Annoying 'helpful' features on C4 Picasso - Stop/Start and auto parking brake.

Ganga

BOWFER said:

Ganga said:

Jeepers_Creepers said:

On the C4, it's seemingly only the clutch that restarts the engine. And it needs depressing fully. (I've fallen foul of that a few times - sitting stationary at changed lights, and then I notice the display "Put yer ped right down, y'ejit..."

The stop / start system must reduce the lifespan of the starter motor compared to a normal version of the engine .

Myth.
Cars that use the starter motor for S/S are fitted with heavier duty ones.
Some cars don't even use the starter motor any more, whatever piston is highest in its stroke is fed some fuel and a spark and is used to get the rest going.

Can you tell me which cars have this system ? what about diesels ? no spark plugs .

BOWFER

Ganga said:

BOWFER said:

Ganga said:

Jeepers_Creepers said:

On the C4, it's seemingly only the clutch that restarts the engine. And it needs depressing fully. (I've fallen foul of that a few times - sitting stationary at changed lights, and then I notice the display "Put yer ped right down, y'ejit..."

The stop / start system must reduce the lifespan of the starter motor compared to a normal version of the engine .

Myth.
Cars that use the starter motor for S/S are fitted with heavier duty ones.
Some cars don't even use the starter motor any more, whatever piston is highest in its stroke is fed some fuel and a spark and is used to get the rest going.

Can you tell me which cars have this system ? what about diesels ? no spark plugs .

Mazda, for one

Jeepers_Creepers

That sounds incredibly complex - and pointless.

facade

Jeepers_Creepers said:

That sounds incredibly complex - and pointless.

It is complex.  Mazda actually do use the starter motor though, the cylinder thing helps it start quicker in conjunction with the starter.

BMW for one use a starter generator that doesn't wear out quite as quickly as a ring gear starter. I'd have thought they reduce the compression as well by playing with the valve timing to get it going round.

I recall in The Olden Days low compression engines had a dynastart, which was a beefed up dynamo that functioned as a starter.

Jeepers_Creepers

All good stuff, Facade - thanks

facade

Jeepers_Creepers said:

All good stuff, Facade - thanks

Just something else to go wrong and worry about.

I used to drive Olden Days cars. The absolute worst thing that could ever happen in those was if the engine cut out when you were stopped at traffic lights or a junction. Nothing on Earth would persuade them to start again until they had been pushed clear of the junction, and you waited 10 minutes or so. (Rather like a Bonneville- stall one of those and you were pushing it off the road)

No way could I cope with the engine stopping all the time.

EssexExile

facade said:

Jeepers_Creepers said:

All good stuff, Facade - thanks

Just something else to go wrong and worry about.

I used to drive Olden Days cars. The absolute worst thing that could ever happen in those was if the engine cut out when you were stopped at traffic lights or a junction. Nothing on Earth would persuade them to start again until they had been pushed clear of the junction, and you waited 10 minutes or so. (Rather like a Bonneville- stall one of those and you were pushing it off the road)

No way could I cope with the engine stopping all the time.

Ah, the good old days!