Can the car engine stop and go be disabled?

[kilo]

On Hondas, idle stop engine can be enabled/disabled using the button that looks like an A with a clockwise arrow around it. On my 2022 CRV, it's located on the center gear shifty stick.

I prefer to keep it on. Where I live (more rural), when you do come to a light, it's usually 60 seconds. In the city where traffic lights are 30 seconds or less (?), I disable it. And easing up to stop signs is a pain with it turning off every 2 seconds.

 

[KLiKzg]

That is why I bought a hybrid...no problems with ON&OFF...engine runs when it needs to, driving on battery as much as I can.

 

[OkieDan]

Start/stop works pretty flawless in my wife's 2020 RAM 1500 as far as lag is concerned. It starts before you lift your foot all the way off the brake. I still hate it though because of the AC compressor stopping and the vents switching to recycle when I'm trying to blow vape clouds out the window.

Speaking of recycled air, I hate how GM and RAM pickups default to recycled air but don't illuminate the light next to button to show you it's in that state. They're probably not the only brands doing it and most people wouldn't know if you don't vape or smoke. Have to push the button to illuminate the recycle indicator and then one more time to actually turn off recycled air.

 

[gurusmi]

In germany it is forbidden to change the Stop&Go automatism generally. One would change the ratings for gas (liters per km) and exhaust (grams CO2 per km). One would loose his allowance to drive the car and with that also the insurance would be voided. German governments even don't allow to relocate the frontseats backwards.

 

[AusWolf]

In germany it is forbidden to change the Stop&Go automatism generally. One would change the ratings for gas (liters per km) and exhaust (grams CO2 per km). One would loose his allowance to drive the car and with that also the insurance would be voided. German governments even don't allow to relocate the frontseats backwards.

Remind me never to move to Germany. These rules are ridiculous. Why shouldn't I move the front seat backwards?

 

[lemonadesoda]

German governments even don't allow to relocate the frontseats backwards.

What a dreadful misrepresentation of fact/law! The rule is: children's seats (that you add) must be front facing, so that airbags do not crush them. There is no rule about being able to MOVE a driver or passenger seat forwards or backwards for comfort! FFS

You can also have rear facing seats, e.g. camper/passenger van. In such a case, a child seat CAN "face backwards" albeit actually it is still facing in the same direction of the seat.

Anyway, back on topic, auto start/stop is a pain if it triggers at a T-junction. However, if it stops, you come off the brake momentarily, and the engine starts, then back on the brake. Now the engine stays running. This is an important driving trick you need to learn. Otherwise you can be late pulling out at a junction which makes it a dangerous manoeuver. In every EU car I have driven, there is the A button usually close to the gearstick or autostick that allows you to temporarily turn the start/stop feature off.

But why? In city traffic it makes an enormous difference to fuel consumption as well as emissions. "It will wear out a battery" - what rubbish. I've got the original battery in my car, since 2010. It "went flat" once, after being parked up for too long. THAT is a battery killer. However, with a trickle charger got it working again. No problem. Just make sure you drive at least once a week. If you know it will not be used for weeks/months, then disconnect the battery while it is laid up.

 

[Wirko]

But why? In city traffic it makes an enormous difference to fuel consumption as well as emissions. "It will wear out a battery" - what rubbish

It can also wear out the engine little by little, put some stress on the starter, and burn some additional fuel on every start.
I don't use automatic start/stop when I can predict I'll have to start and stop very often. A slowly and irregularly moving line is such a situation, but granted, there aren't many.

 

[gurusmi]

What a dreadful misrepresentation of fact/law! The rule is: children's seats (that you add) must be front facing, so that airbags do not crush them. There is no rule about being able to MOVE a driver or passenger seat forwards or backwards for comfort! FFS

If one wants to replace the seat backwards because his legs are too long for the actual position can't do that because it is forbidden. In Detail. I owned a Audi S8. There the end position of the seat was too near at the steering wheel. I would have to relocate the seat backwards that my knees don't touch the steering wheel. It is forbidden to relocate the seat bracket. I was told that the airbag would not bbe working correctly. Also the Seatbelt would not have the needed geometry. One would have to fficial certify the functionality with crash tests first.

