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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to hate/struggle with start-stop technology in new cars?

39 replies

CircleSquareCircleSquare · 11/04/2018 18:23

My DH’s new car has start-stop technology and I can’t get to grips with it at all. I’ve driven it exclusively over my car since he got it because I want to get used to the new technology but I can’t for the life of me master it.

I stalled the car 3 times within 400m today, I stalled in slow moving traffic on a motorway on ramp at the weekend and last week I must have stalled a dozen times. I’m a very cautious driver usually but never, ever stall. I can’t pick up the knack for start-stop at all. I’m so thankful I can go back to my own car but I know when I come to upgrade most cars will have this technology.

Has anyone else had this issue?

OP posts:

ErrolTheDragon · 11/04/2018 19:24

We have a VW and a Volvo with stop/start, and I'm baffled by the idea that there's anything to 'get to grips' with - they both work exactly as I would want them to. Which makes me wonder if those of you having problems need to take your cars back in for some sort of adjustment. If you don't want it to stop, just keep your foot down on the clutch. Just realised, maybe you've all got auto rather than manual gears?

On the rare occasions I've stalled (which have not been the cars fault), it just restarts when I put it back in gear and go, exactly as it would if it had stopped itself - no faffing with the key or start button.

The VW has an automatic handbrake - I find that absolutely fine too. Just give the brake pedal a good stomp, you can feel it engage.

TalbotAMan · 11/04/2018 19:34

DW and I have had stop-start on two Peugeots and a Citroen. All were diesel automatics because DW has leg problems and can't use a clutch. Never had a problem with it working.

In fact, the problem we have had with the Peugeots is that it stops working as the battery ages, and so rarely works at all on the current one - it needs a motorway run of over 50 miles to get the battery charge up enough. We could buy a new battery or a battery charger but reckon that the fuel saving from stop start wouldn't pay for it.

Now, I have the ultimate in stop-start -- an electric car!

soulrider · 11/04/2018 19:34

We had an audi as a hire car recently that had a button handbrake where you had to have your foot on the brake for it to release. Now that works fine in an automatic but how on earth do you do a hill start in a manual with that system. Luckily we were in Denmark so no hills

BonnieF · 11/04/2018 20:06

Start Stop works fine on both my BMW & DP’s Benz. Both automatic, if that makes a difference. I have never driven a manual with start stop, so can’t comment on that.

IAmWonkoTheSane · 11/04/2018 20:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LartenCrepsley · 11/04/2018 20:18

I’ve got start-stop on my Peugeot and haven’t had any problems with it. DH stalls quite regularly driving my car, but I think that’s because he drives an ancient tank of a car Monday-Friday, and only drives my lovely, modern, smooth car at the weekends.
It has the push button handbreak and I LOVE that! Amazing for hill starts.
Can you tell I love my car???

millymae · 11/04/2018 20:19

My corsa has it and it’s never caused any problems, but with all the start stops it does I have a sneaking suspicion that I’ll soon be in need of a new starter motor/clutch.
TBH I’m not entirely convinced of the benefits of start stop technology and have begun to turn it off more and more when I’m in slow moving traffic.

He11y · 12/04/2018 06:26

Works perfectly on our Ford - nothing to get to grips with - it drives like any other car and only stalls if we make an error.

The only ‘issue’ I have with it is when I’ve been sat a while and it decides it needs to kick back in for a bit - used to scare the living daylights out of me when we first used it but I’m used to it now.

Sounds like some of you need to get your cars checked - it shouldn’t cause you to stall, especially on slip roads!

LordEmsworth · 12/04/2018 06:58

I also don't understand how it can make you stall. Surely it only kicks in once you have stopped and are in neutral with foot off the clutch? How can it stop the engine while you're actually moving???

snozzlemaid · 12/04/2018 10:42

Yes mine only stops when in neutral and I take foot off the clutch. Don't know how it could make you stall or suddenly cut out.
As soon as I put clutch in again it starts again.
There's not really anything to get to grips with in mine. Maybe other cars work differently.

cardibach · 12/04/2018 10:48

I came to say what LordEmsworth and snozzle have just said. Stop start on,y happens when you are I. Neutral with handbrake on in my car. And not always then - I often get a ‘not available’ light.

WeAllHaveWings · 12/04/2018 10:49

Our Ford is fine too, hardly notice it. As soon as you put your foot back on the clutch it restarts instantly before you get a chance to put into gear. Never stalled.

When is your car stalling? Surely it's a fault of it does it often?

cansu · 12/04/2018 11:31

agree that there may be an issue with the car as I really haven't noticed it. As soon as you put your put on the accelerator it starts. I honestly do not notice it. I have a vw golf by the way. Maybe you should go back to garage and discuss it?

BarbaraofSevillle · 12/04/2018 12:15

I've got stop start in a Skoda Fabia and it's fine.

Like cansu says, it's not noticeable apart from when you're sat at traffic lights, the engine isn't wasting fuel or pumping out pollution. And when it's time to go, it just starts again as soon as you press the accelerator.

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