Start-stop system: what it is, what it is intended for, the principle of operation and reviews

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:41

Many people have heard about the start-stop system, some even own cars with a similar function installed. But statistically, the share of such cars on domestic roads is extremely small. In the world, the first cars with such a system rolled off the assembly lines in the last century. The start-stop system itself raises many questions and contradictions. What tricks await motorists and is it worth installing it?

Reason to create

The dream of every car designer is to create the perfect car, make it as attractive, comfortable as possible, and reduce fuel consumption. The developers promise economical fuel consumption. Some car owners prefer to believe it, others are in no hurry to use the know-how.

No matter how economical a car is and no matter how frugal a car enthusiast is, in the conditions of urban infrastructure one has to spend a lot of fuel. Motorists have a question: what is a start-stop system? The answer to it canfind in this article. At idle, the car takes 30% of fuel, which is a very high figure. Downtime in traffic jams or at traffic lights is expensive. What to do? The novelty was invented for such situations.

What is the essence of the system?

What is a start-stop system and why is it needed? The secret of this design is that a motorist can turn off the engine for a certain period of time, save fuel while standing in a traffic jam. The advantage is the ability to reduce the mass of exhaust gases due to the reduction of the work of the power unit.

First steps

What is a start-stop system? The first devices were tested on hybrid cars. In them, the internal combustion engine and the electric motor make the drive function. Almost all brands of brand manufacturers in recent years are equipped with a start-stop system. The first attempts to conduct an experiment were carried out by the Toyota concern in the 1970s. The switching device was installed on a model from the Crown luxury series. In 1994, the system was also installed on the Volkswagen Golf 3, but it was not successful. In 2010, Opel took advantage of the technology by incorporating it into the EcoFlex range of vehicles.

Secrets of working principles

What is the start-stop system based on, does it always work? The "golden" rule that motorists should learn concerns the following. Under certain conditionsthe machine turns off the engine. To resume movement on a car with a manual transmission, the clutch pedal is pressed. On vehicles with automatic transmission, release the brake pedal.

How the motor stops functioning:

• When lowering the speed limit to the maximum allowable mark, the driver's door must be closed.
• The transmission unit is moved to the "N" position.
• Clutch fully depressed.
• The helm position must be static.

Engineers thought out the start-stop system for a situation where this is allowed by the conditions. Raising the hood deactivates the device. The convenience is that when the driver left the cabin, fiddling with the power unit, accidentally pressing the clutch or brake will not start the device. There will be no idle car with the engine running.

When will start-stop fail?

There are several cases where the device is useless:

• The vacuum level of the power node amplifier has decreased below the statutory value.
• Battery charging for the start-stop system is low.
• Climate control functionality is focused on the compressor part.

Construction wisdom

To understand how the start-stop system works, it is important to know its configuration. The device includes two components: one is responsible for starting, the second for stopping. A separate mechanism is responsible for the speed of turning off the motor. Traditionally arranged automobilethe system would not have been able to cope with the periodic on-off of the engine, so adjustments had to be made to the transport device.

To do this, the starter is strengthened in the car. There is a need for a reverse generator, fuel injection into the cylinders. In this case, up to 9% of the fuel mixture is saved. During the operation of the reinforced starter, the usual long beep disappears due to the additional drive mechanism. In this regard, the operation of the motor is characterized by noiselessness.

All of this is driven by a control technique consisting of a block and sensors. In addition to starting, it monitors the battery charge level. If you want to install know-how, you need to reflash the ECU that controls the operation of the control.

So, what is a start-stop system on a car? For a better understanding, you can consider an example from life.

From theoretical dogmas to practical realities

Consider the usual situation for every motorist:

• The red "eye" of a traffic light signals to stop. The person behind the wheel presses the brake pedal, shifting the gearbox to the “N” position. The control unit responsible for the optional start-stop commands the engine to stop. All elements dependent on the operation of the engine switch to battery power.
• Green "eye" starts flashing: the driver pulls out by engaging the clutch or releasing the brake pedal.

