Citroen C4 eco mode ?

thedoc46

thedoc46

thedoc46

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Joined
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Expat in the USA
So I'm in the UK for two weeks renting a Citroen C4 Diesel.

Whenever i go into neutral, like when i'm in the lights, and take my foot off the clutch the engine cuts out... It immediately starts up again, as soon as I put my foot back down on the clutch to put the car in gear. So I guess this must be some new 'eco friendly' way of saving a little on diesel.

The first time it happened, my missus nagged me saying i'd forgotten to drive a geared car, (i've been living in the USA for the last 10yrs lol) and accused me of stalling the car.

Anyway, is there a way to turn off this eco friendly mode? i kinda find it annoying...
 
Stop/Start is pretty common these days.

There is usually a way to turn it off though, push all the buttons :p
 
Jez said:
Stop/Start is pretty common these days.

There is usually a way to turn it off though, push all the buttons :p
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Never seen it. Mind you, i've never driven a car in the EU for the last 10yrs, so i am a little out of it.

Surely its got to kill the battery this new eco mode? AC still runs when at the lights. That's gotta take its toll.

There's no such thing in the US. I rent a lot of different cars when i travel, and this is the 1st time I've come across it.
 
thedoc46 said:
Never seen it. Mind you, i've never driven a car in the EU for the last 10yrs, so i am a little out of it.

Surely its got to kill the battery this new eco mode? AC still runs when at the lights. That's gotta take its toll.

There's no such thing in the US. I rent a lot of different cars when i travel, and this is the 1st time I've come across it.
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That's because the US don't care :p With all their SUV's etc. you seen the crap that diesel trucks over there put out? :)

Nah the engine will turn off after 4 minutes of you not moving.
 
thedoc46 said:
Never seen it. Mind you, i've never driven a car in the EU for the last 10yrs, so i am a little out of it.

Surely its got to kill the battery this new eco mode? AC still runs when at the lights. That's gotta take its toll.

There's no such thing in the US. I rent a lot of different cars when i travel, and this is the 1st time I've come across it.
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Do BMW/Mercedes not offer their efficient dynamics/bluefficiency models over there?

You wont catch me with a stop/start (i'll stick to my V8 petrols :p) but they are very common on the eco stuff now. It tricks the NEDC into giving them artificially low co2 readings for the purposes of tax.

Edit:

http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Cont...Highlights/X1sDrive28iPerformance.aspx?Id=626

BMWs have this in the US too

http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/owners/videos/detail/videoId-0abb604f48c72410VgnVCM1000007c184335RCRD

As do Mercedes

http://www.audiusa.com/help/video-tutorials

As do Audi :)
 
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So won't the battery and starter motor be getting a battering if you drive in congested towns? Wonder if they are covered by the manufacturer's warranty or are classed as consumables.
 
--Mike-- said:
So won't the battery and starter motor be getting a battering if you drive in congested towns? Wonder if they are covered by the manufacturer's warranty or are classed as consumables.
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The starter motor and battery are 'beefed up' versions to (supposedly) account for the increased strain placed upon them. Whether that translates to earlier failure (and subsequently more expensive replacement parts) down the line is anybody's guess at present, I imagine.

I hate the system on my Astra 2.0 CDTI but that's because Vauxhall (and diesel) make for a horrible, shuddering experience on restart. Having tried it on a Skoda petrol it was an altogether more seamless experience.
 
I wonder how long they'd last once they get to 5-10 years old and how much they'd cost to replace.

I imagine a petrol would be a much nicer experience too!
 
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