Temporary engine shutdown - new trend in cars
Increasingly popular technology helps save fuel and protect the environment, but it has some impact on engine life.
In urban areas, moving with crowded traffic systems and frequent vehicle stops, applying temporary engine shutdown technology - Start/Stop Engine is considered a measure to help reduce fuel consumption and protect the environment.
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Engine stop technology is gradually becoming common equipment on cars. |
What is Start/Stop Engine technology?
Start/Stop Engine is a system common on modern vehicles that temporarily shuts off the engine when the vehicle is stopped to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. The engine restarts when the clutch is engaged or the brake is released, when the driver is ready to move again.
How does Start/Stop Engine work?
The system uses a computer to detect when the vehicle is stopped or idling, and stops fuel injection and ignition in the combustion chamber. The ignition resumes when the vehicle is moving or the clutch is engaged.
This process is automatic, but the driver can intervene to determine when the system is active or not, using a button on the dashboard, usually with an A symbol with a rotating nose loop above it clockwise.
Usually, mA spring-loaded gear set mounted on the starter motor that restarts the engine as soon as the computer detects that the vehicle is rolling or the clutch is engaged. As technology advances, car manufacturers' starter motors are becoming more powerful and faster, minimizing the delay in starting the vehicle when the brake pedal is lifted.
Does Start/Stop Engine technology save fuel?
Yes - in situations where you are stopped and the engine is not running, such as in traffic jams, waiting at traffic lights, it saves the amount of fuel that was used by the engine while the car was stopped. However, the amount of fuel saved generally depends on your driving habits.
The engine stop-start system is designed to reduce emissions in urban areas where traffic is heavy and vehicles are more likely to stop for longer periods, so it has more environmental benefits than conventional engines.
Disadvantages of Start/Stop Engine technology
When it comes to engine durability and longevity, the relevant factor will include the starter, with an engine stop system, the number of starts increases many times compared to an engine without this system.
With a normal car without an engine stop system, it can start about 50,000 times during the life of the engine, but with an engine stop system equipped, the number of starts can be up to 500,000 times in the life of the engine. This poses a challenge to the durability and longevity of the engine bearings.
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Turning off the engine when stuck in traffic helps save fuel and protect the environment. |
Car manufacturers overcome the disadvantages of engine shutdown technology
Most car manufacturers have measures in place to ensure the longevity of their engines. The most common method is to use a spring-loaded gear unit mounted on the starter motor.Helps increase the number of starts by 4 times compared to the conventional starting system, so that the engine and transmission can adapt to the increased number of starts.
In addition, manufacturers also develop new bearing materials, with greater lubrication capacity, preventing wear on internal parts every time they start. Stainless steel bearings have a friction coefficient 50% lower than conventional aluminum bearings, which will easily extend the life of engines equipped with Start/Stop Engine systems.
Second, improved lubricating oil also helps maintain the life of engines equipped with Start/Stop Engine systems equivalent to conventional engines.
