In order to increase fleet-wide fuel economy in light of ever more-stringent CAFE regulations, General Motors will expand its use of engine stop-start systems to nearly all models sold globally by 2020. The move is partially influenced by the EPA’s decision to give compliance credits towards Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) levels to vehicles that include stop-start systems.
Including the system can improve city fuel economy by six percent in urban driving conditions, while adding roughly $300 to the cost of a vehicle.
Over 30 GM models sold in North America will include stop-start by 2018, an increase from the eleven models that currently offer it:
- Cadillac ATS (2016 and newer)
- Cadillac CTS (2016 and newer)
- GMC Acadia (second-gen 2017 and newer)
- Cadillac XT5 (2017 and newer)
- Chevrolet Silverado e-Assist (2016 and newer)
- GMC Sierra e-Assist (2016 and newer)
- Chevrolet Impala (2015 and newer)
- Chevrolet Cruze (2016 and newer)
- Chevrolet Malibu (2014 and newer)
- Buick LaCrosse
- Buick Regal
For those not familiar with the technology, here’s a briefer: engine stop-start allows a vehicle to conserve fuel by automatically shutting off the engine when the car comes to a stop (such as at stoplights or while in park). When the driver takes his or her foot off the brake, the engine automatically restarts.
While the engine is shut off, an auxiliary battery powers electric accessories such as heating and air conditioning, power windows, and radio. The system can also determine when not to shut the engine off, such as when the battery is low on power and in stop-and-go traffic.
Comments
My question and I have asked it befoure – is thier a way to disable this? I know all Cadillac’s have a button on the side of the CUE system that you can press to disable the system at start up. However I do not see this button anywhere on the current Chevys or Buick’s that offer this. Even other manufactures have this same button.. Is GM going to force it on people that do not want start-stop activated or is there going to be a simple way to disable it sorta like Cadillac has?
looks like its FORCED on my 2017 cruise I hate it its horrible in stop and go traffic, roundabouts I wish I could disable it chevy this “feature” is useless and annoying ….im GM gone!
There is a device called Range that you plug into your OBD plugin that disables the start /stop feature
I was going to buy a 2018 Traverse with the 310HP engine. I had to call 2 dealers before getting a straight answer. The answer is you can not turn the start stop off. Thank you Obama. Although the mandate is no longer in place, GM is going to force this idiotic idea on everyone buying their cars. Ford is right behind them. I have never owned a Jeep, but I am buying a 2018 as I can still get options I really want (V8 and real 4×4). Start stop will go away AFTER people start having issues with it. I’ve driven Chevy’s all my life. I am trading in a Tahoe for the Jeep. I will not buy bad technology with today’s car prices. You can shut off the start stop in a Jeep.
Yes Sir, I have purchased my last GM. Still no aftermarket fix found for my 2018. No longer going to be a GM family and no longer outspoken fan club member. They have made me mad!
I have a 2017 Malibu, with the pain in the A**, start-stop feature. If they have a buy back program they will have it back and I like others I will look for a new vehicle.
if it has a L feature on the shifter, put it L and shift it up to top gear, it overrides the on off feature
I tried that on my 2016 Impala and when coming to a stop, the car acted like it didn’t know what to do. It started doing a jerking motion and then I got a butt chewing from the wife thinking I had screwed our car up. It straightened out after going back to overdrive and restarting the car. I’m wondering if there is a way to disable it by bringing in an alarm like the hood being open. There has to be a switch that might go through a relay or fuse that could be pulled.
GM is charging $300.00 to the vehicle sticker whether you like it or not. This is a BS idea
if it has a L feature on the shifter, put it L and shift it up to top gear, it overrides the on off feature
You can turn the system off in a Ford too, but you have to push the button to do that every time you start the vehicle.
I wish I had known this previously. I took delivery of a 2019 Traverse (Premium) today and drove it 33 miles before returning it to the dealer and undoing the deal ($$ had been paid, trade-in taken, all paperwork done, etc.) Did not know the system existed and that it cannot be turned-off (there is a “gimmick” way, i.e., put transmission in low and punch the + button on top of the shift lever until a 9 appears next to the “L” in the dash gear selection indicator. Have to do each time you start the car – NOT!!! Been a GM man for over 50+ years but want no park of vehicles with this automatic stop/start feature. I think GM will rue the day they did not provide a simple on/off button for this dumb system.
I am a senior shopping for a car. As a lifelong Chevy person the Equinox was my first choice but after researching the start/stop on all GM and Ford cars now I am moving on to Kia or other that does not force this technology on you.
At least Ford gives you a button to disable start/stop.
Nissan does not have stop/start on any of their vehicles. I just purchased a new Rogue. I too was lifelong Chevy person.
I have a Tahoe for many years and it is the best. Now it looks like GM decision-makers wont to force their driving policy on Us. They are dumb and losers. I will be in the market soon NO GM for me and my family. No Japanese or European auto maker is doing that because they are smart and business savvy.
I hope that GM losers read this.
not quite true. Toyota also has on certain models, as well as new BMW’s, and the new Jeep Grand Cherokees.
Don’t like it myself, and I sell GM products
I hate to tell you this, but Mercedes and BMW both have start/stop technology. They’re the reason GM and Ford both decided to have this stupid assed system. You have to get a Japanese car like Toyota, Subaru or Honda to not have this start/stop crap.
Here is the deal. expect that the shut off button to either not to appear on new models and to disappear from
older models.
The reason why is the EPA may not let them count he stop and start mode unless it can not be disabled.
Now that may not prevent a company from making a plug in module that would either defeat this or that may make it optional in the aftermarket like the skip shift on the Corvette.
I am not a big fan of this but the new systems at GM are about the best there are out there even better than the BMW system. It is smooth and seamless.
It is expected that nearly 75% of all cars by 2020-2025 will have some form of this system as standard as CAFE numbers get even higher. Companies are really desperate to gain more MPG and this is one way to do it.
Contrary to some beliefs the system does not damage or present any undo wear on the engine. These are made to do this and will take the stress just fine.
Now if there is an issue with this it could be a higher added cost to the owners of these cars but I expect failures as rare.
My hope there is a button but knowing how the EPA cuts loop holes I suspect they will be like the latest models and have no shut off button. But again the aftermarket may be here to the rescue.
“Contrary to popular belief the system does not damage or cause undo wear”. Excuse me, but how do you know? Common sense auto mechanics 101 says just the opposite. Do think the buying public just happens to believe that? It’s not like the auto companies have ever “fibbed” to us before. The internal combustion engine should be turned on, then off, and then back on again 50 times a day. It’s not a light switch. Aren’t engines under pressure when running? Isn’t oil flowing lubricating and cooling the engine? Isn’t coolant flowing through the block? Isn’t an engine “happy” when its just cruising along instead of starting and stopping? Don’t truckers prefer to keep their diesel engines running even when idling? When shut down an engine, doesn’t that disrupt the cycle? I’m sorry, but it seems better to leave well enough alone. The reward is not worth it.
