So I've been doing a little research into the stop/start technology BMW has implemented on their vehicles. It looks like stop/start is more of a PITA than it may be worth...
For those of you unfamiliar with stop/start technology it shuts the engine off during idle and then restarts it during acceleration. The problem with the system is that its delayed, the car will not restart instantly there is latency of a few seconds which doesnt seem like much but consider the different possibilities. In line to make a red light, your sitting in the middle of the intersection with the car now shut off because you are "idling", you have to wait until red to turn because as per norm most people shoot through the yellow. Now you hit the accelerator to complete the turn but your 4 series doesn't turn back on right away so you're left in the middle of the intersection as oncoming traffic approaches.....
Sounds a little unsafe to me....
Besides that the system actually diminishes over time with battery life, so as the battery ages the less able it will be to support the 4 series without the help of the alternator. Especially in the winter time when the car shuts off at idle, the driver is still demanding the battery supports the heater, headlights, and radio of course.
Funnily Hyundai has come out and said that fuel savings from stop/start tech is marginal at best, Hyundai admits having difficulty obtaining a 1 mpg improvement in fuel efficiency using stop/start tech. They have all but abandoned the technology.
BMW does provide a button to switch stop start off, however it is only for the duration of your trip and it will reset each time you start the car. BMW has provided a service bulletin to dealers allowing them to make the button override the system permanently. You have to assume the 4 series will get the same treatment...
Does anyone have any experience with stop/start tech they are willing to share with us? My experience is limited to the quick test drive I took in a 3 series last week...
For those of you unfamiliar with stop/start technology it shuts the engine off during idle and then restarts it during acceleration. The problem with the system is that its delayed, the car will not restart instantly there is latency of a few seconds which doesnt seem like much but consider the different possibilities. In line to make a red light, your sitting in the middle of the intersection with the car now shut off because you are "idling", you have to wait until red to turn because as per norm most people shoot through the yellow. Now you hit the accelerator to complete the turn but your 4 series doesn't turn back on right away so you're left in the middle of the intersection as oncoming traffic approaches.....
Sounds a little unsafe to me....
Besides that the system actually diminishes over time with battery life, so as the battery ages the less able it will be to support the 4 series without the help of the alternator. Especially in the winter time when the car shuts off at idle, the driver is still demanding the battery supports the heater, headlights, and radio of course.
Funnily Hyundai has come out and said that fuel savings from stop/start tech is marginal at best, Hyundai admits having difficulty obtaining a 1 mpg improvement in fuel efficiency using stop/start tech. They have all but abandoned the technology.
BMW does provide a button to switch stop start off, however it is only for the duration of your trip and it will reset each time you start the car. BMW has provided a service bulletin to dealers allowing them to make the button override the system permanently. You have to assume the 4 series will get the same treatment...
Does anyone have any experience with stop/start tech they are willing to share with us? My experience is limited to the quick test drive I took in a 3 series last week...
