What does the 'A' symbol in a car mean?
2 Answers
The 'A' symbol in a car is the auto start-stop switch, and its usage method is: 1. After the car is started, the auto start-stop system is in normal working condition; 2. When encountering a red light or stopping for other reasons, stepping on the brake will automatically shut off the engine; 3. When starting again, releasing the brake and stepping on the accelerator or turning the steering wheel will restart the vehicle. The conditions for the auto start-stop technology to automatically stop the engine are: 1. The engine is idling and not in gear; 2. The wheel speed sensor of the anti-lock system shows zero; 3. The electronic battery sensor indicates there is sufficient energy for the next start.
I always notice the 'A' symbol lighting up on my dashboard while driving, especially during traffic jams, which is quite annoying. This is the indicator for the engine auto start-stop function. When you come to a stop, it automatically shuts off the engine to save fuel, and restarts when you press the accelerator. However, it's a real headache during hot summer days when the air conditioning is on – the start-stop system activation means the AC compressor also turns off, causing the car's interior temperature to rise quickly. So now, the first thing I do when getting in the car is to turn off this button, which features a circled letter 'A'. Of course, this function can indeed save a lot on fuel costs on open roads, but it requires flexible switching based on traffic conditions.