Sometimes the automation does not work and you have to think about how to turn off the start-stop system manually, and this moment the auto engineers thought of: with a button on the dashboard. ATtheory is good, but how are some brands actually doing?

Sin to complain or…?

Drivers are often interested in what it is - the start-stop system, and look for information on the Internet, ask car mechanics. Reviews about the technology are extremely controversial, but not unfounded. There were problems with turbocharging. This is especially true for older cars. In the instructions for these brands there was a postscript: you can’t immediately turn off the engine after an intense drive, you need to let the turbine cool down. When start-stop is activated, there is no time to cool down, so the turbine is taken out of operation and a breakdown occurs.

In "BMW" the system is included in the standard package, in "Audi" it comes as an additional equipment. Installation in services will cost about 30 thousand rubles, but according to the research of the auto publication "Behind the Wheel", the scheme justifies itself and is effective in a "half-empty city", at traffic lights, traffic jams, although not on all cars. Their installation is possible on business class sedans, then it is quite appropriate. What problems do you encounter while traveling with this technology?

Problems

In winter, all drivers have one question: will the battery withstand another cold season? The battery has increased loads - this is the most common malfunction of the "start-stop" system. Often, the battery charge sits down, and it fails. The typical battery life is 7 years, but with the new technology, this is greatly reduced.

Kills the battery is defectivestarter, generator. The second is able to charge the battery for a while, you can’t count on a full recovery. You can leave the battery for a day in the service. All these measures are temporary. Replacing the device will help to radically solve the issue. Manufacturers on the market represent a huge number of options, among which the largest percentage of consumer demand is equipment from Bosch or Vesta. These are fixtures with extended life and high capacity.

Symptomatics of a "dying" battery is the weak operation of the starter part, fading indicators, lack of voltage. Detailed diagnostics are carried out by special devices that check the he alth of the battery under the influence of the load. An electrolyte examination will clarify everything: a special probe is involved in the case, which picks up an electrolyte substance from the bottom of the section, diagnosticians evaluate its color. Dark and brownish shades speak of the destruction of the electrodes.

Auto experts recommend using GEL and AGM batteries for expensive imported "brainchildren" of the global automotive industry with "start-stop". This will be a profitable investment in the maintenance of an expensive "steel horse". The purchase will cost up to 6000 rubles. Lead-acid batteries are tricky. Its plates are not immersed in the electrolyte substance, they are held by special separators. The battery is sealed, the chemical reaction “eats” harmful substances, so you can place it in the cabin. Compatible with EFB batteries. Placed under the hood, they have low internal resistance and a special composition, thanks towhich the device copes with vibrations better than the previous version.

During the operation of a car with a start-stop system, the load on the starter increases. In this case, its enhanced version is used. A breakdown of this spare part is twice as expensive as buying a familiar model. What is the conclusion?

Obvious result

For cars that have come off the conveyor belt and are delivered to the market new, there is a whole range of pluses for the owner of the unit: this equipment gives you the opportunity to save about $ 200 per year with a mileage of 20,000 km. To resort to owning this mechanism on old "swallows" is at a loss due to expensive repair of starters, replacement of parts.

Many Audi A3 owners are forced to watch this picture. Motor transport refuses to start after working out the "start-stop" design. The result - when you press the gas pedal, the starter mechanism rotates, and the "horse" does not want to continue the journey. It is not put on the "handbrake", it is extremely difficult to keep vehicles on a hill. Experts advise updating the software.

In the case of this innovation, the saying is quite appropriate: "It doesn't happen once," because it often refuses to work for unknown reasons, in some situations it performs its functions properly after updating the software.

Technology is very capricious, demanding to fulfill the conditions for the normal execution of tasks. Failure to comply with at least one rule will lead to an error in the start-stop system, its refusal to fulfill its role. And the owner of the car will see a crossed-out badge ondashboard. One of the conditions is warmth in the cabin and a fastened seat belt. The design is also sensitive to the temperature of the coolant. In general, the invention is well conceived.