Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

kyfdx

oldfarmer50 said:

stickguy said:

last battery I had changed was in our 2013 RDX. the teenaged looking girl at Batteries Plus had it done in about 10 minutes.

Wow, taking it to “the guy” is shameful enough but you took it to “the girl”? Oh man.😫

The girl at Advance Auto Parts installed my new wipers.

andres3

kyfdx said:

oldfarmer50 said:

stickguy said:

last battery I had changed was in our 2013 RDX. the teenaged looking girl at Batteries Plus had it done in about 10 minutes.

Wow, taking it to “the guy” is shameful enough but you took it to “the girl”? Oh man.😫

The girl at Advance Auto Parts installed my new wipers.

Maybe the last thing that doesn't need "recoding."

sda

I had the 40k service done on the Passat this morning at the VW dealer. Oil change, filter, pollen filter, new spark plugs, etc. The total, including tax was $319 which is reasonable. No upsell. I have been fortunate that the service I have experienced at this dealer has been consistently excellent.

roadburner

driver100 said:

roadburner said:

At least my M-B dealer is quick and competent; the battery replacement in my C43 took less than an hour. When I had a flat and had it delivered to the dealer the service department opened at 7:30 am; at 7:27 am my service advisor had texted me to let me know that they were checking the RF tire issue. I texted back that I would like to go ahead and have the Service A performed. He said that was no problem.. At 9:00 am he advised that the tire had a hole in the sidewall and that the rear brake pads were close to the minimums; I authorized replacing them. At 11:18 am the car was washed and ready to be picked up.
Overall it was a very impressive experience.

But do they have free gourmet fresh roasted coffee and home made chicken and barley soup?

I don't know and I don't care- I prioritize a competent service department above all.

tjc78

Wipers, batteries, brakes?? What are these things you talk about needing replacement? 😎😎

driver100

imidazol97 said:

driver100 said:

I was at the dealers for 3 hours....of course they did the diagnostic tests which took about an hour.....I told them it was the battery, if they go after 5 years maximum and mine is 6 years old...then it has to be the battery. Abd probably 20 minutes was for the car wash.

The battery alone was about $300, the labor almost $300. And, don't forget, the OFF/ON has probably saved me $10 in gas at the most.

Did you have to pay for the chicken barley soup?

The Chicken Barley Soup was $3.75 CDN which is about $2.50 U.S. for a large bowl and with lots of real chicken. And the bread is homemade and delicious. They had a chicken Caesar wrap for $6 CDN, about $4 U.S. and one guy said it was excellent.
The coffee is free and is as good as coffee can be. It is served and it was brought to me. The soup was better than what is served in some restaurants, where it is $8 or $10 these days!

tjc78

Driver - you could justify selling ice to an Eskimo

driver100

tjc78 said:

Driver - you could justify selling ice to an Eskimo

Not a bad idea tjc......the ice they make might be using salt water from the Beaufort Sea.....fresh water in bottles would probably freeze faster.

28firefighter

@tjc78 said:
Driver - you could justify selling ice to an Eskimo

Was thinking the same.

ab348

imidazol97 said:

driver100 said:

I was at the dealers for 3 hours....of course they did the diagnostic tests which took about an hour.....I told them it was the battery, if they go after 5 years maximum and mine is 6 years old...then it has to be the battery. Abd probably 20 minutes was for the car wash.

The battery alone was about $300, the labor almost $300. And, don't forget, the OFF/ON has probably saved me $10 in gas at the most.

My batteries were 7.5 years old IIRC. That's the GM Mark of Excellence shining through for my batteries. I replaced the main battery before it gave trouble (I have a battery life tester and it was below some 60% or 50% that made me decide it was time).

Did you have to pay for the chicken barley soup?

If you pay $600 for a battery exchange, you ought to get a free bowl of soup.

jmonroe1

tjc78 said:

Driver - you could justify selling ice to an Eskimo

————————————————
I don’t think so. Today Eskimos make their own ice then sell them to Benz dealers so they can make smoothies from them to be sold to customers in the dealers service waiting area.

jmonroe

driver100

Besides, you have to deduct from the $600 bill, the amount I have saved from having the STOP/GO feature for 6 years, which is probably about $9.47.

jmonroe1

@ab348 said:
If you pay $600 for a battery exchange, you ought to get a free bowl of soup.