If you don't get me it's free to ask. But answering blindly without any deeper knowledge ist a no brainer.

Edit:
If you have a length of 195cm and a leg length of 38 inches then you don't have a possibility in germany to get even a jeans that suits. My jeans size is 38/30 and i have to order each jeans at Amazon Global. I always get my trousers straight out of the US manufactured in Mexico. No chance to even get one suitable pair in germany. There is no car in germany on the market that fits me anyway. I use to have my seat round about 10cm behind the stop.

 

[ShiBDiB]

In germany it is forbidden to change the Stop&Go automatism generally. One would change the ratings for gas (liters per km) and exhaust (grams CO2 per km). One would loose his allowance to drive the car and with that also the insurance would be voided. German governments even don't allow to relocate the frontseats backwards.

My Audi has a toggle button that will disable the stop/start if desired. Might just be for export version of the car. Also probably could have disabled it permanently when I put a tune on it.

As for OP, there's probably an ECU mod for it out there. But manufacturers are not fans of you messing with those.

 

[gurusmi]

My Audi has a toggle button that will disable the stop/start if desired. Might just be for export version of the car. Also probably could have disabled it permanently when I put a tune on it.

As for OP, there's probably an ECU mod for it out there. But manufacturers are not fans of you messing with those.

As i said before. It is stricktly forbidden by law. At the next technical check (TÜV) you lost with that disabled. One is loosing his admission with a disabled Stop&Go. With the admission loosed there is also no insurance coverage. For driving w/o admission one has to pay at least 75€ and he gets a point at the drivers license department. Additionally there is the driving w/o insurance coverage. There one has to get to jail for at least half a year. Or he has to pay 180 times his daily income. Also he looses his drivers license. If there are other or more penalties? I didn't think about and chek for.

 

[lemonadesoda]

Additionally there is the driving w/o insurance coverage. There one has to get to jail for at least half a year. Or he has to pay 180 times his daily income. Also he looses his drivers license.

You know a lot of detail about cars in Germany!

But you are very quick to complain about other people's understanding about what you said. Clearly, English is a second or third language, and I commend you for trying your best to write in English, but things do get lost in translation!

In your original comment you said you were not allowed to move the seat backwards. That's rubbish. Of course you can move it forwards and backwards. Now, in your second statement, you add that what you really wanted to say was that in Germany you are not allowed to modify the seating rails in such a way that allows the seat to be unusually positioned further back than its design. That might be what you wanted to say originally, but you didn't. For you, I can only imagine at 195cm basketball player height this is very difficult and very uncomfortable in some cars. I am not as tall as you are at "only" 188, but I have to choose cars that fit, both legroom and roof height, rather than buying cars that don't fit and then trying to mod them. Some "small" cars are OK. Some "big" cars are not OK. You have to find whatever works for you.

Anyway, to what I quoted about insurance: I see so many Ukrainian cars in Germany. With UA number plates. Out of their country more than 30 days. Clearly not insured. What is the German view on this? Are the German police stopping these cars and checking for insurance? I drive through Germany often, and whenever I see a UA car I keep as far away as possible!

 

[AsRock]

My present car is 25 years old (I had it from new) and maybe I can hold out till I get electric.

Yeah we all need more drain on our city\town power grids .

 

[Gumby]

My Infinti Qx30 has 2 batteries. 1 main and 1 aux (power for the blower, radio etc.) for the auto stop start feature. I push the button to disable it as soon as I start the car. Gota love the extra wear on the starter lol

 

[Jism]

You know a lot of detail about cars in Germany!

But you are very quick to complain about other people's understanding about what you said. Clearly, English is a second or third language, and I commend you for trying your best to write in English, but things do get lost in translation!

