Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

xwesx

Mr_Shiftright said:

I've never driven a car with Stop/Start + manual transmission. I'd like to know how well that works.

I worried about it on my Fiesta. However, it worked just fine. You press the clutch, push the button... starts. It even flooded on me one time when I tried starting it at a very cold temperature without having it plugged in prior, and clearing it worked just like in the "old days."

I thought it was gimmicky back then, but I love the no-key feature now! Haha; I'm such a softie.

corvette

VW/Audi turns it on each time the ignition is cycled unless the car is is one of the sport modes. Some say there is a setting you can change if you have a VAG-COM that will make the car stay in the same mode it was in when it was turned off. 

pensfan83

Fortunately it's easy to modulate in the TLX. If the brake pedal isn't fully depressed a message flashes in the gauge cluster telling you if you want auto start/stop engaged to depress the brake pedal. I simply don't do that and the car stays running. I use it selectively when I know I'm going to be stopped for more than a few minutes though I can't say I have noticed any real fuel savings.

qbrozen

andres3 said:

you must not live on a planet with high global warming. the air conditioner stops working efficiently when the engine is off, and that's just the start of my peeves with the feature.

I don't like the intrusive nature of the feature, turning my car off without permission, turning it on again (which tends to cause extra unnecessary vibrations).

I like the idea that I'm not burning up battery power at every stoplight, nor my starter. Also, you have to be stopped for near a minute to really see any fuel savings. You probably have a net loss at short stops.

If the cabin is not close to the temp you set on the climate control, autostop/start is disabled in my truck.

the starter and battery in a vehicle with autostart/stop are designed for the feature and are more robust than those in a vehicle without the feature. Or so I read.

I can control the feature with my foot, so when I know I'll be stopped for just a few seconds, I simply don't let the vehicle turn off by feathering the brake.

kyfdx

BMW actually disconnects battery charging during acceleration to improve fuel economy. When you let off the gas to coast or start braking (ending fuel consumption), then it reconnects and charges the battery. I'm sure, like stop/start, that if the battery starts to get too low, it will disable that function and allow it to charge.

I have to believe all of that stuff increases fuel economy, because it can't be cheap to engineer/add to the design.

xwesx

I was going to say something similar, Q.

We had a rental Escape for ten days down in the northwest last week. I think it was probably a 2016; maybe 2017. Anyhow, it had this auto start/stop feature, and it freaked me out the first time it happened. I was fiddling around trying to restart it (put it in park, etc.), and then lifted my foot.... startup! LOL I was way too tired when we picked that thing up at 0500 on a Sunday morning.

As noted, it will only work under certain conditions, including a heavy pressing of the brake pedal. If you are only holding it enough to just keep the car stopped, auto S/S will not engage. I got used to it after a while, but still am not sure that it was actually beneficial. It certainly made the vehicle slower to leave stops, and I only averaged 26.8 on the trip for a small AWD vehicle with lots of highway cruising. My Forester would have done better (without auto S/S).

I didn't mind the Escape, but it sure did feel wonderful to get into the Q7 again yesterday!

stickguy

Well, like with many features, entirely possible the mpg savings are on the EPA test cycle, not real world, and the test is what counts. As long as you aren’t caught cheating.

fintail

The Jaguar rental in Germany also had start/stop - before I learned which button switched it off, I just modulated it with the brake - there was definitely a take up point, which I likened to a clutch. Restarting was seamless though, just annoying, as the loud exhaust made it sound like I had stalled a manual.

thebean

fintail said:

Push button start is indeed awesome, especially when coupled with a keyless entry system. Sure it is more vulnerable to theft, but nice convenience. Combine it with a power trunk closer that also locks the car for optimal ease of use.

Start/stop doesn't bug me, but the way it messes with my dashcam can be irritating, as the cam thinks I am parking the car.

How does push button start/keyless entry make a vehicle more vulnerable to theft? I don't think I have ever heard that before.

iluvmysephia1

Tell us, fintail. I questioned that too.

fintail

Unsecured cars/keys and repeaters:

http://www.thedrive.com/watch-this/16435/watch-thieves-steal-this-mercedes-by-hacking-its-keyless-start-system

thebean said:

How does push button start/keyless entry make a vehicle more vulnerable to theft? I don't think I have ever heard that before.

pensfan83

qbrozen said:

If the cabin is not close to the temp you set on the climate control, autostop/start is disabled in my truck.

the starter and battery in a vehicle with autostart/stop are designed for the feature and are more robust than those in a vehicle without the feature. Or so I read.

I can control the feature with my foot, so when I know I'll be stopped for just a few seconds, I simply don't let the vehicle turn off by feathering the brake.

