RIDEGURU
Many of not most newer cars feature an engine cut off feature when stopped at a red light etc... where the engine stops running as long as you foot remains on the brake with the car in drive. In fact my wife's Ford Escape has this feature. Obviously no reason to use gas sitting still.
My question (seeking opinions of some mechanics here) is this. All my life (I'm 64) I've been told "the hardest thing you ever do to an engine is start it"... as most damage purportedly occurs when you first start an engine - due to lack of lubrication in various areas.
This begs the question, is the auto-stop feature actually shortening the life of the engine due to it's frequent start/stops, or has this been taken into consideration in the design?
Comments
Not a mechanic but know a bit about cars. Starting an engine cold is hard but if it's warm already, no big deal. The pistons are all oiled up already, etc.
So I wouldn't worry about it. I'm sure the engineers that designed these systems considered it, and they have an interest in building reliable cars.
Like another poster said, the starting a car isn’t as intrusive when your engine is lined and warmed up. When they say it’s tough on the car is when you start it when it’s cold and haven’t been driven for a while.
I suppose the spark plugs may wear out faster but it should be marginal and plugs are cheap
Do those idle kills really save that much gas?
My Ford Escape has it. It is amazing and I love it.
The way the car starts isn’t like what you’d expect it to be. It quietly stops and starts. It sounds different. I’d imagine it has different mechanism.
Good question...