206 Intelligent technology
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 insufficient ene rgy
available to start the engine .
Intelligent energy management in your vehi-
cle handles the distribution of electrical ener-
gy. Starting ability is markedly imp roved and
the life of the battery is extended .
Basically, energy management consists of
battery diagnosis, idling current manage-
ment
and dynamic energy management.
Battery diagnosis
Battery diagnosis continuously determines
the state of the battery . Sensors determine
battery voltage, battery current and battery
temperature . This determines the current
state of charge and the power of the battery.
Idling current management
Idling current management reduces energy
consumption while the vehicle is stand ing.
With the ignition switched off, it contro ls the
energy supply to the various e lectrica l compo-
nents . Data from battery diagnosis is consid-
ered.
Depending on the battery's state of charge,
individual consumers are grad ually turned off
to prevent excess ive discharge of the battery
and thus mainta in starting capability.
Dynamic energy management
While the vehicle is being dr iven , dynamic en-
e rgy management distributes the energy gen-
e rated according to the needs of the individu-
al components.
It reg ulat es consumption, so
that more electrical energy is not being used
than is being generated and ensures an opti -
mal state of charge for the battery.
(D Tips
- But even energy management cannot
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
~ page 207,
Driver notification in the instrument
cluster display.
What you should know
The highest priority is given to maintaining
starting capability.
The battery is severely taxed in short-distance
driving , in city traffic and during the cold time
of year. Abundant electrical energy is re-
quired, bu t 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 t hese situations that you will
notice energy management actively regulat -
ing the d istribution of energy .
Vehicle stands for an extended period
If you do not drive your vehicle over a period
of several days or weeks, electrical compo-
nents are gradually cut back or sw itched off.
This reduces energy consumpt ion and ma in-
ta ins start ing capability over a longer period .
Some of the convenience functions may not
operate, such as the interior lights or the
power seat adjustment . The convenience
funct ions will be available again when you
tu rn on the ign ition and start the engine.
With the engine turned off
If you listen to the radio, fo r example, with
the engine turned off or use other MMI func -
t ions, the battery is be ing discharged . ..,.
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