Energy saving auto start/stop function

[TheodGR]

Hi,

it' s about 3 days since I' ve been driving my new MC (33rd production week).
Besides all the energy saving and low emission philosophy (which I really respect) how does any one else feel about this function (if drove the car) ?

I mean the engine turns off automatically (after it' s "ready" and warmed up) in every stop on traffic lights, on crossings (maybe 5-6 times on the 5 km house - work distance) and I wonder whether this finally causes too much work load on the battery and starter. Besides I personally find it a bit annoying.

I already started deactivating the system each time I start the engine, I am "classical" with the car, I think there are other ways (drive style for example) to keep fuel consumption low in a car already able to keep fuel consumption low (and with relatively low emission).
(I wish that BMW worked on the software the way that someone could permanently deactivate the function.)

Oppinions please?

[Japper]

Firstly the battery / alternator and all other parts have been beefed up to cope with this function.

If you want to turn it off ( personally can't understand why anyone wants to ) it's easy, just press the middle button behind the gearshift.

[Washy]

It does not bother me at all, after two weeks of use I just let it do its thing. It does still scare the wotsits of my other half though...

[Mistercurly]

I have had my mini cooper since Tuesday and i am fine with it, not a problem. I only really go into neutral and take my foot of the clutch if i know its going to be a bit of a wait. not at every single pedestrian crossing and what not.

So are you saying you have to press the button to turn it off every time you get in to the car? and that it comes back on when you turn on ignition again?
never turned mine off so i wouldn't know.

[bobclive]

I think the auto start is a pain in the ass, it is there to lesson BMW`s carbon footprint and not for our benefit, anyway a bit extra CO2 makes the plants grow which means more food for the starving third world.

More to the point, it defaults to on which means the car may start dozens of times when driven in traffic to and from work as opposed to one start there and one start back in off mode. Once the warranty period is over how worn will the starter ring and starter dog be, pretty dam worn out I would say.

A simple solution to get rid is to press the button down and carefully drop a small amount of super glue between the top of the button and the outside front of the plastic gear lever housing. The red light will then always be on and the auto start always off. If you then want to turn the engine off press the on/off start button.

By the way you green fanatics NASA got their numbers wrong, the hottest year in the USA and probably the world this century was in 1930 (stephen Macintyre).

Bob.

[Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by bobclive (original)

I think the auto start is a pain in the ass, it is there to lesson BMW`s carbon footprint and not for our benefit, anyway a bit extra CO2 makes the plants grow which means more food for the starving third world.

Apart from maybe the money saved on fuel?

I can't understand the issue, the system doesn't kick in until things have warmed up and it has different components than a "regular" MINI did to take into account the stop/start system.

[bobclive]

The auto start has stronger components I don`t think. The early mk2 mini did not have the auto start and I do not think BMW would put more costly parts into the later MK2.

I consider the auto start should default on off and then let the driver decide to switch it on if he felt it was necessary. Not only will the system put undue wear on the mechanics it will also shorten the life of the battery.

Glue it down or tape it down.

Bob.

[Paul]

You really struggling with yours that much?! When I used it it just "worked".

[Paul]

Here's a link to a bit on the technology itself: Robert Bosch GmbH - Start/Stop Starter Motor

[bobclive]

If the device is so beneficial to the environment why is there an on/off switch.
I complained to Mini, they said turn it off in heavy traffic. If you turn it off in that situation what is the point of it in the first place.

If you want a useful bit of technology try a Merc, I have an SLK with cruse/speed limiter.
The speed limiter is superb, I set it at any speed 20-25-30-40 etc with just a press, It will not let the vehicle go beyond that speed even down hill. This gives you total peace of mind, you can forget speed cameras and speedo watching and concentrate totally on your driving, this saves lives and saves you money. The device stays active until the engine is switched off.

Bob.

[Paul]

A speed limiter is completely different to a stop/start system. Might as well compare it to ABS.

Did you really have serious problems with your MINI then? Did you/do you have a MINI with the system? Where and when did you have trouble, in town I guess?

[LeakyTurnip]

Quote: Originally Posted by bobclive (original)

The auto start has stronger components I don`t think. The early mk2 mini did not have the auto start and I do not think BMW would put more costly parts into the later MK2.

I consider the auto start should default on off and then let the driver decide to switch it on if he felt it was necessary. Not only will the system put undue wear on the mechanics it will also shorten the life of the battery.

Glue it down or tape it down.

Bob.

It has a new Absorbant Glass Mat Battery (which the older 2nd Gen didn't have), it has a newly designed Stop/Start starter motor (which the older 2nd Gen didn't have), it has a new alternator which can disengauge when not required (which the older 2nd Gen didn't have), so it would seem that they did fit a lot of new parts!!!

If you don't want to use the system then either turn it off or don't take ouf foot of the clutch when stopped...easy!

As for putting Glue on the button, what a stupid idea.

[LeakyTurnip]

As for reliability this site should clear things up...

Reliability Index :: how reliable is your car?

[rainbowdreamer]

Quote: Originally Posted by bobclive (original)

I consider the auto start should default on off and then let the driver decide to switch it on if he felt it was necessary.

I agree - but does it not have to be on by default to qualify for the low RFL?

[Paul]

I think most people will appreciate the low tax band and fuel savings to be honest, and if it defaulted to off then that wouldn't happen.