Doesnt an engine use more fuel to startup than idling? Seems like start n stopping many times throughout a trip uses more fuel not less. Wear and tear? I dont believe for 1 second its not harder on the engine to turn on and off repeatedly. I drove the 2015 new Malibu at my dealer and asked my dealer what that was when I came to stops and the delay to startup at lights. I couldn’t stand that shut down…..it bugs me too much. Also, with th “backup battery” for warm climates it doesnt always keep up with the demands of the air conditioning to keep the cabin cool.
Actually, no. The engine does not use more fuel starting up rather than idling. It does however use up battery power in that exercise. It also wears down the starter and battery at an increased rate. GM claims that the new starters and batteries are beefed up for this duty such that no reduction in service life will result from start stop. That may be true, but if so it also means that without start-stop the service lives with see a significant increase!
Siding with the zealous desires of environmental extremists and a bygone administration against their customers preference for refinement and against their customers’ pocket books is a RETARDED decision on the part of GM. This is especially so since giving away or selling an after sale disabling of Start-Stop is by no means illegal or does it have any impact on the manufacturer’s CAFE rating.
I have a Chevy Malibu 2015 and starter dead at 59600Km. This time I was lucky as I was covered for the first 60000Km under warranty but my situation would have been different even if it happened after 2 weeks. The dealer gave me a list of work done on the vehicle to change the starter, which included removing the transmission and re-installing. As per the list, they have worked on my car for 32 hours @ $139.00. So now I have a new starter and desperately looking for a way to disable the auto start-stop function. This is just another way for money grab.
*32 hours @ $139/Hr
Phil and Dwight, apparently the years of successful hybrid technology, that includes stop/start, is not enough evidence for you as to the usefulness, the extraordinary gasoline savings, and the reliability of the technology. I do not why so many complainers are at this site perhaps a bit of lack of knowledge as to the technology is the cause. But, gentlemen, what is the point of running an engine at idle 27 times on a drive, averaging 1.5 minutes, or 40.5 minutes of wasting fuel idling day after day after day?
Joey, you fail to research as to the stop/start feature which is common to all hybrids like the Toyota Prius. I have a 2008 Mercury Mariner hybrid with this, my opinion, superb stop/start feature PLUS the vehicle can power thru 25-35 miles on electric, albeit, for about a mile or so. 104,000 miles later, nothing like you claim as to wear or damage. On the contrary, the battery, electrics, electric motor, etc. are acting as when new. It seems many of the negative comments are based on taste or myths. The science is solid as to the fuel economy improvements with stop/start as in our modern driving situation, most of us spend a lot of time waiting for traffic, traffic lights, etc. So, Joey, your question as to “how do you know” has been answered by years and years and years of hybrid technology in many brands and models. As to diesel technology, only in the USA is this notion of not turning motors off. In Europe, due to air quality regulations, there is no idling allowed on trucks and busses and there are no ill effects. Years ago I rented a Mercedes Benz sedan with a diesel engine. I used it like I use my vehicles and stopped the engine while touring Germany without any issues.
And Ramon, you fail to see the forest through the tree. Don’t you see all the negative comments being presented here? People don’t want it. But, since you seem to embrace this wonderful technology, I suggest you go out and buy a new car and enjoy it to its fullest extent. I, as well as most others are not interested. In a year we can discuss the number of sales compared to previous years and go from there. Enjoy.
Couldn’t have said it better myself.
hate it its on my 2018 Denali its drive me nuts and do not believe that its saving that much fuel you will just replace starters more often they should warranty starters for the life of the vehicle.
Baloney. It causes a LOT more wear on the starter and on the battery. So, they are bigger. Just wait until you have to replace either one $$$$$$$$$
GM is doing it all wrong! They have the fabulous Voltec system that will be used in the new FWD 2016 Chevy Malibu Hybrid and the RWD 2017 Cadillac CT6 Hybrid. This same system must be upscaled and installed on all sedans, trucks, and SUVs to increase their MPG ratings, and have every customer drive on electricity which is much better.
Raymond that system will also be used along with other options as we move forward.
The Voltec is a great system if one you like it. [Not everyone does}. Two if you have a place to plug in as most Appratment or people parking on the street in Urban areas.
Also the electric has limited help on vehicles with large frontal profiles as the lesser aero effects lower range and MPG.
Finally these systems are still not cheap and will not be for a while longer. We will get there but it takes time.
Again you must look at this from all angles and realize there is no one single system to suit all customers. GM and most others will use all things to try to meet the coming CAFE.
GM will uses many systems and major engineering weight loss programs to bring their cars in line. Most other MFG are way behind on weight loss and yes even Fords Aluminum trucks are not all that light as they were too heavy to start. They will need to find more weight loss soon too.
As for Electric being better. Well if it fits your life style then you are great but if you are one of many who live an hour from the closest Mc Donalds or Walmart and have no charging in your area or even own a garage you will not see electric as the trick to fit your life. There are a lot of people not willing to convert yet and as things improve more will adopt these other drive lines but it will still take lower prices and better batteries.
It is the customer’s — the market’s — choice whether they want expensive features and unrefined features for the sake of fuel economy. It should not be a choice for GM or the government to make.
I suspect, the EPA will not longer engage in such over reach and CAFE will be shuttered under Scott Pruit and the first sensible presidential administration in the last 50 years. GM will be wise to stop antagonizing customers and acting like government lap dogs.
More information on 2017 Buick LaCrosse
Like 360 degrees camera and pricing.
I get what stops it, but what is the start decision tree? My 2017 LaCrosse appears to restart after a minute or two stopped as a long traffic light. There is a slight surge, but there is no forward movement because the brakes are still fully applied.
I purchased a 2017 Acadia 4 Cyl and love everything about it except the Auto Start/Stop crap. I finally figured out how to disable it. You need to put in “L” gear and put the gears up to 6 via the paddle “+”button on the shifter. You have to do this everytime you start the vehicle or move the shifter out of “L” but it is well worth it. In New York traffic this will drive you absolutley crazy. The AC button trick only works when it is hot out and temperature placed on the lowest setting. “lo” It is the stupidest thing any manufacturer can put in there car. My wife has a 2017 Acadia with the V6 and on the highway it goes into V4 mode. I bought them 4 months apart and the V6 actually gets better gas mileage. My four cylinder gets better gas mileage with the auto start off. It loses .4 miles per gallon with it constantly starting and stopping.
