Skip to main content

Many of the best new cars have the start-stop system. While this is a feature that some people like, not everyone wants the start-stop system in their car. In many cases, this is because they believe this may have a long-term impact on the vehicle’s reliability. After all, this is new for most, meaning it’s common for many drivers to have doubts. 

Start-stop system in a car briefly explained

The auto start-stop system in a car can be off-putting for people who may not know their vehicle has it. Basically, the system turns off the car whenever it comes to a stop. This can happen at red lights or even stop signs. The vehicle will turn on once the person presses the accelerator and is ready to resume. Of course, many of the best new cars have it as it conserves fuel and lowers emissions.

The auto start-stop system in your car has many advantages
Car at a red light | kapalamatuturas via iStock

Regarding how effective it is, AAA reports that the start-stop system in a car can improve fuel economy by up to 7%. However, how much fuel you save depends on driving conditions. Additionally, this is not so much a fuel-saving tool as it is one to help cut down on emissions. Auto start-stop technology can reduce emissions from a car by 5 to 20 percent. 

Is this system bad for vehicles?

The best new cars can also have features that hurt their long-term viability. Many people believe this is the case for the auto start-stop system in their car. In particular, some people assume that the start-stop system in a vehicle is bad for the engine. However, this is not the case. In fact, this technology can increase an engine’s life due to lack of idling. 

Some are also concerned with cold starts and how the start-stop system in a vehicle handles them. The great thing is that the technology won’t begin to work until after the engine and its various parts are warmed up to an appropriate temperature. Also, the starters in these cars have a different design that helps to limit and prevent damage. 

However, drivers should be aware that this feature could impact their battery. According to R&J Batteries, cars with this system usually have five to ten times more engine starts than other vehicles. Naturally, this adds strain to the battery, which can cause it to lose charge more frequently. Additionally, these vehicles use a different battery, which is typically more expensive. 

In a nutshell, the start-stop system in a car isn’t really bad for the vehicle’s reliability. However, it can impact things like batteries a bit differently.