Do Stop-Start Systems Really Save Fuel? | Edmunds.com


Do Stop-Start Systems Really Save Fuel? | Edmunds.com
An increasing number of new cars are being equipped with stop-start systems that are designed to save fuel by shutting off the engine at stoplights. But do they work?
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The advantage to this is, that you can start the engine at any point, since it's permanently connected to engine by a belt. The alternator can even start the engine during the its turning off phase.
Thus you don't need to lose time waiting for the gears of the conventional starter motor to engage. In theory you don't need the starter motor anymore, but you still do have it in all the cars I know of, that use this system.
It also uses a capacitor to store the energy from recuperation for starting (instead of the battery, and this was well before Mazda i-Eloop system). That's why it's called a "micro hybrid" system, rather than start/stop.
This video shows, how the micro hybrid works:
We've tested the european version of the Cooper 1,5 and the 328i (almost - 428i) as well and although their systems are good, if not the best that use traditional starter motor, the Valeo one is superior. The reversible alternator makes it possible to shut the engine down even when the car's doing about 20 kph or below (with the manual gearbox). In the real world I was able to manage 4,1 l/100 km of diesel in my city test cycle (57 MPG) with a Peugeot 2008 with the 1,6 liter four cylinder diesel engine (e-HDI).
I believe the next step is going to be a system, that can shut the engine off even at higher speeds.
With regards
Daniel Krnac
There are a number of system where the starter is permanently engaged and the flywheels have over-running clutches designed into them.
The mild hybrid (Belt Alternator/Starter) designs have been around since GM first brought them out with the Malibu and Saturn Aura Greenline in 2007.
self and started it again with line of traffic behind. I took off, next light same thing only that time I noticed when taking foot off break that it started again. I thought there was something seriously wrong with the truck. By the time I got home I realized that it was the way the engine worked, and I looked it up in the manual. It has taken me a little bit to get used to it.
Thanks Edmunds!
stop start.
Batteries Plus has Duracells for the Chevy Malibu - the start/stop variety cost $40 more than the non-AGM kind.
Nothing is standing still either and the sub-systems are beginning to be powered by lith-ion second batteries and ultra capacitors.
This feature needs to be outlawed before someone gets hurt.
proper title should be
Do Stop-Start Systems Really COST LIVES?
Feb 14,2017
I was stopped, exiting a paved driveway onto a 2 lane road.
I was deciding whether to make a left turn across the path of a large truck that had just turned the corner 300 Ft away.
The truck seemed to be lumbering along, so I made the decision to pull out across its path and make my left turn. Apparently the truck
hit its peak Torque at that time and suddenly sped up, just as I pulled out!
At this same moment, the engine had decided to shut itself off!
I pressed the gas and nothing happened! The Escape rolled into oncoming traffic!
Not knowing WHAT to do, I pressed it to the floor, the engine started up
and sat there THINKING in the path of the oncoming truck!!!
I was stuck like a deer in headlights!
My passenger and I could easily have died and no one would be here to tell about it.
I suggest selling Ford stock short. They are bound to have a lot of Class-Action law suits coming due to injuries and death.
I am interested in the F150's stop/start system design before passing judgement as others are doing on here.
PS: The are no issues with my battery, it lasted 5 years before replacement and it is not extra large sized.
My wife's car saves that choice, even after the vehicle has been turned off. But, most of the time, we let it go. Traffic jams or downtown, we might turn it off.
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I am equally surprised by the Stop/Start "horror stories". Most of them sound like driver error or a lack of knowledge about the system and how it operates. Most of these systems cycle on in the length of time it takes most people to move their foot from the brake to the gas. Read your owners manual (that book you only ever opened to learn how to pair your phone and program the radio) and save yourself a lot of hassle.
I'll take the cash savings and the environmental benefits any day.
I've always understood the complaints, what I don't understand is the extreme climates.
I always thought starting the engine requires more gas than idling for a couple minutes. True or not?
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