Mercedes ESL Replacement on a Mercedes C Class W204 Chassis Have A Bad Mercedes ESL or Mercedes EIS? We Have a Permanent Fix for That

As obsessed as we are with all things Mercedes, we are the first to acknowledge. When we see something that’s not quite right. Today we’re talking about part of the Mercedes EIS being a faulty electronic steering locks (Mercedes ESL Replacement), and an inexpensive way to fix them. “Why? you might ask. If you have a Mercedes C Class W204 chassis you’ve probably already felt the pain of a bad steering lock and it’s just waiting to happen again so you need a Mercedes ESL Replacement or Mercedes EIS programmed.

History of the Mercedes EIS

Mercedes EIS (electronic Ignition Systems) have been using electric steering locks since 1998. On the C-Class, E-Class (up to 2009), the CLK and some later SLK models. It wasn’t until the Mercedes C Class W204 steering lock that owners started noticing issues. An electronic steering lock should be an innocuous thing– meant to irritate would-be thieves and not you. But unfortunately, it appears that the Mercedes C Class W204 chassis lock in particular was poorly designed, and we’ve seen hundreds of reports of them going out all the time, and even folks needing to replace them multiple times over. That’s when you need a Mercedes ESL Replacement.

Owners have complained of their engines failing to start when they try to turn the key fob in their vehicle’s ignition. The car’s electronics, like radio and lights, turn on, but frustratingly, the engine fails to crank. It points directly to the Mercedes EIS. Most common in the Mercedes C Class W204. We’ve also seen this faulty steering lock on the Mercedes E Class Coupe with the W207 chassis. Not as frequently but still we come back to the Mercedes ESL Replacement.

What is typical in the Mercedes C Class W204? First when you insert your remote key in the EIS switch (Mercedes EIS or EZS), it must be recognized by the Mercedes EIS and the ESL. Only then will the EIS unlock the steering shaft, the ignition will switch on and the car will successfully start. If the ESL does not unlock the steering shaft, your car maddeningly won’t start. Owners and mechanics alike, loathe this steering lock. Due to the nature of the EIS this can be quite costly to repair at the dealer. Luckily that’s not your only option.

The Solution?

We have a solution at PRESSERtech to provide a permanent repair. A Mercedes ESL Replacement that you only need to do it once. You’ll never have to worry about the next time your Mercedes C Class W204 steering lock fails. What we can do is replace the steering lock with an emulator (see picture below). It bolts into the exact location as the lock, but doesn’t actually have any moving parts to fail. Now the car thinks it has a steering lock because it is programmed the same as a regular steering lock. But voila, no more worries about malfunctioning ESLs on your Mercedes C Class W204.

But how does that actually work? You will remove a faulty steering lock by first removing the steering column. This includes the steering lock’s bolt. We need to collect the faulty steering locks as a core. We can remove the steering lock from the column for you if you would like. This will be a small additional cost and you will need to provide us with the entire column. First have your local mechanic give us a call and get your Mercedes ESL Replacement and this permanent fix to this faulty C Class W204 steering lock.

New Keys

When we’re repairing your Mercedes C Class W204 chassis steering lock, don’t forget to ask us about additional keys. We can provide brand new keys fully programmed to your vehicle. You will be happy knowing that they are a fraction of the cost of the dealer. We can do this at the same time as your emulator.

We’re happy to answer any questions you have about your Mercedes C Class W204’s electronic steering lock. We’re will also answer any questions on how we can help by replacing it with an emulator. Please don’t hesitate to give us a call. We know this can be a frustrating issue. You should research all of your options before potentially spending thousands of dollars at the dealership.

At PRESSERtech we have almost 30 years of experience working with Mercedes Benz vehicles, from complete rebuilds to ECU tunes. You can learn more about our services on our About Us page.

Mercedes Tuning of a 2013 CLS550 Coupe 4.7 Liter Twin Turbo W218

Like They Say, We’re Here for the Best or Nothing: Tuning the CLS550. When the Vision CLS concept car dropped at the Frankfurt International Motor Show in 2003, it was “a coupe generation ahead of the rest.” The CLS rolled out for the first time in 2005, marking a return to the executive-size coupe market for Mercedes Benz. Today we’re looking at how a Mercedes tuning performance tune can enhance this second generation 2013 model with the W218 Chassis.

