When I heard that the 2016 MDX came with auto start stop, I made sure that you could disable it. I thought this was a useless feature.

Now that I have it, I really like it and use it all of the time. It is nice to know you are not wasting gas and creating hydrocarbons with unnecessary idling.

However, I am concerned this feature is really a false economy if I have to buy a $700 starter in 5 years. Also, the auto start stop MDX comes with an extra heavy duty battery, which will be more expensive when the time comes to replace it.

Do you use it? What do you think?

 

totally think you're over thinking this.

it's true that it places more strain on the starter, but dont you think the engineers already thought of this!?

 

I use it. I noticed it didn't activate when it's raining.
Also it starts after 1-2 minutes or so automatically even foot is on brake. Is there a setting to increase this time ?

One annoying feature - When I reached my final destination and hit brake it stops and when i shift to park and take my foot from brake it activates. Is it a bug or feature ?

 

The question is...would they care if you need a starter AFTER factory warranty expires?

Same with VCM, i am also cautious with these things...i just don't like things to stop and start instantaneously over and over again. This is why i made sure that my MDX (2015) had powertrain warranty to 100k as part of my purchase deal. Now, not sure if starter is included in powertrain warranty, but my engine sure is! I just do not trust VCM nor start/stop features just yet.

I appreciate the fuel economy benefits, but i question the long-term ownership costs of these "techs." Mercedes came out with VCM-like engines many moons ago, but abandoned it. I wonder why.

 

It's dependent on the electrical load you're using and whether heating/cooling is needed; idle stops are lasting much longer now with spring weather versus the winter. Ultimately, a 12V battery probably won't be able power a modern car's electrical system for more than a few minutes anyways.

I think it has to be a bug, or logic they forgot to implement since it is very annoying. I've gotten into the habit of just turning off the car directly instead of shifting into park.

 

Exactly!!!!!!!!!! The engineers didn't think of this issue!!!!!

 

Yes, I don't trust VCM. What are the longterm effects? Will I get foulded plugs on the cylinders that are shut down. Will the shut down cylinders be affected by the lack of fuel spray. The jury is not out on this.

If I keep the vehicle longer than 4 years, I will definitely get the Acura extended warranty.

 

Wasn't aware of this feature!!!

 

That's a nice benefit of the push button selector, it can shift itself to park for you. Another cool automatic thing with the push button selector is that (at least on the TLX) if you have brake hold enabled and turn off the car without shifting into park, it'll shift into park and also turn on the parking brake for you.

 

i hate the feature myself, i did read in the manual that if the front window defrost/defogger is on the car won't shut off. I noticed if you press auto on the climate control in the rain the front window defrost/defogger comes on automatically.

 

the switching into park is cool until you take it for a carwash...and even in carwash mode it doesn't really work out because the car shuts off the carwash employees don't know how to start it back up. i had to start it up for them and when i pressed on the brake pedal the carwash alarm went off and shut down the system so now i have to seat in the car while its going through the carwash

 

I had a look under my hood at my starter. It looks pretty small and cheap. It is not going to last. Auto Start/Stop is a false economy. On my way to work, my engine starts and stops 30 times. This is 30 times the normal wear and tear.

4 years of of auto start stop commuting equals 120 years of normal wear and tear.

 

But, i have faith that all these manufacturers know what they are doing. BMW, Lexus, Mercedes, etc all using it. I am hoping...because i am sure that my next car will have it.