[einstein]

I think the auto stop-start "feature" was the answer to a question that no consumer would ask.

[Ogre]

After reading this thread, I've come to the conclusion: Just like a golf cart, huh?

I've owned several, and got to be known as the golf cart guy in the neighborhood. So I work on several different makes. But guess how they work. You press on the accelerator and the engine starts and the vehicle goes, take your foot off the accelerator and the engine shuts off and the vehicle stops.

Starter/generator technology with CVT (that's a giant rubber band that propels them at different speeds) makes a very simple vehicle that operates the same as an electric starter/generator, but runs on gas, unless you have a battery golf cart.

Personal preference, but I'd rather not drive a golf cart in traffic in case the starter/gen brushes decide not work some time.

My ,
Ogre

[455Grandville]

Originally Posted by mgarblik

"I’m not familiar with the Toyota’s as I don’t own one but our company has Chrysler minivan and it’s not smooth when it restarts; in anything it seems slow to restart and sounded like a starter.
I’d agree the Toyota might be robust but I wouldnt bet on the Chrysler; seems the repair cost will eat the fuel saving easily and then some when the time comes.
I just don’t like a vehicle that shuts down in traffic only to restart 2 seconds later."

I looked up some info on the Chrysler mini-van system 2020 and newer. You are mostly correct in your assessment of what it has going on under the hood. It uses a larger, more powerful, gear reduction starter and conventional ring gear on the flexplate. What is different it it has a clutch within the starter drive. When the engine stops, the starter drive engages but does not crank. When you release the brake pedal and the engine gets the start command, the piston near TDC get a squirt of fuel and a spark, and should start without needing the starter and the drive will retract. But what if none of the pistons have enough compression to light the fuel, which is possible? Then the starter will crank and help turn the engine to the next cylinder in the firing order and start the engine and so forth. I can see this being noisier and possibly a little jerky sometimes. Leave it to Chrysler. Fortunately, there is a button to disable the entire start/stop system at any time. But each time you drive the vehicle you have to disable it. It is a normally "on" switch. I am not advocating these systems as being good or bad. They are out there and if we want to own new vehicles or work on them as in my case, we have to understand and put up with them. If gas prices go through the roof, there may be a meaningful savings. I have no idea.

To me it’s just 1 more expensive thing to go wrong that’ll easily offset the fuel savings especially since its a late model Chrysler.
Seems newer vehicles are more troublesome and expensive to repair because they’re overly complex.
We had several Ford 300s in vans and service trucks in the 90s that surpassed 300 and even 400,000 miles without major issues.
The Dodge Sprinters (Mercedes ones) that replaced them fell apart by 200,000 and they all had a stack of repair bills.

[The Champ]

Originally Posted by mgarblik

These start/stop systems have been out long enough that I am seeing ALLOT of battery replacement now in my shop. Especially GM cars with the Ecotech 4-cyl. They use two batteries, a smaller one in the trunk for the power electronics and the larger one under the hood on top of the main computer. (brilliant) They are generally sold in a pair now and that can be required to maintain a warranty as they both fail more or less together every 3-4 years max at around $400-450.00 retail for the battery pair from a reliable brand. So with a regular battery costing $150.00 retail maximum, you have to save another $300.00 in gas before you break even every 3-4 years.

I know that there was a two battery system back in the early days of GM start/stop technology, but I think that went away in 2016 or thereabouts.

I first drove a start/stop vehicle in 2013. I currently own a 2019 Equinox that uses a 48 AGM battery. My 2021 Cadillac CT4 also uses a 48 AGM battery.

Many people don't realize that you can't charge an AGM battery with a conventional battery charger, so that may be the cause of the premature failure.

Retail pricing of a 48AGM is under $200.00.

[Tom Vaught]

Many people don't realize that you can't charge an AGM battery with a conventional battery charger, so that may be the cause of the premature failure.

I was not aware of that so I can understand why others might do like I would and cause a premature failure. Thanks for that info Champ

Tom V.

[66sprint6]

Up until recently I had a Bimmer with their exquisite inline 6. Silky smooth liquid power. But the start-stop feature was not seamless. I felt it to be intrusive sometimes, so I would just hit the overide on startup. Other times, just tooling around, I didn't mind it.

As far as these electric vehicles, the propulsion systems are pretty robust technology, but the next multi-billionaire will be the person that wins the battery race. For now, I'm wondering how much battery power is used just to transport a battery pack of up to 1,200 pounds around with you.

[Charlie Brengun]

This is a good example of what electric cars are good for as far as I'm concerned..