Back in 1983, Volkswagen introduced the first start-stop technology. The concept of start-stop was created in the 1970s to save fuel and cut down on emissions, and since then has continued to improve. Sounds good right? But, like all good things, there are disadvantages, which we’ll dive into in this article as well as what start-stop tech is and how it works.
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What is start-stop technology?
Start-stop technology (SST) is a system that automatically shuts off the engine in your vehicle when it’s stopped, restarting it when the car needs to begin moving again to reduce emissions and fuel consumption. Usually, the start-stop is triggered by:
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Pressure on the brake pedal
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Pressure on the clutch
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Relaxing on the accelerator at specified speeds.
SST will automatically shut the engine off when sensors detect the vehicle is at full stop, or idles for a few seconds. Once the driver puts pressure on the accelerator, the engine turns back on. This also results in fewer emissions. SST is proven to reduce fuel emissions and pollution by 10–15 percent in an urban setting. The technology behind it isn’t too complicated.
Is it start-stop or stop-start?
Whether you say start-stop or stop-start, either one is technically correct, and most people should be able to recognize what you’re talking about. Some people think stop-start makes more sense, because the technology shuts off a running engine and restarts it. It can also be written as start/stop or stop/start. The difference between them is simply a matter of personal preference.
How does start-stop technology work?
The technology behind SST basically comes down to a monitoring system of vehicle RPMs. If the sensors in an SST detect the vehicle has come to a stop or the RPM has fallen below a certain threshold, the system will trigger, usually with a brake as that trigger. The sensor will disengage both the engine and transmission.
Once pressure is released from the brake pedal, the engine is restarted. Most people think the amount of fuel saved using a start-stop system is negligible, but in reality, that fuel burned while idling at a stop adds up quickly.
A study by the Society of Automotive Engineers in 2007 found that using start-stop technology can improve a car's fuel economy up to ten percent in city conditions, and five percent in highway conditions. Other claims range three to ten percent, with some venturing as high as 12 percent. The wide range accounts for the variety of driving conditions and other factors out there, so take any recommendation with a critical eye.
The Disadvantages of Start-Stop Technology
The downsides of SST are not as bad as they might first seem:
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Start-stop Technology Described as Intrusive & Annoying by Drivers
Some drivers dislike the feeling of a motor starting and stopping while they drive. It has been reported by some of these drivers that it’s fairly obtrusive. However, modern designs are smoother and smoother, so it’s not necessary to make this an obstacle in the adoption of SST.
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Start-stop Technology Needs a Special Battery
Standalone SSTs require special 12-volt batteries, and these batteries will need replacement over time. They’re twice as expensive as conventional batteries, but that expense is likely more than made up by fuel savings over time.
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Sometimes Start-stop Stops Working
When it was first becoming popular, sometimes the SST simply stopped working. The sensors in SST allow it function properly, but sometimes they can be thrown off by certain conditions and other sensors like:
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External temperature
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Internal temperature
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Unbuckled seat belt
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Open hood
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Open door
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High slope
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Bad battery
Since its introduction, SST has come a long way and improved over time to combat these kinds of malfunctions so they have become rare occurrences in most modern start-stop systems.
Does start-stop cause wear and tear?
The big question when it comes to SST is whether or not it creates wear and tear. Conventional wisdom says that shutting off and starting an engine repeatedly is bad for it. However, this is untrue. Frequently stopping and starting a traditional engine without start-stop technology could eventually cause wear over time, but SST makes adjustments to many components of a vehicle to function properly:
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Engine
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Starter
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Battery
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Electronics
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Alternator
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Transmission
Engines that have SST are designed to stop and start frequently:
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The engine’s crankshaft and rod bearings have low friction coatings that mitigate and absorb the extra load they experience due to frequent restarts.
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Since the oiling system isn’t completely pressurized as it is when it’s running, the oil in the passages aren’t able to completely run down into the oil pan.
They also have more robust starter motors, and the batteries have deep cycle capabilities that endure more frequent draw from those starter motors. Many vehicles use the StARS (Stop start Alternator Reversible System), which consists of a reversible alternator that replaces the conventional alternator and starter motor. It also has a separate ECU which administers the reversible alternator and the vehicle’s engine.
Designing a vehicle with SST requires the electrical system of the vehicle to be laid out differently so the entire car doesn’t shut down when the engine does.This means:
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Battery powered electric pumps to keep engine coolant circulating, and maintaining hydraulic pressure within the transmission.
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Transmissions are placed in “soft neutral” with the technology engaged to keep the vehicle moving.
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The reversible alternator provides the function of alternator and starter combined with the new design allowing the conversion of electrical energy into mechanical energy, and visa-versa. The ECU analyzes the speed of the car and when the speed falls under 5mph, the ECU switches off the engine. Once the brake pedal is released the ECU then gives an order to start the engine again. The reversible alternator plays the part of the starter motor to achieve this.
All of this is powered by a software that decides when to stop and when to start again. Basically, by every conceivable metric, SSTs have been engineered to handle the various consequences that such technology creates.
The aforementioned special battery is the power source of all of this.
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ECM (Enhanced Cyclic Mat) batteries are designed to meet these requirements, and form the foundation of the technology. ECM batteries also last twice as long as traditional batteries, so they’re a very impressive technology.
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Additionally, Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) batteries are making inroads in the technology as well. AGM batteries allow more lead to be squeezed into a tightly compacted battery, with valves that regulate hydrogen and oxygen while recharging. This results in a longer-lived, more powerful battery as well.
The Conclusion on Truck Start-Stop Technology
Start-Stop technology doesn’t really have significant disadvantages. SST does have the advantages of helping you save money by saving fuel, and saving the environment by reducing emissions and pollution.
Unlike start-stop technology, which needs to make adjustments to the entire vehicle to install, backup cameras are a simpler upgrade. Even with the disadvantages of start-stop, a high quality backup camera will always be helpful technology to improve your driving experience and enhance your safety and comfort.
