Stop Start Technology

[wemorgan]

Why would you not want it? Would you prefer to spend more on fuel, VED and BIK rather than get used to a stop start engine? I do believe that in Germany you can be fined in some cities for NOT turning your engine off at red lights.

I support stop/start technology. I was simply answering your previous question

Stop-start technology and advanced driving aren't mutually exclusive. Combine the two together and the savings could be worthwhile for some.

For me stop-start would hardly get used in any of my journeys, so for that reason I wouldn't go out of my way to buy a car with it. But if my next car came with it, so be it.

 

[Charles Morgan]

I test drove a Mini Cooper D with this and got used to it with no problems. Given London driving is all jams as long as the engineering is good I can't see any issues, and when air quality is poor having fewer cars spilling particulates and filth for me to breathe is a big plus. Can't see the use outside city driving though.

 

[Rory]

With stop start, the decision to stop the engine is made once you apply your hand brake.

No it's not - I drove a B150 BE courtesy car the other day and I never touched the handbrake.

From the manual:

"The engine is switched off automatically if:

* the vehicle speed is very low
* you have shifted to neutral N
* the clutch pedal is not depressed"

In practice I found it unobtrusive.

 

[st13phil]

Question. If the driver stalls the engine, does this device automatically restart the engine ?

Yes - but depending on the system logic it may re-start if you just depress the clutch pedal to the floor or you may have to shift to neutral, take your foot of the clutch pedal and then depress it again. In practice, it's quicker and easier to press the "Start" button.

 

[st13phil]

I used to do this but why do ADIs teach handbrake neutral. Much easier to do this, foot on clutch and car in gear ready to take off

It was always considered bad practice to sit for long periods with the vehicle in gear and your foot on the clutch due to the potential for wear on the thrust release mechanism. This isn't such a problem with modern thrust release bearings, but the old carbon-type ones could cook if held long enough like that. Anyone who has ever been rear-ended (ooh-err, missus) while in a queue will know why you need to keep the brakes on. I suspect that ADI's teach handbrake on and shift to neutral because it lessens the chance of an inexperienced driver fidgeting in the seat, feet slipping off pedals and inadvertantly moving forward.

 

[Rory]

I used to do this but why do ADIs teach handbrake neutral. Much easier to do this, foot on clutch and car in gear ready to take off . Feet on the brake not an issue as auto car drivers have to do this anyway.

For safety.

The thinking is that if you sit at a junction and someone runs into the back of you then as you jerk backwards your feet will come off the clutch and brake pedals and the car will shoot forwards into the crossing traffic stream.

 

[flango]

Yep it's a good point from Rory and that is the safest way without shadow of a doubt, although if you get hit hard up the back end (ooh err missus) the handbrake is not going to save you from crossing into the traffic stream as you get shunted forwards but may do in a low speed bump. The trouble is manufacturers seem to design for noobies not experienced drivers (although I acccept this is a generalisation and not aimed at performance cars) but is generally true with mainstream models.

 

[rees_A]

Every car I've ever owned has stop/start technology..It's called an ignition key.. I wouldn't want a car dictating to me when I am allowed to run it. I may want to make a spirited get-away at the lights, how does that work????

I turn it on, then turn it off when I'm finished with it. It's a bit like the new TV's from Sony, they are supposed to know when you leave the room and then turn off.....What happens if someone else in in the room as well.....I may want to hear what's happening on the TV as I've just popped to get something in the kitchen...

Rant over!!

 

[st13phil]

Every car I've ever owned has stop/start technology..It's called an ignition key.. I wouldn't want a car dictating to me when I am allowed to run it. I may want to make a spirited get-away at the lights, how does that work????

I suggest you actually try out the current generation of start/stop technology because I think you'd find your fears to be groundless.

The engine won't stop running unless you put the 'box in neutral and take your foot off the clutch pedal. If you do that it will stop, if you don't it will just idle normally. From a stopped engine (this is certainly true of both the MINI Cooper S and the MB B-Class implementations) as soon as you depress the clutch pedal the engine re-starts before you've had time to engage 1st gear. All in all it's very unobtrusive and very effective.

 

[HowardD]

Had stop start on my Cooper D in 07, and my current 1-series. It's really easy to get used to, and it did save a little fuel. Both cars were in the £35 a year road tax band.

It used to surprise other car drivers and pedestrians when the engine restarted.

HD