Available on all recent vehicles, this function supposed to reduce fuel consumption also has drawbacks.
The Start & Stop function has entered the habits of motorists for a few years. This system, standard on modern cars, is used to automatically turn off and restart the engine of a vehicle as soon as it is stopped. It cuts when the car stops and leaves as soon as the driver presses the clutch or accelerator pedal.
The car manufacturers praise the advantages of this fairly recent technology. According to them, the start & Stop makes it possible to significantly reduce fuel consumption, limit pollution by reducing the rejection of CO2 in the environment and attenuating noise pollution by cutting the engine more often.
Everything suggests that this is a good step forward for motorists. Especially because it should allow them to save money. But what about? Specialists say that the use of Start & Stop lowers the consumption of a vehicle by around 10%. It is true, but only in urban traffic, when traffic requires many stops. This is equivalent to 5 liters on a full of 50 liters. At the current price of Sans-Plomb or Diesel, this would save about 10 euros on the bill. It’s not nothing, especially for big rollers.
At the red light, in plugs during rush hour, the effectiveness of this technology is no longer to be proven. But beware, when you run outside agglomerations, on a departmental, national road and even more on the highway, the Start & Stop has no impact on the consumption of your vehicle. We would even advise you to deactivate it. It’s very easy to do, just press the “Start & Stop” button placed most of the time on the dashboard or next to the gearbox/selector.
This system widely used by motorists also has drawbacks. Its permanent use more requests the battery and the starter, two elements essential for the operation of a car. Whenever you have to restart the engine, a certain wear takes place on different mechanical parts. And if the starter and battery of a vehicle equipped with Start & Stop are more robust than on a model that does not have it, their permanent use can still reduce their lifespan.
A frequently stressed starter is an average of 100,000 kilometers before returning the soul. Its replacement is expensive: between 200 and 600 euros labor included depending on the car models. For a new battery, it takes between 50 and 200 euros. Non -negligible expenses that are added to those of insurance, various compulsory controls and possible repairs. Start & Stop must therefore be used in moderation.