I find the stop/start feature on my 2017 LaCrosse the most annoying thing I’ve had in the many autos I have owned — like 52 in my life time so far. Wish they could make it optional or, at least, have a disabling mechanism.
I agree they need a disable button for start-stop.
Ford and Lincoln Vehicles equipped with auto start stop do have a disable button on the dashboard. I was shocked when I found out that the new GM’s don’t have that button. My 2016 F150 has the auto start-stop and it works flawlessly. I really thought I would hate it but after a couple weeks I hardly notice it anymore and now 10,000 miles later don’t notice it at all. I very rarely disable auto start-stop but there are times when it comes in handy.
It’s just typical GM that they would eliminate a disable button for Auto start-stop.
This new start stop is junk. I’m driving a loaner Impala now and it has 24k on it. This thing jerks like I just rear ended everytime it restarts. How often you may ask? Well so far the car shuts down at every light within a half second of stopping then starts right back up in less than 3 seconds.
I really was turned off by this feature when looking at a Malibu a few years back. I’m glad I never bought one. It’s like having a kid in the back seat kicking your seat at every light. Probably not going to damage the car but it is annoying as all heck. I am sure GM can do way better with the system but until they do I would avoid this new tech.
Tool and die maker
Tier 1 automotive supplier
The CAFE system is being looked at again and may be substantially revised or scrapped by the Trump Administration. Regardless, it is bad enough that GM wants to force all their customers to pay $300 extra for Start/Stop. It is unconscionable that GM forces the system to default to “ON” and does not allow the system to be disabled at all on some vehicles. Standing with stupid environmental zealots against their customers is retarded.
START/STOP is the biggest reduction to power train refinement since direct injection. It makes a vehicle shudder to a stop at every stop light, and shudder back to life when the brake pedal is released. Not everyone wants to put up with this loss of refinement in the name of fuel savings. Also, regardless of whether the starter and electrical system has beefed up to additional START/STOP duty, customers deserve the choice between fuel savings with START/STOP or prolonged starter/electric life by disabling it. Customer displeasure with start stop is not limited to GM products. Ford customers, Chrysler customers, BMW customers are all modifying their vehicles and hacking the ECU to disable it. At the very minimum, GM should offer a free dealer service to disable START/STOP or a firmware setting to default the button to OFF. After sale modifications that reduce fuel economy are neither illegal nor does it affect CAFE ratings in any way. BMW offer this. Jaguar Offer This.
GM should remember who they serve and who pays their bills. It is their CUSTOMERS.
We need is just a option! We have the right use start stop function.But remember,We do have the right NOT use start stop function.
GM force us use start stop.We force us Not buy GM’s products!!!
Amen to that!! Lincoln here I come. . .
I could not figure why GM and Ford added this stupid feature. I will not buy a vehicle with this stop start junk on it or without a defeat switch. I am due to purchase a new 2018 Traverse but now will look elsewhere!!
I sure am glad I bought my retirement Corvette GS in 2011 with no AFM and no Stop Start!!
Chevrolet just lost a sale on their new 2018 Traverse or Equinox as I was on the lot and will be purchasing in November. I just won’t be purchasing a car that doesn’t have a Disable button for this stupid mechanical farce!
I will be looking elsewhere to purchase my wife’s next car.
Same here. I am planning to buy the new 2018 Buick Regal GS until I learn that it has AFM and Auto Start Stop function which cannot be disabled here in US (Regal GS models sold in Asia do have an Auto Start Stop Disable switch!). I now have to look for another sports sedan without these features!
Stop/start nonsense was never intended to be of any benefit to the consumer. It’s only there for the automakers to get the Government off their backs. The internal combustion engine was not designed to be turned on, then turned off 40 times a day like a light switch. Put the research into an all electric or hydrogen powered vehicle. You will never get 96 miles per gallon from a V8 engine to stop trying. The motor companies can easily tell the government what its capabilities are and are not. And quit playing a bunch of suck-ups to this CAFE requirements.
I will not buy a car with stop start. It is one of the most annoying things I’ve ever driven. It should be mandatory that it can be disabled. The system with age is going to get into the drivers pocket in a big way. Everyone that I have driven has shaked on stopping and starting. Nothing and I mean nothing is smooth about it. As stated above, an internal combustion engine is not made to be started and stopped constantly.
You can bet there will be one thing, people selling override software to disable the whole system.
To follow up on my earlier comment, I tried out a 2018 Traverse, did not like it and bought a leftover 2017 Ford Explorer Limited !! Great rebates and no STOP/START! On top of that, Ford gave me $1000 more in trade for my 2010 Acadia with 100k than the GMC garage would on a new shrunken Acadia.
Of course the 2018 Ford Expedition will have STOP/START so I cut the timing pretty close!
Good for you. I have a feeling as more people become aware of start/stop they’re going to be a bit more discerning on a future car or truck purchase. I’m also willing to bet that car sales people are not even bothering to inform customers of this pain in the @$$ feature until after the sale is a done deal. Customers than find out the hard way, and wonder why their new vehicle keeps stalling every time they come to a stop light.
joey that was me, I did think it was stalling never was told of this “feature” I hate it! people in the car with me always say …what wrong with ur car glad its a lease 3 years with this crap, but then iam GM done!!
Pamela, I’m just waiting, and I hope it never happens, for the first left-hand turn into oncoming traffic fatality to occur. Think about it. You are waiting to turn left, three lanes of traffic coming towards you, and your car is off. It then has to, in a micro-second, start up and go like a bat-out-of-hell to make it safely across the intersection. Isn’t life worth a lot more than putting your trust into a car with its only possible reward later on down the road is a one or two mile gain per tank full? I can always buy used cars or trucks.
My daughter has a 2018 Chevy impala she is running a paper route she hates it just think of the wear and tear on the starter and batterys not counting the engine the winter time is going to be even worse on all that stuff not counting the transmition i would not buy any thing with this junk on it
I have a 2017 Buick LaCrosse with the “auto stop” and I HATE it. Seems that, with all the negative comments about this feature on the net, GM would take notice and stop producing this on its products. Guess they don’t want to have to redesign or reprogram their automobile computers. Money!!!
2018 Equinox. Never will buy another GM with Autostop. Driving us NUTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Never Again! Stay Away folks.
Jim
Was thinking about buying a new Cadillac XT5, but then discovered the auto start-stop cannot be turned-off(disabled). I am now looking at luxury cars from overseas that include an on-off button for this feature.
