Will Auto Start-Stop Damage the Engine?
2 Answers
Auto start-stop will not damage the engine. Here is relevant information: Auto Start-Stop System: Vehicles equipped with an auto start-stop system have reinforced starters and batteries, and some may even include an auxiliary battery. Causes of Engine Performance Decline: The primary cause of engine performance decline is wear, with over 50% of engine wear resulting from cold starts. Auto start-stop involves hot starts. The engine relies mainly on oil film lubrication, and since auto start-stop durations are very brief, the oil pumped up by the oil pump does not completely drain back. Many parts retain sufficient oil, so frequent starts do not cause significant wear. For vehicles with auto start-stop systems, it is recommended to use higher-grade engine oil.
I've specifically researched this before, and the impact of auto start-stop on the engine is actually exaggerated. Many modern cars now use reinforced starter motors and enhanced batteries specifically designed to handle frequent start-stop cycles. The key point is that when the engine restarts at normal operating temperature, the internal oil film has already formed, resulting in minimal wear. However, it's important to note that if you frequently make short trips where the engine doesn't warm up before repeated start-stop cycles, or if you use low-quality engine oil, it could indeed accelerate wear. My recommendation is to turn it off during heavy city traffic and activate it again on smooth roads - this approach both saves fuel and protects the engine.
