swttsx007

Hi all,

So, I’ve got to ask, what beneficial aspect is there of the auto start/stop feature? I always turn it off at startup, but today I forgot. Anyway, I almost got t-boned in my 21’ RDX because of it while trying to turn left! Yeah, I know my fault for forgetting to turn it off.

Just out of curiosity, does anyone actually use it? I can’t imagine it’s good for the starter either.

Also, with the RDX having been out since 19’, is there any kit available to permanently disable this feature upon startup?

Thanks all!

Ludepower

It saves gas I think? Negligible to me because I still get terrible mileage.

Anyways I've grown to accept it and not bother turning it off. Just a guinea pig seeing how long the starter last.

rdx4me?

I leave it on...get tired of always having to turn it off....frustrated by it? just lift slightly from the brake pedal an it starts back up...or slightly move the steering wheel..same result..I would guess the the starter is designed with start/stop in mind...but that's just a guess but probably at least somewhat accurate

russianDude

I turn it off each time before I drive. Sometimes I forget, and turn off immediately first time car stops.
Do not want put extra stress on starter and also prefer engine to continue running.

Jfkmk

I turn it off very time I start the car, at least when I remember. My mother’s Subaru calculates how much fuel it saves. According to it, the car would have to be “off” for 2 hours to save a gallon of gas. Not worth it.

leomio2.0

It becomes second nature. I literally start the car and then shut it off without even thinking anymore. Thankfully, Acura was nice enough to put the button right by the Engine Start button.

hans471

And I do the same. The gas savings is tiny. So many cars have these things and EVERYONE hates them. Of course certain "Green New Deal" folks must think they are going to help save the planet and insisted we have them. Of course they never factored in the cost in shorter battery and starter life. The good thing is we got a better battery in our vehicle. We also got a better starter. Now, if I just remember to hit that button all the time.....

Strange thing...let it "Auto Stop" in Drive and then switch to Park to turn off the car and the engine restarts so you can turn it off.. Strange......

JB in AZ

Yeah, just push the engine Start Stop button to turn the car off, and the car will put it Park at the same time... No need to do it manually. AND, if set to do this, it will engage the parking brake as well.

Waetherman

I’m not a fan of the auto-stop, myself. I turn it off when getting in the car or as soon as I remember. That said, for all the grumbling, studies have shown that it does save a significant amount of gas in heavy traffic, and gas saved means pollution avoided. In an individual level it might not make of an impact, but collectively it does.

As for all this talk about battery, starter and engine wear, its all just histrionics. Cars have had this technology for more than 30 years - plenty of time to work out the kinks. The battery, engine and starter were all designed with this tech in mind. It’s not causing any problems.

For those who don’t want it, there is a device that blocks it - https://www.idlestopper.com. I believe it just cycles the button when you turn on the car so instead of defaulting to “on” it defaults to “off” so you can still turn it on if you want, such as in heavy traffic.

russianDude

Starter might be designed for more starts, but that does not mean I want to test out how well its designed…. Some of us keep cars for 10yrs.
second issue is that its very annoying and gas savings are insignificant.

CanTex

For left turns against three lanes of traffic, I creep along very slowly to keep it alive. If the engine does stop, I release the pedal slightly so it restarts so I'm ready for a tire-screeching turn between oncoming traffic. Well, I'm a little more prudent than that with my age and I have to remind myself I'm not 24 and driving that Corvair Corsa. Generally I just ignore the auto-stop/start and let it do its thing, just keeping the engine alive for quick needs, As above, I just learned to press Start/Stop rather than putting it into Park.

Vince D

Ah, yes... the perennial often -asked question of the Auto-Start function!

For me, it's now become muscle memory; a three button process: I press Start > Auto Start button OFF > D/S button in one fell swoop.

Done.

fogdoctor

I don't even think about it. I have turned it off every single time over the last year. If I am arriving at a light that just changed and I know I am going to he there for some time then I turn it back on (and them immediately off again when the light turns). It was annoying for about 2 weeks but I do it from muscle memory at this point.

Bud808

Keep your AC set to the "low" setting and it will not activate

larrygeller

I absolutely love it. When you are stopped, the car is blissfully vibration free and silent as a churchmouse. If the stereo is on, it sounds better for that period. Mellows me out every time I hit a light. I actually get PO'd when it DOESN'T activate. Paired with brake hold, it's heaven.

Baconsoup

Mine has stopped working for the last 2 months… I should get it looked at, but I’m wondering if it’s related to my battery?

DrWoo

That was the first sign my first battery was dying, it lasted less than 2-1/2 years (bad cell). Second battery went dead on me at 8 months old, but dealer tested everything and said it was weak, but not to the replacement level yet, but could use a charge. I now put the battery on a charger overnight every few weeks. Unless you take long drives, 20:minutes trips apparently aren’t enough to keep these batteries fully charged.