Cars With "Stop-Start" Technology

You might need it in the tropical south, but I bet that's not the case when you visit Manchester. Although it would obviously be useful for dehumidification.

Mine stopped working about 3 years ago and I've only considered getting it repaired once. That was during a hot spell this summer.

Chaps

We have this on our car and we just switch it off as soon as we start.

Mick

I have a recent VW, the start/stop device is adaptative, the engine does not stop when it's cold.

I live in a big city, and yes, it does make a difference as far as fuel consumption is concerned. The same car has a lot of electronic devices which makes driving more relaxing, I find - like the adaptative cruise-control.

What most of us resent is the feeling that we (dominant alpha males?) are no longer in control - but electronic devices are a lot smarter than we are. I can't wait for "smart" cars.

I don't thing your going to get very far, I think the idea is to switch it off when you STOP.

It's a damn shame you can't disable it permanently but apparently you can't because the "official" fuel-consumption figures for urban use are achieved with it functioning.

Yes, it is largely about the official consumption figures and the consequent tax/regulatory implications. It is one reason that we are seeing more and more turbocharged engines. It is possible to tune the engine management to perform well in the official tests, but the real-world economy can be much poorer for those that exploit the performance of these engines.

the performance of these engines...

 

...engines which are clearly much too powerful for regular, everyday use.

I work in the automotive industry for a battery manufacturer.

The fuel saving with idle stop isn't huge, but every little helps.

I think the basic idle stop mode of operation is supposed to save approx 5% fuel, more for more advanced idle stop operations (where regenerative braking and 'coasting' is incorporated).

The fear that most people have is that the engine won't be able to restart once switched off.

But this is handled by the battery management module and it won't allow the engine to switch off if the battery will not be able to restart the engine, with a good buffer.

In certain conditions it will not allow the engine to switch off also, for example if the air con is running, or if the rear windscreen heater is running, etc, varies between manufacturers how the BMS is programmed.

In my car, if climate control is running, when the vehicle moves into stop mode, you can hear the climate control ramping down and kicking in again on restart.

The BMS will manage the different current drawing components according to the situation, and will also  manage the charging of the battery.

The alternator running uses fuel, so the BMS will manage this to ensure the system runs at its optimum.

At least that's the theory!

I used to find it a little off putting when I had my first car with this technology, though I do like it now.

I do use the idle stop deactivation switch when I am in heavy traffic jam situation because I do find the constant clutch activation quite tiring, but I leave it running the rest of the time as I'm comfortable with it.

Buit this kind of technology is increasing in application as the car manufacturers attempt to reduce their overall fleet CO2 emissions as quickly as possible to avoid paying a tax penalty, on which they are all burdened now by the EU.

We should get used to it because it will be in most of our cars over the coming years, however as long as the idle stop deactivation switch is still fitted, at least we all still have the choice whether to use it or not!

This is the crux of it, along with emissions values. It's why it is so difficult to find a new car with a spare wheel in the boot. Apparently, because lower emissions and better mpg through reduced weight sells more cars. Less is more.

The stop/start in my wife's BMW (automatic) stopped working when I drove it a little while age and I really struggled with it not stopping when I was expecting it to.

I had it checked out hte next day and it was because the battery was not strong enough - easily resolved happy days.

The tax on my car is £20 a year partly due to stop/start. My fuel consumption is significantly reduced compared to my previous car - but I accept that there were other fuel efficiencies working here too.

If you don't want the engine to stop (assuming that it is up to proper temperature etc) do to traffic or road conditions then you just choose / drive for it not to - very simple.

An excellent innovation.

Wat, Some vehicles have the tyre pressure warning that will inform the driver if the pressure drops, but the driver still has to pump the tyres up, not quite all automatic yet!

I think any fuel saving features are a good thing, it is essential we start doing something to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, and the EU is leading the world in respect of CO2 reduction in cars.

Stop start technology is one of the ways the automotive industry can help get to the EU targets which will become more stringent year on year, thus pressuring the industry to further innovate.

This is ok, it saves energy and I guess has been tested to death. However what I find a bit concerning is this steering by wire...., this is more dangerous at least in theory.

I assume you mean electric power steering & not self driving technology which is strictly development technology for a long long time to come IMO..

I have found electric power steering to be excellent - its not steering by wire, it is electric power assistance,  the steering is normal rack & pinion & the electric power replaces hydraulic thats been around for eons.  Unlike hydraulic power assistance which consumes pump energy all the time, electric power is applied only as & when needed & it applies less at speed compared to slow/manoeuvring,  it has a graduated slow-high speed wheel turning control that applies more lock per wheel turn at low speed.  In use it really is invisible i.e. it has no hint that it even exists.  

I learned something - I thought my car was full by wire, but it is as described by you supported which is fine.

Know it's supposed to save fuel I do wonder if it actually does though.

I wonder what the replacement starter motor costs will be on second hand vehicles?

My bigger concern is when they start to remove the defeat switch some years hence.  For "my own good" of course.

Makes me want to go out and get a rebuilt 1975 VW Super-beetle and tell 'em to go f-bomb themselves.

I believe a very few cars include true steer-by-wire, one is an Infinit I think (posh Nissan). There is literally no physical connection between the wheel and the steering action, it is all done by sensors.

Mechanical and hydraulic systems fail too. we just seem happier with their more predictable frailties perhaps.

I have had a few cars with stop start technology. It is clearly improving and never gets caught out really now. On petrol engines especially it seems to be more or less invisible in action.

If I'm sat in a queue of traffic I'm quite happy if the cars around me are not just chugging away emitting fumes. I cannot see why anyone would really be against it

Bruce

My Aston DBS doesn't have stop start and I don't want it either. As for things like self parking assist, well if you can't park a car then you shouldn't be on the road.

Whatever.

AFAIC self drive/parking cars are called taxis.

This is simply another we have the technology lets use it, " ...the public wants it", you all remember being quizzed about it right???

We can all park cars. We can all wind down windows, manually adjust our seats, start an engine with a handle. I've got self-parking on my BMW. Don't use it really because I seldom park next to a kerb but it's a damn clever device. I also like adaptive cruise control. Give me the simple life I say.

Never mind theory......Letting high-speed 2-tonne projectiles be in "control" of distracted, impatient and frequently incompetent meat-puppets is demonstrably dangerous in practice.