Why do we hate Auto Start/Stop so much?

[RAC-Wildtrak]

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?

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[contented]

This is my 4th car with it. Didn’t like it at first, don’t even notice it anymore.

 

[CarGuy]

It greatly diminishes the life of your engine.

 

[emkayw]

I have no problems with it. Maybe it's because I have a manual, it does seem less obtrusive.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

With the manual trans, it happens FAR less often than with the auto, and at acceptable times, so I rarely bothered me when it happened.

The auto had the HIGHLY ANNOYING habit of dying at the exact moment I needed to take off ... just not acceptable in a "traffic" situation.
But even at a typical 4-way stop sign, the damn thing would shut down after only 1 or 2 seconds.
It's hell on main bearings to drop oil pressure and then restart 17 times in what should have been a one start trip.

I dunno, maybe they have something in the bottom end to keep the oil pressure up for a short moment for all these restarts.... if not , fuck that A.S.S.

 

[DefNotBuddyLee]

I guess you have never needed to turn left in an intersection while waiting for a gap in opposing traffic? Sometimes you need that power on demand and not have to wait for the engine to restart. It also turns my Bronco off as I come to a stop for parking, then turns on so I can shift into park, then I get to shut it down again with the push of a button. Seeing that I tend to come to a full stop and park at the end of every vehicle voyage, it means I would get the privilege of that frustration at least once every drive.
Honestly, I just like having more control of the vehicle. I turned mine off the moment FORSCAN supported it.

 

[RAC-Wildtrak]

It greatly diminishes the life of you engine.

Source?

 

[BlueBronco]

It greatly diminishes the life of you engine.

I am no fan of the auto start/stop but I think that is just a bit of an over exaggeration.

 

[indio22]

Yes one of several dislikes, when gliding into my driveway with manual trans, the engine switches off. If I activate the parking brake and exit, the damn vehicle is not really off. I have to remember each time to mess with the clutch/button to officially be off.

My son parked in front of our house and under same scenario thought the Bronco was switched off but it was still on. I don't need that additional aggravation in my life.

 

[ScLeCo]

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?

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Source?

I am no fan of the auto start/stop but I think that is just a bit of an over exaggeration.

My guess is, he is referring to the wear that occurs at start up due to zero oil pressure for the first few moments.

Seriously, not to be a wise-ass, is there info showing how they address the drop in oil pressure for all these start stops?

Is the info regarding the majority of engine wear occuring at start-up out dated?

 

[RAC-Wildtrak]

I guess you have never needed to turn left in an intersection while waiting for a gap in opposing traffic?

Kind of aggressive of you to assume that in that manner.

But, see, this vitriol is sort of what led me to start this discussion. You hate this feature so much that you come at me pretty aggressively just for asking for opinions. It seems that even merely assuming that ASS might have some positive net benefits results in what I feel is a pretty aggressive reply. I find it interesting just how emotional people get about this subject.

 

[RAC-Wildtrak]

My guess is, he is referring to the wear that occurs at start up due to zero oil pressure for the first few moments.

Seriously, not to be a wise-ass, is there info showing how they address the drop in oil pressure for all these start stops?

Is the info regarding the majority of engine wear occuring at start-up out dated?

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"

 

[RAC-Wildtrak]

Yeah. Looking at the list of threads at the bottom of this page makes me realize that it isn't as insightful of a question as I'd thought. Sorry, it was just something that I was thinking about today.

 

[DefNotBuddyLee]

Kind of aggressive of you to assume that in that manner.

But, see, this vitriol is sort of what led me to start this discussion. You hate this feature so much that you come at me pretty aggressively just for asking for opinions. It seems that even merely assuming that ASS might have some positive net benefits results in what I feel is a pretty aggressive reply. I find it interesting just how emotional people get about this subject.

It's really interesting that your first assumption was that I was making an aggressive personal attack. Ultimately, you are entitled to your feeling, but you will drive yourself to an early grave with angst living that way.

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