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ME-SFI driving mode, function - GF07.61-P-2005MCU

ENGINES 132.9 in MODEL 451.3 /4 

Fig 1: ME-SFI Driving Mode Function Chart
G07077270Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA.

The driving mode includes the following subfunctions: 

Idle speed control 

The throttle valve actuator controls the idle speed by altering the position of the throttle valve. Actuation is by the ME-SFI [ME] control unit.

The ME-SFI [ME] control unit regulates the idle speed according to the input signals for different engine loads (e.g. a switched on refrigerant compressor).

The ME-SFI [ME] control unit evaluates signals from the following components for idle speed control:

Warming-up control 

After the start process the fuel-air mixture is further enriched via the warm-up control.

The warm-up control compensates for the fuel unavailable for combustion due to precipitation on the cold inner walls of the intake manifold.

The engine is assigned an additional fuel quantity by the ME-SFI [ME] control unit according to a performance map. To do this, the actuation period of the fuel injection valves is extended accordingly.

Warm-up control is dependent on:

Acceleration enrichment 

The opening of the throttle valve is dependent on the accelerator pedal sensor.

For rapid opening of the throttle valve the mixture goes lean for a short time.

Therefore a short-term mixture adaptation takes place in that the ME-SFI [ME] control unit assigns the engine an additional fuel quantity.

Acceleration enrichment is dependent on:

Inertia fuel shutoff 

The braking effect of the engine in the overrun mode is increased and the fuel consumption is reduced by means of the overrun fuel shutoff.

In overrun mode, the ME-SFI [ME] control unit switches off the fuel injection valves depending on the temperature and the speed.

The fuel injectors are operated again, when the accelerator pedal is depressed or when idle speed is reached, and no further overrun mode exists.

Anti-knock control [AKC] 

The antiknock control ensures knock-free operation of the engine at all engine speeds, for all fuel grades and under all operating conditions. To do this for uncontrolled combustion (knocking) the ignition timing is set to "retard".

If knocking continues to occur, the ignition timing (depending on engine speed) continues to be retarded in stages until maximum retardation is achieved.

If knock-free combustion is restored, the retardation is reduced in stages after a few ignitions (depending on engine speed) until the normal performance map value is achieved or knocking once again occurs.

Input signals for anti-knock control

Camshaft adjustment 

The adjustment of the camshaft takes place electrohydraulically via the camshaft timing solenoid and the camshaft adjuster. Here a control plunger in the adjustable camshaft timing solenoid ensures that the applied engine oil pressure is passed through to the respective connection on the camshaft adjuster.

The intake camshaft can now be adjusted by turning the adjuster to "advanced" (large valve overlap) or "retarded" (small valve overlap).

The adjustment time is dependent on the engine oil pressure at the adjuster, oil viscosity and oil temperature.

Camshaft adjustment is used to reduce pollutants in the exhaust gas and to increase the performance of the engine.

IMPORTANT In the case of failure of the camshaft Hall sensor, camshaft adjustment is disabled.

Fan control 

The ME-SFI [ME] control unit decides according to a performance map about switching on the coolant fan motor. Depending on the coolant temperature and operation of the air conditioning system, the fan motor is switched on. Actuation takes place via the SAM control unit.

Maximum engine speed limitation 

The ME-SFI [ME] control unit detects the engine speed via the crankshaft position sensor signal. This is limited to protect the engine and the drive train through retarding the ignition timing and cutting out the fuel injection valves.

The ME-SFI [ME] control unit also asks for the current gear range from the automated manual transmission control unit in order, if necessary, to initiate an upshift. If the throttle valve actuator is defective or signals implausible, the engine speed is also limited.

External intervention in the fuel quantity 

With external quantity intervention, the engine torque is reduced (e.g. for an ESP regulation) by the ME-SFI [ME] control unit. A reduction of the engine torque takes place through reduction of the injection quantity.

