Automatic start-stop - How it works

Particularly popular in city traffic and with fuel savings of up to 15 % also environmentally friendly - we are talking about the automatic start-stop system. More than seven out of ten new cars are equipped with this technology and the trend continues to rise. For short-distance drivers and people who often get caught in the annoying city traffic, the system that switches off the engine when the car is stationary offers many advantages. Thanks to the lower consumption, you save money and do something good for the environment, because CO2 emissions are also reduced. But what exactly is behind this popular technology?

How does the automatic start-stop system work?

As the name suggests, the system works automatically with the aim of reducing fuel consumption. As soon as you stop with the vehicle, the gear lever is in neutral and you apply the brake, the engine switches off automatically. This can save a lot of fuel before red lights, at level crossings and in traffic jams. Depending on the manufacturer, the engine also switches off at very low speeds (under the same basic conditions). If you want to continue driving and release the brake pedal, the engine starts up again. Here, too, the manufacturers make differences. Some manufacturers also require the clutch pedal to be depressed.

Do you drive a vehicle with automatic transmission? Then the engine is switched off when the vehicle is at a standstill or when it drops below a minimum speed. Here, too, the engine starts as soon as you step off the brake pedal, fall below a certain brake pressure and / or depress the accelerator pedal. Always note that vehicle manufacturers proceed differently. This means that although the requirements are similar, they are not transferable to every vehicle.

When is the function not active?

In some situations it would be bad if the engine simply stopped when the vehicle was stationary. Therefore, what about when the vehicle is parked or in the workshop to check the functions? Of course, we have also thought about this. There are a number of situations in which the automatic start-stop system does not intervene: outside and/or engine temperatures that are too high or too low, overloading of the ventilation or even a non-functioning air mass sensor. In most cases, this is because the necessary power is already needed for other measures (e.g. cooling down the interior or engine). Very obvious are activities or preparations for parking. If you find a parking space and want to park, the system detects this too and does not switch off the engine. Signs that let the system know of the intention to park include a steering wheel that is turned sharply, an open door, unfastened seat belts and also the activation of the parking assistant. Apart from this, the automatic start-stop system will not work on steep inclines, an open bonnet or a low battery charge. Most vehicles need a battery charge of over 75% for the technology to work reasonably. If this value is fallen short of, you drive without the fuel-saving automatic.

What needs to be considered?

Basically, the following always applies: The current customer request always takes precedence over the automatic start-stop system. Windscreen and seat heating as well as ventilation and air conditioning have a higher priority and if the power consumption of these systems is too high, the system will not be activated. A special battery is also needed that provides enough energy and capacity to enable the engine to be started, which requires a lot of electricity and is a regular occurrence. These batteries are much more cost-intensive than the current models. It is always best to have an expert who knows the tricks of the trade take care of this.

The automatic start-stop system will be installed in more and more cars in the future. It is therefore all the more important to know how and when it works. The most important thing, however, is that the clever helper makes parking possible without any problems. Do you still need a parking space at the airport for your next flight? Then you've come to the right place! Book your parking space here and park in complete relaxation - whether with or without automatic start-stop.