Does the Auto Start-Stop System Damage the Engine?
2 Answers
Auto start-stop systems do not damage the engine. Vehicles equipped with auto start-stop systems have enhanced starters and batteries, and some may even include an auxiliary battery. The primary cause of engine performance degradation is wear, with over 50% of engine wear occurring during cold starts. Auto start-stop involves hot starts, where the engine relies mainly on oil film lubrication for internal components. The duration of auto start-stop is very brief, and the oil pumped up by the oil pump does not completely drain back, leaving a significant amount of oil on the parts. Therefore, frequent starts do not cause substantial wear to the engine. It is recommended to use high-grade oil for vehicles equipped with auto start-stop systems.
I've been driving a car with auto start-stop for nearly five years now, and I initially worried about engine damage too. In reality, engineers have already accounted for this - the system only activates after the engine warms up. The oil pump maintains pressure during shutdown, and there's still an oil film covering the crankshaft upon restarting, which is completely different from a cold start. Manufacturers have reinforced the starter and battery to last over three times longer than regular car components. During traffic jams when it cycles frequently, I even had the dealership inspect my engine internals - carbon buildup was identical to conventional vehicles. Modern start-stop systems can now detect AC demand too - on hot days it delays shutdown to protect components while still saving 7% fuel. It's really not harmful to the car.