————————————————
And then get your head examined.

jmonroe

driver100

FYI:
Auxiliary Battery Replacement Service
How much does a Auxiliary Battery Replacement cost?
On average, the cost for a Mercedes-Benz S550 Auxiliary Battery Replacement is $353 with $258 for parts and $95 for labor. Prices may vary depending on your location.
That's from a website: https://www.yourmechanic.com/estimates/mercedes-benz/e550/auxiliary-battery-replacement
$353 U.S. is $470 Cdn . They say labor is $95 an hour, in Canada it is $130 at least.
They did waste an hour of time diagnosing the problem, I told them to just replace the battery...but, oh no, they had to do a diagnosis to make sure it wasn't something else. And our tax rate is 13% added to that bill.
It is still bad, but not that much different from any other MB dealer.

explorerx4

@driver100,
I had the same thing happen to me with a battery replacement.
Even after putting on the trickle charger for an extended period several times and the battery wouldn't charge all the way up, when I brought it into the dealer there was a diagnostic charge,
I told the SA that i told them to just replace the battery, not test it first.
They wouldn't refund the diag.

imidazol97

driver100 said:

Besides, you have to deduct from the $600 bill, the amount I have saved from having the STOP/GO feature for 6 years, which is probably about $9.47.

I figure the stop-go "feature" has cost more than it would ever save in fuel. The extra durability built into the starter, the extra pump on the coolant and the transmission fluid to pump while the engine is off, all the extra controls, and I probably saved 1 gallon of fuel over 55K mi and 9 years. It's like some pop topics--it's a talking point. Most of the time if it kicks in, it's off for 5 seconds or less and car is moving again.

It had a habit of kicking in for stop signs at 4-way stops. I finally learned I could defeat it by keeping one side of the dual control climate system set far different than the driver. That way the computer didn't kick on the gas saver because the AC wasn't "satisfied" inside the car. I also lightly apply the brakes so the percent brake pedal depression is less than the number needed to trip the system as ON. There were about 20 requirements that had to be met in the computer for the system to stop and start.

The Chevy stop-go required computer chip or add on box to defeat. No OFF switch. The GM Mark of Excellence.

driver100

explorerx4 said:

@driver100,
I had the same thing happen to me with a battery replacement.
Even after putting on the trickle charger for an extended period several times and the battery wouldn't charge all the way up, when I brought it into the dealer there was a diagnostic charge,
I told the SA that i told them to just replace the battery, not test it first.
They wouldn't refund the diag.

Explorer, I got the impression they have an agenda before replacing a battery, they have to do diagnostics first. They can justify doing that, it would be hard to tell a customer that we replaced the battery but that wasn't the problem. One thing I did find out, they also tested the main battery and it is fine after 6 years. I was considering replacing it too, but he told me it still has a fair amount of life left....so they were honest about that.

driver100

imidazol97 said:

driver100 said:

Besides, you have to deduct from the $600 bill, the amount I have saved from having the STOP/GO feature for 6 years, which is probably about $9.47.

I figure the stop-go "feature" has cost more than it would ever save in fuel. The extra durability built into the starter, the extra pump on the coolant and the transmission fluid to pump while the engine is off, all the extra controls, and I probably saved 1 gallon of fuel over 55K mi and 9 years. It's like global warming--it's a talking point. Most of the time if it kicks in, it's off for 5 seconds or less and car is moving again.

It had a habit of kicking in for stop signs at 4-way stops. I finally learned I could defeat it by keeping one side of the dual control climate system set far different than the driver. That way the computer didn't kick on the gas saver because the AC wasn't "satisfied" inside the car. I also lightly apply the brakes so the percent brake pedal depression is less than the number needed to trip the system as ON. There were about 20 requirements that had to be met in the computer for the system to stop and start.

The Chevy stop-go required computer chip or add on box to defeat. No OFF switch. The GM Mark of Excellence.

....and don't forget......that is an extra battery that now has to be disposed of....I paid another $4 for that. More toxic chemical pollution to save a few drops of gas.
But, let's be practical....they save a few ounces of gas so the car can pass the mpg tests....not to save buyers money.

jmonroe1

@driver100 said:
Explorer, I got the impression they have an agenda before replacing a battery, they have to do diagnostics first. They can justify doing that, it would be hard to tell a customer that we replaced the battery but that wasn't the problem. One thing I did find out, they also tested the main battery and it is fine after 6 years. I was considering replacing it too, but he told me it still has a fair amount of life left....so they were honest about that.

————————————————
I’d say most SA are fearful of being shot if they tell a customer that they need two batteries costing 600 bucks a pop. In those cases honesty isn’t the best policy.

jmonroe

Michaell

@driver100 - gee, if you had an EV, you wouldn’t have to worry about the stop start feature and the drag on your battery.

stickguy

jmonroe1 said:

@driver100 said:

Explorer, I got the impression they have an agenda before replacing a battery, they have to do diagnostics first. They can justify doing that, it would be hard to tell a customer that we replaced the battery but that wasn't the problem. One thing I did find out, they also tested the main battery and it is fine after 6 years. I was considering replacing it too, but he told me it still has a fair amount of life left....so they were honest about that.

