What is This Automatic Engine Feature Targeted by Start and Stop Off?
You've probably noticed it. You stop, perhaps at stop lights or in a jam, and suddenly your engine cuts out. As soon as you take your foot off the brake or press the clutch, it instantly comes back to life. That's the automatic start/stop system doing its thing.
According to car makers, start-stop system’s main job is to save a bit of fuel and reduce emissions while idling. These days, it is quite common. You will find it on all kinds of new cars. Not just hybrids, but all sorts of vehicles.
Why Do Cars Have This System if Drivers Want Start and Stop Off?
Very strange right? How come something which people generally don’t like is now so common? A big driver behind this is regulations. Car manufacturers face tough fuel economy and emissions standards set by governments across the globe.
Car makers can include start/stop tech to help meet emission targets, specifically for official tests. It's a technical solution to a regulatory requirement. Start/Stop technology might be a great thing to add to your car, but not everyone finds it pleasing. Thus, people start looking for a Start and Stop Off option.
What Makes the Engine Stop and Restart Without Start and Stop Off?
It's quite a clever setup, really. Your car's engine control unit, better known as the ECU, acts as the vehicle's central control unit. It gets constant updates from sensors all over the car.
These sensors check how fast you’re driving, if your foot is on the brake or the clutch, how hot the engine is, and most importantly, the health of the battery. The ECU uses all this information to determine when to stop the engine and when to restart it right away. It’s trying to do what’s best for efficiency and comfort while ensuring a smooth restart.
Are Special Parts Needed Without Start and Stop Off?
Yes, the car with this automatic mechanism needs some upgraded components compared to the other car. The starter motor for this is not a regular starter. It's designed for way more cycles than a regular one. So, it can handle potentially hundreds of starts every day.
The battery is also special. Usually, it's an AGM or EFB type. These batteries are made for getting drained and getting charged a lot more often than a normal car battery. If you don't have Start and Stop Off, these parts do much more work. Otherwise, they won't be able to last long.
Will I Use More Fuel with Start and Stop Off?
When manufacturers talk about fuel savings with start/stop, it’s maybe between 3 and 10 % in official tests. Makes sense – if the engine’s off, it’s not using any fuel!
But in reality, your savings actually depend a lot on how you drive. If you mainly drive in the congested city traffic, you’ll benefit more. If you mainly drive on faster roads with fewer stops, the system barely activates, and the savings are tiny. Most drivers cannot see the real-world difference in their fuelling bills. "Turn off the start-stop feature for smoother engine performance."
Is the Fuel Saving Worth It Compared to Start and Stop Off?
That's a great question. In discussing the small to negligible fuel savings you would achieve, many people say the driving experience is worth it.
In addition, when the special heavy-duty batteries and starter motors are eventually worn out and need to be replaced, they are much more expensive than ordinary ones. Some drivers think the money they save on fuel will end up going toward the expensive replacement parts later on. Choosing to turn the Start and Stop Off means these parts must work less.
What's the Frustration Leading to Start and Stop Off?
So why do so many people actively dislike this feature? A major reason is the feeling of hesitation. When you need the engine to go after a sudden acceleration, it doesn’t go anywhere for a moment. It may feel sluggish when you need to pull away fast.
Then there's the actual shutting down and restarting. It can feel like an interruption, whether you feel vibrations or hear noises, your car is running in chaos and not smoothly. It makes a lot of sense for drivers to search “Start and Stop Off,” as it just doesn’t feel quite right.
How Does Comfort Play into Wanting Start and Stop Off?
Your comfort inside the car can take a hit too. When the engine shuts down, the air conditioner doesn’t run at full effect as it is not getting driven by the main compressor. On a sunny day, the air coming from the vents gets hot pretty quickly.
The heating can be less effective in winter too. The engine may restart at any time if it gets too hot in the cabin. This temporary loss of performance can be annoying and many find Start and Stop Off feature useful as a result from the winter issue.
Is Inconsistency a Reason for Start and Stop Off?
Absolutely. The system doesn't always activate when you expect it to. Could be an issue related to low battery charge, electrical system not warmed up yet, or you're cranking the A/C. It can also restart sooner than you want.
This unpredictability is frustrating. You can't always anticipate what the car will do. This can become really annoying in super slow stop-start types of driving, or when you’re parking. When you need fine control the engine may cut out. As the engine constantly cuts out, consumers want the feature to be turned off.
Why Not Just Use the Button Instead of Permanent Start and Stop Off?
Most vehicles have a button to cut the system off temporarily. Great, right? The only problem is, you usually have to hit it every single time you turn the key. It resets back to 'on' by default.
It's a real pain for people who don't like it to remember to do that every time, or it being a hassle. It does feel like you’re fighting the car’s default option. This hassle is frequently the last straw that causes people to search for a permanent Start and Stop Off solution.
Are Cars Built to Handle the Constant Restarting Avoided by Start and Stop Off?
The car manufacturers are aware there will be more engine starts with the system. As noted, they use heavy-duty starters and AGM or EFB batteries made specifically for this extra work (the OEM Grade starters in particular).
They also use the engine-warm-up strategy in addition to that, and special oil and bearing materials to reduce wear during the restarts. So, yes, they are purposely made to take it better than a normal car.
Could Start and Stop Off Help My Car Parts Last Longer?
This is the point at which turning the system off makes sense long term ownership. The parts may be tougher but they face way more working cycles than the same parts in a car without start/stop. More cycles inherently mean more stress over time.
By choosing Start and Stop Off, you avoid those thousands of extra restarts. This lessens the strain on enhanced starter and specialized battery. By putting less stress on these costly parts, you may extend their life and avoid replacing them in the future. It restores the functioning of the parts like in a traditional car.
What Are the Ways to Get Permanent Start and Stop Off?
Tired of the button? There are ways to disable the system permanently. One route is using aftermarket hardware modules. You can plug one of these little devices into your car near the switch or diagnostic port, and after the first time you activate your last setting it won’t be activated again.
A second, often preferred approach is through software mod, known as ECU remapping or chiptuning. By this, we mean directly changing the instructions in the car’s main computer to permanently disable the start/stop.
Is It Safe to Get Start and Stop Off for My Car?
It is safe to disable start stop system by remapping ECU of car. You're not altering parts in a harmful way.
You're limiting multiple starts of components like the engine, starter, and battery doing their job. The reduction in how hard those components have to work is generally considered a good thing. The software that operates the characteristic, which is otherwise focused on leaving the engine unaffected and functioning without hindrance.