At stock, this car already has impressive stats. It’s powered by a 4.7-liter twin-turbocharged V8, with 402 horsepower and 443 LBS-FT torque. As a mid-size luxury 4-door coupe, it zips up from 0 to 60 in 5.2 seconds. It’s even got an analog clock on the dashboard, adding some old school class. Certainly AutoTrader summed it up best by calling it “an unprecedented combination of style, sophistication and strength.”

Now to the fun part – seeing how our Mercedes tuning can light a new fire in this 2013 model. As car technology becomes more complex, we can make a big difference to engine performance without expensive upgrades. So much of your car’s performance is being controlled by its engine management software. As Mercedes Tuners, when we talk about our tunes, we talk about them in terms of stages. A stage 1 tune would upgrade this CLS550 to 510 horsepower and 605 LBS-FT torque. That’s 26% more horsepower and 36% more torque, which is really quite amazing. (We have Stage 2 tune options as well for even more power. Just reach out to us for more details.)

Now for the fun part of Mercedes Tuning this CLS550 with the Twin Turbo W218

To amp up this CLS550, we brought it into our shop and modified its ECU, ECM also referred to as a ME (your electronic control unit). Our base Mercedes tunes are tested and developed on a MAHA dynamometer. We always follow the original safety margins of the specific model we’re tuning (read: the opposite of this). You also have the option to upgrade to the ECU+ package and keep your old ECU with the stock tune.

After carefully removing the CLS55’s ECU, we analyzed and adjusted the engine management software. This engine software is largely responsible for the vehicle’s performance and fuel consumption. We tailored the programming to provide more power and torque, which led to smoother acceleration and improved throttle response.

In Conclusion

This 2013 CLS550 is now energized and ready to hit the pavement with 102 more horsepower and 162 more LBS-FT torque. The owner will also see an added benefit of improved fuel efficiency. At PRESSERtech, we’ve spent nearly 30 years working on Mercedes Benz vehicles. We also have a variety of other services. If you’ve got a bad ECU, we can fix it with a Plug and Play M.E., or we can pair a Virgin ECU with your vehicle. You can learn more about our services on our About Us page.

Each Mercedes tune we perform is optimized for your individual car and guaranteed for life. Check out our Select Tune page to find your model, or just give us a call. We’re always ready to answer your questions and point you in the right direction. Every Mercedes tune is unique to you.

Your Top 7 Mercedes Tuning Questions Answered 

You know you want your Mercedes Benz to perform at its best, but as you’re doing your research, you might not know exactly where to start. Never fear, here are some of the top questions we encounter when working with our clients on Mercedes Tuning.

1. What exactly do you so with Mercedes tuning?

No matter what model your Mercedes, there’s this device called the ECU or ECM under the hood of your car that we’ll carefully remove and run through special diagnostics to determine what we can do to improve engine performance. By remapping your ECU ECM, we can increase things such as boost pressure, change your spark advance timing and calibrate a new torque curve.

 What the heck is an ECU?

It’s your electronic control unit, also known as an engine control module (ECM), an embedded system that controls your car’s engine. This is the technology that helps your engine run. And by making strategic tweaks to your Mercedes Tuning file, we can make your engine run to its fullest potential.

3. What do you mean when you say that my Mercedes is depowered?

Car manufacturers are able to tweak engine power more easily through the ECU ECM. Especially when a new series comes out, the manufacturer is thinking long term, and wants to be able to increase performance specs each year without drastically changing the engine. This means, especially if have an older model, your engine has likely been depowered. The exciting thing about this is that we can make your car run better, without expensive upgrades. The power is there, it just needs to be set free with Mercedes Tuning.

4. What are the benefits of an ECU tune?

Upfront, you’re going to see improvements in your horsepower and torque. Just check out our Select Tune page to see what is possible for different Mercedes models. Our clients typically report smoother acceleration and improved throttle response and of course, more power.

I’m not headed to the Monaco Grand Prix, so why would I need  Mercedes Tuning?

Our Mercedes tunes are tested in real world scenarios not just at the Monaco Grand Prix. So whether you’re going to the grocery store, the coffee shop or even a track day, we’ve got you covered. Really what we’re doing is making your engine run better. Better fuel efficiency is an additional benefit of Mercedes tuning.

6. Is an ECU tune safe?

At PRESSERtech, we have over 30 years of experience working with Mercedes Benz vehicles, from complete rebuilds to ECU tunes. ECU tuning is safe when performed by expert technicians. Know that we will always tune your vehicle within the safe limits of its capabilities.

