How does Stop/Start Technology work?

After having skipped our usual UCS on Tuesday this week, our first weekly post this month will be today’s How’s This Work. This week we’re going to take a closer look at Stop/Start technology and how exactly it works. Stop/Start is a technology that enhanced fuel efficiency, significantly reducing the amount of fuel you waste when idling – like in front of a stop light. In turn, Stop/Start not only safes you fuel, but also saves you money at the tank and reduces your vehicle’s emissions.

[ LAST WEEK: How does Remote Engine Start work? ]

What is Stop/Start Technology?

We essentially already explained the “what” about Stop/Start technology. It’s a system found in many vehicles featuring automatic transmissions that enhances fuel efficiency, not by actually increasing fuel economy ratings but by killing the engine whenever the vehicle comes to a complete stop and then restarting the engine when your foot comes off the brake. So in a sense, rather than increasing fuel efficiency, it’s simply reducing fuel consumption.

While we don’t know the number here in Canada, in the United States 3.9 billion gallons of fuel is wasted annually by idling. Vehicles with Stop/Start technology equipped can save up to 15% of their fuel annually when driving mostly in city conditions. If you’re wondering exactly how it works, when the vehicle comes to a complete stop its computer will then automatically cut off the spark and fuel. Then when the brake is released, the computer will reignite that spark and let the fuel flow once again.

Today tons of vehicles are coming automatically equipped with Stop/Start technology, but if you want to make sure that the Toyota vehicle you’re looking at will come with the technology installed feel free to give us a call. Stop/Start works wonders for reducing fuel consumption and emissions, so we definitely recommend trying to find a vehicle with the technology installed! You can watch the video below for a further explanation of the technology.