The ME-SFI [ME] control unit receives appropriate signals for this via the CAN from:

O2 sensor heater 

The O2 sensor downstream of TWC and the O2 sensor upstream of TWC only allow lambda regulation above an operating temperature of about 300°C. In order to reach this temperature as quickly as possible the O2 sensors are fitted with an integral heater. The O2 sensor heater is actuated by the ME-SFI [ME] control unit. Rapid heating of the sensors means a high degree of control is achieved, even at low exhaust temperatures.

Two-sensor control 

The ME control unit uses the signal from the O2 sensor downstream TWC and the O2 sensor upstream TWC to determine the mean Lambda value. This value is compared with a stored value for optimum exhaust emissions.

If the deviation is too large after a number of measurements, a correction variable is determined for the lambda control.

Using the correction variable aging of the O2 sensor upstream of TWC is compensated for within certain limits. If the correction variable exceeds the limit value, a new O2 sensor upstream of TWC must be installed.

The correction values are map-controlled and are implemented by the ME control unit by adapting the fuel injection. If the limits are exceeded or if the plausibility check of the signal from the O2 sensor downstream of TWC and O2 sensor upstream of TWC is negative, the CHECK ENGINE indicator lamp (A1e26) in the instrument cluster lights up.

IMPORTANT The O2 sensor signal downstream of TWC [KAT] and O2 sensor signal upstream of TWC [KAT] is also used to monitor the effect of the catalytic converter.

Fuel regeneration 

The evaporative emission control system prevents fuel vapors escaping to atmosphere. The fuel vapors are stored in the activated charcoal filter and then sent later to the engine for combustion.

The fuel vapors from the fuel tank flow through the purge line and are stored in the activated charcoal filter. In driving mode the tank vent valve opens and the fuel vapors are led to combustion. For a cold engine or a lower air mass (e.g. neutral) the tank vent valve is closed by the ME-SFI [ME] control unit and the combustion of fuel vapors interrupted. This leads to better running characteristics of the engine in partial load operation.

The ME-SFI [ME] control unit requires the following information for actuation of the tank vent valve:

Fuel tank leak test 

Test requirements 

The fuel system is tested for leaks in three stages (function chain).

The leak test detects leaks with a diameter of 0.5 mm and more:

Test for gross leak:

The outside air shutoff valve is closed and the tank vent valve is opened. Intake manifold vacuum present in fuel tank.

This vacuum is measured by the tank pressure sensor.

If no vacuum is formed in the fuel tank, there is a larger leakage (for example, open tank cap, loose hose line). The test is interrupted and the fault 'gross leak' is registered.

Test for fine leak:

The tank vent valve is closed at a vacuum of around -6 mbar. The system is closed and thereby airproof. The vacuum is them measured for approx. 30 seconds. The vacuum must not reduce more rapidly than 0.3 to 0.5 mbar per second (depends on fuel level). If the vacuum drops more rapidly, there is a fine leak. The test is interrupted and the fault 'fine leak' is registered.

Test for very fine leak:

If no minor leak has been detected, the purge system is briefly enabled and a vacuum of approx. -6 mbar is built up again. The vacuum must not drop any faster than 0.1 to 0.15 mbar per second for a closed system (depending on the level of fuel in the tank).

If the vacuum drops more rapidly, the fault 'very fine leak' is registered.

The outside air shutoff valve is opened again after the tests.

If a gross, fine or a very fine leak is detected, the CHECK ENGINE indicator lamp is actuated by the ME-SFI [ME] control unit via the CAN.

Safety fuel shutoff 

If the ME-SFI [ME] control unit receives a crash signal from the restraint systems control unit via the CAN, it switches off the fuel pump with fuel level sensor and actuates the fuel injection valves for a short time to make the fuel system become unpressurized.

Catalytic converter heating 

The catalytic convertor heater rapidly brings the catalytic convertor to the operating temperature In this way the exhaust gas emissions after a cold start are strongly reduced. Controlling of the catalytic converter heating is by the ME-SFI [ME] control unit.

