Due to low voltage, Mercedes-Benz cars can show a dashboard malfunction indicating, “Stop Vehicle Shift to P, Leave Engine Running.” If you keep the engine running for about 10 minutes, this warning will reset by itself. This error message can appear on any Mercedes-Benz model from 2015 and later, including the C300, GLC300, E300, C200, C43 AMG, C250, C180, and others.
What Does It Mean?
The warning light signals a low voltage in the power source, regardless of the cause. This warning light may appear at any time while driving or starting the car. If this occurs while driving, it most likely indicates a problem with the charging system, alternator, or voltage regulator.
However, imagine you only see this warning light when you start your car after it has been resting overnight. In that case, the issue is probably caused by an old battery that can’t hold a charge anymore or a parasitic power loss. Additionally, if you accidentally leave the headlights, radio, or any other device on while driving, you may see this warning sign.
Why Does My Car Say Stop Vehicle Leave Engine Running? – 5 Reasons
Here are some of the causes of the stopped vehicle leaving the engine running:
1. A Faulty Battery
A weak battery is often the main cause of the ‘stop car and leave the engine running’ warning. This can happen if you don’t use your car regularly or if your battery is very old. Mercedes batteries have a lifespan of 3-5 years, so if yours is older than that, it’s time to get a new one.
2. Incorrect Battery (low amps)
If you recently installed a new battery in your Mercedes, it’s possible that the battery might not have enough power. When choosing a new battery, make sure it has enough amps to adequately power your Mercedes.
3. Battery Terminals
The battery terminals must be securely connected to the battery posts. If they’re not, your Mercedes battery won’t get enough energy from the alternator. To make sure the battery terminals are securely connected, use a wrench to tighten both ends of the linkage simultaneously.
It’s important to drive your car regularly after installing a new battery to ensure the alternator can recharge it. If you forget to do this, your battery won’t have enough stored power and will drain over time.
4. Parasitic Drain
The “Stop Vehicle Leave Engine Running” error can be caused by a parasitic drain caused by a variety of situations. It could be due to the glove box lights do not turn off appropriately even when a door is locked.
5. Faulty Alternator
A defective alternator may lead to battery problems, resulting in the “Stop Vehicle Leave Engine Running” error. The alternator is primarily responsible for supplying power to the vehicle’s system. It can convert power from engines into electrical power. If the alternator malfunctions, it may continuously drain the battery during car starts, ultimately causing the battery to fail.
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5 Ways To Fix “Mercedes Stop Vehicle Leave Engine Running” Warning:
Here are some of the solutions that you can follow to solve this issue:
1. Drive Slowly and Carefully:
If you come across this, move over to the other side gently and carefully. Ensure that you stop in a secure place and then shift to Park (P) mode. This is why, in certain situations, the message says, “Stop Vehicle Shift to P Leave Engine Running,” instead of just “Stop Vehicle Leave Engine Running.
2. Car Service Center
You can take your Mercedes to a car maintenance shop and have a skilled mechanic replace the battery. The mechanic needs to be able to install another 12v battery that meets the necessary standards.
3. Do It Yourself
You can do it yourself if you have the necessary tools and an appropriate battery size, which you can acquire online for less than half of the dealer cost.
4. Let the Vehicle Idle for Sometime
Let your Mercedes-Benz engine run without moving for 20 to 30 minutes. This helps the car battery recharge. If possible, take a drive on the main road, where you can speed up the car. This will make the car battery charge more quickly.
5. Replace The Car Battery
If the warning doesn’t disappear, it means the battery isn’t charging. You might have to get a new one, or there may be other issues preventing the car battery from charging.
Conclusion
If you’ve been driving a Mercedes for a while, you’ve likely seen the “stop vehicle, leave the engine running” message at least once. This alert indicates an issue with the car’s battery and charging system. The most common reason is a weak battery or one that can no longer hold a charge.