————————————————

I’d say most SA are fearful of being shot if they tell a customer that they need two batteries costing 600 bucks a pop. In those cases honesty isn’t the best policy.

jmonroe

It is a Mercedes dealer. They have zero qualms about dropping any quote on a customer. When a routine oil change and basic multipoint inspection goes for $400+, there is no shame in that place.

stickguy

went to meet the sales agent at the lot for the new build we are interested in. So far, still moving along with the process. Will take a while before we drill down to the actual specifics of what the house would be, and a final cost, but we really liked the builder (a small operation custom builder with a very good reputation). So we need to look at floorplans and let him know if we found anything more interesting than what they speced out for that lot. Otherwise will start with that plan and make adjustments to fit our desires and see what he can do.

should be an interesting process but seems like a good chance we go through with it. Going to be a nice little infill pocket neighborhood (a cul de sac type street along a quiet existing residential road. nice privacy and space on this lot. And from talking with the agent the builder is very flexible with making changes within the basic structure shell without adding to the cost.

roadburner

imidazol97 said:

driver100 said:

Besides, you have to deduct from the $600 bill, the amount I have saved from having the STOP/GO feature for 6 years, which is probably about $9.47.

I figure the stop-go "feature" has cost more than it would ever save in fuel. The extra durability built into the starter, the extra pump on the coolant and the transmission fluid to pump while the engine is off, all the extra controls, and I probably saved 1 gallon of fuel over 55K mi and 9 years. It's like some pop topics--it's a talking point. Most of the time if it kicks in, it's off for 5 seconds or less and car is moving again.

It had a habit of kicking in for stop signs at 4-way stops. I finally learned I could defeat it by keeping one side of the dual control climate system set far different than the driver. That way the computer didn't kick on the gas saver because the AC wasn't "satisfied" inside the car. I also lightly apply the brakes so the percent brake pedal depression is less than the number needed to trip the system as ON. There were about 20 requirements that had to be met in the computer for the system to stop and start.

The Chevy stop-go required computer chip or add on box to defeat. No OFF switch. The GM Mark of Excellence.

There is no way I would buy a car with a stop-start system that can't be disabled. There's an off button on the C43 but you have to push it every time you start the car. I plan to eventually code it to default to off but for now I just hit the button immediately after starting the engine- along with setting the AMG exhaust loudness to "Annoy bystanders."

venture

driver100 said:

imidazol97 said:

driver100 said:

Besides, you have to deduct from the $600 bill, the amount I have saved from having the STOP/GO feature for 6 years, which is probably about $9.47.

I figure the stop-go "feature" has cost more than it would ever save in fuel. The extra durability built into the starter, the extra pump on the coolant and the transmission fluid to pump while the engine is off, all the extra controls, and I probably saved 1 gallon of fuel over 55K mi and 9 years. It's like global warming--it's a talking point. Most of the time if it kicks in, it's off for 5 seconds or less and car is moving again.

It had a habit of kicking in for stop signs at 4-way stops. I finally learned I could defeat it by keeping one side of the dual control climate system set far different than the driver. That way the computer didn't kick on the gas saver because the AC wasn't "satisfied" inside the car. I also lightly apply the brakes so the percent brake pedal depression is less than the number needed to trip the system as ON. There were about 20 requirements that had to be met in the computer for the system to stop and start.

The Chevy stop-go required computer chip or add on box to defeat. No OFF switch. The GM Mark of Excellence.

....and don't forget......that is an extra battery that now has to be disposed of....I paid another $4 for that. More toxic chemical pollution to save a few drops of gas.
But, let's be practical....they save a few ounces of gas so the car can pass the mpg tests....not to save buyers money.

I think you will find that the auxiliary battery does much more than operate the stop/start feature.

tjc78

Isn’t stop/start more for emissions reduction than fuel savings? Obviously one car isn’t going to do much, but millions…..

Our Volvo is a one and done. Once you turn it off, it’s gone forever. The Ram I have to press the button every time. It’s almost muscle memory now. Luckily they put the button in the grouping as the shift knob.

stickguy

Both our cars were every time. Just muscle memory now. The RDX it’s one more button in the start, gear, parking brake, stop/start rotation!

1st maverick had it. 2nd one obviously can’t turn it off (and don’t want to) but I can never tell when it happens anyway.

driver100

imidazol97 said:

driver100 said:

Besides, you have to deduct from the $600 bill, the amount I have saved from having the STOP/GO feature for 6 years, which is probably about $9.47.

I figure the stop-go "feature" has cost more than it would ever save in fuel. The extra durability built into the starter, the extra pump on the coolant and the transmission fluid to pump while the engine is off, all the extra controls, and I probably saved 1 gallon of fuel over 55K mi and 9 years. It's like global warming--it's a talking point. Most of the time if it kicks in, it's off for 5 seconds or less and car is moving again.

