General Should we go for a Start 'n' Stop?

[306maxi]

either way you don't get ac with start-stop, which is the point i was trying to make, except in the prius which has 200V batteries.

Huh? You get AC with Start&Stop. If AC is on the engine doesn't stop, so you get AC.......

 

[pearce_jj]

urgh...., all I'm saying is that with start-stop active you don't get air con. Which for me would mean that I'd never get start-stop.

 

[306maxi]

urgh...., all I'm saying is that with start-stop active you don't get air con. Which for me would mean that I'd never get start-stop.

Well yes. But seriously you don't ALWAYS need stop start on. In traffic on most days a slightly open window or a fan blowing ambient air will suffice. If you always have your air con on that's just a waste

 

[pearce_jj]

Fair enough but that doesn't do it for me. Personally I find the humidity regulation and filtration offered by the AC a positive comfort factor all year round. It also costs more in fuel to open the windows generally and lets in a load of noise and crap. Furthermore the rubber AC hoses and seals depend on regular lubrication with compressor oil to avoid cracking (and resulting failure).

FWIW I personally believe start-stop is almost exclusively designed to offer a serious improvement to the CO2 number but one that few will actually use. By contrast they could easily insulate the engine block like a hot-water cylinder, so that the engine doesn't cool down so much between runs, but this would not be reflected in the CO2 number at all, so there is no point. The benchmark tests include a significant amount of idling, consumption during which of course is reduced to zero with start-stop during the tests.

 

[306maxi]

Fair enough but that doesn't do it for me. Personally I find the humidity regulation and filtration offered by the AC a positive comfort factor all year round. It also costs more in fuel to open the windows generally and lets in a load of noise and crap. Furthermore the rubber AC hoses and seals depend on regular lubrication with compressor oil to avoid cracking (and resulting failure).

FWIW I personally believe start-stop is almost exclusively designed to offer a serious improvement to the CO2 number but one that few will actually use. By contrast they could easily insulate the engine block like a hot-water cylinder, so that the engine doesn't cool down so much between runs, but this would not be reflected in the CO2 number at all, so there is no point. The benchmark tests include a significant amount of idling, consumption during which of course is reduced to zero with start-stop during the tests.

I certainly wouldn't reccomend opening the windows on a long motorway journey but sometimes a quick blast of cold air through a window is all it takes to cool a car down. Of course air con needs to be used regularly to keep it servicable but I certainly don't see the point of using it in winter unless you're trying to stop the windows from fogging up.

 

[Ulpian]

...to clear the fug and to lubricate the seals, so it gets used in winter: its supposed to be used at least once a week anyway. Mine's six years old and no trouble, but I use it most of the time.

A/C is a deal breaker for me too; I wouldn't buy a car without it. No fug in winter - great - and no sweat and wind noise in summer - fantastic. It's the best option to get I reckon.

 

[005]

I have a BMW wiv stop/start which I guess is similar to the Fiat system. Even if the aircon is running when you stop the car the engine will cut out (nice and quiet),however after a while it cannot maintain the aircon temp and the engine cuts in (noise). To get round this I find myself flicking the aircon button off when I stop for longer than 20seconds or so and flicking it back on when traffic is moving again. I don't notice a temperature change and have saved some fuel. (it's not as much hassle as you'd think, I guess the Fiat works much the same way)

 

[JimR123]

OK, we've just ordered a Start 'n' Stop after taking it out for a drive and seriously testing the S'n'S bit to see how it works. This is what I can tell you:

Once you STOP and put it into neutral, the engine cuts out immediately.

If you then push the clutch pedal down, the engine starts immediately. It does it quicker than I can put it into gear. If you do not accelerate after pressing the clutch down, the engine does not cut out again, at least until you've travelled for a bit.

If you have the air-con on, the engine still cuts out, and the a/c continues to be on.

I'm told, and have read somewhere, that the engine will not automatically cut out in certain conditions, and presumably will also start up again in those conditions. Conditions such as: The engine is still cold, the battery is low, etc.

Therefore, I presume that if a/c is on, and the engine cuts out, that it may come back on again after a while if the battery is unable to run the a/c without further re-charging.

Before taking it for a test drive, we were concerned that the stop 'n' start bit would be a bit too weird, and feel like it takes the driver out of control. But, after driving it for a bit, the only thing we noticed that was while we're not using the engine, it goes quiet. It seems to make perfect sense, and seems to work very well.

Sure, there might be extra maintenance costs for the extra mechanicals that make it work, but maybe that money can be saved in terms of reduced petrol costs.

It also makes a lot of sense for those times when you're sitting in bank holiday traffic jams, wondering wether to turn the engine off or not.

 

[suzey]

What colour have you ordered jimr123? ...and how long will you have to wait for it?

 

[JimR123]

What colour have you ordered jimr123? ...and how long will you have to wait for it?

We've gone for the Cha Cha Cha Azure outside with Blue Cloth and Ivory inside. It's the OH's choice really, as pale blue is one of her favourite colours, but I must admit I think it will look really nice.

 

[olopboy]

Nice review of the S&S system there.