Energy management
Starting ability is optimized
Energy management controls the distribution
of electrical energy and thus optimizes the
availability of electrical energy for starting
the engine.
If a vehicle with a conventional energy system
is not driven for a long period of time , the bat-
tery is discharged by idling current consumers
(e.g. immobilizer). In certain circumstances it
can result in there being insuff icient ene rgy
availab le to start the engine .
Intell igent energy management in your vehi-
cle hand les the distribution of electrical ener-
gy. Starting ab ility is markedly improved and
the life of the battery is extended.
Basically, energy management consists of
batt ery diagnosis, idling current manage-
ment
and dynamic energy management .
Batter y diagnosis
Battery diagnosis continuously determines
the state of the battery . Sensors determ ine
battery voltage, battery current and battery
temperature. This dete rmines the current
state of charge and the powe r of the battery.
Idling current management
Idling current management reduces ene rgy
consumption while the vehicle is stand ing .
With the ignition switched off, it cont rols the
energy supply to the various electr ical compo -
nents . Data from battery diagnosis is consid-
ered.
Depending on the battery's state of charge,
individua l consumers are gradual ly turned off
to prevent excess ive discharge of the bat tery
and thus maintain starting capability .
Dynamic energy management
While the vehicle is being driven, dynamic en-
ergy management dist ributes the energy gen-
erated according to the needs of the individu-
al components.
It reg ulates cons umption, so
that more electrical energy is not being used
Int e llig e nt technolog y 167
than is being generated and ensures an opti -
mal state of charge for the battery.
(0 Tips
- But even energy management canno t
negate the limits of physics . Consider
that the power and life of a battery are
limited .
- If starting ability is threatened, you are
informed by a warning
r:!) page 168,
Driver notification in the instrument
cluster display.
What you should know
The highest priority is given to maintaining
starting capability.
The battery is severe ly taxed in short -distance
driving, in city traffic and during the cold time
of year. Abundant electrical energy is re-
quired, but only a little is generated .
It is also
critical if the engine is not running and electri-
cal components are turned on . In this in-
stance energy is be ing consumed but none is
being generated.
It is in precisely these situations that you will
notice energy management actively regulat -
ing the distribution of energy .
Vehicle stands for an extended period
If you do not drive your vehicle over a period
of several days or weeks, electr ical compo-
nents are gradually cut back or switched off.
This reduces energy consumption and ma in-
ta ins start ing capability over a longer period .
Take into considerat ion that when you unlock
your vehicle, some convenience functions,
such as the remote key or power seat adjust-
ment, may not be available . The conven ience
funct ions will be available again when you
tu rn on the ignition and start the engine .
With the engine turned off
If you listen to the radio, for example, with
the engine turned off, the battery is being dis-
charged.
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