My daughter bought this Cruze w/out consulting me on the various manipulations of dealers & manufacturers. Needless to say she HATES the Auto Stop/Start as do the vast majority of consumers. This will definitely be the last GM product we buy if they do not offer a cut of button. And for the record, we also have BMW & there is absolutely no difference in the disturbance to the passengers, it’s a annoying regardless, so don’t let any pro-GM tell you different. HOWEVER, BMW did listen to their consumers and not only provided a button to disable, BUT with-in a year, after enough complaints, made it so that you only had to push button once and system would stay in current mode indefinitely until you switched it back; so no having to push button every time you enter vehicle…..
Well John that’s sadly one of GM’s selling ploys. And probably most other car makers. Simply not mentioning the start/stop system until after the sale, or letting the consumer find out the hard way. Sitting in southern California traffic, I often hear cars next me going through the constant cycling of starting then stopping, and back to starting. I gives me a headache just watching this “show”. There is no gas saving at this point. My concern is more of a safety factor. I know the day, which I hope never arrives, is when you or a family member is making that left-hand turn into oncoming traffic and your new car just doesn’t start up fast enough or hesitates? The cars should all have a way to permanently disable this nonsense. After-all, you are the one paying for the car, not the AQMD.
I was all set to buy a 2018 chevy traverse high country all though it is so expensive but after reading these reviews on the stop/start feature I may be rethinking my decision. Thanks for the input!
There is another problem with new engines that is called “Active Fuel Management” by GM. When a V8 doesn’t need all 8 cylinders to power the vehicle, it turns-off 4 of them, so even though you paid for a V8, it turns into a 4 banger when it wants to. The same with V6’s, it turns-off 2 cylinders when it decides to, so you have a 6 cylinder that becomes a 4 banger. I made the mistake of buying a Ram PU a few years ago. It had the big hemi V8, that became a 4 banger when it was coasting. When I gently applied the gas pedal, the engine/transmission would audibly “moan” until I punched the gas pedal, forcing the V8 to come alive again. I will never buy another “Active Fuel Management”, or “Auto start-stop” vehicle, until both can be disabled…
Well Jim I agree with you completely. I’ve had many comments regarding the sheer stupidity of the auto start/stop systems here, but sadly there really is nothing we as consumers can do about it except not purchase their product. However, you can disable the active fuel management on the GM products. Maybe even other auto makers vehicles as well. Simply purchase what is called, “The Range”. They have their own website which can provide answers to your questions. You just plug it into the OSB port under the dashboard and you’re done. Hope that helps.
How about the stop start I have a 2018 Denali Terrain I hate the stop start no fuel saving at all these cars are almost emission free they need a recall to disable this feature
Wow! I have decided to buy my first crossover… Of course, being a Cadillac driver (sedans) I turned to the XT5…
Well! I will not buy the XT5 because of the auto stop / start . It was the most annoying feature I have ever dealt with.
Also, I live in the south.. hot… and when the car shuts down, the air shuts down also. You have warm air blowing….
There should have been a button to toggle the feature off or on.. Going through a drive thru … the car shut off a good 5 times… Crazy..
I am now considering the Jaguar crossover. It has a button to turn the feature off.
Sad that I will have to leave GM / Cadillac ….
I happened to review the new Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited and Summit models and they have a button to turn-off their auto start-stop system. (I believe you have to push the button every time you start the engine.) If they still have that feature when I am ready to buy a luxury SUV, I may still buy an American made vehicle if GM fails to provide that capability.
The AutoStop Feature is pain. Had I known that the vehicle my wife purchased did not have bypass, I would not have purchased. Does GM have buy back feature.
I almost got into an accident because of the auto stop feature. I was waiting to turn left in front of oncoming traffic. There was a break in traffic so I accelerated. I did not realize the suv had turned off, when I accelerated the suv hesitated and lacked power. That brief moment was scary and dangerous. I like everything else about my week old Terrain but this auto stop might be a deal breaker.
Toni, I’m glad to know you weren’t hurt. Really. I’m afraid my worst predictions are becoming true. I had mentioned that very concern months ago on this website as part of my greater overall issues of safety. I never want to hear about anyone getting hurt in an automobile, but unless automakers come to that very conclusion, we will sadly start hearing about this more and more. Automakers don’t seem to take action until a great many people are killed or injured. They then issue a recall, settle lawsuits, and make up the costs by raising the prices on next years models. Start/stop is not needed. Leave the internal combustion engines alone, many great improvements have been made. Focus on all-electric vehicles with 400 to 500 miles between charges. Get the ball rolling on hydrogen powered vehicles, and lets forget about driver-less vehicles. No human being is going to get into a driver-less car and go for a ride on the freeways. Not for another 80 years or so.
I have heard these horror stories about the hesitation at startup with auto start/stop and wonder what GM is doing wrong. I own a F150 2.7l twin turbo with auto start stop and I can tell you that I can go from stop to full pedal and it will spin the tires with virtually no delay. I don’t think there is any way I can get to the gas pedal before the thing is started.
And before you make fun of the 2.7 liter motor I can tell you it is a LOT more fun to drive than my 5.3l silverado was a seems to tow better also.
There is nothing wrong with it. It is just that it is not something GM’s customers’ want and forcing it on them is retarded. No matter how well implemented two things are true about start-stop…
(1) It is not as refined as having the engine simply idle at a stand still. Why? Because when an engine goes from zero rpm to idle there is always that additional start-up vibration not disimilar to when you manually start the engine.
(2) The fuel savings are minimal and not even if it is not the choice between fuel savings and refinement should be one for the customer to make.
A lot of Ford owners don’t like it either but at least we get a switch to disable it. I didn’t like it at first but now I only notice when it doesn’t shut off… strange how that works :). I have also noticed more of a “shudder” in the GM 4 bangers where my v6 is very smooth. I dont know howt gm v6 models are.
As far as fuel savings, it depends on where you live and how you drive. Some areas I drive have long lights and railroad crossing and that would make more of a difference than rural roads. I believe that the bigger advantage would be in smog output and no I’m not a tree hunger. Its probably a good thing I don’t have a nice big V8 hotrod anymore though I wish I did. 🙂
I do not believe that the start-stop saves any fuel. Just after fueling on my way home I watch the mileage indicator, the start stop on my 2018 Buick Lacrosse will loose 2.7MPG at the stop light between my house and the fueling location. My GMC pickup with a 5.3 V8 in it on the same trip at the same stop light will loose 0.3 MPG….while it idles at the stop light. SOMEONE hopefully will make a plug in to disable this Stupid feature soon
I have stop/start on a 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid and according to my experience what you write about seems not possible. A neighbor has a newer Audi SUV with stop/start and swears at the improved fuel economy. Not wasting fuel when the vehicle is stop cannot lead to lower mpg but higher mpg, unless you are doing some racing between stops. Of course, the possibility of something being wrong with the car is there. Any other problems?
