Start stop system: how it works , what it is, what it is for and what are the frequent problems encountered with battery and spare parts.
Start stop system: what it is
Manufacturers call it Start and stop, stop & start, i-stop… it’s the same technology: an automatic engine shutdown system when the vehicle is parked in city traffic, at a traffic light or at the motorway toll booth. On this page we will discover together how it works, what are the problems it triggers and the wear related to the mechanical components involved in switching the vehicle on and off.
Start and stop: how it works
The Stop & Start is a system that automatically stops the engine in the event of a stop. It was created to limit fuel consumption in urban areas and has been designed in such a way that the restarting of the engine is quick and painless for the motorist.
How does the stop and start system work?
It’s all a friction game!
In a car equipped with start and stop , when you stop and move the gear lever to neutral, the engine stops when the driver releases the clutch pedal.
The engine restarts automatically when the clutch pedal is depressed again and first gear is engaged to move away . Below we point out the video released by Mazda that will explain how the i-Stop system works.
When does the Stop and Start system automatically deactivate?
- It switches off when the battery charge conditions are not adequate to the request for the Start & Stop technology.
- It is deactivated when the engine has not yet reached the optimal operating temperature.
- It is deactivated when the difference between the temperature required in the passenger compartment by the air conditioner is excessively different from the ambient temperature.
Start and stop: problems
With the start and stop system, some problems arise related to the increased wear of the mechanical components involved in the continuous connection and disconnection of the battery, motors and relays. In addition, on some cars the start and stop system gives problems and does not activate when the engine is cold or with the air conditioning in operation.
Greater problems can arise for those who, with a turbocharged engine , travel along motorway sections at high speed and then stop at the toll booth: the engine stops because the start and stop system comes into operation but a moment later they have to restart completely ignoring the need for cooling (cool down) of the turbine. This question is true for all engines but especially for turbocharged engines that operate in really extreme conditions reaching very high operating temperatures. The problems related to the wear of the components are combined with those dictated by the lack of heating (warm up) and therefore by the greater initial friction in the restart phase and the absence of cooling (cool down) in moments of rest.
Start and stop Giulietta
As on all cars, the Giulietta’s instrument panel also shows when the start & stop system is activated or deactivated. On the Giulietta, the system is automatically deactivated when the temperature gradient between the inside and outside of the passenger compartment exceeds 8 ° C.
Start and stop FIAT 500
The Fiat 500 Stop & Start system has been tested several times. Unfortunately, all test drives only analyzed consumption and no other consequences or implications on long mileage. It is not possible to say how the Fiat 500 stop and start system can impact the mechanical components but what is certain is the reduction in consumption. According to the tests on the Fiat 500 with Start and Stop system (for Fiat it is called Stop & Start ), savings are assured. Driving 20 km with the Stop & Start system on, there was a saving of 17% compared to the same mileage covered (with the same traffic conditions) with the Fiat 500 with the Stop & Start system deactivated.
Start and stop battery
To support the operation of the Stop and Start system , manufacturers have had to offer more and more performing accumulators. Batteries capable of withstanding more and more charging cycles and even more powerful. To overcome the problem of battery wear, today cars fitted with the Stop and Start system need batteries capable of withstanding 300,000 starts instead of the classic 30,000 expected for cars that do not have a start and stop system .
The battery is not the only mechanical component that the manufacturers have had to improve to make them compatible with the operation of the stop and start system but it is certainly the one that makes itself felt most. The costs of batteries compatible with the stop and start system are higher, if you are looking for spare parts, a product with an excellent value for money is represented by the FIAMM car battery proposed on Amazon at a price of 131 euros with free shipping costs.
