Should You Really Disable Start and Stop on Your Car ? The Pros and Cons

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Start and Stop is today a very common technology, present in the overwhelming majority of modern vehicles. It was during the 2000s that it began to become more widespread, in response to increasingly strict environmental standards (greenhouse gas emissions) and the growing demand for less polluting vehicles. Nowadays, it has matured considerably thanks to more efficient batteries and more optimized engine management algorithms.

This system, although widely used, divides motoristss. Some fear that repeated starting and stopping of the engine will put excessive strain on the starter, battery and other components, leading to wear and tear on the block. What is the reality??

Guaranteed savings in the city, but beware of traffic jams

Tests conducted by the Auto Plus laboratory demonstrate the real effectiveness of the system when used in urban areas. The measurements carried out reveal a significant reduction in consumption of up to 1.2 litres per 100 km in the city centre. Given the crazy prices that fuels have reached this year, every cent is good to take. Fortunately, they are starting to fall again. Prices at the pump have seen a slight drop this week with diesel, in particular, showing a decrease of 0.9 cents, now settling at 1.6456 euros per liter.

Even when crossing less dense built-up areas, where stops are less frequent, the savings remain noticeable with a decrease of 0.3 to 0.4 liters if Start and Stop is engaged. On the other hand, the device loses its relevance in traffic jams or when driving in a stop-and-go manner, where its impact on consumption becomes negligible.

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Behind the scenes: a more stressed mechanism

The intensive use of Start and Stop is not without consequences on the mechanical parts of the vehicle. Manufacturers have certainly anticipated these constraints by reinforcing the components concerned: starter, battery and belts. Nevertheless, the accelerated wear of certain parts remains a technical reality. The starter, the part that drives the engine until it can operate independently, may need to be replaced after 100,000 km, at a cost higher than that of a standard model.

On some car models, testers atAuto Plus have noted premature wear of the tensioner pulleys (mechanical components equipped with bearings that maintain constant tension on the belts) and the accessory belt (part that ensures the transmission of power from the engine to various accessories for their operation).

For vehicles with manual transmission, the system paradoxically has a mechanical advantage. Keeping your foot on the brake and releasing the clutch allows the device to be engaged, thus reducing the stress on the clutch mechanism and on the release bearing (the component that allows the clutch to be disengaged and engaged).

So, should you use the Start and Stop?? If you mainly drive in the city and are sensitive to fuel savings and the environment, it is undeniably your ally. If you mainly drive on the highway, are sensitive to driving comfort and are bothered by frequent restarts, you can choose to deactivate the system with a simple press of the dedicated button.

• Start and Stop ensures a reduction in fuel consumption of up to 1.2 L/100 km in urban areas
• However, intensive use can accelerate the wear of components such as the starter and the accessory belt.
• It is therefore ideal for urban journeys, but less relevant on motorways or in heavy traffic.

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