General Motors To Implement Engine Stop-Start On Nearly All Vehicles By 2020
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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.
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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!
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.
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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.