Does Auto Start-Stop Harm the Engine?
2 Answers
Engine auto start-stop does not harm the engine, but it has a greater impact on the starter motor and battery. Below are the detailed explanations: Reasons why auto start-stop does not harm the engine: Engine auto start-stop is mainly used during brief stops such as waiting at traffic lights. At this time, the engine temperature is normal, and the oil and various lubrication systems are also in normal condition. Therefore, the wear and tear on the engine is negligible. Impact of auto start-stop on the starter motor and battery: The starter motor will experience increased wear and a reduced lifespan due to frequent starts. At the same time, it also consumes the vehicle battery significantly, so regular inspections of the starter motor and battery are necessary.
As a veteran driver with over a decade of experience, I've been using my car's auto start-stop feature for about seven or eight years. At first, I was quite concerned—frequent starts sounded like they'd damage the engine, right? But after all these years of actual use, the engine hasn't had a single issue. A mechanic told me that the start-stop systems in modern cars are specially designed, with starters three times stronger than regular cars, reinforced batteries, and specialized engine oil. Plus, start-stop only occurs when the engine is warm, with oil already properly circulated—making it as effortless as a person standing up from a chair. However, during summer traffic jams when the engine starts frequently, the AC briefly cuts out, which can feel stuffy, so I usually manually turn off the feature then.
