VW Polo - Auto Start-Stop

Basher · 3 Mar 2017 at 13:08

Armageus said:
Any particular reason why you need to turn it off? Not tried a VW with it, but in my experience with a Mini (same system as BMW), it just works without issue.

I find it really intrusive on my F10. Always turn it off.

Basher · 3 Mar 2017 at 13:10

Acme said:
Yes?

Are you one of those ~~******~~ people who can't be bothered to use the handbrake for its intended purpose, and instead chooses to needlessly dazzle the driver behind?

Seems to be the majority of people these days... Sorry state of affairs... Even people in cars with automatic handbrakes keep their foot on the brake! Muppets.

Autohold systems (on BMW at least) keep the brake lights illuminated anyway, so not sure that solves the 'dazzling' issue.

Howard · 3 Mar 2017 at 13:11

Gaygle said:
I don't really like auto start/stop either, but it's definitely worse with an automatic gearbox. Several times I've had it turn the engine off just as I'm about to launch out of the junction onto a busy roundabout. Then it takes what feels like a lifetime for the engine to restart and the automatic gearbox to re-engage as your half poking out onto the roundabout. This isn't an issue with manual boxes as you'll be in gear and have you foot on the clutch whilst you're waiting for an opportunity to go, so the engine won't turn off, but this isn't the case with an auto.

Agreed, with every auto hire car I get, the stop/start gets disabled immediately. It's infuriating.

theone8181 · 3 Mar 2017 at 13:15

Gaygle said:
I don't really like auto start/stop either, but it's definitely worse with an automatic gearbox. Several times I've had it turn the engine off just as I'm about to launch out of the junction onto a busy roundabout. Then it takes what feels like a lifetime for the engine to restart and the automatic gearbox to re-engage as your half poking out onto the roundabout. This isn't an issue with manual boxes as you'll be in gear and have you foot on the clutch whilst you're waiting for an opportunity to go, so the engine won't turn off, but this isn't the case with an auto.

Surely you wound be in drive and the auto stop only kicks in when in park or neutral?

Basher · 3 Mar 2017 at 13:16

theone8181 said:
Surely you wound be in drive and the auto stop only kicks in when in park or neutral?

Start/Stop occurs when the gearbox is in drive.

Akagi · 3 Mar 2017 at 13:20

Basher said:
Autohold systems (on BMW at least) keep the brake lights illuminated anyway, so not sure that solves the 'dazzling' issue.

I think I heard someone mention this before, and I already expressed my disbelief...

That is genuinely stupid...

paradigm · 3 Mar 2017 at 13:20

Simple solution to the auto gearbox thing (for VAG anyway) it to slip the gearbox into sport, then start/stop is disabled.

Thaifood · 3 Mar 2017 at 14:42

I dislike the electronic hand brake more :-)

paradigm · 3 Mar 2017 at 14:45

My god the luddites on this forum

The electronic handbrake is a wonderful thing, what is there to dislike, unless you want to frequent McDonalds and show off to the 14 year old girls?

Akagi · 3 Mar 2017 at 14:55

Who has said anything bad about electronic handbrakes?

Basher · 3 Mar 2017 at 14:56

Thaifood said:
I dislike the electronic hand brake more

Acme said:
Who has said anything bad about electronic handbrakes?

Akagi · 3 Mar 2017 at 15:05

Oh.... Derp!

Will visit Specsavers this weekend!

Terminal_Boy · 3 Mar 2017 at 15:10

Acme said:
Who has said anything bad about electronic handbrakes?

Anyone that's driven one of those hideous FIAT built Jeep Renegades that have them fitted.

cheesyboy · 3 Mar 2017 at 15:13

The electronic handbrake on my B6 passat was a bloody nightmare. Rarely worked first time, and often didn't work at all. Got jammed on a couple of times, so stopped using it and just left the car in gear.

Works better on current Tiguan, but I would still prefer a manual one. Armrest/drinks room aside.

Big Spender · 3 Mar 2017 at 15:22

I like the electronic handbrake and the auto stop/start in my insignia. Because the handbrake is electronic there is no having to disengage it manually, pull up to traffic lights, handbrake on, out of gear and clutch up the engine switches off. Quick and easy to get away, doesn't really take any time at all, clutch in, engine starts itself right away, in gear and pull away the handbrake releases itself.

Thaifood · 3 Mar 2017 at 15:52

paradigm said:
My god the luddites on this forum

The electronic handbrake is a wonderful thing, what is there to dislike, unless you want to frequent McDonalds and show off to the 14 year old girls?

just call me old fashion and picky, I'm just use to the old handbrakes..but yes i would agree it is easy and does make life easier in certain situations

theone8181 · 3 Mar 2017 at 18:33

Basher said:
Start/Stop occurs when the gearbox is in drive.

That is a crap and borderline dangerous design for the reasons you mentioned. I guess it only does it neutral in a manual.

OllyM · 3 Mar 2017 at 20:35

theone8181 said:
That is a crap and borderline dangerous design for the reasons you mentioned. I guess it only does it neutral in a manual.

It really isn't. In every auto that I've driven with start/stop the engine has restarted by the time you've finished taking your foot off the brake.

NickK · 3 Mar 2017 at 22:17

OllyM said:
It really isn't. In every auto that I've driven with start/stop the engine has restarted by the time you've finished taking your foot off the brake.

Test driving the 3008SUV auto - exactly that. I didn't notice any pause - even when setting off from a hill start. There's a whole set of rules that it follows, including if the battery needs charging it won't stop/start and things like taking the seat belt off will cause the engine to start when stopped as part of the stop/start.

I think I'm used to some diesel turbo lag anyway - ours will be a diesel auto.

You can disable the automatic handbrake too so you will need to press the parking brake button.

theone8181 · 4 Mar 2017 at 07:53

So why is the poster about complaining about the engine switching off when he's about to accelerate. BTW In case it's not obvious I don't drive an auto or have start stop.a