I have had auto start stop for about a year now and I can verify that I get 1 to 2 mpg better with auto stop-start enabled. This is based on two tankful with enabled to do tankfulls disabled. I have a Ford F150 and I can disable it by the button on the dash.
To bad GM thinks they have to force it on you.
The entire CAFE nonsense should be scrapped by the Trump Administration; the choice between cars that use more or less fuel should be a customer choice not a government mandate. But that is a different topic for a different day.
The point here is not whether Start/Stop is a good technology. The point is that choice of fuel economy over refinement should not be something the manufacturer forces upon the customer over their objections. If the intent is to get a very minimally better CAFE score, the manufacturer CAN and SHOULD offer an aftermarket service to disable it. There is no legal or ethical barrier to selling or giving away for free a product or service that reduces fuel economy with the full understanding of the customer. If that were the case it’ll be illegal to sell higher performance tires (stickier higher rolling resistance) or stupid looking spoilers (increased drag). And, no aftermarket service or product sold or given away for free affects a company’s CAFE scoring. If so, the manufacturer or its affiliate dealers will not be able to sell tires, bed liners, tow hitches or whatever else.
Sorry but your exhaust pollution levels impose a health hazards to others and it is not up to you to poison other people just because of “your choice” any more than a corporation should be allowed to poison employees or nearby residents because of profits. Try being a neighbor to a person with a hot rod that tunes the car and makes noise at 6;00 am or 12 midnight as “his choice.” If you wish to drive an 8 mpg vehicle, that seems legal but the social responsibility of creating harm on yourself and others should not be legal. More people die from environmental contamination each year on the planet than in transportation crashes. That number is increasing.
I agree the system is something that should be scrapped, but I’m more interested in getting a “fix” for my car. I have a perfectly good vehicle with one stupid function that needs to be disabled. Certainly there is someone out there that knows how to disable the function, and that is who I’m looking for
Leave GM for a company that lets you disable it. Ford and Lincoln has a button to disable it and its easy to permenately disable it if you want to. European cars also have the button.
Its your choice.
I work for GM in sales. I hate the start stop technology. I also have customers that don’t like it and want buy a vehicle with it. There should be a option to turn it off. It doesn’t make since, it has to be hard on the starter.
Had I known about this I would have bought a Jeep or Ford which I find have the bypass feature.
Are you listening GM. Lost sales do not help the bottom line.
It doesn’t really matter if it is harder on the starter. The fact is that…
(1) it is a feature a significant portion of their customers hate for its reduction in refinement.
(2) It is NOT illegal or in any way unethical for GM to sell, or give away, a modification to disable it.
(3) Any such action will not affect GM’s CAFE rating because it is an after sales and aftermarket modification any more than selling a rock to put in the trunk does; the car was sold new with the the feature always on and so it counted (that’s the regulation and it was followed).
(4) So many manufacturers are offering an after sales disabling of Start/Stop. GM is STUPID to refuse to do so.
It’s that simple.
Sorry but your exhaust pollution levels impose a health hazards to others and it is not up to you to poison other people just because of “your choice” any more than a corporation should be allowed to poison employees or nearby residents because of profits. Try being a neighbor to a person with a hot rod that tunes the car and makes noise at 6;00 am or 12 midnight as “his choice.” If you wish to drive an 8 mpg vehicle, that seems legal but the social responsibility of creating harm on yourself and others should not be legal. More people die from environmental contamination each year on the planet than in transportation crashes. That number is increasing.
Surely there is a hacker out there somewhere that could figure out a defeat. I think everyone on this forum would be interested in buying one.
Ford owners have found 3 ways to permanently disable auto s/s even though they all have a switch to turn it off. All 3 processes are reversible in case they change their mind.
The auto s/s on my truck is so smooth I don’t even notice it anymore.
There is no good reason for GM NOT putting a disabling switch on the stop/start! I will not buy another vehicle without a disabling mechanism. SO, GM do you have your ears on???
From what I read the first GM cars with auto s/s did have a switch, well at least the Cadillacs did. Then GM in their infinate wisdom (sarcasm) decided to remove it.
I have always been a Chevy person but not any more
I have always been a Buick Person, but not any more. GM can shove the start/stop technology up their corporate ass!
I would consider a Cadillac XT5, or GMC Acadia Denali, if they came with a turn-off button for the auto start-stop feature. The Jeep Grand Cherokees have that turn-off button below the radio controls. If Jeeps can have that capability, why can’t General Motors vehicles? (Also, the Jeep Grand Cherokees with 6 cylinder engines, do not have cylinder deactivation. They don’t turn into a 4 banger, or 3 banger.)
The first year the Cadillac had Auto start-stop it did have a button then GM decided to eliminate the button. Buy a Lincoln they have the auto start-stop disable button.
just bought a new 2018 g m c terrain w/auto stop feature . this and other vehicles with this feature that can not be deleted or disabled should be classified as safety hazards ! , defective ! and or lemons ! as any other vehicle would be classified if it could not be mechanically/ electrically repaired to the customers satisfaction . NOT THE FACTORYS ! there should be a re-call or a manufacture buy back or trade policy to accomedate the victims of this hoax !
Just saw online that the 201o Silverado WILL have auto start stop. I foresee a lot of GM buyers defecting because of GMs policy of no disable button.
F150 has the disable button and can be turned off permenately if you want using software or other simple fixes.
2019 Silverado will have auto start stop. Fat fingers got the o below the 9. LOL
I will NOT buy a stop/start engine driven car. Consumers let it be known!! The most wear to an engine happens at startup. The normal engine will have 50,000+ starts in its life. The stop/start engine would exceed 500,000 but my bet is the main bearing or other internal major wear will greatly shorten the life of any stop/start engine! We consumers lose big time!! Do not be duped!! Do NOT buy a stop/start engine!!!
There goes my plans to buy my 2019 Denali, I hate this auto stop technology. If only they made it optional.
I hate to tell you this, but Mercedes and BMW both have start.stop technology. They’ve had it for a while and they’re bright idea is why GM and FORD have it.
Yeah, we all have our opinions, and I sale GM and the start stop is a load of crap. 75% of customers we sale hate it.
I was being sarcastic, Brandon (Bright idea?). I think Stop/start is a crock and I would’n touch a car that has it with a ten foot pole. It’s crazy! For a car’s engine to completely turn off every time you come to a stop, and then start up again when you step on the gas? That’s nuts! This could happen dozens of times a day if you’re in heavy commuter traffic or stuck in a traffic jam on a high way. I think that this would put a terrible strain on the engine. Every person on the internet who has it hates it and wants to shut it off!
Looks like we have GOOD NEWS!
