2014 Chevy Malibu Stop/Start

[Merkava_4]

Quote:

There are no buttons to push or procedures to learn with Malibu’s stop/start system. It automatically shuts down the engine when the car comes to a stop under certain driving conditions, such as at a stoplight. The engine automatically restarts when the driver takes his or her foot off the brake.

The system monitors vehicle speed, climate control system operation and other factors to determine whether it is efficient to shut off the engine. In some cases, such as heavy stop-and-go traffic, the engine will remain running.


LINK

I'm wondering how the car knows the difference between bumper to bumper stop and go traffic on the freeway, and a regular stop at an intersection stop light.

 

[The_Jeff]

MIL has a 2013 buick Lacrosse (same car) with this feature. When she pulls into her driveway in Drive, and stops, it shuts down. Then she puts it in Park, it starts back up. Takes her key, it stops again.

The tach has a helpful display at zero that it's saving fuel.

It does at least kick into action rapidly when needed. IDK if it's the taking foot off the brake or what. The starter/alternator has an enormously fat and tight serpentine belt and it's liquid cooled.

 

[demarpaint]

Is there a procedure in the OM for disabling it?

 

[nitehawk55]

The starter/alternator has an enormously fat and tight serpentine belt and it's liquid cooled.

I'd hate to see the cost of that if it quits , I'll bet it's very costly .

 

[UNC151]

I drove a Audi in the Netherlands that operated like this and the first time that it happened, I had a "What the heck" moment. Nearly every time that I came to a stop the engine would shut off and when I released my foot from the brake it would start up again. It did get really good MPGs, but then again the EU emissions are different than US and that had to contribute to some of it.

 

[Trav]

This is a common feature in Europe that first appeared about 10 years ago.
It sucks in the worse possible ways, in stop and go its shutting the engine off as soon as the car comes to a complete stop for a second.

At least in Europe they have an override switch that must be used every trip as the system is on by default. It only works in closed loop operation.
In the US I have a feeing there may be no such override because if the car got the CAFE MPG with the system engaged then it must be engaged all the time like Honda's VCM.

On Euro models its an easily and permanently defeated system and many people do.
It is seen as nanny state technology not a fuel saving device and generally despised.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: Trav
This is a common feature in Europe that first appeared about 10 years ago.
It sucks in the worse possible ways, in stop and go its shutting the engine off as soon as the car comes to a complete stop for a second.

At least in Europe they have an override switch that must be used every trip as the system is on by default. It only works in closed loop operation.
In the US I have a feeing there may be no such override because if the car got the CAFE MPG with the system engaged then it must be engaged all the time like Honda's VCM.

On Euro models its an easily and permanently defeated system and many people do.
It is seen as nanny state technology not a fuel saving device and generally despised.



I have a feeling you're right and it probably can't be disabled. Too bad its a nice looking car, but I'd be shopping for a car that doesn't use the technology. Hopefully when it becomes mainstream there's an aftermarket company that has a fix for disabling it.

 

[kam327]

At least it performs better than the latest BMW's. I've read those S-S systems are very conspicuous.

 

[Trav]

When the accident claims start rolling in I have a feeling it will fade into oblivion.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: Trav
When the accident claims start rolling in I have a feeling it will fade into oblivion.


I was thinking about that too. I want to see how it holds up, and the feedback from the first owners/testers of this new to GM technology.

 

[JHZR2]

I had a buick regal that supposedly did this, but in a lot of driving, I think I got it to do so maybe once.

I like the basic concept, as stoplights and traffic is VERY wasteful.

But I dont quite get how important subsystems like HVAC are maintained. Are the compressors and everything electically operated?

A super fast and automatic start is good beause it removes a latency for a key to be turned or button to be pressed. I shut down my car in certain circumstances when I can, and like the concept. But I agree that being able to override is important too.

Sooner or later most/all cars will be hybrids of one sort or another, and this is an example of an inroads to low cost hybridization...

 

[dparm]

The new BMWs are all doing it, mine included, and I hate it. Fortunately the M cars in North America have it disabled by default.

It wears down the starter and battery much more quickly. Unnecessary complexity that was added ONLY for emissions reasons and not MPG (says so right on the BMW website). I even tested it over a few gas tanks and there was like a 0.3mpg difference, which is well within the margin of error.

