W218 optional ECU software updatr

[myromeo]

Just been speaking to my local Mercedes dealership regarding the Mercedes me adapter and they’ve advised me that an optional ECU software update is available to help reduce emissions... anyone advise if this has a detrimental effect on performance? Car is NOT remapped yet...

should I go for the software update or decline it?

 

[markjay]

I believe that the ECU update in question may be the update that removes the 'defeat device' (aka 'cheat') from the ECU, i.e. the software bit that tells the car to be on its best behaviour emission-wise while being tested on a rolling-road....

There were some concerns that this ECU software update may adversely affect MPG though.

 

[myromeo]

Thanks mark, I guess if it does more frequent regens it’ll ultimately use more fuel.

I do several short journeys midweek with longer runs at a weekend, curious if this update causes the engine to reach running temperature quicker or otherwise brings any advantage for my usage. I’ll be getting the car remapped in the next month or two so would prefer to have this update before the remap or never.

 

[grober]

Further information on recall of Mercedes-Benz vehicles with diesel engines. | Daimler

https://www.daimler.com/documents/i...elle-diesel-rueckruf-published-by-daimler.pdf

 

[myromeo]

Grober, thanks. Curiously my vehicle is not listed yet mb tell me there’s an update available.

 

[MadsMogensen]

Further information on recall of Mercedes-Benz vehicles with diesel engines. | Daimler

https://www.daimler.com/documents/i...elle-diesel-rueckruf-published-by-daimler.pdf

Hello Grober
I just read an old post on 4metic that you made, and I was wondering if I may bother you with a question?
Kind regards Mads

 

[grober]

Its probably a conformity issue as detailed here, where there was some leeway given on the introduction of new EURO 6 Emission standards Do you know your Euro 6 from your 6c and 6d-TEMP?
However this leeway was removed in December 2018 meaning perhaps a new tranch of vehicles would be effected?????
NOx lenience for RDE illegal, 80 mg/km limit perfectly feasible for diesel

Conformity factor under discussion
There is some controversy around the 2.1 conformity factor, that cuts OEMs some slack to adjust to the new RDE type approval procedure. It came into being in 2016, when the European Commission voted an amendment to the Euro 6 standard allowing NOx emissions measured during the Real Driving Emissions (RDE) test to deviate 110% from the 80 mg/km lab limit.
In December 2018, the General Court of the European Union ruled the Commission had no such power and as technologically difficult it may be for carmakers to meet the 80 mg/km limit in real-life conditions, that does not justify the leniency.

 

[markjay]

Grober, thanks. Curiously my vehicle is not listed yet mb tell me there’s an update available.

Well, there's always the possibility that this is simply a routine software update, nothing sinister about it... I do not know.

 

[grober]

Hello Grober
I just read an old post on 4metic that you made, and I was wondering if I may bother you with a question?
Kind regards Mads

Ask away BUT MAYBE ON THE OLD 4MATIC THREAD?

 

[myromeo]

So nobody had an optional software update carried out on the 350 CDI engine? I’m all for reducing emissions but not at the cost of performance or fuel consumption. I’ll not rush to book it until I’ve heard from more members who have done this. I’d also be curious if GAD have remapped any with this update?

 

[Abb]

I didn't even know there was an update! Have MB contacted you to make you aware?

I have checked the list which Grober has posted at #4 and although our CLS does not fall within the dates our ML does, despite both being 2012 models and having the same engine. The ML has incidentally been mapped too, so again no idea how that would be effected if the update was performed.

 

[myromeo]

Abb, I requested info on the Mercedes me adapter and the dealer informed me when they called me regarding the adapter that the software update is available. They did say it would have no effect on performance or economy but part of me thinks if they’re changing engine parameters then surely it must affect something!

mines a 2012 too...

 

[MadsMogensen]

Ask away BUT MAYBE ON THE OLD 4MATIC THREAD?