#1 There is now an Aftermarket solution to disable Start/Stop on GM vehicles on vehicles without a disable button and to do so automatically on those with one.
https://www.smartstopstart.com/chevy-buick-cadillac-gmc.html
#2 It appears that GM is listening to their customers. The new XT3, CT4 and CT5 vehicles will have a Start/Stop disable button, unlike the XT5 which does not allow you to turn it off.
I have been a Buick person my whole life and presently own a 2007 Lucerne CX 3.8L V6, which I am trying to keep indefintely , it only has 62,000 miles and has had very few problems. I’m retired and don’t need new car payments. But if I ever have to get another car it will be a Toyota Camry. No way would I get a car that has this ridiculous “start/stop” technology. GM can stuff this up its corporate ass!
Let’s get one thing very clear. The inclusion of Start/Stop technology — apart from the few hundred dollars in extra costs — is not a problem to most customers. The problem is the nuisance of having to turn it off manually every time you start the car if you don’t like it. Simply allowing the button to REMEMBER it’s last setting when the car was last driven will eliminate 99% of the objections.
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A significant number of customers do not like the engine shuddering to a stop at every red light and shuddering on gain when you lift off the brakes. Wear and tear aside, it’s a refinement issue. Sure it uses more fuel to idle the engine. But so does having a V6 or V8 engine or getting a luxury car or SUV that weighs more. Customers should be allowed the choice between refinement or infinitesimally better fuel economy. When GM forces a choice their customers disagree with (some vehemently) customers walk away. This is particularly true when the competition — BMW and Jaguar for instance — offers an after sale dealer service option to enable Start/Stop setting memory, or to defeat the system completely, on customer request. That is a FACT. I know it. I had it done with both (for free actually as a condition for buying the car).
I’ve complained to the NHTSA and so must everyone else. The Auto Stop has already almost caused 3 accidents due to it’s functionality and my driving style in less than 250 miles. I have no way to disable it on my 2019 Equinox. Go to https://www.nhtsa.gov and hit the “Report a Problem” button. With enough complaints they will have to do something.
All I can say … what a viper’s nest! If these people had their way – we’d be driving cars with:
* no collapsible steering wheels
* no crumple zones
* no airbags
* no seat belts
* no fuel injection
* no catalytic converters
* flat-head valve-trains
* leaded gasoline would be permeating the streets
* etc, etc.
Manufacturers have to innovate to stay competitive (Toyota, BMW, Honda, GM, Ford – are all doing it, although Mazda has the BEST stop/start system in their Skyactive i-STOP which doesn’t require any electricity.) But if you’re all concerned about wear & tear, just take a look at service vehicles like mail trucks and trash trucks that often go 400,000 miles between engines – they’ve had stop-start technology for decades. Oil technology improves constantly as well. All it requires is adjusting your driving style if you want to creep in traffic (you don’t have to come to a full stop! if that’s a concern. I stop/started my honda CRX for hypermiling for years without ever needing a new starter or battery).
Most people that have start/stop in their new cars hate it and want it turned off!! Airbags, seat belts, fuel injection, unleaded capable engines, were all good innovations for the American car. Start/stop is not!!!!!!!! It’s a crappy system and it should not be forced down the throats of unsuspecting new cars buyers who are going to hate it! It not only puts a severe strain on a car’s engine, it also makes a car annoying to drive! You call that a good idea, Connor Davis? You are as stupid as the BMW and Mercedes engineers who first came out with this crap to save a few miles per gallon. Any engineer who puts this in a company’s cars should be fired!
I wouldn’t touch a car with that Damned Stop/start technology with a ten foot pole. I will never buy another Buick for this reason. I refuse to own a car that shuts down the engine and then restarts it every time you come to a stop and then go. I like driving a smooth vehicle, and this sounds like anything but smooth to me. Toyota Camry doesn’t have this right now and if I had to get a new car it would be a Camry and not an f’ing GM car with start/stop. GM can shove stop?start up its corporate asshole.
DIY START/STOP DISABLE — ALL CARS / MAKE
For people who want to do it yourself and disable Start-Stop, I have a solution which fully retains the functionality of the start stop button (for any car).
(1) First, you need to go buy yourself a timer relay. It’ll cost you about $17. You can get one here (not affiliated to me but it a product that works):-
https://www.amazon.com/Timer-Delay-Relay-Hours-Cycling/dp/B00PD65UGA
(2) Secondly. you need to find the wires that go to the START/STOP switch. It’ll be the wires that shows a closed circuit when you push the switch (and only when you push the switch).
(3) Find your fuse box. There should be a terminal which is on when the car is running and off when the car is not running. Find that. Use that to power your Timer Relay (if gets power when the car is started, it doesn’t when it is off)
(4) Read the instruction manual and program your Timer Relay.
Mode#7 — Delayed Interval (Single Cycle)
DELAY (t1) 3 sec
INTERVAL (t2) 1 sec
(5) Wire your Timer Relay to where your Start/Stop Switch harness plugs into the vehicle’s electrical system or splice into the switch’s wires — it makes no difference functionally.
Once you have done the above the following will happen every time you start the car:-
* YOU START THE CAR
* Timer Relay receives power
* Timer Relay waits 3 secs
* Time Relay presses the Start/Stop Button for you and holds it for 1 sec
* Time Relay releases the Start/Stop button and does nothing for the remainder of the duration the car is running.
Basically, the Start/Stop Button is getting pressed and released automatically 3 secs after you start the car, turning start/stop off. If you want to use start/stop, you can hit the button to turn it back on. The button continues to work to turn start/stop off or on as much as you like; it is just that the relay presses it once every time you start the car. Viola!
I have a GM credit card. I had 3207 points on it and with the 500 extra points offered it totaled $3707. I wanted to use those dollars. Only Chevy 2019 vehicles with disable button for stop/start Cruze and Silverado. Really wanted the Equinox but no disable button. Bought the Cruze but is too low but runs fine and rides nice. I have been a GM buyer my whole life with only a couple exceptions. I now will quit using their credit card and will never buy another GM vehicle because of their failure to put stop/start disable buttons on their SUV’S. Bye-bye GM!!!!
I understand that the stop/start system does not operate until the engine becomes warm. This must mean that there is a thermal sensing switch that actuates when the engine gets warm. It shouldn’t be long before someone figures out how to modify the wiring to keep stop/start for being turned on. it should be simple to either keep the circuit open or closed, depending on the initial design. I am going to keep checking the internet for that schematic and make the change. The sooner the better.
The engine temp sensor is one of many that as/s uses. But the engine temp sensor controls many other important settings such as idle speed. Fuel mixture and more.
There is a product out to defeat as/s but I’m not sure the name for GM. It could be the same autostop eliminator brand that makes one for Ford.