It had a habit of kicking in for stop signs at 4-way stops. I finally learned I could defeat it by keeping one side of the dual control climate system set far different than the driver. That way the computer didn't kick on the gas saver because the AC wasn't "satisfied" inside the car. I also lightly apply the brakes so the percent brake pedal depression is less than the number needed to trip the system as ON. There were about 20 requirements that had to be met in the computer for the system to stop and start.

The Chevy stop-go required computer chip or add on box to defeat. No OFF switch. The GM Mark of Excellence.

....and don't forget......that is an extra battery that now has to be dispo

venture said:

driver100 said:

imidazol97 said:

driver100 said:

Besides, you have to deduct from the $600 bill, the amount I have saved from having the STOP/GO feature for 6 years, which is probably about $9.47.

I figure the stop-go "feature" has cost more than it would ever save in fuel. The extra durability built into the starter, the extra pump on the coolant and the transmission fluid to pump while the engine is off, all the extra controls, and I probably saved 1 gallon of fuel over 55K mi and 9 years. It's like global warming--it's a talking point. Most of the time if it kicks in, it's off for 5 seconds or less and car is moving again.

It had a habit of kicking in for stop signs at 4-way stops. I finally learned I could defeat it by keeping one side of the dual control climate system set far different than the driver. That way the computer didn't kick on the gas saver because the AC wasn't "satisfied" inside the car. I also lightly apply the brakes so the percent brake pedal depression is less than the number needed to trip the system as ON. There were about 20 requirements that had to be met in the computer for the system to stop and start.

The Chevy stop-go required computer chip or add on box to defeat. No OFF switch. The GM Mark of Excellence.

....and don't forget......that is an extra battery that now has to be disposed of....I paid another $4 for that. More toxic chemical pollution to save a few drops of gas.
But, let's be practical....they save a few ounces of gas so the car can pass the mpg tests....not to save buyers money.

I think you will find that the auxiliary battery does much more than operate the stop/start feature.

In earlier models they ran a few things....wipers, radio etc., but now I think they just run the Stop/Go.
One reason I wanted to replace it was because if the main battery fails, maybe the auxiliary will be able to start the car.

driver100

Michaell said:

@driver100 - gee, if you had an EV, you wouldn’t have to worry about the stop start feature and the drag on your battery.

lol, but an EV presents different problems that are worse. Like they say only 1/3rd of hotels across the country have chargers. Some cars take about 8 hours to charge up. Oh, and then there is range anxiety, no thanks.....and it will be like cell phones, cars bought today will be fossils in 3 years time.

kyfdx

@imidazol97

I'd agree, except.. if there were a cheaper way to achieve the fuel mileage or emissions reduction, they surely would have done it. Of course, cheaper for the manufacturer is not necessarily cheaper for the owner.

venture

driver100 said:

imidazol97 said:

driver100 said:

Besides, you have to deduct from the $600 bill, the amount I have saved from having the STOP/GO feature for 6 years, which is probably about $9.47.

I figure the stop-go "feature" has cost more than it would ever save in fuel. The extra durability built into the starter, the extra pump on the coolant and the transmission fluid to pump while the engine is off, all the extra controls, and I probably saved 1 gallon of fuel over 55K mi and 9 years. It's like global warming--it's a talking point. Most of the time if it kicks in, it's off for 5 seconds or less and car is moving again.

It had a habit of kicking in for stop signs at 4-way stops. I finally learned I could defeat it by keeping one side of the dual control climate system set far different than the driver. That way the computer didn't kick on the gas saver because the AC wasn't "satisfied" inside the car. I also lightly apply the brakes so the percent brake pedal depression is less than the number needed to trip the system as ON. There were about 20 requirements that had to be met in the computer for the system to stop and start.

The Chevy stop-go required computer chip or add on box to defeat. No OFF switch. The GM Mark of Excellence.

....and don't forget......that is an extra battery that now has to be dispo

venture said:

driver100 said:

imidazol97 said:

driver100 said:

Besides, you have to deduct from the $600 bill, the amount I have saved from having the STOP/GO feature for 6 years, which is probably about $9.47.

I figure the stop-go "feature" has cost more than it would ever save in fuel. The extra durability built into the starter, the extra pump on the coolant and the transmission fluid to pump while the engine is off, all the extra controls, and I probably saved 1 gallon of fuel over 55K mi and 9 years. It's like global warming--it's a talking point. Most of the time if it kicks in, it's off for 5 seconds or less and car is moving again.