In your original comment you said you were not allowed to move the seat backwards. That's rubbish. Of course you can move it forwards and backwards. Now, in your second statement, you add that what you really wanted to say was that in Germany you are not allowed to modify the seating rails in such a way that allows the seat to be unusually positioned further back than its design. That might be what you wanted to say originally, but you didn't. For you, I can only imagine at 195cm basketball player height this is very difficult and very uncomfortable in some cars. I am not as tall as you are at "only" 188, but I have to choose cars that fit, both legroom and roof height, rather than buying cars that don't fit and then trying to mod them. Some "small" cars are OK. Some "big" cars are not OK. You have to find whatever works for you.

I had to read a few times to figure out what he was trying to say. It's simple. The frontal area of where you sit is designed in such a way that within a chrash, frontal, side or from the back, airbags do respond in a certain way. Also the guardian rail that holds your chair is designed with simular forces in a way to keep you seated in the event of a chrash. If the moving of your rails is not within spec, you can kind of imagine what can happen to your body or face if the rail breaks, airbag is inflated, while your half on top of your steering wheel at that point.

An airbag is powerfull enough to launch you a few meters up in the air. What do you think will happen in a tight space such as a car? It's not about laws really; cars are designed in a certain way that would guarantee stability, safety and such. It's the same as in Portugal. If the papers of your car is saying 17 inch wheels your supposed to only have 17 inch wheels dictated by manufactor. If you want larger ones you have to re-test it and have it qualified for that, it's going to cost you obviously.

But never i had to change the rails that hold your seat - or at least heard of the option. What i do know is that, esp budget tuners, who install aftermarket chairs in their car, or chairs from a complete different car into their, and have the most horrible welds going on, that in the event of a chrash they will be f'ed up. It's so remarkable...

I bought a used Golf 3 VR6 at least 16 years ago if i'm correct; the chairs where sporty but they rails holding it was just welded by a amateur. When i showed this to my garage he took all the effort to reweld and re-enforce the whole thing. A year later i sell the Golf to someone quite younger then me and 3 months later he chrashed the car.

The welds my garage put up held him in place. He would have likely died if it was'nt for us enforcing the damn rails.

 

[tabascosauz]

Start/stop works pretty flawless in my wife's 2020 RAM 1500 as far as lag is concerned. It starts before you lift your foot all the way off the brake. I still hate it though because of the AC compressor stopping and the vents switching to recycle when I'm trying to blow vape clouds out the window.

Speaking of recycled air, I hate how GM and RAM pickups default to recycled air but don't illuminate the light next to button to show you it's in that state. They're probably not the only brands doing it and most people wouldn't know if you don't vape or smoke. Have to push the button to illuminate the recycle indicator and then one more time to actually turn off recycled air.

If that's with the eTorque Pentastar or Hemi, then yeah, that's like half of the whole point of eTorque - seamless Auto Start Stop.

Otherwise, Auto Start/Stop is pretty undesirable for the bigger motors because the extra NVH at startup is really obvious compared to the average turbo 2.0 on the road. I disabled it in Forscan for the 5.0 on the F150, and every time I drive a rental GM with 5.3 or 6.2 I turn it off because the response time is atrocious.

I can't say there's any real correlation to engine longevity, since in light duty engines there are so many other harmful things that are probably more relevant, but the only HD truck gassers actually worth a damn (Ford 7.3 and GM L8T) do not come with auto start stop or cylinder deactivation. The harm from cylinder deactivation is well proven, but they probably omitted AS/S for some combination of longevity/simplification/pointlessness.

 

[Jism]

The tech exists since 2008 - that's more then 17 years of R&D, real life practical usage. The arguments on wether it's good for the engine or not, battery etc is at this point absolete. All parts are made with a certain life span into it's design. A car battery should always be replaced within 5 years too.

If it cuts emissions then it's only positive if you ask me. None of you actually lived in a city big enough to know what daily pollution really means. Every car stopping with traffic lights is CO2 saved.

 

[OkieDan]

If that's with the eTorque Pentastar or Hemi, then yeah, that's like half of the whole point of eTorque - seamless Auto Start Stop.