The Start/Stop system also DOES NOT OPERATE if the car is started with the hood open regardless of whether it is subsequently closed. The 3rd party Start/Stop bypass solutions typically capitalizes on this. They basically wire a timer relay to the hood sensor. When the car is off or accessory mode, the relay causes the ECU to “see” an open hood regardless of what the sensor actually reads. A few seconds after the car is started, the relay closes closes allowing proper indication of the hood’s status. This way, START/STOP never operates but the open hood indicator goes away a second or two after the car starts with the rest of the warnings.
Dwight is right ! I popped the hood, started the engine, pushed the hood back down and drove around town for a 1/2 hour and the engine did not stop once. A relay from an electronic catalogue cost about $60 while an after market product that just plugs in line cost $139. I’m ready to order.
$60 you are getting ripped off! Less the $20 is more like it.
Read my earlier post titled “DIY START/STOP DISABLE — ALL CARS / MAKE”
Instead of using the relay to push the start/stop button, you simply use it to full the hood sensor for 3 seconds. Same results.
I was in the market for a new truck, I was looking at Chevrolet and they have the start and stop feature and Dynamic Fuel management. I rebuild a lot of engines and the previous active fuel management resulted in many catastrophic total engine failures when the lifters came apart and dumped metal throughout the entire engine. Now GM has gone full retard on dynamic fuel management that puts these type of lifter design on all the valves. The start and stop technology is also just a new feature that will cost owners thousands in repairs when out of warranty. wearing out starters, relays and engines, oil pressure drop every time the engine shuts off and then has to start and build pressure. JUNK!
Wally1 — I don’t know what you are talking about… the “previous” AFM relies on collapsible lifters. If they fail, the valves never open and the engine is stuck with 4 cylinders out of 8 (or 6) operating. There is no way the pistons can hit the valves and grenade the engine. The downside is that they add weight to the actuated valve train, hence all the AFM engines have a LOWER rev limit than non-AFM engines of the same generation (by 500 rpmm or thereabouts). The “new” dynamic fuel management slides the cam lobes over the rockers. There are three position — OFF, low lift and normal lift. Regardless of which position the system is stuck in if the solenoid guide pins fail, the valves will either be opening and closing when they should, they not at all. Again, there is no interference failure mode.
Compulsory Start/Stop is retarded, but not related to the cylinder deactivation systems.
I own a 2018 Buick Sportback. Overall it’s a nice vehicle. Two things that are total crap. 1) They spent WAY too much R&D on the door lock system. I can lock and unlock my doors myself. They need an option to turn all the auto BS off. 2) The car needs an Auto Stop feature override. The fact Buick doesn’t give you a button to turn this off on demand like Ford and others do is unfortunate. The shifting into Neutral to override the computer is BS too. I would not have purchased the car had I known I couldn’t control these two features.
Funny how they do not tell you about it on your test drive. When I bought my 2019 Cruze the salesman did not know the Cruze had an override button for the Stop/Start. He said I was the first person to ask about an override button. I really wanted a bigger vehicle but Chevy only puts an override button on Cruze and Silverado. I am glad about insisting on a car with the override button because when I forget to disengage the Stop/Start it is really annoying.
Another side note I went to an auto show early this year and the lady that was working the show for Ford knew nothing about a disengage (override) button on their vehicles. These people have no idea how unhappy people are with the Stop/Start feature.
Mary Barra doesn’t report to me, but did you read my post above? You can take care of the problem in a weekend. Instead of wiring the fix to the start stop switch, you wire it inline with the “Hood Open” switch. Its easy to find too… it’s the rubber booted thing that gets compressed when the hood closes. The relay defaults to open so when you start the car it thinks the hood is open. You can set it to close the switch and stay closed 2~3 secs after you start the car. This way Start/Stop will be rendered non-functional (it won;t operate when the car is started with the hood open regardless of whether the hood is subsequently closed) and the hood open indicator will go away too. The Hood position switch will remain fully functional since the relay is inline with it. If you subsequently pop the hood it’ll indicate it and if you close it’ll correctly indicate it too. All that happens is that it fakes a hood open condition for a few secs while you start the car.
General Motors not allowing owners of Buicks to shut the damned stupid stop/start systems off is being very anti-owner satisfaction. I bought a new a 2007 Buick Lucerne CX which has only 64000 miles on it and I plan to keep it indefinitely. I will not buy a new Buick with start/stop technology, which I think is madness and will result in plenty of problems because of undue stress being placed on the engine. I like a smooth driving car, which you won’t get if it shuts off every time you stop and then restarts when you hit the gas. That sounds herky-jerky to me. You modern engineering nerds don’t know crap! If I ever have to get a new vehicle it will be a Toyota Camry, which doesn’t have stop/start technology. All over the internet every driver who has it complains about it and wants to shut it off. I know a new Ford F-150 owner who says he shuts his off every time he uses it, that he hates the stop/start feature. At least Ford gives you that option.
Now even Chevy Dealers are offering START/STOP delete and making videos to teach their customers how to defy GM.
My 2018 Ford F150 has this on their EcoBoost models and yes its incredibly dumb and really does nothing but irritate the driver. At least mine comes with a button to disable but you have to select it every time you start the engine. I have read a couple places where you can buy an adaptor to attached to the data connector that disables it. Cost’s about $150 from what I read for GM, Chrysler and Jeep models. For me the ideal of starting and stopping a engine just adds more wear and for what savings? Besides having to buy a deep cell battery to deal with all those demands.
I have NO ISSUE with Manufacturers offering Start-Stop or providing it as standard of their vehicles. I only have an issue with A$$HOLES making it mandatory without a disabling switch or latching the switch so it always come back on. If it is a user defeatable functionality I’ll welcome it. At the minimum, manufacturers should SELL an aftermarket service for $1 to allow owners to disable this feature or latch it to the last set position. That will allow them to keep their precious CAFE rating improvement as there is no law against aftermarket modifications that reduces fuel economy, who can sell them or for how much they can be sold for.
Now you can’t even control the door locks. You use to be able to turn off the auto door lock features. No more. The R&D money that went into the door lock design had to be significant. And for what? I don’t want it, hate how it works, and I have no option to shut it off.
I have an a big issue in this technology that let me hate this option. I have a Traverses 2018, recently I have noticed that the engine is start immediately after stop. I mean , once the car stop, the engine is turn off them on in a second . this happening always once the air climate is on .
