Idle stop-start technology reduces fuel consumption and exhaust emissions by turning off the engine when the vehicle is idling and during deceleration at low speeds. This technology reduces fuel consumption during city driving by 4 to 10% or more, depending on the extent of technology used and specific driving conditions.
What does Idle Stop Start mean on a car?
Idle STOP-START Systems. Idle Stop-start systems (also called "Idle Stop") that automatically shut the engine off when the vehicle stops moving to save fuel, and then automatically restarts the engine when the driver presses down on the accelerator pedal are becoming more and more common on late model vehicles.
What is stop-start and how does it work?
How does stop-start work? The system works with the car’s main computer. It detects when the car is stationary and out of gear (if the car’s a manual) or the brake pedal is pressed (if it’s an automatic). It then tells the car to stop delivering fuel to the cylinders.
How does an Idle-Stop system work?
One way to combat the issue of frequently stopping, starting and standing still is a technology that can seamlessly switch your engine on and off depending on how your vehicle is operating. An idle-stop system, also commonly know as a start-stop system, is essentially what makes up today's increasingly popular so-called mild hybrids.
How does stop-start work on a hybrid car?
When the Stop-Start mode kicks in, the engine shuts off when the vehicle stops to save fuel. The engine is then restarted by routing current back to the alternator from the high voltage hybrid battery. The alternator now spins like a starter and cranks the engine via its drive belt to restart it.
How does an idle stop-start/stop system work?
The Idle Stop-Start System is a low cost method for increasing fuel economy and decreasing emissions. The system turns off the internal combustion engine when the vehicle stops at a stop light or during stop and go traffic where the vehicle would normally idle for a minimum of three to five seconds.
Does stop-start have its own battery?
Start-stop systems require a battery with modern technology, because normal starter batteries are not designed to meet the higher demands of these vehicles.
How does stop-start work in automatic?
In vehicles with automatic transmission, the start/stop function works very simply. You only have to hit the brakes and when the car stops, the engine shuts off automatically. The car starts again when the foot is lifted from the brake pedal.
Does idle stop actually save gas?
Does stop-start help save fuel? Yes - in situations where you're stationary with the engine idling, such as in heavy traffic or waiting for traffic lights to change, it will save however much fuel would have been used by the engine while the car is stationary.
How do I charge my car battery with a stop-start?
0:163:04Tutorials - CT5 Start/Stop - Charging - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe CTEK start/stop charger has been optimized to work with batteries used in start-up vehicles.MoreThe CTEK start/stop charger has been optimized to work with batteries used in start-up vehicles. Because of this there's no move button on the charger.
How long do stop/start batteries last?
4-5 yearsHow long does a Stop Start battery last? Conventional lead acid batteries can last for up to 4-5 years if maintained properly.
Do all new cars shut off when stopped?
Auto Start/Stop Technology automatically shuts off the engine when the vehicle comes to a full stop and idles for more than a few seconds. Once the driver puts pressure on the accelerator, then the engine turns back on. It's simple, and some say it can save between 3-5% of gas in stop-and-go traffic.
Why do some cars turn off when stopped?
The concept of the stop-start system is simple. It automatically shuts off the engine when the vehicle is at rest to cut fuel use and eliminate idle emissions. It then restarts the engine automatically when the driver lifts off the brake (or puts in the clutch to select 1st gear) to get going again.
What is different about a stop/start battery?
Unlike a regular battery which simply supplies a large current to turn the starter motor, a stop-start battery has enhanced cyclic performance which has the ability to discharge and recharge many times.
Do all new cars have stop/start technology?
2020 model year vehicles with start stop systems include the Ford® Fusion SE, the Ford® Edge SUV, and the Ford® Escape SE SUV,‡ to name a few. At General Motors, the 2020 Chevy Silverado 1500§ and the 2020 Chevy Malibu 1.5L Turbo are just a few of the models for which automatic start/stop is standard.
Can start-stop be turned off permanently?
Can You Disable Start-Stop Technology? While you can disable this feature, no car brand allows you to permanently disable it. For temporary disablement, click the “A Off” button next to your vehicle's gear shifter to turn off Autostop.
How long should you let your car idle before turning it off?
To avoid running your car for too long, you should only idle your vehicle for a few minutes at most before either moving your vehicle or turning the engine off. Many people opt to let their car idle for longer than a few minutes when they anticipate needing to stop and start their engine multiple times.
