Is your car’s stop-start system on the blink at the moment? If it isn’t working as you think it should, there might be a very good reason for it. Stop-start is designed to save you fuel and cut a car’s exhaust emissions by reducing the amount of time your engine sits idling without going anywhere. And it’s on nine out of every 10 new cars sold. But if it stops stopping, is it a problem? And should you take your car to the garage?
It might be due to the cold weather
The weather’s been so chilly lately, I’ve struggled to get out of bed in the morning. And I’m not the only one the cold’s affected. Stop-start won’t intervene when the engine is cold. This is because the car’s computer is sufficiently savvy to know that an engine is at its most efficient when it’s fully warm. Therefore the clever computer keeps the engine running until it’s at an optimal temperature. You’ll know the stop-start has stopped working because an A in a circle with a line through it will appear on the dash.
What kit have you switched on?
Stop-start is clever enough to monitor the battery and how much current is being drawn from it. If it’s cold and you’ve switched the lights, wipers and heater on it may decide that cutting the engine isn’t going to do the battery any favours. This is because all those features will then be drawing electric current from the battery. The computer knows the battery’s most important job is ensuring the engine starts. So it disables the stop-start in case the battery is drained so much the engine won’t re-start.
Or maybe your battery needs checking
Cars with stop-start use special batteries that can withstand constantly starting an engine. I read somewhere that while a ‘normal’ car’s engine would start up about 50,000 times during the car’s life, on a stop-start car, that figure would be around 500,000. To make all those starts seamless, the stop-start won’t kick in if it detects the battery is dying and it’s going to struggle to restart the car.
Other reasons why stop-start may not work
Here’s something not everyone knows. Stop-start won’t operate when reverse gear is selected or a parking aid is active. Having the wheel turned at an acute angle will prevent it working too. The system realises there’s a high chance you’re manoeuvring and will find the engine cutting out every few seconds more than a little irritating. And the car is smart enough to disable stop-start when you’re on a steep hill. Neither will it work if there are any faults with the engine management system. You’ll know this because a warning light will illuminate on the dashboard.
Should a mechanic check your car over?
Stop-start not working might be a sign the battery is about to pack up. Best to change it before this happens (Picture istock/lentolo)
It really depends on when the stop-start doesn’t work. If the weather isn’t too cold or you’ve been driving at speed for longer than 20 minutes and it still doesn’t work when you come to a halt, it’s definitely worth taking your car to see a mechanic. Chances are the battery needs replacing. I always think it’s best to do this before it actually fails and leaves you stranded somewhere.
How does stop-start work?
The system works with the car’s main computer. It detects when the car is stationary and out of gear (if the car’s a manual) or the brake pedal is pressed (if it’s an automatic). It then tells the car to stop delivering fuel to the cylinders. When the system realises the driver wants to move off because they’ve released the brake or dipped the clutch pedal, the ignition starts again. The driver shouldn’t have to do anything to re-start the engine.
Scott Wilson is vehicle and customer data insight manager for Green Flag
Another piece of ‘modern’ equipment with unintended consequences – like the parking brake that is released by putting a foot on the accelerator, even if the vehicle (with an automatic gearbox) is in drive, or worse still, in reverse. At least one person has been killed by this dangerous gimmicky brake release. Buses I use have this stop-start system; the driver puts the parking brake on and the engine shudders to a halt, only to re-start a few seconds later. Just how much extra and fuel is used and extra emissions emitted each time?
Good points, Eric.
I to druve buses (14+ years) inc electruc ..I agree. Thankfully our buses don’t stop start ..most have a cut off though I’if idle for say 5 minutes or so . All extra strain on components Inc starter motor
I really didn’t know about all these reasons behind my stop/start not working in winters. Thank you a lot for putting all this in my knowledge. I really appreciate that.
How much will it cost to drain my oil,as I’ve put too much in
Most garages these days have a device for drawing out the oil through the dip stick tube which is quick &clean
I do not think the stop and start saves any fuel it is also a pain in the rear end how do I stop the thing working?.
There is a on and off button usually near the airbag alert. Mine doesn’t look like a button. I do think it saves money it usually extend an extra day or two with me. I have gotten used to it.
In my car, there is a button, on the dash to the left of the steering wheel, I can press ant it disables it. However, mine hasn’t worked for abt 1 year and the battery seems to be fine. So, as long as everything works as it should, I’m not losing any sleep over it.
No problem with my Ford KA, in the cold. BUT, In the hot weather its a real pest
with engine stopping at every slow done.
Simple way in traffic for s/s not to work is to press the clutch and put gear into neutral before coming to final stop. S/S usually needs a sequence to work and the above stops the normal sequence.
When I passed my driving test in 1960, my examiner said – and I’ve forgotten this – when you do that the car has one less stopping aid, always keep it in gear. Probably that’s why my s/s is erratic!
Why does my radio go blank and shut off when the engine start back up ?
Mine does this too! I hate this feature. It’s actually really unsafe
If councils introduce fines for idling engines but my Start Stop system deems it unsafe for the engine to stop (maybe its cold or I’m on a hill etc.) – is the fact I have a Start Stop system installed and in use, a reasonable defence or am I expected to manually turn the engine on and off if in a long traffic queue and does that action potentially damage the engine if it is cold?
I have a 2019 Peugeot 2008 and having problems with the stop start, I have been complaining since July last year, the dealer and Peugeot are saying that I am not doing enough miles, this is not mentioned in their literature or the hand book.
