Stop / Start - Here's a question for you all??????

**johnloaderuk** · 05-01-2011,09:25 AM

Originally Posted by jonathon555

In cold wethear is where it will bothoer me most as the heater won't get up to temperature very quickly. if the engine keeps turning off.

The system knows if the interior isn't up to the selected temperature so then keeps the engine running - that's how it works on my Passat. It's quite intellegent in that respect.

**black999** · 05-01-2011,11:10 AM

I recently had some work done on my 2008 A4 and the dealership loaned me a "new" A3 for the duration. This car had the start/stop feature but it could be turned off by a button on the dash.

Is this the case with the new A4 or is the function "on" all of the time ?

**certacito** · 05-01-2011,11:20 AM

Originally Posted by black999

I recently had some work done on my 2008 A4 and the dealership loaned me a "new" A3 for the duration. This car had the start/stop feature but it could be turned off by a button on the dash.

Is this the case with the new A4 or is the function "on" all of the time ?

Same for B8 A4 - There is a button on the centre console where it can be turned off.

Also noticed that mine hardly activates at all when the weather is cold. There are lots of criteria that have to be met before the engine stops it appears to quite a complex algorithm they use to activate it.

**dave1956** · 28-01-2011,11:05 PM

hi all very interresting thread i dont have an audi yet still driving an 11 year old swedish missile my turbo seal s failed at idle one day because centre of turbo housing was clogged with sludge from old oil coke and i religious in lettin car idle for a lil while after a journey also an example from my proffesion the machines we use at work have to stabalise engine temprature from flight idle to gnd idle for some two minutes before being shut down to prevent engine damage [they are just like big turbos ]i get my a4 avant in june and stop start will be switched off v/bad idea to please greenpeace

**ScottyUK** · 29-01-2011,12:59 AM

Hi and welcome.

errm on your keyboard directly to the right of letter M there should be two keys. Do your's work?

p.s. If you're using a smart phone then they may be hidden elsewhere

**dave1956** · 29-01-2011,01:31 AM

lol ,hi scotty. thanks for the welcome

.i some times forget to use those bad habits i suppose.

**ScottyUK** · 29-01-2011,02:13 AM

aha! I can (nearly) understand that post !

**J_B204** · 29-01-2011,04:53 PM

My first post, so hello all!

Been lurking on the forums for a little while - anyway decided to register as I've just ordered my new A4 Avant 170 PS Quattro Technik In bright red!!! With Tech pack high (HDD Sat Nav) & lighting pack..

Delivery early May...so painful!

Anyway, being sad I downloaded the brochure from this site and read all about the stop start...

Here goes:

Stop Start will not operate until the engine is up to operating temp.
If the system detects extra load on the electrical system (AC etc) it will not activate
If the battery condition isn't tip top it won't activate.
As already said it will selectively deactivate things that are draining the battery if there is a problem (but this isn't linked to the stop start necessarily - this is all about the health of the battery)
You can deactivate but, personally I don't see the need to as it is pretty smart at monitoring the health of the battery/engine etc.
Re turbo - not sure about this once but would be very surprised if there wasn't a fail safe in there to protect the turbo, that combined with advanced oils means it 'should' be ok.

Anyway, my first post, so hope this helps!

**cpridd** · 29-01-2011,07:06 PM

J_B204...hello! I am a newbie too after having been lurking for a while like you!

Having just got my A4, this is the first time I have had a car with start-stop. I have been really impressed with it so far. I guess because the weather has been cold, it hasn't been kicking in too much, and my recentt journeys have been shorter than normal, so this may explain. It starts up as soon as you touch the clutch, which is pretty cool! I wonder what is the optimum time for a stop to occur before you are making a saving, e.g. is a 15 second cut out + a restart better or worse than pressing the button and keeping the engine running in terms or ecomonmy/fuel saving? There must be extra fuel needed for the engine to restart? I am sure there must be a time when it begins to be more efficient? Any ideas?

Btw, I too downloaded the handbook before purchase...sad? No, I always do this before buying anything for two reasons, one, you know how to use it when you get the item, two, helps you get a real understanding of what you are going to buy. Maybe this is sad!?

**J_B204** · 29-01-2011,09:18 PM

cpridd,

I seem to remember that with any stop over 30 secs it is worth turning your engine off (to save fuel - although if it happens a lot you may suffer from excess wear and tear) but that is with standard (older) engines. The modern stop/start system will be much more efficient so I reckon your 15 secs is about right. After all, when you stop at a traffic light odds-on you are going to be there for more than 30 secs.

J_B204