It had a habit of kicking in for stop signs at 4-way stops. I finally learned I could defeat it by keeping one side of the dual control climate system set far different than the driver. That way the computer didn't kick on the gas saver because the AC wasn't "satisfied" inside the car. I also lightly apply the brakes so the percent brake pedal depression is less than the number needed to trip the system as ON. There were about 20 requirements that had to be met in the computer for the system to stop and start.

The Chevy stop-go required computer chip or add on box to defeat. No OFF switch. The GM Mark of Excellence.

....and don't forget......that is an extra battery that now has to be disposed of....I paid another $4 for that. More toxic chemical pollution to save a few drops of gas.
But, let's be practical....they save a few ounces of gas so the car can pass the mpg tests....not to save buyers money.

I think you will find that the auxiliary battery does much more than operate the stop/start feature.

In earlier models they ran a few things....wipers, radio etc., but now I think they just run the Stop/Go.
One reason I wanted to replace it was because if the main battery fails, maybe the auxiliary will be able to start the car.

Well...unless things have changed dramatically, the main battery in the trunk started the car. The auxiliary battery, in the engine compartment did everything else. evidently you could also jump start the car using the auxiliary battery.

explorerx4

I usually leave the Stop/Start active unless I'm the first or only vehicle in line and am going to turn from a side street with no traffic light.
In my last Fusion, it was good for about 2 mpg(29 vs 27).

ab348

I just leave it be in the ATS. It seems pretty unobtrusive and doesn’t bother me.

imidazol97

venture said:

driver100 said:

imidazol97 said:

driver100 said:

Besides, you have to deduct from the $600 bill, the amount I have saved from having the STOP/GO feature for 6 years, which is probably about $9.47.

I figure the stop-go "feature" has cost more than it would ever save in fuel. The extra durability built into the starter, the extra pump on the coolant and the transmission fluid to pump while the engine is off, all the extra controls, and I probably saved 1 gallon of fuel over 55K mi and 9 years. It's like global warming--it's a talking point. Most of the time if it kicks in, it's off for 5 seconds or less and car is moving again.

It had a habit of kicking in for stop signs at 4-way stops. I finally learned I could defeat it by keeping one side of the dual control climate system set far different than the driver. That way the computer didn't kick on the gas saver because the AC wasn't "satisfied" inside the car. I also lightly apply the brakes so the percent brake pedal depression is less than the number needed to trip the system as ON. There were about 20 requirements that had to be met in the computer for the system to stop and start.

The Chevy stop-go required computer chip or add on box to defeat. No OFF switch. The GM Mark of Excellence.

....and don't forget......that is an extra battery that now has to be dispo

venture said:

driver100 said:

imidazol97 said:

driver100 said:

Besides, you have to deduct from the $600 bill, the amount I have saved from having the STOP/GO feature for 6 years, which is probably about $9.47.

I figure the stop-go "feature" has cost more than it would ever save in fuel. The extra durability built into the starter, the extra pump on the coolant and the transmission fluid to pump while the engine is off, all the extra controls, and I probably saved 1 gallon of fuel over 55K mi and 9 years. It's like global warming--it's a talking point. Most of the time if it kicks in, it's off for 5 seconds or less and car is moving again.

It had a habit of kicking in for stop signs at 4-way stops. I finally learned I could defeat it by keeping one side of the dual control climate system set far different than the driver. That way the computer didn't kick on the gas saver because the AC wasn't "satisfied" inside the car. I also lightly apply the brakes so the percent brake pedal depression is less than the number needed to trip the system as ON. There were about 20 requirements that had to be met in the computer for the system to stop and start.

The Chevy stop-go required computer chip or add on box to defeat. No OFF switch. The GM Mark of Excellence.

....and don't forget......that is an extra battery that now has to be disposed of....I paid another $4 for that. More toxic chemical pollution to save a few drops of gas.
But, let's be practical....they save a few ounces of gas so the car can pass the mpg tests....not to save buyers money.

I think you will find that the auxiliary battery does much more than operate the stop/start feature.

In earlier models they ran a few things....wipers, radio etc., but now I think they just run the Stop/Go.
One reason I wanted to replace it was because if the main battery fails, maybe the auxiliary will be able to start the car.

Well...unless things have changed dramatically, the main battery in the trunk started the car. The auxiliary battery, in the engine compartment did everything else. evidently you could also jump start the car using the auxiliary battery.

I don't know how MB has engineered their battery pair, but in the GM that I have, the small battery in the trunk has one duty only: that's to operate the HVAC blower fan, lights, trans pump, coolant pump and other things operating while the engine is shut down ONLY during the restart process. That's a fraction of a second. The main battery handles the engine cranking free of the load of the ancillary items during the time it is cranking the engine.

My AGM trunk battery tested fine when I turned it in as a core at Oreilly store. He said I could return the purchased battery if I wanted to keep using the trunk battery since it was good. But like @driver100, I wanted both batteries replaced at 7.5 years of service. Money was no object.

