BMW - auto start stop.

[merlin321]

For the first time yesterday I came across this new fangled start-stop system on BMWs. The engine cuts out every time the car comes to a complete stop, at traffic lights, junctions etc in an effort to use less fuel I guess.
The first time it happened the car came up behind me when I was waiting to pull onto a roundabout. As I pulled away, and not knowing any better, I smiled to myself assuming it had stalled. When I got to the next set of lights it pulled up beside me and the same thing happened - engine shut off.
I found it quite disconcerting sitting next to a car with no engine running waiting for the lights to change.

Wondered if anybody else had come across this whilst cycling.

 

[fossyant]

It's also a crafty way of lowering the co2 for company car drivers....

 

[domd1979]

Not whilst cycling I haven't, but we have a Honda Civic hybrid for a pool car at work which cuts the engine when you bring it to a stand (although bizarrely only if you hold it on the footbrake - applying the handbrake and releasing the footbrake starts the engine again!!). It's a bit strange at first but you get used to it, can't fault how quickly it starts again.

Wondered if anybody else had come across this whilst cycling.

 

[thomas]

Otherwise known as cake and eat it technology (or so they said in the old adverts for it).

I think it's a good idea tbh, but I've never actually seen it in action.

As for stalling, there's something sadly satisfying when someone does...but very embarrassing when you do

 

[HLaB]

As for stalling, there's something sadly satisfying when someone does.

Its especially satisfying when its a ned (chav) with a loud exhaust

 

[thomas]

Its especially satisfying when its a ned (chav) with a loud exhaust

hahaha +1!!

 

[purplepolly]

must be fun if it gets stuck in gridlock in winter or does the heating work without the engine?

 

[thomas]

must be fun if it gets stuck in gridlock in winter or does the heating work without the engine?

I would assume that when you're paying how every many tens of thousands of pounds, for a new beemer they came up with a way to keep the heating on ...this is a German car, not an Italian

Also, the car doesn't turn off, just the engine, so you would still get heating, radio, etc,etc.

 

[upsidedown]

Mrs ud has it in her new mini clubman, only active when the temperature is above 5 degrees or something.
A bit disconcerting at first but you soon get used to it, and after a while it seems strange that all the other drivers are sitting at the lights burning fuel.
Engine starts as soon as you dip the clutch as you see the lights change.
It's a company car and very low on co2.

 

[MajorMantra]

My Dad has a Toyota Prius hybrid which does the same thing, it's quite eerie. Even better is the way you can set it to electric-only mode and sneak up on people in car parks.

Matthew

 

[jay clock]

it is not just company car drivers who should be bothered. Lower CO2 means less fuel burnt, which is good news all round

 

[thomas]

it is not just company car drivers who should be bothered. Lower CO2 means less fuel burnt, which is good news all round

Company car drivers are using the technology because they change company cars every year or two on most leasing schemes.

 

[cheadle hulme]

Company car drivers are using the technology because they change company cars every year or two on most leasing schemes.

Your post makes no sense. Why would the type of finance or length of lease affect the usage of technology?

The rules on company car tax were changed to more of a "polluter pays" system to encourage fuel efficiency. Demand for efficiency is driving technological improvements.

 

[mr_hippo]

It's not a new idea, VW & FIAT marketed it in the 80s

 

[Manonabike]

It's not a new idea, VW & FIAT marketed it in the 80s

Are you sure?

In 1991 I was offered a Phd to research on this technology and sponsored fully by Ford. I didn't take the project but I always wondered what happened to the idea As I remember the project was to reduce fuel consumption at traffic lights and one of the areas of research was to keep the car running in only 2 cylinders, however, I guess batteries have improved sufficiently to implement a technology that kills off the engine completely.