Is using auto start-stop bad?

WellKnownSid

Zandoni wrote: »

How about the extra car weight from the big battery, alternator and starter motor that you carry around all the time. Plus the extra price you pay for the system of course.

Weight has very little impact on fuel economy.

Simple conservation of energy really - drag is your killer so sticking to the proper green tyres not cheap ones, correctly inflated, and doing 70 not 85 on the motorway.

There was no extra price for the system - but it does save on road tax too.

WellKnownSid

Retrogamer wrote: »

Save money on fuel over the vehicles life time so you can spend the savings on new starter motors and batteries.

As stated, mine doesn't use the starter motor or the battery for the restart cycle. Stop worrying about it wearing out parts that aren't used...

mttylad

SS is bad if you have a Fiat Punto like I do.
I'm on my 3rd battery, they only last about a year as it knackers them up pretty quick.

Ideally I'd like to disable it completely.

anotherbaldrick

Best thing about stop/start systems is that they have a disable button.
With a new car ensure it is located within east reach of the driver , next to start key or button is ideal.

DUTR

WellKnownSid wrote: »

As stated, mine doesn't use the starter motor or the battery for the restart cycle. Stop worrying about it wearing out parts that aren't used...

Indeed, I'm not sure why some are clasping at straws with their negativity? Have you seen any recent stories of airbags inadvertantly activating whilst driving?? They must add weight cost and increase fuel consumption VED and all things that go with it.

DUTR

mttylad wrote: »

SS is bad if you have a Fiat Punto like I do.
I'm on my 3rd battery, they only last about a year as it knackers them up pretty quick.

Ideally I'd like to disable it completely.

It's a Fiat Punto though, not top of the solidity car list.
So the car is at least 9yrs old as the batteries have a 3 yr warranty don't they? Was SS around and on Punto's in 2006.

Retrogamer

WellKnownSid wrote: »

As stated, mine doesn't use the starter motor or the battery for the restart cycle. Stop worrying about it wearing out parts that aren't used...

Do all other cars negate the use of these components as well?

I remember when DMF was first introduced on diesels it allowed them to save fuel as there was less labouring felt when cruising at lower RPM as well as the extra refinement.

My old 1980's Polo breadvan had "Stop Start" technology as well, but it used the starter motor and battery.

uncreative

DUTR wrote: »

And 5 days a week is approaching £50 a year

Wait..What??? your S/S cuts out the engine on the motorway? Ours only cuts out at traffic lights or when you have physically stopped. No way would I have the engine cutout on the motorway - surely thats not right??

robatwork

neilmcl wrote: »

In fact I've a work colleague who has an auto with SS and tells me it's a pain in the backside because it keeps coming on in every situation he comes to a standstill. So he now leaves it disabled.

Since Volvo upgraded my firmware the SS system has had a really nice improvement.

When I come slowly to a stop if I am braking lightly then the engine doesn't cut out. Push down fairly firmly on the brake and it cuts.

So I always have the choice - at lights I think are about to change I don't bother letting it cut the engine.

(This is an auto)

neilmcl

reeac wrote: »

It's possible to postulate thousands of different traffic scenarios but my feeling is that as far as economics is concerned the effects of SS are marginal.

You not heard of the principle of "marginal gains". SS is just a one part of the overall ECO packages included with new cars, taken as whole can make significant differences.