Are you wondering why your Mercedes Start-Stop system is not working as it should? Start-stop system is one of the many advanced technologies fitted on Mercedes-Benz vehicles to enhance the car’s performance and economy. But what if the system stops functioning? A faulty start-stop system can be annoying and may indicate other faults in your car. Here, we’ll take a look at reasons why the Mercedes start-stop system fails and how to fix it so you can keep your car running smoothly.
What Does Start-Stop System Mean?
The smart technology known as start-stop system is integrated into some car models manufactured by Mercedes to enhance efficiency by saving fuel and enhancing minimal emissions. For example, if you are at a traffic light and bring your car to a complete stop the system will turn the engine off. When you take your foot off the brake pedal or press the accelerator, the engine starts right back up again.
This feature saves you gas since your car will not have to idle for a long time. In the long run, it also plays a role in environmental conservation mainly as it cuts on emissions. Although this technology is quite useful, it is dependent on several sensors, electrical parts, and your vehicle battery to perform at optimum best.
Reasons Your Start-Stop System May Fail
- Weak or Failing Battery: The start-stop system puts a lot more load on the car battery in comparison to conventional systems. A low or old battery cannot support these demands and as such the system will fail or stop working.
- Faulty Sensors: The start-stop system depends on other sensors such as the brake pedal position sensor and engine temperature sensor. If any of these sensors are not working or reporting false data the system might not activate or behave in a very erratic manner.
- Software Glitches: Cutting-edge cars including Mercedes are dependent on software to control numerous sophisticated functions like the start-stop innovation. The system may behave unreasonably or fail because of bugs within the software or because the programming was done using outdated technology. This is very frequent in vehicles that rarely go through software updates to address such issues.
- Extreme Weather Conditions: Start-stop systems are influenced by their environment. During extremely high or low temperatures the system may be shut down for a while as the car has to focus on important functions such as the engine and battery. This is actually an in-built safety mechanism to guard the parts of the vehicle.
Diagnosing and Solving Problems Involving the Start-Stop System
- Inspect and Test the Battery: One of the most popular reasons for such issues is a battery, so, first, check its health and the charge level. An old battery or a battery of low capacity may require a change to a good quality battery compatible with Mercedes.
- Check the Sensors: Sensors play a central role in the start-stop system. An experienced professional can check the brake pedal sensor and the engine temperature and battery condition sensors. Any sensor that may be dirty, misaligned, or damaged can be replaced or cleaned with ease to correct the system.
- Update the Software: There are times when there is a software error or the code is not up to date. A Mercedes expert can scan for new software in the car’s control system and reconfigure the start-stop function if necessary.
Count On Bavarium Autoworks When You Need Mercedes Repairs
If you own a Mercedes with a faulty start-stop 
system, you should not disregard the signs. At Bavarium Autoworks, we have mechanics with expertise in diagnosing Mercedes-Benz cars and repairing anything related to the start-stop system. We are based in Mountain View, CA and we serve drivers from surrounding areas including Cupertino, Palo Alto, Saratoga, San Jose, and Santa Clara.
All our technicians are experienced and know how to use the best diagnostic equipment and genuine Mercedes parts for your car. Do not wait for a small problem to develop into a big problem that will require a lot of money to fix. Visit Bavarium Autoworks today and have your Mercedes tuned up to ensure you get the best performance.
* Mercedes Benz AMG GT Car image credit goes to: photosvit.