How to Use Auto Start-Stop?
4 Answers
Auto start-stop usage method: Taking an automatic transmission car as an example, as long as the car is started, the auto start-stop system is in normal working condition. When encountering a traffic light or stopping for other reasons while driving, press the brake pedal, and generally after two seconds the engine will automatically shut off. When ready to start again, simply release the brake and press the accelerator, or gently turn the steering wheel, at which point the engine will restart. If the car has a manual transmission, unless turned off, the auto start-stop system is also enabled by default. When parking, shift to neutral, then pull the handbrake and release the clutch. After the system detects these three actions, it will automatically shut off the engine. When the clutch is pressed again, the engine will automatically restart.
I've been driving a car with auto start-stop for almost three years now, and it's been quite convenient in daily use. The system automatically activates by default after starting the car, requiring no additional operation. When waiting at red lights or in traffic jams, as long as I hold down the brake pedal to bring the car to a complete stop, the engine shuts off by itself after two or three seconds, and a green start-stop icon lights up on the dashboard. To start moving again, simply releasing the brake or lightly pressing the accelerator will immediately restart the engine with virtually no delay. Note that this feature has some limitations: it pauses when the battery charge is too low, and may not shut off the engine when the air conditioning is set to high or during warm-up in winter. Additionally, auto start-stop does not trigger during reversing to avoid frequent starts and stops affecting the experience. If you find it annoying, pressing the button with a circled 'A' on the center console can turn it off, though you'll need to disable it again the next time you start the car.
The auto start-stop function is quite simple to use. When waiting at a red light, firmly press the brake pedal to trigger it, and the engine will automatically shut off. Release the brake when the light turns green, and the car will restart immediately. This feature helps save fuel, especially in stop-and-go city driving conditions. However, there are situations where it won't activate, such as when the air conditioning is on and the cabin temperature hasn't reached the set level, the battery charge is below 70%, or the car is in reverse. If the start-stop motion affects comfort, you can manually disable it—look for the circular button with the letter 'A' on the center console. Press it, and when the indicator light turns on, the function is deactivated. Note that the system defaults to 'on' every time you restart the car, so you'll need to press the button again. Long-term use won't harm the starter motor, as manufacturers have reinforced it, but you may feel slight vibrations in the brake pedal during frequent start-stop cycles—you'll get used to it.
The auto start-stop system is quite convenient to use. After starting the car, the system automatically activates without needing any manual operation. When encountering a red light, the engine shuts off on its own once the car comes to a complete stop with the brake pedal fully depressed, and a green light indicator pops up on the dashboard. As soon as the traffic light turns green, releasing the brake makes the car move again. Turning it off is also easy: there's a circular button with an 'A' near the steering wheel—press it once (light on) to deactivate, and press again (light off) to reactivate. However, this feature is environment-sensitive: it won't operate if the battery isn't fully charged, when using heater/defogger, or during cold starts in freezing weather. It's especially useful in highway traffic jams, saving about 0.5L per 100km, but frequent restarts during short-distance parking maneuvers can be annoying, making manual deactivation more comfortable. Also, it's advisable to disable auto start-stop before entering flooded areas to prevent unintended automatic restarts if the engine stalls in water.