Mine is similar, it won't activate until the car is up to running temperature, with the front defroster running, and when there is a distinct difference between interior and outside temperature. In fact mine has been disabling itself more often than not lately given the colder temperatures.

roadburner

Newer BMWs have gone back to the stop/start being on by default. You can no longer switch it off permanently- at least through "official" channels.

qbrozen

xwesx said:

. It certainly made the vehicle slower to leave stops

Interesting. I have had no such issue. I've tried and I can't move my foot faster than the restart takes. I'm sure that is a detail manufacturers have had to adjust over the years.

rayainsw

'Newer BMWs have gone back to the stop/start being on by default. ' - roadbyrner
My 2016's auto stop\start was turned off [ for ever ] upon delivery...?
When did that change ?
- Ray
Off when I turn it off...

xwesx

qbrozen said:

xwesx said:

. It certainly made the vehicle slower to leave stops

Interesting. I have had no such issue. I've tried and I can't move my foot faster than the restart takes. I'm sure that is a detail manufacturers have had to adjust over the years.

The car was generally cranking in the process of me moving my foot, and was likely "running" by the time I added gas, but if I pressed the accelerator without a pause, it would pause, then jump into action rather than a smooth transition. I typically go with the vehicle ahead of me, then spread my distance from them as I accelerate, while I noticed with this car that it exhibited the more typical "next car goes after the first car has gone" process. The unnecessary pause is the reason for the rubber banding effect of traffic jams and stoplights.

This is, actually, the only real positive aspect of fully networked autonomous cars; they won't have this same flaw in timing as people typically do.

kyfdx

roadburner said:

Newer BMWs have gone back to the stop/start being on by default. You can no longer switch it off permanently- at least through "official" channels.

Our 2017 retains whatever setting it was on when we last drove it.

roadburner

rayainsw said:

'Newer BMWs have gone back to the stop/start being on by default. ' - roadbyrner
My 2016's auto stop\start was turned off [ for ever ] upon delivery...?
When did that change ?
- Ray
Off when I turn it off...

2017- beginning with the G12 7er and G30 5er. I'm certain it can be coded to to default to off, but it will be a DIY project. It's been rumored that the change is due to EPA requirements- if a feature is enabled during fuel economy testing to bump up the mpg then that feature must be activated at startup by default.

kyfdx

Yeah, our 2017 is an F- model

andres3

xwesx said:

qbrozen said:

xwesx said:

. It certainly made the vehicle slower to leave stops

Interesting. I have had no such issue. I've tried and I can't move my foot faster than the restart takes. I'm sure that is a detail manufacturers have had to adjust over the years.

The car was generally cranking in the process of me moving my foot, and was likely "running" by the time I added gas, but if I pressed the accelerator without a pause, it would pause, then jump into action rather than a smooth transition. I typically go with the vehicle ahead of me, then spread my distance from them as I accelerate, while I noticed with this car that it exhibited the more typical "next car goes after the first car has gone" process. The unnecessary pause is the reason for the rubber banding effect of traffic jams and stoplights.

This is, actually, the only real positive aspect of fully networked autonomous cars; they won't have this same flaw in timing as people typically do.

It's not just timing though. Sometimes the Prius's fail to keep up and accelerate adequately. So even if they had good timing, they'll be many car lengths behind in seconds.

xwesx

andres3 said:

It's not just timing though. Sometimes the Prius's fail to keep up and accelerate adequately. So even if they had good timing, they'll be many car lengths behind in seconds.

LOL! Okay, well, I'm not talking about rushing away from lights or anything; this is more just the timing of when one takes their foot from the brake and begins to accelerate. Most people don't begin that action until the vehicle ahead starts to move, and, by that time, it's a little too late.

corvette

Similar issue—on the GLI I had, if you slammed the DSG gearbox into drive on an uphill slope and immediately hit the gas hard, it would lurch into gear. Very rough. 

qbrozen

I wonder if maybe cylinders has any effect. Those being both 4-bangers vs my V6. There is virtually no cranking when mine restarts. As I start to lift off the brake, it is running before my foot is fully off.

xwesx

qbrozen said:

I wonder if maybe cylinders has any effect. Those being both 4-bangers vs my V6. There is virtually no cranking when mine restarts. As I start to lift off the brake, it is running before my foot is fully off.

Wow; that's impressive. This one started like a car typically would; it took probably a couple of seconds for it to light.

roadburner

qbrozen said:

I wonder if maybe cylinders has any effect. Those being both 4-bangers vs my V6. There is virtually no cranking when mine restarts. As I start to lift off the brake, it is running before my foot is fully off.