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c/platinum/battery---accessories/batteries/31624da3221a/super-start-platinum-agm-auxiliary-battery-group-size-401/ssbq/aux12/v/a/128006/automotive-car-2014-chevrolet-malibu?pos=0

venture

imidazol97 said:

venture said:

driver100 said:

imidazol97 said:

driver100 said:

Besides, you have to deduct from the $600 bill, the amount I have saved from having the STOP/GO feature for 6 years, which is probably about $9.47.

I figure the stop-go "feature" has cost more than it would ever save in fuel. The extra durability built into the starter, the extra pump on the coolant and the transmission fluid to pump while the engine is off, all the extra controls, and I probably saved 1 gallon of fuel over 55K mi and 9 years. It's like global warming--it's a talking point. Most of the time if it kicks in, it's off for 5 seconds or less and car is moving again.

It had a habit of kicking in for stop signs at 4-way stops. I finally learned I could defeat it by keeping one side of the dual control climate system set far different than the driver. That way the computer didn't kick on the gas saver because the AC wasn't "satisfied" inside the car. I also lightly apply the brakes so the percent brake pedal depression is less than the number needed to trip the system as ON. There were about 20 requirements that had to be met in the computer for the system to stop and start.

The Chevy stop-go required computer chip or add on box to defeat. No OFF switch. The GM Mark of Excellence.

....and don't forget......that is an extra battery that now has to be dispo

venture said:

driver100 said:

imidazol97 said:

driver100 said:

Besides, you have to deduct from the $600 bill, the amount I have saved from having the STOP/GO feature for 6 years, which is probably about $9.47.

I figure the stop-go "feature" has cost more than it would ever save in fuel. The extra durability built into the starter, the extra pump on the coolant and the transmission fluid to pump while the engine is off, all the extra controls, and I probably saved 1 gallon of fuel over 55K mi and 9 years. It's like global warming--it's a talking point. Most of the time if it kicks in, it's off for 5 seconds or less and car is moving again.

It had a habit of kicking in for stop signs at 4-way stops. I finally learned I could defeat it by keeping one side of the dual control climate system set far different than the driver. That way the computer didn't kick on the gas saver because the AC wasn't "satisfied" inside the car. I also lightly apply the brakes so the percent brake pedal depression is less than the number needed to trip the system as ON. There were about 20 requirements that had to be met in the computer for the system to stop and start.

The Chevy stop-go required computer chip or add on box to defeat. No OFF switch. The GM Mark of Excellence.

....and don't forget......that is an extra battery that now has to be disposed of....I paid another $4 for that. More toxic chemical pollution to save a few drops of gas.
But, let's be practical....they save a few ounces of gas so the car can pass the mpg tests....not to save buyers money.

I think you will find that the auxiliary battery does much more than operate the stop/start feature.

In earlier models they ran a few things....wipers, radio etc., but now I think they just run the Stop/Go.
One reason I wanted to replace it was because if the main battery fails, maybe the auxiliary will be able to start the car.

Well...unless things have changed dramatically, the main battery in the trunk started the car. The auxiliary battery, in the engine compartment did everything else. evidently you could also jump start the car using the auxiliary battery.

I don't know how MB has engineered their battery pair, but in the GM that I have, the small battery in the trunk has one duty only: that's to operate the HVAC blower fan, lights, trans pump, coolant pump and other things operating while the engine is shut down ONLY during the restart process. That's a fraction of a second. The main battery handles the engine cranking free of the load of the ancillary items during the time it is cranking the engine.

My AGM trunk battery tested fine when I turned it in as a core at Oreilly store. He said I could return the purchased battery if I wanted to keep using the trunk battery since it was good. But like @driver100, I wanted both batteries replaced at 7.5 years of service. Money was no object.

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c/platinum/battery---accessories/batteries/31624da3221a/super-start-platinum-agm-auxiliary-battery-group-size-401/ssbq/aux12/v/a/128006/automotive-car-2014-chevrolet-malibu?pos=0

Where's Fintail when we need him?

ab348

imidazol97 said:

My AGM trunk battery tested fine when I turned it in as a core at Oreilly store. He said I could return the purchased battery if I wanted to keep using the trunk battery since it was good. But like @driver100, I wanted both batteries replaced at 7.5 years of service. Money was no object.

No free bowl of soup for you! 😃

imidazol97

ab348 said:

imidazol97 said:

My AGM trunk battery tested fine when I turned it in as a core at Oreilly store. He said I could return the purchased battery if I wanted to keep using the trunk battery since it was good. But like @driver100, I wanted both batteries replaced at 7.5 years of service. Money was no object.

No free bowl of soup for you! 😃

It probably came out of a can. Of course, maybe the dealership has a chef who prepares those things from scratch daily?