I send the car to the service center ( Authorized dealer ) and since then they are not figuring out the problem.
any body know any information about this, why the car is off and on in a second while should stay on off mode until I release my foot from the break …
looking for help
Simple Answer: BECAUSE IT IS RETARDED
Start-Stop will stop the engine whenever it can without compromising the ability to restart the engine. The problem is that with the alternator running it is impossible to tell if the battery is low by tapping into the 12V circuit. So, the ECU cuts the engine and realize that with the HVAC fan and everything else going, the voltage is below the threshold and immediately issues a restart. The newest systems have a TRANSMISSION (like the (9T50/9T65) that stores pressurized transmission oil in an accumulator that is used to prime the tranny reducing the restart effort and making it smoother. The threshold voltage is lower on these systems. But, I don’t think your ’18 Traverse has that.
The cure is to DEFEAT START/STOP. The effect on fuel economy is on the order of 0.2~0.3 mpg city and zero on the hwy; you won’t notice it. You can do so by wiring up a timed relay to fool the ECU into thinking that the hood is open when the car is being started then closed a second or two after the engine is running. GM’s logic will disable start/stop if the engine is started with the hood open, and it stays disabled even if the hood is subsequently closed until the engine is turned off again. Basically the relay logic is this… if when ACCESSORY_ON is true, open the hood sensor circuit, when alternator is running (engine is on) wait a three seconds then close the hood sensor circuit.
It’s a shame that GM forces their customers to live with technology they hate to placate the Environmental Extremists and ilk out minute CAFE number improvements. I hope that with the Trump administration’s roll back on the EPA rubbish they’ll get back on the side of their customers and common sense. But until then, we’ll have to simply defeat their stupid implements.
Hello,
I much appreciate your quick answer.
I believe that the first thing is checked by the dealer is the battery, my car still under warranty and I have been told that the battery is still like new.
But your analysis is logic and I will try to fix a new battery.
You know if I over jump this technology will lead to loos the warranty.Â
Do you have any thing else in your mind.
Not if you remove it before taking it in. It’s only a three wire connection. And, it will only lead to the loss of wrranty on the affected system(s). They cannot deny coverage unless they can prove that the modification affected what’s broken. How does the hood switch affect your engine, transmission, stereo and everything else? I don’t think so…
Replacing Battery will solve the problem?
Maybe? But I’ll rather spend $20 on a timed relay to defeat START/STOP than $80 on a battery to perpetuate the annoyance.
You are so right, Dwightlooi! I just traded in my 2007 Buick Lucerne last June. It was a great car for 11 years but then began to have electrical issues with the accelerator sensor, the throttle body, and then the PCU. Last June it stalled dead as I waited for a traffic light at a very busy intersection and it took me 10 minutes to get it restart and I had to have it towed to Granite Run Buick GMC in Media, Pa. My local mechanic said it was an electrical problem and couldn’t work on it. It was the third $1K to $2K bill I’d had in two years. I refuse to own a car with that stupid stop/start, It’s an insane thing to do for a lousy 0.3 MPG in the city and most people hate it. So I bought a new 2020 Toyota Camry SE with the 2.5L engine/ 8 speed automatic with sport shift. So far I love it. It’s the first time I have ever owned a non American car! It’s beautiful bright red and the dealer gave me good deal with $3K off the MSRP.
Let’s have some NUMBERS to put things into perspective. Let’s say you spend an hour commuting and your car gets 20 mpg in really bad city traffic averaging a measly 35 mph the whole time. You’ll burn about [1.75 gallons] of fuel to cover that 35 miles.
A typical 4-cylinder engine burns about 0.1 gallon (0.4 liters) of fuel AN HOUR at idle. How much of that time do you think you’ll spend at dead stop on a red light? 10%? How about 20% just to be simulate the worst scenarios? That’s 0.1 gallon x 0.2 hour = 0.02 gallon of gas wasted at idle.
Your fuel usage would have gone from 1.75 gallons to 1.77 gallons. Your city fuel economy number would have dropped from 20 mpg to 19.77 mpg. That is about as much as Start/Stop is theoretically able to save you in the worst possible traffic and 100% idle stop over 100% of your time at every red light. Is that 0.23 mpg worth the accelerated starter wear and replacement? The loss in refinement with your engine stuttering on and off every time? Having to replace your battery sooner? Adding an accumulator system to your transmission that can break? Losing cooling and lubrication to your hot turbocharger (if your car has one)? Losing power steering when you are not moving?
You buy a luxury car for additional refinement, no? You opt for a V6 engine for more driving pleasure, no? All of those decisions cost money and burns more fuel. So why won’t you JUST SAY NO to Start-Stop and manufacturers who want to force it down your throat with no disable switch? If you really care that much about 0.23 mpg on the worst commute day, maybe you should get a bicycle or take a sail boat across the Atlantic instead of fly (like that silly girl Greta Thunberg)!
I did say no to General Motors last June. Since early 1971 I have owned from new a total of seven GM cars, a Chevy Malibu, two Pontiac LeMans’s, an Olds Cutlass, a Pontiac Bonneville, a Buick LeSabre, and a 2007 Buick Lucerne CX, and two Ford vehicles (a 1984 and a 1990 Mercury Grand Marquis). As soon as I became aware of that dumb, stupid, ridiculous f’ing stop/start technology was going to be in all GM cars, I vowed to never own another GM vehicle, and purchased a 2020 Toyota Camry SE with a 2.5L 203 HP engine and an 8 speed automatic transmission. F–k GM management and the engineers responsible for this outrage should all go hang themselves!
Well, Toyota is starting to put Auto Start/Stop in the RAV4 and Highlander. They do include a disable switch, but the system is non-latching — it resets to ON every time you turn off the ignition. Still, there are $20~50 devices which you can buy that plugs in between the switch and its harness which allows it to remember it’s state be it ON or OFF. Basically, if the switch was ON, the device automatically presses the button when the car is started the next time. If it was OFF, it doesn’t and it stays OFF.
BAD IDEA! Apart from the obvious additional wear and tear issues on the crank and flywheel, the restarting of a vehicle in traffic is embarrassing and unbecoming of a luxury car like Cadillac. I used to have a ’73 car which quit at every light when it was damp weather. The stop-start feature is reminiscent of this. It gives me heart-stopping moments each time. The battery runs down significantly and I can see an instance coming where it is cold enough that there simply isn’t enough power to turn it over. No car should turn off the engine in the middle of an intersection waiting for oncoming traffic. Cadillacs should not halt with a clunk and then restart with a shudder as the transmission is trying to figure out what to do, because it destroys any sense of luxury and serenity. Some people say how smooth and seamless it is, but it depends how you drive it. Finally, owners should have the final say on how to drive their cars. Are you listening, GM???
I am a lifelong Chevrolet man, chevelles, blazers, tahoes, silverados, but this is the last thing that people want on their vehicle, a DAMN stop/start engine WITHOUT anyway to turn it off. What was GM thinking??????;
Oh yea, they were not thinking.
JD