How does idle stop start work?
Idle Stop-start systems (also called "Idle Stop") that automatically shut the engine off when the vehicle stops moving to save fuel, and then automatically restarts the engine when the driver presses down on the accelerator pedal are becoming more and more common on late model vehicles. For city driving, Stop-Start systems can improve average fuel economy from 8 to 15 percent or more! The actual savings will vary depending on the drive cycle and how much of that time is spent idling or not moving.
What happens if a stop start system quits working?
What happens if a Stop-Start system quits working? In most cases, the system self-diagnostics will detect the fault, set one or more trouble codes and disable the Stop-Start system. It may also disconnect and isolate the hybrid battery if there is any indication of a short circuit.
What happens when an alternator is running?
When the engine is running, the alternator produces voltage the same as any other alternator to meet the vehicle's electrical requirements and to keep the 12V and high volta ge hybrid batteries charged. When the Stop-Start mode kicks in, the engine shuts off when the vehicle stops to save fuel. The engine is then restarted by routing current back ...
How many cycles does a starter motor handle?
vehicles too as it is less expensive than the current mild hybrid approach. On these systems, the starter is typically rated to handle up to 300,000 or more starting cycles, making it much more durable than a standard starter motor.
How does an electric motor work?
The electric motors inside the transmission (there are two ) start the vehicle moving. When a certain combination of speed and load are reached, one of the electric motors shifts its output torque back to the flywheel to crank and start the engine.
Does a Toyota Prius restart?
With full hybrid vehicles like the Toyota Prius, the engine does not restart immediately. The electric motors inside the transmission (there are two) start the vehicle moving.
Can a starter motor be used for stop start?
On these applications, the conventional starter motor is NOT used for Stop-Start operation, and is only used for cranking a cold engine (or to restart the engine if the hybrid battery is low). With BAS, eAssist and similar Idle Stop-Start systems, the alternator/starter can also provide extra torque when the vehicle is accelerating.
What is a conventional starter?
A conventional starter is a powerful motor which acts on the car's flywheel – when the key is turned, the starter turns a large ring gear on the flywheel via a pinion gear. The starter turns the flywheel as the key is turned, then when the engine 'fires', and the key is released the starter disengages from the flywheel. ...
What happens when you stop driving?
When you're driving along and come to a stop, the car detects the lack of motion. If it then also detects that the brake pedal is pressed, or the clutch is depressed/car is out of gear, the ECU cuts the fuelling and ignition to turn off the engine.
What happens when a car comes to a stop?
When the car comes to a stop, the engine computer cuts spark and fuel. When the driver lifts his foot off the brake, or engages the clutch, the engine fires back up. Of course, the starter has to be stout enough to withstand the dramatically increased on-off cycling.
Does stopping and starting use fuel?
For an engine already at optimum temperature, though, stopping and starting does not use an excessive amount of fuel. This is why manufacturers have introduced systems that automatically limit idling in a motionless vehicle.
What is start stop system?
A: Start-stop systems first appeared in cars with manual transmissions (the predominant transmission just about everywhere other than the U.S.) and are only now being offered on vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions.
What is the start stop control unit?
A: In vehicles with automatic transmissions, the start-stop control unit monitors the status of the transmission, engine RPMs, vehicle speed, and braking status to control the start-stop function so it is seamless to the driver.
Why do people drive in high congestion areas?
Drivers who do a majority of their driving in high congestion areas see increased fuel economy savings from a stop-start system compared with those who drive longer distances at sustained highway speeds. Drivers in Europe tend to live in more urban areas with congested roads than American drivers. However, it’s also important to recognize the changing nature of the US automotive driving environment. The US is approaching a critical mass of drivers in urban areas who are looking for improvements in fuel economy.
What is DS in car?
DS: A stop-start system automatically shuts down the engine when the vehicle comes to a stop and restarts the engine to reduce the amount of time a car spends idling. The vehicle employs a beefier starter that can withstand a significantly increased number of engine starts over the life of the vehicle. A more powerful and robust battery is crucial. A stop-start system requires a battery that is power dense and able to withstand multiple stop start events.
What is a conventional starter?
A conventional starter is a powerful motor which acts on the car's flywheel – when the key is turned, the starter turns a large ring gear on the flywheel via a pinion gear. The starter turns the flywheel as the key is turned, then when the engine 'fires', and the key is released the starter disengages from the flywheel. ...