The ignition timing is adjusted to 'retarded' in the neutral depending on the coolant temperature in order to increase the exhaust temperature. By delaying the ignition timing point and the resultant combustion in the exhaust tract, the catalytic converter is heated rapidly.

The idle speed is adjusted in line with the coolant temperature.

Secondary air injection 

Function requirement 

The secondary air injection causes afterburning of the unburnt hydrocarbons on the exhaust side. As a result, the catalytic converter reaches its operating temperature more quickly after the cold start and the emissions in the exhaust are reduced.

The secondary air is provided by the secondary air injection pump, which is actuated by the ME-SFI [ME] control unit via the secondary air injection relay for t = 33 s. The secondary air injection pump switchover valve actuates the secondary air valve via a vacuum, which enables air supply into the exhaust manifold. The secondary air injection pump switchover valve is also actuated by the ME-SFI [ME] control unit.

The actuation is aborted by the ME-SFI [ME] control unit at an engine speed of more than 4000 rpm. If the engine speed then falls below 4000 rpm, the secondary air injection is restarted.

Ignition system 

Three single-spark ignition coils are used at the spark plugs (R4). Actuation of ignition coils takes place over the ME-SFI [ME] control unit.

Static high-voltage is distributed directly to the spark plugs without an ignition distributor.

Advantages of the rotorless high voltage distribution are:

The ME-SFI [ME] control unit evaluates signals from the following components for actuation of the ignition coils:

Three-way catalytic converter, component description   GF49.10-P-2010MCU
Instrument cluster, component description A1 GF54.30-P-6000MCU
Component description of refrigerant compressor A9
For code (I01) Air conditioning Plus
GF83.55-P-2108MCU
Knock sensor, component description A16 GF07.04-P-6030MCC 
Fuel tank pressure sensor, component description B4/3 GF47.30-P-2101MCU
Camshaft Hall sensor, component description B6/1 GF07.04-P-6020MCC 
Coolant temperature sensor, component description B11/4 GF07.04-P-6040MCC 
Component description for the intake manifold pressure sensor B28 GF07.04-P-6062MCC 
Accelerator pedal sensor, component description B37 GF30.20-P-2010MCU
Component description for O2 sensor G3/1, G3/2 GF07.04-P-6100MCU 
Secondary air injection pump relay, component description K64 GF14.30-P-2060MCU
Crankshaft position sensor, component description L5 GF07.04-P-6010MCC 
Component description for fuel pump M3/3 GF47.20-P-2000MCC
Fan motor, component description M4/2 GF20.20-P-1000MCU
Throttle valve actuator, component description M16/6 GF30.20-P-2020MCC
Secondary air injection pump, component description M33 GF14.30-P-2050MCU
Restraint systems control unit, component description N2/7 GF91.60-P-4048MCU
ME-SFI [ME] control unit, component description N3/10 GF07.61-P-6000MCU 
SAM control unit, component description N10/10 GF54.21-P-4157MCU
Component description for the automated manual transmission control unit N15/6 GF26.19-P-1010MCU
Component description for the heater/air conditioning operating unit N23
For code (I01) Air conditioning Plus
GF83.40-P-3001MCU
ESP control unit, component description N47-5 GF42.45-P-5118MCU
Component description for the oil pressure switch S41/1 GF18.40-P-4000MCC
Ignition coils, component description T1/1, T1/2, T1/3 GF15.10-P-2100MCC
Secondary air injection pump switchover valve, component description Y32 GF14.30-P-2055MCU
Adjustable camshaft timing solenoid, component description Y49 GF05.20-P-2100MCC
Activated charcoal filter shutoff valve, component description Y50 GF47.31-P-2100MCU
Component description for the tank vent valve Y58 GF47.30-P-4037MCC
Fuel injection valves, component description Y62/1, Y62/2, Y62/3 GF07.03-P-6010MCC