 What if I need a new ECU?

No worries! No longer have to pay premiums on new ECUs ECMs from local dealerships. We can get them at a fraction of the cost. We offer a variety of Virgin Engine Control Modules that are unlocked, renewed and ready to be activated using Xentry, DAS or Star Computer and 99% of the time and we can even make it plug-and-play with no activation necessary.

If your question wasn’t answered here, please feel free to give us a call. We’re happy to talk shop with you, anytime. Rest assured, we love Mercedes just as much as you.

Mercedes ECU Tuning of the S550 – Making the “Best Car in the World” Even Better  

The S-Class is the flagship of Mercedes Benz sedans, also known as the “best car in the world.” Today we’re taking a look under the hood of a 2012 S550 V8 bi-turbo. This is a refined luxury car that still can let its hair down every once in a while. And it’s absolutely a modern classic. At stock, this car runs at 429 horsepower and 516 LBS-FT torque. The S550 has a seven-speed transmission and a top speed of 130 mph. It can go zero to 60 in 4.9 seconds.

The S-Class designation for top-of-the-line Mercedes models was officially introduced in 1972 with the W116. S-Class. Originally stood for sonderklasse, which means “special class” in German. Following this tradition. The S550, like the S600 of before, is truly a special car, but we can give it a boost, and make it run even better.

Performing the Mercedes ECU Tuning, a stage 1 tune would bring this S550’s performance to 500 horsepower and 590 LBS-FT torque. That”s a 16% increase in horsepower and a 14% increase in torque. Our goal was to optimize this vehicle’s engine for improved performance and fuel efficiency.

Our Mercedes ECU tunes are tested and developed on a MAHA dynamometer. A dynamometer is a device that measures force, torque and power. When we tune, we’re looking for the best possible performance and results, within the original safety margins of the specific model. Each tune is optimized for your car and guaranteed for life.

How we perform Mercedes ECU Tuning

So what magic is happening in the shop to make this all possible? The Mercedes ECU Tuning process is complex. It all comes down to your ECU, or electronic control unit. When tuning the S550, we carefully removed the ECU, ran diagnostics and then modified the tuning file to provide more power and torque. In the last decade or so, cars have gotten more complicated and so much is controlled by the ECU. These days, you can really make a difference in your Mercedes performance with a tune, rather than expensive upgrades.

Your engine is already capable of better performance, we just need to set it free. Modifying the tuning file on your ECU is a delicate process, and you really want an expert to take on this task. We have over 30 years working on Mercedes Benz vehicles, so know that you are in good hands.

For this S550, the increase in horsepower and torque led to smoother acceleration and improved throttle response. Furthermore, the added benefit of improved fuel efficiency. By optimizing the torque curve, this vehicle is able to produce more torque at lower RPM’s. This allowing the driver to change gears earlier. To put it simply: the engine runs more efficiently, at lower revs.

In Conclusion

We work with all types of Mercedes vehicles, so check out our Select Tune page to find your car, or just give us a call. We’re more than happy to chat with you about the options for your car. Every tune is 100% customized and specific to your vehicle.

And if you want more power and want to ramp it up to 11, talk to us about our stage 2 tunes.

Mercedes Performance Upgrade Performance Tuning in 3 Easy Steps

These days, as a Mercedes owner, you have a lot of options when making upgrades to your vehicle. At PRESSERtech, we’re here to guide you through the world of Mercedes performance upgrade tuning. In the last 10-15 years, we’ve seen automotive technology become more and more complicated. But never fear, that also means the door is wide open to exciting new possibilities.

Getting affordable performance upgrades and better fuel efficiency has never been easier. Let’s walk through it with one of our recent tune’s with this stunning 2016 C300 4MATIC, with a M274 four cylinder turbo engine. (You can also watch a video of this tune featuring our CTO Todd Presser.)

1. Review the Stock Settings

First, we looked at the stock settings of the vehicle. For this C300 4MATIC, the stock power was 241 horsepower and 273 LBS-FT torque. This car had pretty good power for a four cylinder already, but we were looking to heighten its performance. With our Mercedes Performance Upgrade, we wanted to see this 4MATIC at its best. You should know that many manufacturers, including Mercedes, will often detune their cars. So, you may not be getting the full value out of your current vehicle. The best way to combat this practice is a performance tune, to make sure you have access to the full power of your car.