The N55 in my 2 series fires up immediately as well.

kyfdx

We have a 4-cylinder turbo.. It's not as quick as you describe. But, start up is very smooth

tbirdmarco

@corvette I am with you that is y so menny choices out there. not an fan of stop start push butan keeles axces yes!

nyccarguy

I'm starting to think it's the CV Joints more and more.  Now the banging happens when I turn left or right with the wheel cranked and the low speeds.

ab348

Shocked myself today. Was in the ATS trying to turn left onto my street at rush hour this aft., saw a gap and floored it. I burned rubber all the way, got a little sideways, and made a wonderful noise. Neighbors must think I'm a hooligan. I forgot that RWD w/limited slip and lots of power can be so much fun.

nyccarguy

I'm starting to think it's the CV Joints more and more.  Now the banging happens when I turn left or right with the wheel cranked and the low speeds.

nyccarguy

ab348 said:

Shocked myself today. Was in the ATS trying to turn left onto my street at rush hour this aft., saw a gap and floored it. I burned rubber all the way, got a little sideways, and made a wonderful noise. Neighbors must think I'm a hooligan. I forgot that RWD w/limited slip and lots of power can be so much fun.

That's what I like to hear!  Keep enjoying!

xwesx

ab348 said:

Shocked myself today. Was in the ATS trying to turn left onto my street at rush hour this aft., saw a gap and floored it. I burned rubber all the way, got a little sideways, and made a wonderful noise. Neighbors must think I'm a hooligan. I forgot that RWD w/limited slip and lots of power can be so much fun.

Fun indeed, and, you didn't pull a stunt like this.....


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHiTV8zN8_I

xwesx

nyccarguy said:

I'm starting to think it's the CV Joints more and more.  Now the banging happens when I turn left or right with the wheel cranked and the low speeds.

Everyone has different descriptors for this sort of thing, so it is difficult to say how "serious" it is at this point, but I would describe CV noise as a light ticking sound early on, and growing to a clacking noise after a while. Once it gets to the "crunch" and/or "bang" level, it is in imminent danger of failure.

If yours is going downhill quickly, then I would think that it probably has a torn boot. If it does, this is pretty easy to verify on visual inspection, both with grease tossed on your undercarriage near the boot, and by feeling/locating the tear. If you cannot get under it to inspect, then I renew my suggestion to take it to a shop for an inspection.

suydam

nyccarguy said:

I'm starting to think it's the CV Joints more and more.  Now the banging happens when I turn left or right with the wheel cranked and the low speeds.

Oh I think so.

corvette

xwesx said:

ab348 said:

Shocked myself today. Was in the ATS trying to turn left onto my street at rush hour this aft., saw a gap and floored it. I burned rubber all the way, got a little sideways, and made a wonderful noise. Neighbors must think I'm a hooligan. I forgot that RWD w/limited slip and lots of power can be so much fun.

Fun indeed, and, you didn't pull a stunt like this.....


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHiTV8zN8_I

That looks like an earlier model before ESC was standard. Also, I'm shocked they weren't leaving a Cars and Coffee event. Apparently, Mustangs can't leave Cars and Coffee without colliding with at least ten fixed objects.

roadburner

corvette said:

xwesx said:

ab348 said:

Shocked myself today. Was in the ATS trying to turn left onto my street at rush hour this aft., saw a gap and floored it. I burned rubber all the way, got a little sideways, and made a wonderful noise. Neighbors must think I'm a hooligan. I forgot that RWD w/limited slip and lots of power can be so much fun.

Fun indeed, and, you didn't pull a stunt like this.....


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHiTV8zN8_I

That looks like an earlier model before ESC was standard. Also, I'm shocked they weren't leaving a Cars and Coffee event. Apparently, Mustangs can't leave Cars and Coffee without colliding with at least ten fixed objects.

There's also a pretty impressive video of a late model M3 jumping a median leaving a C&C...

stickguy

got a shock today. Wife mentioned when she got home that she "smelled something" on the way home (and must have still smelled it). I sniffed around the front end of the car and did not notice anything. But, got out a flashlight and popped the hood to see if anything obvious. Did not find anything obvious, but finally noticed a little puddle, of course deep in the middle. Hard to tell, but I think on top of the trans case (under where the airbox is). I taped a paper towel to a stick and poked it down, and came up pretty wet. I think oil, but hard to tell for sure.

so, will be making an appointment tomorrow to get it into the dealer. Not what I needed now. Hopefully nothing or minor, but mostly, if it is something that requires work, that it is covered under the powertrain warranty (we are passed the BtoB portion, but still under powertrain).

