Impact of Start-Stop Technology on Engines?
3 Answers
Start-stop technology causes the engine to start and stop frequently, but the impact on the engine itself is minimal. With proper maintenance, the wear and tear from repeated starts and stops are negligible. Below is an introduction to start-stop technology: 1. Function: During traffic congestion or at red lights, the engine can shut off to save fuel that would otherwise be wasted during idling. When ready to drive, the engine restarts immediately. 2. Advantages: Reduces unnecessary fuel consumption, lowers emissions, and improves fuel economy. In urban traffic, when waiting at traffic lights or in traffic jams, it minimizes engine idling time. Additionally, after the engine shuts off, the electrical system can replace the belt-driven power for the engine cooling fan and cabin air conditioning. 3. Disadvantages: Requires more durable starters and high-quality engine oil. Conventional starter designs allow for high operating currents but are used for very short durations. Frequent use of the starter can lead to overheating and damage, so starters with automatic start-stop functionality must be significantly more durable than standard starters.
The start-stop technology is quite convenient to use, but to be honest, I'm a bit worried about whether repeated ignition might harm the engine. An engineer friend once told me that manufacturers have actually enhanced the durability of the starter motor and battery, and engines specifically designed for start-stop systems use reinforced bearing shells and low-viscosity oil. However, frequent cold starts do increase wear on the piston rings and cylinder walls, especially during traffic jams when the engine restarts every minute, which can be unsettling. I've been driving a car with start-stop for almost five years, always using full synthetic oil for maintenance, and now at 110,000 kilometers, the engine is still in decent condition. For long-term use, I recommend paying attention to the oil change interval—don't exceed 8,000 kilometers—and remember to turn off the start-stop in the summer to let the engine rest for a while.
From a design perspective, the start-stop system primarily involves an upgrade to the starting system. Modern AGM batteries now support deep discharge cycles, and starter motor longevity has increased to five times that of traditional vehicles. The engine employs DLC-coated piston rings to reduce cold-start wear, coupled with an intelligent control module that only activates start-stop within optimal coolant temperature ranges. However, during urban stop-and-go traffic, frequent cycling may cause temperature fluctuations in the catalytic converter, potentially affecting its lifespan—manual deactivation is recommended in heavy congestion. Overall, with proper maintenance, the impact on engine longevity is minimal. Based on my experience, the system should be temporarily disabled when startup frequency exceeds 40 cycles per hour.