Today I have driven 40 miles and it still does not work.
Have you any ideas as to what I can do
P Marshall
From what has been stated here isn’t the problem that the alternators fitted to cars with stop start simply aren’t big enough to provide the car electrics and charge the battery to support SS. My Ford KA+ active system is extremely flaky. I can drive on the motorway for over an hour come off the motorway and it will not kick in. This in May/June. Other times the car go unused for several days and SS kicks in at the first set of traffic lights. Took to Ford and they said take it for a good run with no other features pulling juice from the battery. If an hour of motorway driving isn’t enough what is the point of the feature.
Stop start is a fuel waster,you need bigger starter motor and a bigger Alternator,result more fuel to recharge. The only thing good is less pollution.
You need more fuel to start engine,than to keep it running for brief periods. Also more wear.
Like most machines, and many other devices,stopping/starting/heating/cooling puts a lot of stress on the mechanics.
Stop start puts a huge stress on starter motor and battery,they have to be bigger,so does the alternator to supply the extra juice,this means more fuel is used!
Hi after driving motorway when I restart my car no starting what’s problem. Abdus salam
My B Class stop start did not work I then had a new battery in March it cured the problem but now it’s started again I’m thinking could it be drained by a dash camera I had fitted last December. I am going to get it checked tomorrow. Halfords fitted the camera but I am taking the car back to mercedes to check.
i have a ford transit tourneo, and the stop / start as started to kick in when i am drive, dose not work any other time. ( any advice please ) i have had in and put on a diagnostic, thay could not find any thing, it is still happening. ?
I have a 2020 rubicon and my start stop thing don’t work.
One minute it’s says engine temp is to low. Even thou it’s not.
Then will say battery charging
Or turning wheel is turned
I took it to the garage , they said it’s ok
My golf just over 12 months old tells me Vehicle Power Consimption is High. S/S not worked for two weeks
When stop/start works and car’s engine switches off, why is there a timer showing you how long the engine is off ?
Can having a dashcam effect stop start?
Should I not just drive out of my garage
and switch off
i have a Hyundai i40 2011 The auto hold will not work and the auto stop will not work either i have had a new battery the right one for the car i know it has to be a special one .I have had 2 very good mechanics look at both put it on a high end diagnostic computer and i comes up with no faults now they have not a clue wats up with it, and like i said they are very experienced mechanics think i given up with it now
Interesting – I note two comments here about dashcams. My ECO start stop in a 2 year old MB B Class has been very erratic for a few months now, hardly appearing with short or long journeys. Advice suggested a battery problem so I bought an intelligent charger and used the recondition option. Start stop appeared a little more often. But a few days ago I upgraded my dashcam. The start stop seems to be working fine now. So maybe it was a combination of battery decline and a previously higher consumption dashcam. Who knows?!
With so much modern technology in the car, it is a shame that it does not inform which condition(s) are preventing start stop working. If it did, I’m sure a lot of drivers would have less sleepless nights!
My stop and start quit working almost a year ago 2018 Ford I took it to the dealer I am worried it will damage my car by not working (i hate it but it should work) they said they charged my battery that I did not drive my car enough so they charged it and it still dosent work I have taken on a long drive still nor working I hope it dosent brake my car. does anyone know if it will? thanks
Hi Monika.
I am sure that your car’s eco stop/start not working will not damage your car. For lots of drivers it is not working (and some prefer it that way!) or working intermittently, which is irritating.
My stop/start has been working intermittently for some months now, and for the last few weeks not at all. As your post came in, I have today put my battery on an intelligent charger for stop/start AGM batteries with a recondition option. If that doesn’t work I am going back to the dealer.
As Scott writes above, stop/start checks several conditions to ensure it is safe to operate and can restart the engine. I am convinced mine is a battery voltage problem. AGM batteries only seem to last about 4 years.
But I am happy it is not damaging my vehicle by not working!
I have a Ford EcoSport 2019 and the same has happened to me. Due to restrictions I had not used my car, although it had been garaged. I took the car to the dealer who identified a low battery and charged it up. The stop/start worked for a while, then due to lack of use the stop/start grey light came on the dashboard and it has failed to work since. As we have been allowed to travel recently I have covered about 400 miles in the last 7/10days, I would have thought this would have charged the battery, no joy and I am concerned the battery has been damaged.
I would also welcome any advice on this. Thank you.
Just done 400 miles in my focus eco and the start stop still not working, any ideas?
Hey i need your help in my car when I stop in the light my auto stop isn’t working
I Have a 2019 Ford EcoSport. Stop/Start light came on and would not correct itself. Took to dealer, they said battery was fine and charged it for a couple hours. Picked up the car and Start/Stop light was still on. Checked the status system on the screen and it said that it was inoperative do to battery being charged. What in the world is going on? Should I just buy a new battery? Car is 3 years old with 28,000 miles.
I have a jeep campuses 2019 with only 11 thousand mil on it and my S/Start light and engine light came on last year twice through winter period time and so did this year as soon as weather was cold so I booked to take in to the garage next week but after taking it out on motorway for good 50 min with decent speed next morning it was on and the engine light not showing any more so my guess is that before driving in the morning you have to heate up the engine in cold weather befor moving of and to drive a bit longer on motorway to solve the problem as the battery is new but it doesn’t make a difference when engine is cold?!?!
The auto start stop works again after having switched on the heating for some minutes . When there is no humidity in the car it works fine
My 2019 BMW hand book manual states that if the map is out of date, this can stop the stop start from working.