When reviewing the options, we’ll want to hear from you about your needs as a driver. Every owner will have a slightly different outcome based on his or her goals. For today’s example, our modifications would take this 4MATIC to 260 horsepower and 300 LBS-FT torque.

       2. Modify the ECU

In the PRESSERtech garage, you’ll find us hard at work and doing what we love. With this 4MATIC ECU tune, all of the work we did to improve performance was confined to a small box called the electronic control unit. We removed this critical piece of technology with extreme care. Then we ran some tests, and got to work on tuning the vehicle’s factory settings.

Modifying your ECU is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to our services. We also can perform ECU/ECM repair, or even install a virgin ECU that is unlocked, renewed and ready to be activated.

3. Test the Results

We believe that the results really must be seen and heard before we’ve finished our work. We wanted to ensure that in Sports Plus, this 4MATIC had a much crisper response. Right away we noticed the turbo coming in faster with more boost. This car now had much more power. A nice added benefit to making this vehicle’s engine run better is fuel efficiency. This customer in particular averaged 23.2 miles per gallon before coming into our shop. We anticipated that average to go up to at least 24.5, if not 25 miles per gallon.

We love Mercedes Benz and we hope it shows. Every vehicle and driver are different so please reach out by phone or email so if you are looking for a Mercedes Performance Upgrade we can get to planning the exciting new rebirth for your car. You’ll be glad you did.

Mercedes Tune SL55 AMG Refining the Raw Power of an All Time Favorite Mercedes Engine

Can you guess one of our all time favorite engines to Mercedes Tune? Any takers? (Hint it might be a Mercedes SL55 Tune)

In other words, we can’t get enough of these R230 Mercedes SL55 AMG’s and performing a Mercedes SL55 Tune. A car that was so fast, that when it came out in 2002 for the 2003 model year, Car & Driver pointed out that no road tires even existed for the speeds it could reach.

In the case of this particular Mercedes SL55 AMG with a 5.4 Liter V8 supercharged engine, this car is nearly perfect. At the stock specs, it was running at 493 horsepower and 516 LBS-FT torque. But as always, our passion is to fine tune our favorite cars so they can run to their fullest potential. Over the past 15 years, cars have been getting more complex and with that comes more opportunity.

You might ask us, as Mercedes tuners, what do we see on stock factory settings that are available to fix? For instance, In a test drive of this Mercedes SL55, our biggest indicator was lag between the time we pushed the accelerator and the time the car took off. Ultimately we want to reduce the lag and punch up the response. In addiction, we have custom Mercedes tunes for 55 kompressor engines that don’t need pulley modifications.

Mercedes Tune for the Mercedes SL55 AMG

This is a car that was sitting on a lot potential raw power. Obviously, we see it often, especially when a model is in its earlier years. For instance, every year Mercedes rolls out another model, and each year you’ll see an increase in horsepower. But in a lot of cases it’s the same engine as the year before. Moreover, a Mercedes SL55 Tune or any tune for that matter is just refining the tuning of the car’s electronic control unit (ECU).

These days, the ECU controls a lot of things. So many things that a performance Mercedes Tune can really make a difference without expensive upgrades. For this 2003 Mercedes SL55 AMG, this was the first year Mercedes made this car, and we could tell from our test drive that they had left some horsepower on the bench.

The Mercedes SL55 Tune upgrade took place in our PRESSERtech garage. We always test the tune in real world scenarios to get vital feedback. Our clients are real drivers who are looking to keep their cars running smoothly for a range of activities, from everyday errands to track days. As experienced technicians, we always tune your vehicle within the limits of your car’s capabilities. Accordingly, we keep your original and tuned ECU flash on file.

You’ll see in the video of our final test drive showing our Mercedes SL55 Tune, the lag is gone and response has improved significantly. We can really see the supercharger coming in much faster and stronger. There for, our chiptuning modifications took this SL55 AMG to 530 horsepower and 604 LBS-FT torque. That’s a 17% increase in torque, which really helps with the pull. As you can see, a few tweaks to the car’s technology can make a formidable difference.

Get in touch for Mercedes SL55 AMG Tuning

Learn more about PRESSERtech and the type of work we do on our About Us page. In conclusion, we’d love to chat with you about your Mercedes, so don’t hesitate to give us a call or send us an email. You’ll be glad you did.