Otherwise, Auto Start/Stop is pretty undesirable for the bigger motors because the extra NVH at startup is really obvious compared to the average turbo 2.0 on the road. I disabled it in Forscan for the 5.0 on the F150, and every time I drive a rental GM with 5.3 or 6.2 I turn it off because the response time is atrocious.

I can't say there's any real correlation to engine longevity, since in light duty engines there are so many other harmful things that are probably more relevant, but the only HD truck gassers actually worth a damn (Ford 7.3 and GM L8T) do not come with auto start stop or cylinder deactivation. The harm from cylinder deactivation is well proven, but they probably omitted AS/S for some combination of longevity/simplification/pointlessness.

Yeah the wife's RAM has etorque so like you said I guess that's why it's seamless. I still prefer the Cummins in my 2500.

 

[gurusmi]

You know a lot of detail about cars in Germany!

But you are very quick to complain about other people's understanding about what you said. Clearly, English is a second or third language, and I commend you for trying your best to write in English, but things do get lost in translation!

In your original comment you said you were not allowed to move the seat backwards. That's rubbish. Of course you can move it forwards and backwards. Now, in your second statement, you add that what you really wanted to say was that in Germany you are not allowed to modify the seating rails in such a way that allows the seat to be unusually positioned further back than its design. That might be what you wanted to say originally, but you didn't. For you, I can only imagine at 195cm basketball player height this is very difficult and very uncomfortable in some cars. I am not as tall as you are at "only" 188, but I have to choose cars that fit, both legroom and roof height, rather than buying cars that don't fit and then trying to mod them. Some "small" cars are OK. Some "big" cars are not OK. You have to find whatever works for you.

Anyway, to what I quoted about insurance: I see so many Ukrainian cars in Germany. With UA number plates. Out of their country more than 30 days. Clearly not insured. What is the German view on this? Are the German police stopping these cars and checking for insurance? I drive through Germany often, and whenever I see a UA car I keep as far away as possible!

I lived 2.5 yrs in America. More of that. I lived in the south (Atlanta, GA) where all the snow noses makes their holidays. I estimate that in my live i spoke more english than german. Mostly i do not use any translator. If then I only search for well defined words. I gave it up even to think about a porsche 911. This car doesn't fit anyxway. This thread isn't about my car. But i checked a lot. Audi had offered cars with relocation of that seat rail before via the handicapped program they had. But they stopped this because of the costs they had. One can get to special firms like i.e. Paravan to get that done. They do all the work and charge a hell for their service.

I was married with an ukranian lady for a longfer time. We divorced one year ago. Btw. I spoke with her all the time in english. I stood often in Ukrain (in Kiev, Boryspil, Cherkassy and Chygyryn) often. Also with my car whilst i was living in switzerland in the kanton of Solothurn. Everytime real funny. One grewn up in the middle of europe better pray when he is driving there. But. I do not know anything about ukrainian car insurances. Afaik. as long as the ukrainian cars are legally registered and insured the german government has no issue having them on german roads as long as they have them in germany less than half a year within one full year. That is a question of the taxes.

 

[bobbybluz]

As a former auto service tech the issue for me with the Start/Stop is starter life and difficulty of replacement. Starters used to be very easy to replace, today many V6's & V8's have them buried under the intake manifold in the engine valley. I've seen some 4-cylinder vehicles with the starter so buried the engine cradle must be dropped to get the starter out. That means there's a mountain of things that have to be removed in order to get to the starter. I did one on my 97 Cadillac Eldorado a few years ago and even with the right tools and skills it was a giant expensive headache. Back in the good old days a starter could be replaced by removing two bolts, the main battery lead to the starter solenoid and the secondary lead to the ignition switch. Today it means potentially hours of work, new gaskets for the intake manifold (and potentially other things) as well as the possibility of having to replace plastic electrical connectors that break after being baked by countless hours of engine heat. Mercedes and BMW owners should know that pitfall.

I've rented a few vehicles with auto Start/Stop and hated that the A/C quit working when the engine stopped. I'll never buy one.

