What are the functions of the engine start-stop system?
3 Answers
Engine automatic start-stop function: When the vehicle is waiting at a red light, stepping on the brake pedal will cause the vehicle to stop. After three seconds, the engine will automatically shut off, putting the engine in a dormant state. When the light turns green, releasing the brake pedal will automatically restart the engine, allowing the vehicle to shift gears and proceed. The following are the advantages and disadvantages of the automatic start-stop system: 1. Advantages: Saves fuel and reduces exhaust emissions. 2. Disadvantages: The automatic start-stop function imposes strict requirements on the battery. Mainly, vehicles equipped with this function require larger batteries and higher-quality starter motors. Consequently, the maintenance and repair costs in the long run are relatively higher.
My SUV has this feature - the engine automatically shuts off at red lights and instantly restarts when I release the brake. It felt quite unfamiliar at first, but now I've found it does save some fuel costs. Last week when picking up my kid from school stuck in 40-minute traffic, the dashboard showed 0.8 liters of fuel saved. The system intelligently determines whether to trigger the shut-off based on AC temperature and battery level - for instance, it rarely shuts off when running cold AC in summer. The manufacturer says it uses reinforced starters and AGM batteries, so no need to worry about lifespan. The most surprising benefit is environmental - 60 seconds of auto start-stop reduces CO2 emissions by 150 grams, and my child even used this feature for a science class assignment.
The core of this technology is energy saving and emission reduction. When the vehicle comes to a complete stop, the system cuts off the fuel supply, and a green ECO indicator light will appear on the dashboard. Upon detecting the driver pressing the clutch or releasing the brake, the starter motor can wake up the engine within 0.3 seconds. Actual tests have shown that enabling this feature can save 0.7 liters of 95-octane gasoline per 100 kilometers, which adds up to a significant amount over time. However, remember to manually turn it off in waterlogged areas to avoid stalling and water ingress. Some high-end models also feature coasting start-stop, allowing the engine to shut off and the vehicle to coast in neutral at speeds below 20 km/h, further improving fuel efficiency by 15%.
