More Stop-Start Joy

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In my last post I discussed how environmentally-friendly stop-start systems were likely to become the norm on most vehicles over the next decade or so.

It seems I was right! Carmagazine.co.uk has a review of the new Stop-Start equipped Mini Cooper S – and confirms that BMW are rolling it out across their range. With modern engines, better lubricants and beefed-up starter motors and alternators, more frequent stopping and starting is no longer a problem for today’s vehicles – and idling is simply a waste.

All the vehicle electrics contiune working when the engine cuts out – including air-con and stereo – so you won’t notice the difference.

Vans, with their larger-capacity, fuel-hungry engines are an obvious target for this technology. How long before it’s standard on all new vans?

Stopping at the lights? So is your engine

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At least, it will be if you are driving one of the growing number of new Mercedes Sprinters that comes equipped with the German company’s ECO-Start system.

This environment (and wallet) friendly system stops the engine automatically if the vehicle remains stopped in neutral for more than three seconds. Depressing the clutch or allowing the vehicle to move causes the engine to restart automatically.

Testing has shown that for drivers doing extensive urban work, fuel savings of up to 20% could be achieved, while for the rest of us, a figure of 5% – 8% is more likely. It’s a system that I can imagine becoming standard on almost all vehicles in years to come, and is certainly likely to make an appearance on rental fleets – although perhaps not for a while, due to customers’ unfamiliarity with it.

ECO-Start also has a number of protective features built in that will protect the engine from overheating or repeated cold starts. The engine also won’t cut out if the temperature outside is sub-zero – to make sure the occupants don’t get too cold!

The system costs a meagre €203 if specified with new Sprinters in Germany, and it will be available worldwide.  You can find more details on the Mercedes website here.