There are many issues associated with start-stop technology. Some say it ends up using more fuel and others that it ruins the engine. But is this true or are there benefits for both cars and the environment? Is it better to turn off the start-stop to make the engine last longer?
Is it worth turning off the start-stop to make the engine last longer?
Let’s start by looking at what this technology consists of
Stop-start is a system that is present in most modern cars. That said, it cuts the engine when the car is stopped to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. In hybrid cars, the same system can also turn off the combustion engine when the car is operating at low acceleration loads. However, the engine restarts when the clutch is used, the brake is released, or when the driver is ready to move or accelerate again.
How it works?
The system uses a computer to detect when the car is stopped or out of gear, or when it is running under low load conditions; stopping the delivery of fuel to the engine. In the case of hybrid cars, a limited amount of torque can be supplied by the car’s electric motor while the engine is turned off. Ignition restarts when the car starts moving, the clutch is depressed or more energy is required.
The process happens automatically, but drivers can choose whether the system is active or deactivated by pressing their car’s start button.
– Advertisement –
As far as durability or service life is concerned, the greater number of stopping cycles leads to greater engine wear unless measures are taken to prevent it.
A typical car without automatic stopping can experience up to 50,000 start-stop events during its lifetime. But with the automatic system being activated every time the car stops, the number rises dramatically, perhaps up to 500,000 stopping cycles over the life of the engine.
But does this hurt or not?
Of course, the vehicles are prepared for this. However, no matter how sophisticated stopping systems are, they are not infallible. And, more than that, using them means your car engine shuts down several times per trip.
Regardless of how you turn off the engine, it leaves several metal surfaces touching without the lubricating protection of the oil. Furthermore, starter motors eventually run out, as do the batteries that power them. So, generally speaking, there is some logic when it comes to the aversion to start-stop technology.
However, for the most part, these potential flaws were taken into account. Firstly, modern oils have significantly better lubricating and wear protection properties than their predecessors. Additionally, many start-stop systems do not engage until the engine has warmed up. This ensures that the oil and other fluids have circulated properly and coated the various engine components.
Secondly, cars with these systems, hybrid or not, have starting systems designed specifically to address wear concerns. They can also detect if the battery is too low to restart the engine sufficiently. If this happens, the engine runs to recharge the battery.
The start-stop system also knows if your A/C is working. If it is, the engine stays on to keep it running.
And do they help you use less fuel?
While stop-start systems aren’t necessarily damaging your engine, are they really improving fuel economy? In a word, yes. But like any fuel-saving technology, how much we save depends on how and where we drive.
As mentioned earlier, the engine will not turn off if the air conditioning system is running. And that reduces potential fuel savings. Even so, even with the system on, we have a 2.9% improvement in fuel economy. But with it off, start-stop improves fuel economy by 9.5%.
In short, start-stop systems can help us save fuel and will not damage your engine or its lifespan.
