Start-Stop is a system that turns off the engine during short stops, such as in traffic jams or at traffic lights, designed by car manufacturers in order to reduce fuel consumption and harmful emissions into the atmosphere, this system is constantly updated by manufacturers to gradually reduce the negative impact that this system has on the car's engine and associated systems.
Today, most of the well-known car manufacturers include the Start-Stop system in their vehicles. These include Mercedes-Benz, Peugeot, Citroën, Smart, Volvo, Land Rover, Volkswagen, Seat, Nissan, Fiat, Bentley, BMW, Ford, Chevrolet, Hyundai, Honda, Jaguar, Kia, Mazda, Toyota and others.
We will now analyze the major advantages and disadvantages of the system.
Traffic jams are one of the main problems in the metropolis today. When driving in traffic jams, fuel consumption increases significantly, and the more fuel you burn, the more harmful substances you emit into the atmosphere.
The main purpose of the Start-stop system is to provide a solution to these problems. Since this system stops the engine when it is not needed, it contributes significantly to fuel economy.
There is also another undeniable advantage to using this system. By minimizing the number of operating hours and adding an extra load to the engine at low revs, it helps to optimize the use of the catalyst, increasing its service life and preventing the formation of carbon deposits on the spark plugs. In the case of diesel engines, it slows the formation of deposits on the EGR valve, reducing urea consumption and contributing to a more efficient regeneration of the diesel particulate filter.
On the other hand, the Start-stop system also has some disadvantages because it requires more powerful equipment, especially the starter motor and the battery. These components cost about twice as much as conventional ones. In addition, repeated engine starts increase the load on the crankshaft bearings, and the delay in starting the engine should not be underestimated.
Today the major companies that develop this system are Bosch, Valeo, Kia and Mazda and as already mentioned they constantly update the product in order to solve the problems listed.
