Why Do New Cars’ Engines Turn Off?

If you’ve recently purchased a new car, you may have noticed that the engine turns off when you come to a stop. This is a feature called “auto stop-start,” and it’s becoming increasingly common on new vehicles.

Auto stop-start is designed to save fuel and reduce emissions. When the car is stopped, the engine shuts off, and the vehicle runs on battery power. This can save a significant amount of fuel, especially if you spend a lot of time idling in traffic.

There are some drawbacks to auto stop-start, however. Some drivers find it annoying to have the engine turn off and on all the time. Additionally, auto stop-start can be problematic in certain situations, such as when you’re trying to parallel park or make a quick U-turn.

If you don’t like auto stop-start, you can usually disable it. There is typically a button on the dashboard that you can press to turn the feature off.

How Does Auto Stop-Start Work?

Auto stop-start uses a variety of sensors to determine when to shut off the engine. These sensors include:

Brake pedal position sensor: This sensor detects when the brake pedal is pressed. When the brake pedal is pressed, the engine turns off.
Vehicle speed sensor: This sensor monitors the speed of the vehicle. When the vehicle is stopped, the engine turns off.
Battery level sensor: This sensor monitors the level of charge in the battery. If the battery level is low, the engine will not turn off.

When all of these sensors indicate that the vehicle is stopped and the battery level is high, the engine will turn off. The engine will stay off until the brake pedal is released or the accelerator pedal is pressed.

Benefits of Auto Stop-Start

Auto stop-start can provide a number of benefits, including:

Fuel savings: Auto stop-start can save a significant amount of fuel, especially if you spend a lot of time idling in traffic.
Reduced emissions: By reducing fuel consumption, auto stop-start also helps to reduce emissions.
Extended engine life: Auto stop-start can help to extend the life of your engine by reducing wear and tear.

Drawbacks of Auto Stop-Start

There are some drawbacks to auto stop-start, including:

Annoying: Some drivers find it annoying to have the engine turn off and on all the time.
Problematic in certain situations: Auto stop-start can be problematic in certain situations, such as when you’re trying to parallel park or make a quick U-turn.
Reduced battery life: Auto stop-start can reduce the life of your battery, especially if you drive a lot of short trips.

Is Auto Stop-Start Right for Me?

Whether or not auto stop-start is right for you depends on your individual driving habits and preferences. If you spend a lot of time idling in traffic, you’re likely to save a significant amount of fuel with auto stop-start. However, if you find the feature annoying or problematic, you can usually disable it.

Conclusion

Auto stop-start is a fuel-saving feature that is becoming increasingly common on new vehicles. It can provide a number of benefits, but there are also some drawbacks to consider. If you’re not sure whether or not auto stop-start is right for you, try it out and see how you like it.