Battery for Mercedes - Eco Start Stop

justanick on 26/03/2022 - 02:10
Last edited 26/03/2022 - 03:19 by 1 other user

Hi all,

Recently my car’s (C class C250) eco start stop is showing amber colour @ sign on my dashboard. The green eco sign only comes once in a blue moon.
My Mercedes Benz quoted main battery responsible for this with a $1000 quote and said the software also needs to be updated with the main battery change.
I called Battery world they said they have stock of original MB battery and it’s around $650 but would like to see the car’s battery.

MB dealer tested the battery and it was around 12.26V.

Questions:
1) Is it time to change my battery now and is eco start stop really does save fuel?
2) Shall I change the battery through battery world or Mercedes? I am not sure why a software update is needed for a battery replacement.

Automotive

Comments

  • MS Paint on 26/03/2022 - 03:59
    +2

    green eco sign only comes once in a blue moon.

    There is no blue moon in 2022 so you're good until next year at least.

    MS Paint on 26/03/2022 - 03:59 (Collapsed - Offtopic. Show)
  • Hithere on 26/03/2022 - 07:45
    -1

    If the moon was made of Roquefort Cheese it would be Blue all the time.

    Hithere on 26/03/2022 - 07:45 (Collapsed - Offtopic. Show)
  • elgrande on 26/03/2022 - 08:17
    +1

    Going for the first comment that does not get negged…

    You own a Mercedes, stop being a tight ass.

  • Ocker on 26/03/2022 - 08:18
    +1

    Like every other "genuine" Mercedes spare part the price they charge for a new battery is well OTT.
    The battery in one of our Merc's needed replacing and MB dealer quoted $850. Had a replacement fitted by Battery World for $450. The brand was a German made Varta battery which is a OEM supplier to MB.
    Would speak to another dealer about the need for a software update

    • netjock on 26/03/2022 - 11:59

      Would speak to another dealer about the need for a software update

      Or a Merc specialist with the MB machine. Think it used to be called STAR. It can read all the errors, pull up parts manuals and update software. Cost a bit of money.

      • mini2 on 26/03/2022 - 15:04

        XENTRY now. I think it's got a newer name than XENTRY.

  • pegaxs on 26/03/2022 - 08:35
    +2

    Sounds like dealer rip off. But, well, you own a Benz, and extracting cash from owners wallets is the only thing MB seems to do well.

    As for the 12.26v, this means nothing other than it the batter has not dropped a cell. What it doesn’t tell you is the stored capacity or it’s amperage output. While the voltage may be ok, it may not have enough storage to crank the car over or to run the vehicles onboard systems.

    As for the software update, that sounds like something they should cover. Did you not bother to ask them what exactly this software update is for? And seriously, of all your other devices you own that need software updates, how many of them do you pay for those updates?

    Get the guys at Battery World to replace the battery and tell the MB dealer, unless the “software update” is free, they can stick it up their (fropanity)

  • skid on 26/03/2022 - 08:42
    -1

    Is it time to change my battery now

    How old is the battery? If the green eco sign rarely turns green, it might mean that you're driving short distances only. If you're driving long distances and it still doesn't turn green, that's an indication to change the battery.

    Does the car take a bit longer to start?

    is eco start stop really does save fuel?

    Yes, but it's f-all.

    Shall I change the battery through battery world or Mercedes?

    Battery world.

    why a software update is needed for a battery replacement.

    With a new battery, the software in the car has to calibrate itself to the high and low limits of the battery so it knows when to enable/disable start/stop. If you do not know how to do this update, change the battery at Mercedes.

  • holdenmg on 26/03/2022 - 09:16
    +3

    The day when a Car Battery costs $1000 is the day to sell the Car and keep the Battery and charge people admission to see a $1000 Battery.

    • JimmyF on 26/03/2022 - 12:13

      and people use to go on about a hybrid battery needing replacement at $3k! At least Toyota gave you a 10 year warranty on that from new.

  • wannagrababargain on 26/03/2022 - 09:32
    +1

    Battery World can also do a CCA test how strong the battery cranking ability is. Probably not an issue to leave the battery for a while but once you start getting the warning signs of a low battery it's worth replacing it, so that you're not caught out on a particularly cold morning or something. Higher than average price is due to the AGM chemistry.

    Usually the "software update" on modern cars is a coding to the ECU/battery management system to tell it that it has a new battery. It's important to get the longevity out of the battery. Battery World and other reputable battery shops can usually do this with a hand held device along with their replacement service.

