Wondering how the new stop/start Mini drives?
When we wrote a post about some of the easiest ways to implement green technology into our automobiles, one of the highlighted technologies was engine stop/start. The premise is that your engine need not idle in this day and age of electronics and high-output alternators and motors, along with improvements in oil to minimize engine wear when the engine is started. BMW has been making this particular improvement across their range and has spread the wealth to Mini as well. We know that the technology can improve the fuel mileage, but what is it like to drive the vehicle with this technology engaged? To find out, skip on over to CAR and read their mini-review. Make sure to come back afterwards!
If you followed the link, you found that they did not mind the system at all, and think that drivers should leave it on. That's right, stop/start is driver defeatable in the Mini. Also, the transmission must be left in neutral on manual shift cars for the system to work. As soon as the clutch is depressed, the engine wakes back up with zero lag. Other manufacturers should consider making a system like this standard on their models as well.
[Source: CAR via Autoblog]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Auto IT 6:28PM (6/27/2008)
Other car manufacturers don't even have to develop their own system - BMW didn't. The Mini's start-stop system was developed by parts supplier Bosch. Read more here: http://www.auto-it.co.uk/2007/08/watch-for-quiet-ones.html
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L1G 3:26PM (9/07/2007)
The system in the Mini is very not revolutionary ! The Stop/Start function is ensure by a quite standard stater (only the number of start has been improved). That means is only thanks to the "Efficients Dynamics" policy that you save CO2 (or fuel if you prefer). If you think that you will be more than 20s at a red light or waiting for a friend, than shutdown immediately your engine! (20s, because of the standard Battery Management)
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