Saw first non-hybrid (Malibu) with engine stop/start. Why do people hate stop/start?

[MetroMPG]

^ Sounds similar to Corvette owners disabling the 1-to-4 shifter thing.

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I've seen (heard) auto stop/start on a few more cars in the last couple of weeks. Always when I'm on my bike. Yesterday it was a new Jeep Cherokee.

[MetroMPG]

I know this comment was posted almost a year ago, but it made me laugh... again:

Originally Posted by SlideWRX

...That way in stop-n-go traffic it doesn't drive the normal customer crazy. yes it may drive an ecomodder crazy. you're not normal

[Fat Charlie]

The one guy I spoke to who disabled his cylinder deactivation (in a Challenger) had a manual. Without an auto's inherent slop, it's not exactly seamless. Just like an automatic's downshift, it waits until it sees power demand- then it doubles the number of cylinders firing. It sounds like if you've got an auto it's just an extra downshift feeling- a bonus reminder of how much power you've got.

He also disabled his skip shift. He bought the manual... because he wanted to make his own choices with the gearbox.

I'm a fan of cylinder deactivation myself, and I'd also love stop/start. The car trying to influence my gear choices? Not so much.

[darcane]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

^ Sounds similar to Corvette owners disabling the 1-to-4 shifter thing.

I disabled skip-shift on my Caddy. While the thought is good, the implementation is clunky. I still skip gears, just not the automated way it tries to make me do it.

Unfortunately, cylinder deactivation is not as seamless as it should be. Plus, there is added complexity which means more failure modes/less reliability. Deactivating the system can save more money than trying to fix it.

New technologies often have the same problem. It takes years or decades to sort out and make them reliable. Since I only buy used cars, I'm always concerned about how they fail and can they be easily repaired or bypassed

[MetroMPG]

Unfortunately, cylinder deactivation is not as seamless as it should be

I've driven a Hemi Dodge Ram and a Honda Pilot with this, and I literally couldn't tell when it kicked in or out without looking at the ECO light on the dash.

[darcane]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

I've driven a Hemi Dodge Ram and a Honda Pilot with this, and I literally couldn't tell when it kicked in or out without looking at the ECO light on the dash.

Hrm... the Hemi Charger (2006?) I drove was quite noticeable; it ran a little rough and the exhaust note was odd. I wonder what the difference is. Maybe more recent examples have been improved.

[MetroMPG]

The one I drove was older too - probably around the same age. I think I noticed the exhaust note change as well. (But no functional difference.)

[Frank Lee]

At any rate I doubt it's a Big Deal. If it was something that HAD to be fiddled with I'd go for manual control instead of function delete.

[SH@UN]

People like me hate the start/stop because we KNOW it won't last. It wall cause other mechanical problems over time. If you only plan on keeping the car 2-3 years, then it's probably fine. I keep a car atleast 10 years, so no thank you, not for me.

[Ecky]

Originally Posted by SH@UN

People like me hate the start/stop because we KNOW it won't last. It wall cause other mechanical problems over time. If you only plan on keeping the car 2-3 years, then it's probably fine. I keep a car atleast 10 years, so no thank you, not for me.

People had this concern with the G1 Insight when it first came out. The logic was that frequent engine stops would allow the oil to drain out and temperature to briefly drop. However, over the last 17 years, the engines in these cars have proven extremely reliable, with plenty of examples lasting over half a million miles without a rebuild, and some far more than that.

The only thing I can think of that would see wear would be the starter, which is easy enough to replace and probably paid for several times over by the fuel saved.