Auto start stop technology
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 458
Likes: 123
From: Arkansas
None of my F150s had the auto start/stop, but I've never understood why people are opposed to the idea. I can't stand an idling engine...it's wasting gas that could be used to get me down the road. My Subaru has a similar start/stop feature that I've never disabled.
It seems like the main concern people have is the increased wear on the starter..
It seems like the main concern people have is the increased wear on the starter..
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
Likes: 738
From: Isanti, MN
It's not just wear on the starter, it's your cams, lifters, bearings, everything. Every time your engine shuts off the oil pressure drops off to nothing and has to build up again when it restarts. It's basically common knowledge that most of your engine wear comes from startups.
But they never really have. And there are a bunch of other examples over the same period that are known for hitting the junkyard for other reasons with perfectly functioning engines. So why is everyone convinced this is something to worry about?
Believe Nothing
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 7,513
Likes: 394
From: W. Central FL.
It's not just wear on the starter, it's your cams, lifters, bearings, everything. Every time your engine shuts off the oil pressure drops off to nothing and has to build up again when it restarts. It's basically common knowledge that most of your engine wear comes from startups.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 8,458
Likes: 722
From: Calgary Canada
Most of the issues that the auto-start-stop could cause seem to be very theoretical. there's millions of vehicles out there with this in them and I don't think anyone can point to real statistics that prove issues.
if you don't like it, that's great, you can disable it. But don't act like it's anything other than a personal preference.
if you don't like it, that's great, you can disable it. But don't act like it's anything other than a personal preference.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 759
Likes: 95
If you are ordering, you can choose the auto stop/start delete option (-$50) and you don't have to worry about it.
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Tuned
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 458
Likes: 123
From: Arkansas
Yeah unfortunately I was like a month too early before they started doing that. Sucks. I know you can modify the switch or use an aftermarket device but not having the button at all there is nicer.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
Likes: 738
From: Isanti, MN
My point is that engines that start and stop themselves aren’t new by any stretch of the imagination. And the facts don’t support the theory of increased wear. Dislike it for any reason you like, but it’s not going to kill your engine.
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 458
Likes: 123
From: Arkansas
An engine doesn't typically just die in one instance.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 8,458
Likes: 722
From: Calgary Canada
Is auto-start-stop was causing reliability issues, we'd have some really clear tends by now. But it's just not there.
This argument is about feelings, and while your feelings are valid and important to you, they aren't data.
This argument is about feelings, and while your feelings are valid and important to you, they aren't data.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
Likes: 738
From: Isanti, MN
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 1,268
Likes: 35
From: Utica, Nebraska
Supposedly the starters are supposed to be more robust and handle the abuse. I'm not a huge fan of auto stop-start in non-hybrid vehicles, the benefits will not easily be seen by most drivers. It's nice to see that it can be ordered without it though.
There could be issues with it, but most of the time technicians cannot really say much because it's seen as negative feedback against the manufacturer they work under and could be fired (ask me how I know). On the stuff I work on, we don't see issues related, other than the dedicated small battery for stop/start having issues or other electrical issues in the system for it. But nothing engine related or starter related.
There could be issues with it, but most of the time technicians cannot really say much because it's seen as negative feedback against the manufacturer they work under and could be fired (ask me how I know). On the stuff I work on, we don't see issues related, other than the dedicated small battery for stop/start having issues or other electrical issues in the system for it. But nothing engine related or starter related.