Done

 

[grober]

Irrc NOx reduction is normally achieved by recycling some inert exhaust gases into the inlet system to reduce combustion temperature via the EGR valve. If this "defeat software" is NOx related its likely to involve the time and extent to which the EGR operates during the warmup and normal running cycles. How this would effect driveability and fuel economy is difficult to predict let alone measure. In the overall scale of things fuel consumption may suffer slightly but you would need to hear of the "before and after" evidence quoted from someone who has actually had this software update performed on their car?

 

[markjay]

...They did say it would have no effect on performance or economy but part of me thinks if they’re changing engine parameters then surely it must affect something!...

To be fair, some software updates are just bug fixes, so will have no noticeable effect on anything, but without seeing the Release Notes or the WIS document for the particular update there's no way of knowing what the update actually does.

 

[myromeo]

To be fair, some software updates are just bug fixes, so will have no noticeable effect on anything, but without seeing the Release Notes or the WIS document for the particular update there's no way of knowing what the update actually does.

I guess it would be unlikely MB would provide us with said documents? I’ve emailed MBUK to ask anyway... will keep you informed.
I’m keep to book my remap or order a D6S but need to work out this update first.

 

[gildeaa]

Had the car updated back in May 2019 as a recall for my 2014 W218 250CDI. I have not noticed any difference to economy or performance as advised by MB.

 

[Isdyl]

Hi - I have just found this thread and can tell you that I had my 2014 CLS 350 (43K mikes) 'updated' on 5th September this year. At the time I had no idea the update was to do with emissions and it was done at the same time as a Comand SW update. I wasn't given any information about what they actually did. I have noticed a considerable decrease in fuel economy since this was done. I have been doing the exact same daily journeys for 10 years and previously in my e39 BMW 530d I was averaging 29mpg. When I bought the CLS in July I was getting 34mpg average. Now after the update I am getting 28mpg. It is a journey of about 15 miles mixed between town and rural driving with a few areas you can get up to 50 or 60 mph. I have written to the dealer three times asking for information about the update but they seem to be ignoring my emails. I am actually now considering taking legal advise. Markjay - did you manage to obtain any of the documentation please?

 

[grober]

General principles here
How Does a Software Update Fix Diesel Emissions? - AVID Technology
Almost certainly would involve the extent of EGR operation and injection timing [ multiple injections involved] to reduce NOx production by reducing combustion gas temperature ---an effect of which might be a slight reduction in engine thermal efficiency resulting in the loss of MPG you are experiencing.

Its doubtful if any software update customer accessible documentation would contain enough detail to satisfy your questions. Indeed it may simply consist of multiple software changes to engine ECU operating parameters downloaded directly from the factory which the dealer has no knowledge of other than which models its applicable to. All they may do is plug the car in.
Further information on recall of Mercedes-Benz vehicles with diesel engines. | Daimler
QUOTE:-
Pursuant to an administrative order by the German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) --------------------------------------
According to the KBA’s interpretation of the law, certain specific calibrations of functionalities in the vehicles’ engine management must be modified.

https://www.daimler.com/documents/i...elle-diesel-rueckruf-published-by-daimler.pdf

 

[Isdyl]

General principles here
How Does a Software Update Fix Diesel Emissions? - AVID Technology
Almost certainly would involve the extent of EGR operation and injection timing [ multiple injections involved] to reduce NOx production by reducing combustion gas temperature ---an effect of which might be a slight reduction in engine thermal efficiency resulting in the loss of MPG you are experiencing.

Its doubtful if any software update customer accessible documentation would contain enough detail to satisfy your questions. Indeed it may simply consist of multiple software changes to engine ECU operating parameters downloaded directly from the factory which the dealer has no knowledge of other than which models its applicable to. All they may do is plug the car in.
Further information on recall of Mercedes-Benz vehicles with diesel engines. | Daimler
QUOTE:-
Pursuant to an administrative order by the German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) --------------------------------------
According to the KBA’s interpretation of the law, certain specific calibrations of functionalities in the vehicles’ engine management must be modified.

https://www.daimler.com/documents/i...elle-diesel-rueckruf-published-by-daimler.pdf

Thanks