 

[RJARRRPCGP]

On Hondas, idle stop engine can be enabled/disabled using the button that looks like an A with a clockwise arrow around it.

On FCA US/Stellantis: It's a button that looks like what you described, but on the 2021 Cherokee, it doesn't stop within every two seconds, IIRC. But it still ends up stopping the engine, right when we have to go!
Makes me wonder if the component life will be shortened.

 

[LabRat 891]

Spoiler

Don't mind me... just gonna ignore 5 pages of replies...

I can't stand the new car feature where the engine stops and starts itself when the car is stationary; can this be disabled?

"Internet Search" your car's make/model with the addition of "disable start-stop". (IIRC, at least 1 make/model requires an electrical hack. Others have a button, or specific input sequence to the PCM/ECU.)

It's more than annoying, it'll turn your car into consumer waste sooner. It's harder on the starter, and (unless equipped with an Electric Oil Pump) causes excessive engine wear.
Starting an engine is one of the 'heaviest' wear events it regularly experiences; having the engine warmed only mitigates startup wear, so much.

Tangential: Truckers in the US have semi-recently been forced to 'idle' their trucks at lower RPMs. Sure, it uses a little less fuel, and makes a lil less pollution overnight.
However, the lower RPM idle is wearing out engines faster, increasing maintenance needs, making more 'waste'. Ultimately, adding to the very problem that the policy supposedly was addressing.

 

[Frick]

Spoiler

Don't mind me... just gonna ignore 5 pages of replies...

"Internet Search" your car's make/model with the addition of "disable start-stop". (IIRC, at least 1 make/model requires an electrical hack. Others have a button, or specific input sequence to the PCM/ECU.)

It's more than annoying, it'll turn your car into consumer waste sooner. It's harder on the starter, and (unless equipped with an Electric Oil Pump) causes excessive engine wear.
Starting an engine is one of the 'heaviest' wear events it regularly experiences; having the engine warmed only mitigates startup wear, so much.

Tangential: Truckers in the US have semi-recently been forced to 'idle' their trucks at lower RPMs. Sure, it uses a little less fuel, and makes a lil less pollution overnight.
However, the lower RPM idle is wearing out engines faster, increasing maintenance needs, making more 'waste'. Ultimately, adding to the very problem that the policy supposedly was addressing.

Not all waste is equal, and currently getting emissions down very much trumps waste from maintenance.

If one wants to replace the seat backwards because his legs are too long for the actual position can't do that because it is forbidden. In Detail. I owned a Audi S8. There the end position of the seat was too near at the steering wheel. I would have to relocate the seat backwards that my knees don't touch the steering wheel. It is forbidden to relocate the seat bracket. I was told that the airbag would not bbe working correctly. Also the Seatbelt would not have the needed geometry. One would have to fficial certify the functionality with crash tests first.

If you don't get me it's free to ask. But answering blindly without any deeper knowledge ist a no brainer.

Edit:
If you have a length of 195cm and a leg length of 38 inches then you don't have a possibility in germany to get even a jeans that suits. My jeans size is 38/30 and i have to order each jeans at Amazon Global. I always get my trousers straight out of the US manufactured in Mexico. No chance to even get one suitable pair in germany. There is no car in germany on the market that fits me anyway. I use to have my seat round about 10cm behind the stop.

Or you buy from the Netherlands, because 195 cm tall and thin is not uncommon over there.

 

[KLiKzg]

In germany it is forbidden to change the Stop&Go automatism generally. One would change the ratings for gas (liters per km) and exhaust (grams CO2 per km). One would loose his allowance to drive the car and with that also the insurance would be voided. German governments even don't allow to relocate the frontseats backwards.

This is a lot of horse shit!

1. Stop/Go can be switched off with one button in a car.
2. Yes, messing with a car electronics can get you insurance be void - but only if the messing is not homologated on TUV.
3. If it is so CO2 problem with emissions, then almost 1/2 of VAG group can be sent back to scrap yard...as they void the CO2 emissions, which was proven on a court.
4. Same goes for all French diesel cars, which can only pass emissions in GREEN / ECO mode.
5. You can't relocate the seat to other side. But people used to put baby in the front seat backwards, with disabling of air-bags. That was prohibited & babies need to go in backseats always with baby nest / egg.

