue efficiency models up into the next road fund tax group. Crazy how manufacturers have gone to the nth degree to hit an emissions target. But then the emissions testing method is crazy too so they all play along.

I wonder if stop/start is just a technological stop gap and in time proves to be a blind alley. In city driving where there is a need to reduce emissions we will all soon be driving hybrids on battery power which will be the ultimate in stop/start as the engine will only kick in when it's needed. They face the same mechanical engineering issues in terms of wear with that application too.

 

[Yugguy]

I think 99% of all these new safety and economy features are basically gimmicks.

I don't need a collision avoidance system - I had that in my 1979 Morris Marina. It was called "eyes".

 

[Alfie]

I may be able to disable the feature. Send me (via email to [email protected]) a VIN number and i'll see ;-)

Its not possible to simply connect the wires behind the switch as there arn't any! These devices are turned on/off via CAN !

 

[bobclive]

There are devices sold at present that puts the the stop/start to default OFF, they cost around £250, there is also a Chinese one at about £50 that controls the electric seat and sun roof and puts stop/start to default off.

Benz A/B/C/E/CLA/GLK Window Closer/Seat Comfort/Eco Start Stop Off PNP Emulator | eBay.

I just want to know if I disconnect the battery in boot will this turn off stop/start like it does in Jags and Rovers.

As for electric cars in Cities, there is hardly enough capacity generated at present to provide power for our present needs, can you possible imagine the chaos when hundreds electric cars need charging in city areas because the owners thought they had enough charge or had forgotten to put car on charge.

 

[bobclive]

If I disconnect this battery in C Class Coupe 2012 boot what will happen.

http://i446.photobucket.com/albums/qq187/bobclive/merc boot battery1_zpspr29vkkj.jpg

http://i446.photobucket.com/albums/qq187/bobclive/Merc battery2_zpsiqcymmv4.jpg

 

[MSG2004]

Hi
Bought a new gle last week, how do i turn off the ECO start/stop permanently please?

 

[geraldrobins]

I think this thread has established that you cant or cant easily.
If I had a new car I certainly wouldn't want to interfere with any of the electrics or electronics in case of invalidating any warranties. Just an opinion of course.

 

[bobclive]

I have a found a solution,

A faulty auxiliary battery located at side of spare wheel under a black cover in boot will disable the stop start system, it appears it only disables the stop start and nothing else, therefore all that is needed is a dodgy auxiliary battery. This relates to the SLK, but it is exactly the same battery (FIAMM) in my 2012 C Class coupe.

I am in Nottingham anyone have a faulty aux battery I can try.

Stop/Start problem - Mercedes Benz SLK Forum

 

[Flackadder]

I only turn mine off in a traffic jam on motorway or the like. Otherwise it never bothers me left on. You do get very used to it.

 

[bobclive]

Don`t want any nasty surprises if i forget to turn it off.

 

[SGP]

I have been looking to buy a MB W204 Coupe but I do not want the ECO function. Otherwise the car ticks all the boxes.
Whilst some say just use the ECO switch each time you start, I'm afraid it is not that simple. The circuitry is there to fail whether on or off. Here is a tale of what happened to my daughter in her brand new BMW Mini. We were overtaking a lorry, daughter changed up a gear after starting to pull back into nearside lane when the engine died. She panicked as the car slowed rapidly in front of the lorry. I told her to dip the clutch and pull over to hard shoulder. She did this but the lorry still clipped the rear end slightly. If I wasn't there she may not have reacted so quickly. BMW saw the fault on their diagnostic but did not know why the fault occurred and that there are quite a few Minis that have previously had the fault. Switching off the ECO button apparently does not stop the fault from happening as it is still in circuit when "bypassed" .... not actually switched off.
Okay, it isn't a Mercedes, MB say their system is the best but, I want to be in control of the vehicle at all times, so if the ECO is permanent, then I won't be buying the W204. I was in a traffic jam a few weeks ago that stiffed me for the best part of 30 minutes .... the cause? A Mercedes Benz GL that had shut down and wouldn't restart, so a similar fault.

 

[Ted]

See the first post on this page.

 

[SGP]

I HAVE read ALL the posts but the circuitry is still there to fail at some point.

 

[grober]

Unfortunately with modern cars you have to rely on electrical circuitry whether you like it or not. The stop start facility was implemented to enable the car achieve certain emission parameters. The alternative would be to pay a higher road fund licence. But leaving that aside for a moment how about your ABS controller, electronic throttle pedal, electronic stability control, electronic steering [ if fitted] tyre pressure monitoring system , airbag inertial/impact controllers and sensors, rain sensing wipers, lane departure warning etc etc all stuff to make that journey safer but all stuff to potentially go wrong with hazardous consequences .

 

[Yugguy]

But shirley a stop/start system should have start as a failsafe condition?

 

[geraldrobins]

But shirley a stop/start system should have start as a failsafe condition?

Not sure what you mean but it wont stop unless certain parameters are met. And no failsafe system is 100% reliable.

 

[Ted]

I HAVE read ALL the posts but the circuitry is still there to fail at some point.

Not sure what you mean.
Apart from the intelligent battery sensor, and of course the disable switch and dash light, pretty much everything is a software decision based on the output of sensors which already exist on non stop/start cars.
Disabling via software is the only practical route to go.