Does Engine Start-Stop Technology Harm the Engine?
3 Answers
Most wear and tear on a car engine comes from the instantaneous friction during cold starts. Generally speaking, the engine relies on oil film lubrication internally. The duration of automatic start-stop is very brief, and the oil pumped up by the oil pump to adhere to the inner surface of the engine cylinder does not completely flow back, leaving a significant amount of oil on the components. Under hot start conditions, it does not have any adverse effects on the engine. Below is an introduction to engine auto start-stop: 1. Currently, the vast majority of automotive manufacturers have conducted extensive endurance tests when introducing automatic start-stop devices, including the number of switches for components such as the engine ignition switch and starter, all of which are well below the theoretical lifespan. Therefore, the engine start-stop device will not damage your vehicle. 2. Additionally, many manufacturers have included a manual shut-off feature, allowing concerned owners to manually disable the function if they wish.
I've driven several cars with auto start-stop before, so I'm quite familiar with this feature. Simply put, it automatically shuts off the engine when waiting at red lights or in traffic jams, saving some fuel and reducing emissions. Many people worry that frequent starts might harm the engine, but car manufacturers have already taken this into consideration during development. They specifically reinforced the durability of the starter and battery, and the system only activates when the engine is warmed up—it doesn’t operate during the cold-start phase where wear is higher. I’ve used it for over five years, and my engine is still in great condition. During maintenance, the technician also confirmed that wear values were within normal range. Additionally, the start-stop system’s activation process is completely different from a cold start—it preserves lubrication conditions and starts up quickly, so the impact on engine lifespan is negligible. As long as you maintain the car on schedule, there’s no need to worry about this issue at all.
I find the start-stop technology quite practical, especially for city driving where it saves a lot of fuel. From a technical perspective, it doesn't harm the engine because the temperature sensor confirms the oil has reached operating temperature before each start-stop cycle, and the lubrication system maintains pressure. Key components are reinforced, such as the starter which can withstand over 100,000 start-stop cycles. An engineer friend told me that new cars undergo rigorous testing before leaving the factory, simulating ten years of start-stop conditions, with results showing parts wear well within standards. My own car just hit 40,000 km last weekend, with the start-stop functioning normally, and even the carbon buildup under the hood was less than expected. In daily driving, the impact is barely noticeable.