  • Euphemistic on 26/03/2022 - 10:38

    How old is the car? Battery typically last 3-5 years. Get the current battery tested at battery world and get a new one if they say it needs replacing.

  • JimmyF on 26/03/2022 - 12:12

    2) Shall I change the battery through battery world or Mercedes? I am not sure why a software update is needed for a battery replacement.

    Corporate greed! Thats why!

  • knasty on 26/03/2022 - 12:13
    -1

    12.26v is significantly discharged for an AGM battery. Does the car get decent long runs or lots of short trips? After forking out $400 for my new AGM battery I also invested in a C-Tek charger. Regular charging should significantly extend the battery's life as AGMs like to be kept at a state of full charge which for mine is about 12.9V.

  • justanick on 26/03/2022 - 12:50
    -1

    Hey guys I don’t know how to calibrate battery settings in MB. I called Battery world in Tempe they said they don’t touch the MB software and was rude and starting asking me why I needed a software update for a battery?! WTF I don’t know that myself.
    I only do city driving and mostly on weekends. My car is usually left in the carport.
    Also, I don’t know when the battery was replaced as I bought this from preowned. I was told my dealer that it has after market battery probably fitted by the previous owner.

    • skid on 26/03/2022 - 13:01
      +1

      Buy a car battery charger first. Either a c-tek or a Victron. Should be around the $100 mark for a 12V 5A. Might be enough to fix the green eco start stop light. Since you don't have any other noticeable battery problems, guess you can delay the inevitable.

    • boomramada on 26/03/2022 - 13:38
      -1

      Your options
      1) Ring different battery world / Replace it with them.
      2) Buy a charger ( Winter is coming)
      3) Replace the battery from the dealership

  • mini2 on 26/03/2022 - 15:03

    Varta is Mercedes' OEM.

    Get a C-Tek and charge it up and see if that helps. If not, the battery isn't dead, it just isn't performing at the spec where stop/start can be enabled.

    Worst case scenario is your windows will need to re-learn how to fully open/close if you didn't get it done at the $tealer.

  • laser on 26/03/2022 - 15:08

    Most Mercs with Eco Start stop have an auxiliary battery, that powers the cars electrics. Like most dual battery systems the auxiliary is only charged from the alternator when the main battery is full. The eco start stop will not turn green till unless the auxiliary battery has enough charge to run the electrics for the duration of the stop. This is what I did:
    1. Charge the auxiliary directly with a CTEK 12v 5A charger in CAR, AGM, REC combined mode. This may bring the auxiliary back to life. I disconnected the auxiliary while I did this, but cant remember for sure.
    2. After that reconnect the auxiliary, and then let the CTEK charge the main battery overnight by attaching the crocodile clips to the jump start terminals (not directly to battery - which is a pain to get to anyway).

    This worked for me. Now whenever I notice the eco green take a while to come on, I just repeat step 2.

  • justanick on 26/03/2022 - 15:16
    -1

    C-Tec charger where can I buy it at a reasonable price? Do I need power point plug(wall socket) I live in an apartment and park in a carport with no power sockets. If I have to keep the hood open for this that won’t be safe for example overnight?

    • payless69 on 26/03/2022 - 16:26

      All chargers need power. Ask bodycorp.

  • payless69 on 26/03/2022 - 15:47

    Mum bought a Mercedes. I found the battery was mounted in the boot! Bad choice. Long cables needed. But it was a manual and had decent clamps so it was never an issue.
    Get a capacity tester online. (around $40) They require to enter the CCA number and will return a percentage.
    If you only drive on weekends the car should be built to handle that. Rather than carry a C-tek charger you could carry a portable emergency charger. Should cost $70 for a 4 cylinder or 100 for a 6. My small battery store usually plugs a small bike battery into the cigarette lighter leaving key on ACC during main battery changeover. This way the car does not have to re-learn your driving habbits. AGM stands for absorbed glass mat. They are needed for boats and planes who change positions. AGM need to have a lower charge cut voltage or they die of overheating.

  • justanick on 26/03/2022 - 17:03

    I found a wall socket in wash bay in my apartment. I can lock my car and use it for 3-5hours at night. Looking at Amazon it’s $200 for C-Tek. Should I purchase it or just change the battery for $650 at battery world?

    • Euphemistic on 26/03/2022 - 17:19
      +2

      Get battery world to test your battery. Don’t buy a charger you’ll likely never use again.

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