What is Stop/Start? How does it save fuel?
Does your engine cut out when your car has stopped moving at a stop street or robot? Hopefully, this is not because there's something wrong with your car, but because the Stop/Start Engine system is working as it should. We explain how this functions if your car comes equipped with it, and how it helps you save on fuel.
Most of us get very frustrated when we encounter heavy traffic, not just because our time is precious, but because fuel is so expensive. While you're watching precious minutes ticking away on your watch, your pricey petrol (or diesel) is also disappearing and also contributes to the amount of smog around you. If you spend many hours in traffic, and a hybrid is not within your financial reach, a car with a Start/Stop system is certainly worth considering.
How does it work?
An automatic car with a stop-start system will shut the engine off when the car comes to a complete stop by using the brake pedal. If the engine isn't running, you're not wasting fuel. Once you take your foot off the brake, the engine restarts again seamlessly. (Please note: If the car is slowed by manual use of the automatic gearbox and the car is stopped by using the handbrake, the engine will not shut down.)
The Stop/Start system can work with manual transmissions too. In manual cars, the engine stops when you shift into neutral and remove your foot from the clutch. The moment you depress the clutch again and shift into first gear, the engine has already started and you are ready to go. The engine may also restart on its own if there is a demand for power from the air-conditioner, for example.
How much fuel will I save?
It depends on the vehicle you're driving, but fuel savings can be anywhere from 3 - 15 percent. In the US, idling is said to waste approximately 14.8 billion litres of fuel per year.
Can't I just switch my car off instead?
If your car isn't equipped with this system, and you're stationary for long periods, by all means, switch off your car. Modern cars don't use as much fuel during the startup as old cars did. In situations where you are constantly stopping and moving, for obvious reasons, it's not the best idea.
What if I don't like the Stop/Start system?
Quite a lot of people don't like the engine switching off and starting up again, because there's a short, powerless pause that occurs before you can drive off. These systems are getting more refined as time goes by, and in some cars you can hardly detect the stop and restart. Either way, the good news is that you can override the system by switching it off via the Stop/Start button, which looks something like this. (It differs from car to car, but it usually involves an A with a circular arrow).
If you're thinking about buying a car with this system, be sure to test it out when going for a test drive.