What happens when you stop driving?
When you're driving along and come to a stop, the car detects the lack of motion. If it then also detects that the brake pedal is pressed, or the clutch is depressed/car is out of gear, the ECU cuts the fuelling and ignition to turn off the engine.
Does Stop Start technology help with emissions?
Car manufacturers are being pushed to meet ever more strict emissions guidelines, and Stop-Start technology helps them achieve these targets – but there doesn't appear to be any studies which take into consideration the levels of pollution caused during production.
How Stop-Start Systems Work
If you are not familiar with this system, simply put, when you come to a stop, like a red light, the engine shuts down, but essential other components continue to run, like the air conditioning system, power steering, brakes, sound system, etc.
Improved Fuel Economy?
Automakers and the engineering community say start/stop technology improves fuel economy by 5 to 10 percent, although I am not confident in their findings. There would have to be some amount of gas savings while your vehicle is not idling, and there would be fewer emissions coming out of your tailpipe.
History of Stop-Start Systems
Although start/stop systems are fairly new to cars in the United States, it was Volkswagen who debuted it in Europe in 1983. About 10 years ago, Mazda announced a similar system that did not engage and disengage the starter, but it never really came to fruition and proved to be unreliable.
Real-World Driving
So, what are the real-world driving characteristics of this technology? I can tell you that for me, it drives me crazy, especially in heavy traffic. I drive over 100 new cars per year, and for the past year or so, 99% of the vehicles I drive and review do have the start/stop system.
Disengaging Stop-Start
Here is the good news: almost every vehicle I drive that has start/stop also has a switch to turn the system off, but some GM SUVs recently did not have a way to disable it. If you are like me and don’t like this technology, in most cases, you can turn it off.
Final Thoughts
As I tell callers on the air, I wouldn’t let start/stop be a deal-breaker if the car you want has it, but be aware of it when car shopping and test-driving your next new vehicle. If the car you are considering has the system, and you don’t like it, make sure it can be turned off.
What is auto start stop?
What Is Auto Start-Stop? Auto start-stop shuts off your vehicle’s engine when idling, then automatically starts it again when your foot leaves the brake pedal. This helps save fuel you’d otherwise waste sitting in traffic.
Why should I leave my car on at a stoplight?
If it’s a hundred-degree day, then running the AC isn’t just about comfort, it’s about survival . Different auto start-stop systems work differently with HVAC systems. Some use a beefed-up battery to operate these systems while the engine is off.
Does auto start stop affect engine life?
No. For most people, auto start-stop will have no effect on engine life. For some, it may actually extend it. If you spend hours idling in congested streets, you’re likely damaging your engine. Idling can cause issues with spark plugs, and if the engine isn’t warm enough to fully combust fuel it can leave residue behind.
Does auto start stop keep heat from running?
Others kill the engine for a second and then start it right back up again. Either way, auto start-stop isn’t going to keep your heat or air conditioning from running when you need it.
Is auto start stop better than constant idling?
Auto start-stop is much better for engines than constant idling. And if most of your driving is on the highway, auto start-stop will have no effect on your vehicle.
Can you disable auto start stop?
Vehicles with auto start-stop installed always have a way to disable it as well. That’s because sometimes auto start-stop can be dangerous. If you frequently have to manage junctions and turns where you can’t spare a quarter-second without getting t-boned, it’s a good idea to turn it off.
Why is stop start good?
If it isn’t working as you think it should, there might be a very good reason for it. Stop-start is designed to save you fuel and cut a car’s exhaust emissions by reducing the amount of time your engine sits idling without going anywhere. And it’s on nine out of every 10 new cars sold.
Why does my computer disable the stop start?
So it disables the stop-start in case the battery is drained so much the engine won’t re-start.
Does stop start work on reverse gear?
Here’s something not everyone knows. Stop-start won’t operate when reverse gear is selected or a parking aid is active. Having the wheel turned at an acute angle will prevent it working too. The system realises there’s a high chance you’re manoeuvring and will find the engine cutting out every few seconds more than a little irritating. And the car is smart enough to disable stop-start when you’re on a steep hill. Neither will it work if there are any faults with the engine management system. You’ll know this because a warning light will illuminate on the dashboard.
