Take car to workshop without changing gear

[Bhines91]

Hello , just after some advice. We have had some cold weather recently overnight -4. When I went to drive my car the following day a warning message came up “ take to workshop without changing gear”. I turned the engine off and back on and the warning message disappeared but the solid orange engine light stayed on. I drove 5 miles and stopped , restarted engine again and engine light has now gone off. Car has been driving fine but has been taking a little while longer to start the engine. Could this be a battery issue or something else? Any help would be appreciated Thankyou so much

 

[Blobcat]

Firstly I test / charge the battery. Get that up to >12.4v

 

[brandwooddixon]

As per @Blobcat low battery voltage causes untold issues on these cars. If the issues occur on initial start-up but then go away if the engine has run for 15 - 20 minutes before restarting it then its definitely battery voltage.
Cold weather always brings out any weakness in the battery.

 

[DSK]

I would also agree with the above that these modern things are very hungry for power. A battery is best replaced as a periodic service item, and I do mine every 3-4 years across the fleet. Since my recent drama with the s class, for belt and braces, I put each of my fleet on a trickle charger twice a week. I know few other members also use trickle chargers so probably worth investing in one.

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[Blobcat]

I would also agree with the above that these modern things are very hungry for power. A battery is best replaced as a periodic service item, and I do mine every 3-4 years across the fleet. Since my recent drama with the s class, for belt and braces, I put each of my fleet on a trickle charger twice a week. I know few other members also use trickle chargers so probably worth investing in one.

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Mine live on battery conditioners - not had an issue with batteries >10yrs old

 

[harrye500]

Battery conditioner definitely a good investment. The 207 sits with one during winter 'stores' and also during use, as its not a frequent miler nowadays.

 

[anyweb]

Mine live on battery conditioners - not had an issue with batteries >10yrs old

which one do you use @Blobcat (make/model)

 

[DSK]

Whilst Blobact replies fwiw, I use these two;

Cheap and good : https://amzn.eu/d/4ldWF47

Expensive and good : https://amzn.eu/d/8ggkmYZ


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[Blobcat]

which one do you use @Blobcat (make/model)

Ctek MX5 x 2 and a host of Optimates

 

[anyweb]

ok thanks i ordered one, let's see how it goes

 

[anyweb]

here's a review (there are many) of the CTEK MXS 5 which i thought was quite good in case anyone is interested

thanks to @Blobcat for the idea !

 

[anyweb]

ok follow up question, my battery was critically weak recently, as reported via Mercedes Me after using the heater to heat the car in the morning, (we have much colder weather in south sweden) and i connected up my 'old fashioned' battery charger (it's useless). One issue is that when i'm charging, the bonnet is open and the struts are under pressure, so how do you deal with that ?

 

[mioba]

Take the battery out

 

[Blobcat]

ok follow up question, my battery was critically weak recently, as reported via Mercedes Me after using the heater to heat the car in the morning, (we have much colder weather in south sweden) and i connected up my 'old fashioned' battery charger (it's useless). One issue is that when i'm charging, the bonnet is open and the struts are under pressure, so how do you deal with that ?

I close the bonnet…

 

[anyweb]

Take the battery out

it's a daily driver so that's not an option

 

[Larkone]

I close the bonnet…

wish I had thought of that

 

[Srdl]

I close the bonnet…

I leave the bonnet down but don’t give it the final push down

 

[Blobcat]

I leave the bonnet down but don’t give it the final push down

Maniac

 

[anyweb]

Mine live on battery conditioners - not had an issue with batteries >10yrs old

how often do you use the conditioner ? only during winter or when needed ?

 

[Blobcat]

how often do you use the conditioner ? only during winter or when needed ?

I use mine pretty much all the time. (Not when it’s my daily), but if it’s sitting for any length of time then yes, it goes on the charger.