Auto Stop-Start: Enable/Disable?

[Foxhound5366]

So what's the latest view on Auto Stop/Start? If you have this in your car, do you leave it enabled or have you got it disabled?

I was reading a recent story that estimates that the average car could go through 50 000 stop/start cycles in its life, but with auto stop/start that figure climbs up to 500 000. That can result in major risk to the engine from extra wear-and-tear through friction, but apparently the new oils are meant to assist with that. However, the story claimed that modern oils are 50% more effective: which by my crude maths then reduces the real-world impact down to 250 000 stop/start cycles (still five times higher).

Also a lot of people online have pointed out that the helpfulness is negated if you get impatient when starting off and then floor the accelerator to make up for that second or two you might lose as the system gets ready.

 

[Hamster]

I don't have it but it's definitely not a feature I have on.my shortlist when doing car shopping. In JHB I want to the car running all the time so I can put my foot down and get going if I need to at a hijack hotspot robot.

 

[Foxhound5366]

I don't have it but it's definitely not a feature I have on.my shortlist when doing car shopping. In JHB I want to the car running all the time so I can put my foot down and get going if I need to at a hijack hotspot robot.

Well, here's the thing: on my car there's a button to disable it, but it reactivates by default when you restart the car. Apparently I can take it to the dealer to toggle a switch in the vehicle's software that will make it remember my setting, which is what I'm considering doing now.

It really does start pretty damn quickly (like I don't think that one second is going to really make a difference in a hijack scenario), so I'm more worried about the extra wear-and-tear without much actual fuel saving.

 

[zizo911]

I leave it on. I sometimes forget to stitch it off. It depends where I'm driving to. If there's little stops I just leave it on.

 

[Foxhound5366]

I leave it on. I sometimes forget to stitch it off. It depends where I'm driving to. If there's little stops I just leave it on.

Funnily enough I don't feel it much as the driver because I'm concentrating on driving lol, but my wife says it always catches her by surprise as the passenger. Aren't you worried about the wear-and-tear factor on the engine?

 

[skeptic_SA]

The savings in fuel over the life of the car dont warrant the extra wear and tear.

Sandton Kugel voice: "Yes but the manufacturers wouldnt have the system in the car if it was going to cause damage".

Yes sure. Coz they dont make bank from selling spares to cars out of motorplan. Which is about how long it will take for the associated parts to get wrecked.

 

[Foxhound5366]

Ok, so the popular vote is to just permanently disable? Do I have at least one more Aye?

 

[grump_grouch]

Ok, so the popular vote is to just permanently disable? Do I have at least one more Aye?

Aye.

Prefer to keep the motor running.

 

[Hemi300c]

When the cars start reaching the end of their service and maintenance plans we'll see plenty of moaning threads about the ridiculous cost to replace starter motors/batteries etc I am sure.

 

[Shellyb1]

I don't bother deactivating mine. On my Beemer (320d) beauty, I brake at a robot but my foot doesn't press down on the brake 100%. It still stops but doesnt switch off. You acquire this skill over time .

When I do want it off, I place extra pressure, hard enough to activate it.

Was tricky in the beginning but I got the hang of it.

Give it time OP.

 

[FiestaST]

When the cars start reaching the end of their service and maintenance plans we'll see plenty of moaning threads about the ridiculous cost to replace starter motors/batteries etc I am sure.

Concur

 

[Sinbad]

What wear and tear? Rubbish. Batteries and starters are beefed up...

 

[FiestaST]

 

[Foxhound5366]

Yes Fiesta, but did you miss where I said that unfortunate that system defaults to on every time you restart the car? I read that in later models they made the system remember the previous input, but in my one I'll have to take it to a dealer to set that for me in the software.

That's unless you're suggesting I get used to pressing an extra button every single time I drive off

 

[FiestaST]

Yes Fiesta, but did you miss where I said that unfortunate that system defaults to on every time you restart the car? I read that in later models they made the system remember the previous input, but in my one I'll have to take it to a dealer to set that for me in the software.

That's unless you're suggesting I get used to pressing an extra button every single time I drive off

Lol that's what I get for just placing a static image.

Read what you mentioned previously. The image is just for non-BMW folks to see where the SS button is located

 

[Foxhound5366]

Lol that's what I get for just placing a static image.

Read what you mentioned previously. The image is just for non-BMW folks to see where the SS button is located

Indeed FiestaST. Believe it or not there's a reason that all computers still come with these 26 keys that take up so much space on the keyboard What's your personal opinion on Stop/Start? You reckon it contributes to mechanical wear?

 

[FiestaST]

Indeed FiestaST. Believe it or not there's a reason that all computers still come with these 26 keys that take up so much space on the keyboard What's your personal opinion on Stop/Start? You reckon it contributes to mechanical wear?

Hmm...personally I don't think it will greatly impact wear & tear later down the line. Technologies like this is not just randomly introduced without significant testing. The fact that so many manufacturers have the technology adopted also gives some more reassurance.

My issue with it is that on paper it seems like a good idea but in relation to the cost (fuel) saving benefit I'm not so sure.

Then there is also the personal preference. Do you really want or like your car starting up after you pull away from every single robot/traffic light? It's a "no" from me overall.

 

[Foxhound5366]

Well, according to what I've read online, the reason OEMs have introduced this technology is because of tough new Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards.

That's *why* the BMW cars came out with the system unable to be completely turned off: in order to score enough points under CAFE, the system had to be on by default.

This isn't a question of what's been tested and what is good for the motorist, but rather about what's good for the OEM to save them money and remain compliant.

I suspect that we're in one of those situations where the legislation has evolved faster than the technology, and the OEMs have had to scramble to remain compliant and profitable under the various incentive schemes.

There's no doubt that OEMs are confident that they can maintain the systems for the three to five years that the cars are under warranty, but what about the next ten years that cars used to last? Like mentioned, I suspect that's where we're going to start seeing some spectacular failures still on the high-mileage vehicles.

 

[Foxhound5366]

What "extra rotational friction" and where does this come from?

You know there is friction when the engine's crank shaft turns, right? Most friction occurs at start up when the metal isn't fully lubricated or at operating temperature. Now in an auto stop/start car, you're not just starting a car once per journey, but ten or twenty times.

 

[Hamster]

It really does start pretty damn quickly (like I don't think that one second is going to really make a difference in a hijack scenario), so I'm more worried about the extra wear-and-tear without much actual fuel saving.

..unless it doesn't start at all