Start stop, what’s the point?

[Nsd991]

I realize you can disable the start stop function and it’s usually the first thing I do as I don’t like the abrupt feel of it engaging or disengaging. My understanding is that it’s function is to maximize fuel economy etc. When I don’t disable it my experience is it shuts off the engine for no more than a couple of seconds before starting the engine again. Am I missing something as this seems like serious overkill for potentially zero benefit?

[CanuckRS]

"Depending on the style of driving, Start-Stop technology can achieve fuel savings of up to 15%. However, the effectiveness of the system depends on many factors, including the area of use. During urban use, the automatic Start-Stop system causes the engine to switch off at standstill. Naturally, it is less effective on long motorway journeys."

https://batteryworld.varta-automotiv...t-to-save-fuel

[FBAnder]

I also never use it for the same reasons...just feels abrupt like something is wrong. It can increase fuel econ in heavy traffic but the system tries to be smart and that makes it often not. Example, engine will kill when slowling to a stop sign and if you end up rolling it at at a very low speed...you know you do it...itll have to restart almost immediately when hitting the gas. The slight lag in that transaction is annoying and it can also happen in slow moving traffic. I just don't like it so I don't use it.

[Nsd991]

I also never use it for the same reasons...just feels abrupt like something is wrong. It can increase fuel econ in heavy traffic but the system tries to be smart and that makes it often not. Example, engine will kill when slowling to a stop sign and if you end up rolling it at at a very low speed...you know you do it...itll have to restart almost immediately when hitting the gas. The slight lag in that transaction is annoying and it can also happen in slow moving traffic. I just don't like it so I don't use it.

Exactly

[Stubek]

If the Audi version is anything near as sensitive as my wife’s Toyota RAV4, if you change the break pressure at all while you are stopped, it thinks you are taking your foot off the break to go again so starts. The times we use it right, it will shut off the entire time we are at a traffic light which around here can be a minute or so.
I remember 30 years ago when I was getting my driver’s license they had info in the driver ed hand book that said if you were going to be stopped more than 30 seconds, turn the car off to save gas. This was a hold over from the gas crisis of the late 1970s and early 1980s.

[Nsd991]

The Audi version is no where as seamless as the S class Mercedes I recently drove. I didn’t mind/notice any of the jarring abruptness I feel in our Audis. I wonder if it has something to do with the 48v battery integration in the Audi?

[FBAnder]

The Audi version is no where as seamless as the S class Mercedes I recently drove. I didn’t mind/notice any of the jarring abruptness I feel in our Audis. I wonder if it has something to do with the 48v battery integration in the Audi?

Probably. That is next to useless on NA cars. I'd trade it for 50 more hp lol.

[FBAnder]

If the Audi version is anything near as sensitive as my wife’s Toyota RAV4, if you change the break pressure at all while you are stopped, it thinks you are taking your foot off the break to go again so starts. The times we use it right, it will shut off the entire time we are at a traffic light which around here can be a minute or so.
I remember 30 years ago when I was getting my driver’s license they had info in the driver ed hand book that said if you were going to be stopped more than 30 seconds, turn the car off to save gas. This was a hold over from the gas crisis of the late 1970s and early 1980s.

The RS 6 does this too. In gridlock traffic or at lights it's fine (I still don't use it in these situations). Otherwise it just feels off most of the time. Its not smooth when it engages and turns off the engine.

I am curious to see if those of us that typically don't use the start/stop and cylinder deactivation stuff also see alternator failures at the same rates.

[GR8VTen]

The RS 6 does this too. In gridlock traffic or at lights it's fine (I still don't use it in these situations). Otherwise it just feels off most of the time. Its not smooth when it engages and turns off the engine.

I am curious to see if those of us that typically don't use the start/stop and cylinder deactivation stuff also see alternator failures at the same rates.

I pretty much disable the Start/Stop every time I start the car, but still ended up with the alternator failure after 12,000mi of ownership...

[Stubek]

I pretty much disable the Start/Stop every time I start the car, but still ended up with the alternator failure after 12,000mi of ownership...

Alternator at 12k. That is nuts.

[FBAnder]

I pretty much disable the Start/Stop every time I start the car, but still ended up with the alternator failure after 12,000mi of ownership...

Well, then. Womp womps abound.

[CCMan]

yeah start stop can be good when a traffic jam comes to a complete stop for a while, but I'm afraid I will never like the feeling... Especially knowing that starting a cold engine causes the most wear and tear, although it's less with modern engines, I can't shake the feeling of causing more harm than good sometimes...

[S4-2-RS6]

I don't mind the stop start. Seems pretty smooth.

Do take note that when the car ahead of you creeps forward at a stop light, the system detects that and engine starts up. I can look at my phone and just wait till I hear the engine start haha.

[Group_B]

It's mainly for regulatory compliance - i.e. fuel economy/emissions numbers. As a real world feature, its usefulness is debatable at best.

[freesole]

One of the first things I do is press the on/off switch. Wish there was a way to stop this function altogether on the 2022's and beyond.

[two+2]

One of the first things I do is press the on/off switch. Wish there was a way to stop this function altogether on the 2022's and beyond.

Don't have to wish. There is a thread dedicated to this. https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...p-Switch/page2

[MattF]

Most normal engine wear happens at start up. For this reason alone I've permanently disabled the auto S/S function.

[freesole]

Don't have to wish. There is a thread dedicated to this. https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...p-Switch/page2

Don't think this works on 22's ...

[AstleyJ]

Would be nice if we could VAG code the switch to be in the "off" setting at startup rather than on. I didn't read through that other thread but that looks like a lot of work to remedy this one.

[two+2]

Don't think this works on 22's ...

I must have missed that detail. That sucks. so 22's are SOL with remediating this annoyance?

[carguyshu]

I must have missed that detail. That sucks. so 22's are SOL with remediating this annoyance?

i bought one for my 22. i guess we'll see if it works.

[freesole]

I must have missed that detail. That sucks. so 22's are SOL with remediating this annoyance?

That's the feedback I've read - doesn't seem to work on 22's.

[icr]

I wish I had it in RS mode [can it be done?]. I try to avoid traffic lights but if I get stuck behind one, what is the use of the car chugging away trying to lurch forward when it is 30 cars behind a friggin light? Id rather have the thing just shut off.