I'm going to ask at my Chevy dealer when they're going to add some of these comfort items for customers waiting for their cars... I do know the owner of the associated Buick store used to have the coffee vending machine set so coffee and hot chocolate dispensed free.

stickguy

since everyone is so interested in MB auxiliary batteries, I found this video interesting. I think this would actually be a 3rd battery for Driver to spend $600 replacing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PU8gvd9y0mU

roadburner

@imidazol97 said:
It probably came out of a can. Of course, maybe the dealership has a chef who prepares those things from scratch daily?

I'm going to ask at my Chevy dealer when they're going to add some of these comfort items for customers waiting for their cars... I do know the owner of the associated Buick store used to have the coffee vending machine set so coffee and hot chocolate dispensed free.

My M-B dealer has a nice cafe and waiting area but I haven’t tried it. My BMW store has free coffee and water along with a comfortable waiting area.

snakeweasel

imidazol97 said:

driver100 said:

Besides, you have to deduct from the $600 bill, the amount I have saved from having the STOP/GO feature for 6 years, which is probably about $9.47.

I figure the stop-go "feature" has cost more than it would ever save in fuel. The extra durability built into the starter, the extra pump on the coolant and the transmission fluid to pump while the engine is off, all the extra controls, and I probably saved 1 gallon of fuel over 55K mi and 9 years. It's like some pop topics--it's a talking point. Most of the time if it kicks in, it's off for 5 seconds or less and car is moving again.

It had a habit of kicking in for stop signs at 4-way stops. I finally learned I could defeat it by keeping one side of the dual control climate system set far different than the driver. That way the computer didn't kick on the gas saver because the AC wasn't "satisfied" inside the car. I also lightly apply the brakes so the percent brake pedal depression is less than the number needed to trip the system as ON. There were about 20 requirements that had to be met in the computer for the system to stop and start.

The Chevy stop-go required computer chip or add on box to defeat. No OFF switch. The GM Mark of Excellence.

I have at times driven the BMW short trips in economy mode (the stop-go feature is activated then) and it does tell me how many extra miles I am going to get due to the economy mode. If it is even remotely accurate then I would be saving a noticeable amount of gas. But it does do a few other things to conserve gas. We rarely drive in that mode or have the stop/start on.

driver100

I hate "Economy Mode". Lack of power, I think the a/c gets tuned down. Why buy a car with some zip only to have it drive like a dud? In contrast, I like "Sport" for getting onto a busy highway.....or for taking guys at a stoplight........just joking everyone

roadburner

snakeweasel said:

imidazol97 said:

driver100 said:

Besides, you have to deduct from the $600 bill, the amount I have saved from having the STOP/GO feature for 6 years, which is probably about $9.47.

I figure the stop-go "feature" has cost more than it would ever save in fuel. The extra durability built into the starter, the extra pump on the coolant and the transmission fluid to pump while the engine is off, all the extra controls, and I probably saved 1 gallon of fuel over 55K mi and 9 years. It's like some pop topics--it's a talking point. Most of the time if it kicks in, it's off for 5 seconds or less and car is moving again.

It had a habit of kicking in for stop signs at 4-way stops. I finally learned I could defeat it by keeping one side of the dual control climate system set far different than the driver. That way the computer didn't kick on the gas saver because the AC wasn't "satisfied" inside the car. I also lightly apply the brakes so the percent brake pedal depression is less than the number needed to trip the system as ON. There were about 20 requirements that had to be met in the computer for the system to stop and start.

The Chevy stop-go required computer chip or add on box to defeat. No OFF switch. The GM Mark of Excellence.

I have at times driven the BMW short trips in economy mode (the stop-go feature is activated then) and it does tell me how many extra miles I am going to get due to the economy mode. If it is even remotely accurate then I would be saving a noticeable amount of gas. But it does do a few other things to conserve gas. We rarely drive in that mode or have the stop/start on.

I used only used Eco Pro mode on the interstate, It seemed to save a bit of gas and there was no downside- as opposed to using it in suburban traffic.

driver100

I got a nice note from my MB dealer;
Dear Driver100,

We appreciate you choosing MERCEDES-BENZ BURLINGTON for your vehicle servicing needs.

To maintain the highest level of customer satisfaction, we appreciate any feedback on your recent visit. To let us know how your last service went.

Michaell

driver100 said:

I got a nice note from my MB dealer;
Dear Driver100,

We appreciate you choosing MERCEDES-BENZ BURLINGTON for your vehicle servicing needs.

To maintain the highest level of customer satisfaction, we appreciate any feedback on your recent visit. To let us know how your last service went.

