luxembourg

I also wonder how this start/stop technology will affect diesel engines - because I 've been always told (taught by elders and/or more experience diesel users) these two principal ideas how to treat diesel to keep it in best condition for years:

1) first of all you need to warm-up a diesel at least a bit before "pushing it" harder (meaning: especially during winter conditions, it's very healthy for diesel to start it up and then let it work and warm up itself for at least 1 minute before actually driving off)

2) Second, and yet - even more imporant - you never ever turn off the hot diesel engine immediately at stop, after pushing it hard, or immediately after a long ride (for example fast highway driving and sudden stop at a nearby parking to take a break or gasoline will be very tough on the engine if after stopping it you don't let it run itself for 2-3 minutes, letting it cool it off a bit)

I don't know how much these "rules" still apply (or don't?) to the modern diesels we have around these days, however I always let mine running for a minute or two when I stop for a gas at the motorway, or so... I also always warm it up a bit before hitting the road. I figure: a minute here or there is no waste since I have a good feeling of saving the car's heart

What will happen with the Start/Stop system on board?
Will it shut off the engine once I parked right away; one minute you're doing 200km/h and the next - BAM and stop and off?
Will the system shut off the engine if you drive out of the garage and go back to close the house door hoping for engine to warm-up in the meantime?
You come back after one minute only to find your car "decided" to save fuel and ... go off?

just these few concerns...

Iceman

You can turn the Diesel off when you stop.
Engines are much better today. Those rules are old...

BUT: It wont hurt if you still do it this way. Just as getting V-Power or break-in the engine when the car is new. None of that is really needed anymore, but it won't hurt...

iversonm

The biggest hurdle for start/stop technologies is keeping emissions systems operating. If the catalyst is too cool, it will not function properly. Getting it to temperature quickly and keeping it at temperature as long as possible when the car is off is a technical challenge.

Starter wear is not an issue, as you can design a more durable unit that can handle the higher duty cycle.

EBMCS03

Oh they have it in the new MINI... they demonstrated it on 5th gear with a E60 M5 following it as a camera car... showed how it shuts down if you're in Neutral and off the clutch and will start up again when you engage the clutch. I would hate that feature... Probably kill my engine and the starter before it can save a gallon of gas.

gorban

From what I have read, you can only use the start/stop once the engine has reached it's working temperature. The engine stops as soon as you put the gear stick in idle position, i.e no gear, and release the clutch. As soon as the clutch is pressed, the engine starts.

The start/stop function can be switched off manually by the driver.