With the new CAFE and EPA rules, can manufacturers deliver 2026 model years cars and trucks without Auto Start Stop and cylinder deactivation? Can these be eliminated in a short time during manufacturing or would it take two model years to implement because of engineering and bean counters?
2026 model year changes?
- Thread starter Finklejag
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I don't think manufacturers are going to remove those features because in a few years those CAFE and EPA rules might get changed right back.
Propflux01
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Strange that they would keep them. My 2024 CX5 was originally equipped with stop start, but was omitted because of availability of parts (because of covid). Seems to me, if a car manufacturer can save a couple bucks per vehicle, they would omit those parts until they are (possibly) forced to resume using them again.
You may be right.
Or like BMW removing the differential fill hole and bolt on all 2015 and up i3's when the 2014 had one. They even cast a spot into the differential where it should be. Apparently if you want it done you can A) drain and force fill the drain hole or B) take it to bmw and they can refill the differential after it's removed from the vehicle.
I believe CAFE MPG regulations may be going away too? Would be nice to at least get small trucks and cars back out of this ... The original round of CAFE stuff kinda backfired and lead everyone into a big SUV or pickup
I think it's been made pretty clear that there won't be a move back to that ideology in this country.
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I’m not normally a stinker but I’m hoping the 2026 cars go up in price. We have a 2025 on order with a targeted production week of 7/28. With our car being produced in Arlington, TX, its USA Canada content is 37%, and Mexico content also 37%. One would think tariffs will affect the 2026’s. For no other reason want validation that our timing was good.
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Ditto for transmission dip sticks (anyone know if ‘21+ L84 and L87 Tahoes have one? Can’t find any evidence online that they do.
Ps I’m for stop start, but not for cyl deactivation
They maybe not remove them because of the cost/design implications already put into them - but I could see them removing the requirement to start the engine with auto start ON, i.e. retain your old setting of OFF.
They are not mandatory but manufacturers install them on their vehicles so they can get a lower average mpg from CAFE.
Automakers might be locked into multi-year contracts for parts. Good chance that the cheapest option is to do nothing, unless it was planned pre-Election Night 2024.
The current Rav4 has always had some models with S/S and some without - which was odd. It seemed they had calculated how many models they needed to get to their CAFE requirement. So it would be pretty easy for them to just delete all of them. However its a new model year in 2026 and rumor has its only hybrid anyway - so if thats the case there too far down the road.
So I would say its model specific.
You know for sure they will cut any cost they can, so it would not surprise me at all.
So I would say its model specific.
You know for sure they will cut any cost they can, so it would not surprise me at all.
The 10L80 does not have a dipstick. There is a fill plug on the side of the transmission case that you use to refill after a pan drop with about 7-7.5 qts of fluid. You then re-install the plug, start the engine, and brake torque until the trans temp is up enough to open the thermostat. Usually 156-170* F. Then you pull the plug, let it drain/equalize to set the level. The 10R80 in Fords you can get a dipstick for, I think B&M makes one, but that is because their fill plug/dipstick is on top of the trans case so its easy to route.
Lucky you. My 15 MB ML was supposed to have it but doesn’t. I lucked out also. But my 14 E350 has it.
My 2024 GMC Canyon has SS feature. I hit the start button and automatically put my finger on the SS button, as engine idles down I take finger off. It's normal start sequence now. For me with this truck I don't care.
Transmission dipsticks are extinct in all light duty trucks, 2020 was the last year for GM K2XX SUV's & the 6L80.
In Jeeps the Tazer deactivates every time by simply "faking" a button push.
I'm no programmer but seems to me OEMs could do exactly the same -- leave the software identical just add a little thing that makes it think the driver has pushed the button EVERY start cycle.
Put a blank in the dash where the button used to be.
Again, if Tazer engineers can figure this out, OEMs can do it in five seconds.
That said, I think some virtue signaling buyers might rebel if it was removed. Automakers may find it safer to leave as-is for certain states like a big one on the W coast.....
I'm no programmer but seems to me OEMs could do exactly the same -- leave the software identical just add a little thing that makes it think the driver has pushed the button EVERY start cycle.
Put a blank in the dash where the button used to be.
Again, if Tazer engineers can figure this out, OEMs can do it in five seconds.
That said, I think some virtue signaling buyers might rebel if it was removed. Automakers may find it safer to leave as-is for certain states like a big one on the W coast.....
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