It seems like your $600 would cover one instance of the glass cleaners coming to that palace to keep the windows streak and dust free.

explorerx4

@driver100,
Tell them your soup was cold.

oldfarmer50

imidazol97 said:

ab348 said:

imidazol97 said:

My AGM trunk battery tested fine when I turned it in as a core at Oreilly store. He said I could return the purchased battery if I wanted to keep using the trunk battery since it was good. But like @driver100, I wanted both batteries replaced at 7.5 years of service. Money was no object.

No free bowl of soup for you! 😃

It probably came out of a can. Of course, maybe the dealership has a chef who prepares those things from scratch daily?

I'm going to ask at my Chevy dealer when they're going to add some of these comfort items for customers waiting for their cars... I do know the owner of the associated Buick store used to have the coffee vending machine set so coffee and hot chocolate dispensed free.

I think theKia dealer had coffee, might have been free but there were restaurants and delis close by so I went for a walk. I can’t remember if the Ford dealer had anything which was strange since it’s out in the country.

I remember my Chrysler dealer had popcorn and hotdogs at one time but I haven’t been there since cash 4 clunkers.

I would rather they have nothing and charge me less. I can feed myself.

driver100

New Toyota seems to take a long time to charge!

Charging the 2023 Toyota BZ4X
Toyota notes the XLE model tops out at 100 kW at fast-charging stations. Unfortunately, I never came anywhere close to speeds like that. When plugged into a charging station, the BZ4X never actually made it past a rate of 37 kW. That’s pretty slow, and that definitely won’t charge this vehicle to Toyota’s estimates of 80 per cent in an hour — still a bit slower than competing EVs. Instead, the station showed four hours and 50 minutes to a full charge.

Of course, a BZ4X (or any EV) owner would likely be in a different scenario. They probably wouldn’t need to depend on (the lack of) public EV infrastructure because they’ve got a Level 2 charger installed at home. This means charge times shouldn’t be as big of an issue, since you can just leave it overnight to charge, which Toyota says should take about nine hours.

Nine hours!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh, and it cost him 25 miles using the front and rear defroster....do I really want to have to think about whether I can give up 25 miles on a trip, when the total range is about 200 miles?

No thanks, I'll stay with a $600 auxiliary battery once every 6 years.

28firefighter

Pretty well established you’re not a fan of EVs. We get it.

laurasdada

roadburner said:

snakeweasel said:

imidazol97 said:

driver100 said:

Besides, you have to deduct from the $600 bill, the amount I have saved from having the STOP/GO feature for 6 years, which is probably about $9.47.

I figure the stop-go "feature" has cost more than it would ever save in fuel. The extra durability built into the starter, the extra pump on the coolant and the transmission fluid to pump while the engine is off, all the extra controls, and I probably saved 1 gallon of fuel over 55K mi and 9 years. It's like some pop topics--it's a talking point. Most of the time if it kicks in, it's off for 5 seconds or less and car is moving again.

It had a habit of kicking in for stop signs at 4-way stops. I finally learned I could defeat it by keeping one side of the dual control climate system set far different than the driver. That way the computer didn't kick on the gas saver because the AC wasn't "satisfied" inside the car. I also lightly apply the brakes so the percent brake pedal depression is less than the number needed to trip the system as ON. There were about 20 requirements that had to be met in the computer for the system to stop and start.

The Chevy stop-go required computer chip or add on box to defeat. No OFF switch. The GM Mark of Excellence.

I have at times driven the BMW short trips in economy mode (the stop-go feature is activated then) and it does tell me how many extra miles I am going to get due to the economy mode. If it is even remotely accurate then I would be saving a noticeable amount of gas. But it does do a few other things to conserve gas. We rarely drive in that mode or have the stop/start on.

I used only used Eco Pro mode on the interstate, It seemed to save a bit of gas and there was no downside- as opposed to using it in suburban traffic.

Same here. And, perhaps not in older iterations, you can customize the Eco Pro to not retard the climate controls or curb engine braking (haven't looked at the menu in a while, I think those were the two options).
I've noted the computer adding miles to the tank, which I appreciate.

laurasdada

My Lexus dealer has a nice cafe area, started with pastries, added sandwiches, then ice cream, brownies and cookies. And, of course, all gratis. I spent many a Saturday morning there taking advantage of the free car wash and cafe amenities!
Ex wife appreciated my keeping her car clean!

jmonroe1

@driver100 said:
....and don't forget......that is an extra battery that now has to be dispo
In earlier models they ran a few things....wipers, radio etc., but now I think they just run the Stop/Go.
One reason I wanted to replace it was because if the main battery fails, maybe the auxiliary will be able to start the car.

————————————————
What does your manual say about the aux battery being able to start the car? Of course you could always disconnect the main battery and find out but I don’t think you’re daring enough to try that but I definitely would.

jmonroe