If one wants to replace the seat backwards because his legs are too long for the actual position can't do that because it is forbidden. In Detail. I owned a Audi S8. There the end position of the seat was too near at the steering wheel. I would have to relocate the seat backwards that my knees don't touch the steering wheel. It is forbidden to relocate the seat bracket. I was told that the airbag would not bbe working correctly. Also the Seatbelt would not have the needed geometry. One would have to fficial certify the functionality with crash tests first.

If you don't get me it's free to ask. But answering blindly without any deeper knowledge ist a no brainer.

Edit:
If you have a length of 195cm and a leg length of 38 inches then you don't have a possibility in germany to get even a jeans that suits. My jeans size is 38/30 and i have to order each jeans at Amazon Global. I always get my trousers straight out of the US manufactured in Mexico. No chance to even get one suitable pair in germany. There is no car in germany on the market that fits me anyway. I use to have my seat round about 10cm behind the stop.

Of course it is prohibited to move seat anywhere, as the bracket is done so that the stress point is on there & it is a SAFETY feature in the car. In no country you can mode bracket of a seat.
Yes, you can move it in some - illegally. Just like you would do it in Germany.

But if S8 gives you problems, why drive that car? You can find a car with more leg room.

 

[gurusmi]

This is a lot of horse shit!

1. Stop/Go can be switched off with one button in a car.
2. Yes, messing with a car electronics can get you insurance be void - but only if the messing is not homologated on TUV.
3. If it is so CO2 problem with emissions, then almost 1/2 of VAG group can be sent back to scrap yard...as they void the CO2 emissions, which was proven on a court.
4. Same goes for all French diesel cars, which can only pass emissions in GREEN / ECO mode.
5. You can't relocate the seat to other side. But people used to put baby in the front seat backwards, with disabling of air-bags. That was prohibited & babies need to go in backseats always with baby nest / egg.

Interesting. You, living in Croatia, know a lot about legal topics in germany. Where did you got that knowledge from? I was born and do live right now also in germany. I studied two semesters in taxation rights in germany. Aside of my diplomas in System informatics and communication electronics.

1. I don't know how you treat that in Croatia or anywhere else in the world. But in germany there is no legal ability to deactivate Stop&Go. As i said before. With deactivating you change the WLTP-fuel consuption as all others also. When you change the fuel consumption you also change the exhaust volume of (i.e.) CO2. And Co2 is a base figure for the yearly gas taxation. And yes here in germany are a lot of legal trials about VAG Diesel engines. More exactly in germany all cars with a Bosch Motor engine control (Also Mercedes, BMW,...) have the same problem. They all faced and still face law suits because of their exhaust problems. You should read the german STVZO Laws to know more. Google translate name that law "Road Traffic Licensing Ordinance". Don't forget. The germans go at least every 2 years to a technical check. I don't know if you, in Bosnia, even utilitize that. In Ukraine they don't.

3&4&5: To say it clearly again. Might be the distance from germany to Croatia is too large. My Legs are too long for european cars. The length of my trousers are 38 inches. My trousers are handmade or imported from the US. I'm one of the 2% of people not fitting into a standard car sold in Germany. No matter which marque they are. I don't fit into a Porsche 911 or a Porsche Panamera either. I don't fit into a BMW, Mercedes or whatever no matter which seria. I don't explain you why I took my s8. But I did so because of a bundle of reasons. Is that so hard to understand? Afaik also Fiat in Italy and peugeot in France had the same diesel exhaust violences and they had to pay for.

So who tells (in your words) a lot of horse shit? As i stated before. Your post was a no-brainer.

 

[Wirko]

Just guessing, it may still be legal to disable stop&go temporarily, until the next ride (as in my 2015 VW) but not permanently.