Start/Stop Technology Fuel Savings?

[mark_nimda]

I am just curious how effective this technology will truly be. I OK, I have an S4 who's engine is going in the A8 Lets say my S4 sits idle at 10 stop lights (1 min per each light) in one day and I spend 5 minutes waiting for my milk shake at BK because the soccer mom in front of me has a $20 order. Now lets use the same scenario only we replace the S4 with the A8 3.0 (same engine). Can we we put this fuel savings in terms of %?

[Speednet]

I rented an A6 in Germany last year with the start/stop feature, and I absolutely hated it. I don't care if it squeezed a couple extra drops of gas from the tank, I would turn it off and leave it off.

[mark_nimda]

Originally Posted by Speednet

I rented an A6 in Germany last year with the start/stop feature, and I absolutely hated it. I don't care if it squeezed a couple extra drops of gas from the tank, I would turn it off and leave it off.

why did you dislike it?

[Speednet]

Originally Posted by mark_nimda

why did you dislike it?

Because having your engine turn off at every traffic light is disconcerting and very strange to have to explain to passengers.

Try it yourself: the next time you get to a stop light, turn your engine off, and then restart it when you want to go.

[mark_nimda]

Originally Posted by Speednet

Because having your engine turn off at every traffic light is disconcerting and very strange to have to explain to passengers.

Try it yourself: the next time you get to a stop light, turn your engine off, and then restart it when you want to go.

I occasionally do when I know that I am at a light that takes forever to change or at a Drive thru but I ofcourse I dont do it every light. Oh well, atleast AUDI provides a way to turn it off. That was a very wise decision

[vecinu]

Speednet, that reason holds no weight in most peoples' heads, I'm sure.

I don't see how the passengers' opinion matters when you are the one driving the vehicle.

I drove the BMW 328xi a few weeks ago and it had the Start/Stop feature on by default and it cannot be permanently disabled.

I really hated the feature because I drive in rush-hour traffic in bumper-to-bumper traffic and having your engine turn off every 5 seconds is very inconvenient, for my comfort. It takes about 1-1.5 seconds for the engine to turn on until the clutch kicks in and the car starts to roll.

[mark_nimda]

Originally Posted by vecinu

Speednet, that reason holds no weight in most peoples' heads, I'm sure.

I don't see how the passengers' opinion matters when you are the one driving the vehicle.

I drove the BMW 328xi a few weeks ago and it had the Start/Stop feature on by default and it cannot be permanently disabled.

I really hated the feature because I drive in rush-hour traffic in bumper-to-bumper traffic and having your engine turn off every 5 seconds is very inconvenient, for my comfort. It takes about 1-1.5 seconds for the engine to turn on until the clutch kicks in and the car starts to roll.

wow, the inability to turn it off must be horrible! Why would BMW do that?

[vecinu]

Originally Posted by mark_nimda

wow, the inability to turn it off must be horrible! Why would BMW do that?

I'm not certain. The sales rep mentioned that you can turn it off before turning on the engine for the first time but after you turn on the engine again the default option for Start/Stop (which is 'ON' for North America) is enabled.

[Speednet]

Originally Posted by vecinu

Speednet, that reason holds no weight in most peoples' heads, I'm sure.

I don't see how the passengers' opinion matters when you are the one driving the vehicle.

I drove the BMW 328xi a few weeks ago and it had the Start/Stop feature on by default and it cannot be permanently disabled.

I really hated the feature because I drive in rush-hour traffic in bumper-to-bumper traffic and having your engine turn off every 5 seconds is very inconvenient, for my comfort. It takes about 1-1.5 seconds for the engine to turn on until the clutch kicks in and the car starts to roll.

The passengers' opinions do not matter? I guess you don't drive a family around very much. Or business associates.

[jakematic]

Originally Posted by Speednet

The passengers' opinions do not matter? I guess you don't drive a family around very much. Or business associates.

I can hear it already, especially from business associates, if I had start/stop [which is never going to happen]:
Sooooo.... you're telling me you paid $100K for a Pious.... huh....
-or-
Oh my gosh! What's wrong with your car ?!


It's an interesting concept for sure, but:
- the vast majority of North American drivers don't want it
- IMHO it puts a ton more wear on the engine than idling
- also IMHO it will use more fuel in the long run

It give me the heebie jeebie's just thinking about driving 395 around DC, Manhattan gridlock, or stop/go in Montreal.