This must be some kind of karmic payback for being happy to have finished the payments. Downside I guess to owning an "old" car. I also have no tolerance now for dealing with problems, so if any car is going to start having them, it won't be around long!

qbrozen

stickguy said:

got a shock today. Wife mentioned when she got home that she "smelled something" on the way home (and must have still smelled it). I sniffed around the front end of the car and did not notice anything. But, got out a flashlight and popped the hood to see if anything obvious. Did not find anything obvious, but finally noticed a little puddle, of course deep in the middle. Hard to tell, but I think on top of the trans case (under where the airbox is). I taped a paper towel to a stick and poked it down, and came up pretty wet. I think oil, but hard to tell for sure. so, will be making an appointment tomorrow to get it into the dealer. Not what I needed now. Hopefully nothing or minor, but mostly, if it is something that requires work, that it is covered under the powertrain warranty (we are passed the BtoB portion, but still under powertrain). This must be some kind of karmic payback for being happy to have finished the payments. Downside I guess to owning an "old" car. I also have no tolerance now for dealing with problems, so if any car is going to start having them, it won't be around long!

Is this the RDX?

stickguy

yes. Really hard to see anything in the engine bay these days. without taking a lot of parts off.

Michaell

@stickguy - uh oh! Let's hope that it's something fairly minor and easily fixed.

Though, I'm pretty sure that if this continues, the wife will demand a change. Better start thinking about possible replacements - you mentioned the CR-V at one point, right?

stickguy

We did like that. And the cx5.

A second payment is not in the budget, so would be tricky. But, if the car stranded her, would be told it has to go! I could pull a Mike. Sell it, pay off the Elantra loan, then lease a replacement.

This plan, of course, has as much chance of working as mrs Iluv signing off on a new iA.

Michaell

stickguy said:

We did like that. And the cx5.

A second payment is not in the budget, so would be tricky. But, if the car stranded her, would be told it has to go! I could pull a Mike. Sell it, pay off the Elantra loan, then lease a replacement.

This plan, of course, has as much chance of working as mrs Iluv signing off on a new iA.

While I haven't driven either of them, I did ride along with @jpp5862 when he test drove the CX-5. I like the looks of the Mazda, both inside and out, but the performance of the engine was lacking. I suspect the 1.5L turbo in the Honda would "feel" better - but, that could be my new found bias towards small forced induction engines showing.

stickguy

I’m there with you on baby turbos. The crv would be most likely replacement if something happened and we needed one right now. Though would take a Tiguan for a spin too.

stickguy

Car going in Tuesday. Told the wife you helpful people were suggesting replacements (she was wondering why no solutions offered), but was noncommittal about swapping it out. Unless it broke down and left her stranded on side of road. That is her one strike and out rule. She would never drive it again.

Michaell

stickguy said:

Car going in Tuesday. Told the wife you helpful people were suggesting replacements (she was wondering why no solutions offered), but was noncommittal about swapping it out. Unless it broke down and left her stranded on side of road. That is her one strike and out rule. She would never drive it again.

Best outcome is that something simple worked loose, causing the leak.

Fingers crossed - I know how much you and the Mrs. like the RDX, would hate to see you have to replace it now.

stickguy

I’m fickle. And not at all sentimental. So only the money part would matter to me! I really need to become rich.

I’m also noticing as I get older, I have much lower tolerance for hassling with problems.

Also made appointment to get Jetta in right before Christmas when the kid is next home. Will be close to 10k miles in just 7 months on that one.

stickguy

And yes, hopefully something Minor. And covered under powertrain warranty!

Michaell

stickguy said:

I’m fickle. And not at all sentimental. So only the money part would matter to me! I really need to become rich.

I’m also noticing as I get older, I have much lower tolerance for hassling with problems.

Also made appointment to get Jetta in right before Christmas when the kid is next home. Will be close to 10k miles in just 7 months on that one.

I got a note from Subaru in the mail yesterday .... coming up on 30 months and so suggested the 30,000 mile service.

Car has less than 24K on it, so I think I'll pass this time around. Even though they were offering a free rental if I scheduled something before 12/15.

stickguy

I’m doing Jetta at about 9-9.5k (schedule is 1 year or 10k). If I wait until she is back again at the end of January, will probably be over 11. This at least should be the last service before it goes back. And it’s a freebie! Not sure if needs anything else at 30k, and if so, if they will do it this visit.

pensfan83

Barring anything unforeseen I won't be at the dealer until next September for service (also a freebie). With my rate of 1,000 miles every 2 months I'll be around 6,500-7,000 miles, comfortably under my annual 10K limit. I anticipated being closer to 8,000 with Mrs. Pens being able to drive this car but so far she's only driven it a handful of times.