 

[whip]

Didn't Mazda have this a few years? I thought I read something about. Did they not use it?

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: dparm

It wears down the starter and battery much more quickly.


I agree 100%, it can't be good for the engine either over the long haul. I mentioned about the starter and battery a few months back in one of these threads about stop start tech and took a lot of flack. It has to cause extra wear to the starter and battery, even if they're using starters and batteries specifically designed for it. The good news is you can disable it. I'd turn it off and leave it off for good.

 

[Trav]

Originally Posted By: dparm
Unnecessary complexity that was added ONLY for emissions reasons and not MPG (says so right on the BMW website)


Some of the first start stop cars were the 83 Polo E long before Europe was even installing Cats in regular production, at that time it had very little if anything to do with the enviroment.
Later came the Lupo 3L which used start stop to achieve its 3L/100 economy, 3L/100 car buyers received tax incentives.

The technology is sold globally and peddled to different targets. In the US fuel price is less of an issue than it is in in other countries but the buyers may be more environmentally conscious.
In Europe fuel economy is a must so they peddle it to both groups.

Originally Posted By: BMW
A clever way to save fuel the Auto Start Stop function turns off the engine each time the vehicle comes to a complete halt - such as at traffic lights - and restarts it automatically. A reduction in fuel consumption is the result.

The principle is simple: if the engine is not running, it cannot consume fuel. The Auto Start Stop function turns off the engine whenever it is not needed. In a traffic jam or in stop-and-go traffic, simply putting your BMW .....

When used consistently, the Auto Start Stop function delivers significant reductions in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.


http://www.bmw.com/com/en/insights/techn...p_function.html

 

[gregk24]

As others have said, it seems like this will put more wear on the starter/battery/ and more importantly the engine over time.

 

[supton]

I feel a need to be contrarian here and ask if people avoid using their power windows as it wears the battery&alternator, and eventually the power windows will wear out too. In NH you could fail inspection if a window does not work; see http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rules/state_agencies/saf-c3200.html or specifically 3217.13 so one should avoid using their windows.

Quote:
Saf-C 3217.13 Window Function. A vehicle shall be rejected if all the windows do not open and close properly.


Just sayin'. Everything wears, and no one wants to pay for its replacement cost. I can only imagine the complaints when crank windows were introduced.

 

[71Chevyguy]

On the GM cars I believe this is still the same system that was used on the Aura hybrid, Vue hybrid and Malibu hybrid back several years ago when Saturn was still around. They used this huge alternator/motor with that belt that has been mentioned. There is a special procedure to remove that belt because it is under extreme pressure. That alternator is actually what spins up the engine for restart and not the starter (hence the super tight belt). The car is started with the starter only the first time. Every other start is done by the hybrid system till you put it in park and shut her down with the key. It is a fairly simple system and seems to work fairly well with 3 batteries hidden somewhere in the back(36 volt system). As far as fuel benefits I am not sure how much it helps. I guess every little bit counts. At least it is not very complicated so that hopefully makes it less problematic in the long run. I have never driven or serviced one but it was one of the systems I had to study about to get certified for hybrid maintenance. Hope that sheds a little more light on the concept for anyone wondering how it works. At the time it was the only hybrid system that had a starter.

 

[faramir9]

This feature is specific to the Eco trim? Or is it across the whole model line?

 

[dparm]

Originally Posted By: supton
I feel a need to be contrarian here and ask if people avoid using their power windows as it wears the battery&alternator, and eventually the power windows will wear out too. In NH you could fail inspection if a window does not work; see http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rules/state_agencies/saf-c3200.html or specifically 3217.13 so one should avoid using their windows.

Quote:
Saf-C 3217.13 Window Function. A vehicle shall be rejected if all the windows do not open and close properly.


Just sayin'. Everything wears, and no one wants to pay for its replacement cost. I can only imagine the complaints when crank windows were introduced.



Except that starters are hundreds of dollars on modern vehicles (I think mine is like $650) plus labor. Batteries on these cars are also huge group 49 units and run $180+.

A window regulator, by comparison, is relatively cheap and easy to replace.