Should You Turn Off the Auto Start-Stop Function in Your Car on Rainy Days?

[StOlivia]

You should turn off the auto start-stop function in your car on rainy days. The specific reasons are as follows: On rainy days, road sections may have accumulated water. When the auto start-stop function is enabled, the car will automatically shut off after braking. If you release the brake, it may cause the engine to start in water. If the water depth exceeds the height of the engine's air intake when the engine starts in water, the engine will suck in a large amount of water. Since water cannot be compressed, if the engine is started again after water intake, it may cause the valves and connecting rods to bend, the pistons to seize, and the car to permanently break down. In heavy rain conditions with deep road water, you can take the following measures: 1. Slow down and drive carefully. 2. Turn off the auto start-stop function inside the car. Even if the water level sometimes does not reach the engine's air intake, the movement of other cars may cause water waves, which could instantly raise the water level, thereby increasing the chance of water intake.

[MacQuinn]

On rainy days, I always turn off the auto start-stop function. The main reason is that in deep waterlogged areas, if the car automatically shuts off when stopping, water may backflow into the engine after the exhaust system cools down, causing severe damage that could cost thousands or even tens of thousands to repair. Rainy days already mean poor visibility and slippery roads, and frequent start-stop actions can cause the car to jerk or skid, increasing the risk of accidents. While saving fuel is appealing, it's not worth the risk compared to personal safety and repair costs. I make it a habit to check the switch position as soon as I get in the car on rainy days, ensuring it's turned off. Remember, safe driving is the top priority—don't let one feature ruin your trip. Developing this habit will make you feel more at ease when driving in bad weather.

[DeEmily]

As someone who knows a bit about cars, I feel uneasy using auto start-stop in rainy weather. The system is designed for fuel economy by temporarily shutting off the engine to reduce fuel consumption, but in deep water, the exhaust pressure drops, making it easier for water to flow back into the intake and cause malfunctions. Electronic components may also misfire in damp conditions. Turning it off is more reliable, as the continuous engine operation maintains exhaust pipe pressure and prevents water ingestion. Although it saves a bit less fuel, the savings aren't worth it in rainy conditions where driving resistance is already high. I manually turn off start-stop every time it rains for peace of mind and reliability from a technical standpoint. It's also good to keep an eye on weather changes and act in advance to avoid trouble.

[DiLane]

Having driven for over a decade, I never hesitate to turn off the auto start-stop feature on rainy days. Once, a friend's car stalled in a waterlogged section during a heavy rainstorm, leading to engine water damage and a total write-off, costing over 8,000 in repairs. Wet roads are slippery, and frequent engine restarts can interfere with handling stability. I recommend making it a habit to disable it when driving in the rain—it's safer and prevents losses. Experience tells me fuel savings aren't as important as safety. Rainy driving is challenging enough; don’t let this small feature add to the trouble. A simple action can prevent major issues—try it, and it’ll become second nature.