Auto Start/Stop Technique

[Mark S.]

Here's something I discovered quite by accident the other day that might mitigate some of the dislike for the auto stop/start system. I know my biggest beef is the slight delay after stepping on the accelerator pedal (while the engine starts) before I get any actual acceleration. It's an acceptable delay in my opinion, but if you hate, hate, hate it nonetheless, you can avoid it by giving your steering wheel a slight twist just before the light changes. When you do, the engine will start, leaving the auto hold for the brakes (if you use that feature) engaged.

My guess as to why this works is that the system cuts power to the electric steering motor when the engine is off to prevent placing too much load on the battery, therefore it must start the engine to provide power to the motor so you can turn the steering wheel. You'll feel the motor turn on as soon as the engine starts.

It's a nifty way to avoid the engine-start delay!

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[roboto65]

Will definitely give that a try very good info. I love the hold feature but the auto start stop kinda gets in the way of the hold.

 

[CLR]

With the auto hold applied, you can very gently touch the throttle to fire up the motor without disengaging the hold.

 

[Alistar]

I used to hate it, but almost 2 years after got used to it. Acceleration delay is really not that bad. It's just annoying at the STOP signs when nobody is across, 3 seconds lights... I've already developed a muscular reaction and automatically push the button right before these situations

 

[Dude]

I use the slight turn of the steering wheel or slight push on accelerator to fire up the engine whenever there’s an impatient driver behind me. But in the usual case the tiny delay of the auto start isn’t any issue and besides you can hear most cars around you automatically start up when the light changes.

It’s become a choreographed symphony of vehicles starting up when the conductor signals (light changes to green).

Modern vehicles making music together.
?? ?

 

[RSH]

I haven't noticed any delay in acceleration when using auto start stop. For me it's working so transparent I don't even really notice when it shuts down and restarts, I have to look at the dash to see that the tach goes to zero and the auto start stop indicator light is green. I just let off the brake pedal hit the gas and I'm gone.

 

[BourbonRunner]

If I don't hit the button and shut it off at start it happens every single time it kicks on the first time. It is an annoyance. Not sure if I'm reading incorrectly but in my BS HL I can turn it off and still use the hold feature. Is that not an option on other specs?

First vehicle I had with auto stop/start was a '13 MB C300. Got used to hitting the button immediately. That also had the first stop/hold but Mercedes made it easier- just press the brake pedal and the feature kicks on. Ive found the hold function on the BS is also annoying when parallel parking or maneuvering in tight spaces.

 

[DirtyLuke]

2 years into ownership, I just deactivated it using Forscan. I can't believe I didn't do this sooner.

 

[Escape2Bronco]

The delay is a little annoying, but I find the “jolt” or bump you get on occasion that makes you look in your mirror to see if someone just hit you in the rear more annoying. My full size does not do this. It’s activated by the clutch/gear selection and brake. It seems much more smoother and seamless compared to the Sport. I don’t hate it on the Sport, but it’s clear they “Ford” can make it much better.

 

[Mark S.]

With the auto hold applied, you can very gently touch the throttle to fire up the motor without disengaging the hold.

Yes, this was my old technique. The only problem is the "very" part. If you step just a bit too hard it releases the brake hold as well. I like the new technique a lot better.

 

[Escape2Bronco]

Here's something I discovered quite by accident the other day that might mitigate some of the dislike for the auto stop/start system. I know my biggest beef is the slight delay after stepping on the accelerator pedal (while the engine starts) before I get any actual acceleration. It's an acceptable delay in my opinion, but if you hate, hate, hate it nonetheless, you can avoid it by giving your steering wheel a slight twist just before the light changes. When you do, the engine will start, leaving the auto hold for the brakes (if you use that feature) engaged.

My guess as to why this works is that the system cuts power to the electric steering motor when the engine is off to prevent placing too much load on the battery, therefore it must start the engine to provide power to the motor so you can turn the steering wheel. You'll feel the motor turn on as soon as the engine starts.

It's a nifty way to avoid the engine-start delay!

Tim @fordvideoguy has talked about this in his videos for a while now. His videos have a lot of good information for those new to the vehicle.

 

[Cursed Bronco]

With the auto hold applied, you can very gently touch the throttle to fire up the motor without disengaging the hold.

I agree. I do the delicate dance between pressing the brakes light enough to not engage the hold, harder to engage, gentle tap to fire if back up without disabling the auto hold ?

I know just how she likes to be treated ?

 

[Mark S.]

I know just how she likes to be treated ?

You scamp.

 

[Big Ben]

Here's something I discovered quite by accident the other day that might mitigate some of the dislike for the auto stop/start system. I know my biggest beef is the slight delay after stepping on the accelerator pedal (while the engine starts) before I get any actual acceleration. It's an acceptable delay in my opinion, but if you hate, hate, hate it nonetheless, you can avoid it by giving your steering wheel a slight twist just before the light changes. When you do, the engine will start, leaving the auto hold for the brakes (if you use that feature) engaged.

My guess as to why this works is that the system cuts power to the electric steering motor when the engine is off to prevent placing too much load on the battery, therefore it must start the engine to provide power to the motor so you can turn the steering wheel. You'll feel the motor turn on as soon as the engine starts.

It's a nifty way to avoid the engine-start delay!

I think I'll just keep pushing the off button once istead of anticipating light changes numerous times. Thanks for the tip though.

 

[KidWiff]

My biggest beef is having auto s/s turned on. Pull in the garage, stop and the engine shuts off. Shift into park, only to have the engine start up and then have to turn off the ignition.

Coming to a stop, letting the engine shut off via auto s/s and then immediately turning off the ignition without shifting into park is just not in my routine…. Yet.

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