Why do we hate Auto Start/Stop so much?

[CarmeloS]

Let's not forget this thread for why we hate them, poor Mat is having issues because of that bullshit. Again, should have been a quiet option, with the sales person asking if you wanted it and putting in a note when built to not install the software

Sponsored

 

[Crowza]

It is very simple, when you turn it off it turns itself back on at every start. I'm all for options, I don't mind having it as a feature. But, telling me I must use it?

I bought the Auto/Start Eliminator. Installed it immediately.

As for MPG arguments, in a little over a year and almost a half at 15k, I average 20.6-20.7 MPG with no ASS except for the drive home from the dealership.

2023 Bronco Badlands 7MT (no-squatch).

I'm all for options, but if you turn it off it needs to stay off, unless you prefer it to reset each time.

People hate it because it is not configurable. If it was configurable nobody would care.

 

[codeseven4918]

Really, we needed the govt for that? Also cost us cheap and cold AC we could DIY for our vehicles that's much better than todays stuff

I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest yes... we did need government regulations for that. I'm sorry we didn't sacriface the earth's UV shield for better AC.

 

[Mrpenn46]

I've always been uncomfortable with vehicles with Auto Start/Stop. The first time I experienced the "feature" it was somewhat disconcerting having the vehicle stop running at a red light. At first, I fought against it. Although I never fully reprogrammed it out of existence, I'd still generally turn it off each time I'd drive the vehicle. The Bronco version of ASS seems to be a little less aggressive than some of my former vehicles. However, there are still little annoyances such as it turning off the engine as I stop in my driveway, only to immediately turn back on as the transmission is shifted to Park.

But why so much vitriol for a "feature" that is pretty benign. Certain consumers seem to hate this capability. Is it because so many of us from the older generations have been taught that starting/stopping the engine is wasteful or even actually damaging to an engine? Or because we are stubborn and don't like being told what to do by new technology that is often perceived to be imposed on us by the "nanny state"?

Clearly, the new technology and engine tolerances make this capability non-destructive in terms of engine wear and tear. It also, on the whole, leads to some incremental MPG gains.

So why do so many of us still feel angst or discomfort with ASS?

Just creeping along in traffic it's not that noticeable but for me it's the timing with stop lights. It just turns off then the light turns green. Or when I'm looking for a break in traffic at a stop sign where cross traffic doesn't have to stop, the extra delay of waiting for the truck to start and spin up the transmission so I can go is annoying it. It's fairly benign except when it isn't.

Personally, I have more hate for the "pre-collision assist".

 

[timhood]

A buddy of mine just had his starter replaced...

My best friend’s sister’s boyfriend’s brother’s girlfriend heard from this guy who knows this kid who’s going with a girl who saw Ferris pass-out at 31 Flavors last night. I guess it’s pretty serious.

 

[Jsullivan]

Just as oil change intervals have increased over time because of better engine technology and tolerances and advances in lubrication capabilities, it seems that the "experts" are in somewhat agreement that ASS does not adversely affect engine life...

...that being said, I still feel uneasy with what my outdated brain "knows" about wear and tear on the engine. Of course, I also still get my oil changed every 3,000 like a good "Boomer"

A starter for example, is designed for x amount of cycles, the starters today are designed for more cycles so they say ASS doesn't have an effect on starter longevity. I call BS.
ASS probably realizes 4 to 5 times the start cycles so by deleting the ASS my starter will last 4 to 5 times longer.
Same can be said of engine bearings etc.
Tolerances are tighter so ASS doesn't effect bearing life. Again BS any time a bearing has reduced oil pressure wear is increased.
And anyone that has driven turbo vehicles knows how stopping a turbo while hot, restarting it and waiting for oil pressure to build up, even if it's in fraction of seconds, creates wear on the bearings.
So I'll use an extra ounce of fuel per tank to save wear on my engine.
Don't get me started on the green foot print fallacy of saving a little gasoline over replacing a starter 4 to 5 times sooner.

 

[Sherminiator]

My wife’s 2017 Escape has it and it took a little getting used to it. She has roughly 120k on it and no engine issues outside of some mice snacking on her spark plug wires.

when I got my Bronco, I thought the ASS was a bit rough when it first restarted, but it’s been broken in and it’s a non issue now

 

[Sherminiator]

Don't get me started on the green foot print fallacy of saving a little gasoline over replacing a starter 4 to 5 times sooner.

But facts have proven that isn’t the case-the last time I replaced a starter on something was almost 30 years ago-and it was a Bradley, not a car.

Your logic is like if I don’t spend any money, I’ll have four or five times that amount lol

 

[BlueBronco]

Regardless whether it was beefed up or not, Ford starters rarely ever fail.
I can’t remember the last time I even replaced one, but it likely wasn’t even on a vehicle with auto start stop.

This. Reading some of these posts you would think people are swapping out starters at every oil change. I can't remember the last time I did as well but it was probably on some 80's beater car.

 

[Epiphany]

...we are stubborn and don't like being told what to do by new technology that is often perceived to be imposed on us by the "nanny state"?

That perception is legitimate reality.

Fight the power.

 

[Shazamalingo]

You also are aware Volcanos erupting emit a ton of CO2 back into the atmosphere right, thus negating “the savings” ass provides

Been talking about ice caps melting and stuff since I was a kid, no one talks about the hole in the Ozone layer since the 90s and what about acid rain.
Nothings happening, they’re just trying to scare the gullible sheep and children so they can tax us more and seize even more control over our lives.

lol the ozone hole closed up because Australia clamped down on emissions. And acid rain stopped in Europe because they stopped using dirty diesel. They changed their behavior and fixed things.

So you are proving the point that, if there is a a concern, and we change our behavior, we fix the problem so well that we don’t have to talk about it anymore?

 

[CarmeloS]

lol the ozone hole closed up because Australia clamped down on emissions. And acid rain stopped in Europe because they stopped using dirty diesel. They changed their behavior and fixed things.

So you are proving the point that, if there is a a concern, and we change our behavior, we fix the problem so well that we don’t have to talk about it anymore?

Meanwhile now India and China emit more pollution as we speak than most countries combined

Also we’d have Diesel Broncos instead of this ev/hybrid push.
Harley Davidson and Hyundai did the same as VW did during Dieselgate and they got a slap on the wrist rather than crucified. Did anyone die from Dieselgate now?

 

[Jsullivan]

But facts have proven that isn’t the case-the last time I replaced a starter on something was almost 30 years ago-and it was a Bradley, not a car.

Your logic is like if I don’t spend any money, I’ll have four or five times that amount lol

Good for you.
So take 30/5 and you will be replacing starters every 6 years now.
Do you have any informed information on turbo replacements with and without ASS?

 

[Im64Bit]

Imagine the idea was introduced by the starter motor manufactures so they can increase the starter replacement business. I personally hate it, but happy it turns off when in 4x4 mode.

 

[Cav427]

lol the ozone hole closed up because Australia clamped down on emissions. And acid rain stopped in Europe because they stopped using dirty diesel. They changed their behavior and fixed things.

So you are proving the point that, if there is a a concern, and we change our behavior, we fix the problem so well that we don’t have to talk about it anymore?

I remember that, sheila's and a few blokes stopped using hairspray and viola! the ozone hole miraculously disappeared. We all need to offer thanks to algore!

Seriously though, solar storms create havoc and more than likely contributed to the hole.

Sponsored