[mgarblik]

Originally Posted by PontiJunk

It feels like car makers will go to any length to improved an efficiency number on paper. I can't imagine the extra expense and engineering to have gas powered cars shut off at a stop light to save a gallon per year (guessing and maybe guessing poorly). If I get stuck waiting for a long train to go by, I will turn it off myself.

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.

[Tom Vaught]

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 have had "Stop/Start" on the last 3 EcoBoost lease vehicles I have driven.
In 9 years, I have never had a Battery Replacement required because I never
drive the vehicles beyond the 3 year lease.

The Battery finally did crap out on my wife's 2013 Ecoboost Escape but after
that many years, I am not complaining.

As far as the aero goes on the vehicles with rear "skirts" I never saw any improvements in the wind tunnel at street car city speeds.

Tom V.

[salem1912]

Charge stations.

[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.

[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..