Auto stop/start when towing with an automatic

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Here with stop start being automatic is fine up to a point, but it is "dumb" technically. This is because in the simplistic form in our particular vehicles it does not know where or why the vehicle stops or what the immediate future probably holds.

I suspect on all counts I have more idea and can add those important missing details into making a more informed decision if stop start is presently appropriate.

some interesting stuff on at

https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/emissions/idling/

didn't realise you could get fined for idling?

Thanks O👍🏻😊. I’m a simple form of Humanoid that struggles away from the black & white world I like, grey confuses me😂😂

Fuel used wasn't my priority when I bought a 3 litre 2.3 tonne 4x4 with the aerodynamics of an Accrington house brick. I very occasionally let stop/start do its own thing but I find that there's too much delay in restarting when you want to nip into traffic hence mine is almost always switched off.

I am with you mm. 

It does not say why, but from research, the extra load of the van and the cooling of the engine etc seem to be relevant, and also that all the stop/start can confuse the electrics in the van and you may end up not getting the van battery charged or the fridge running.

We have had enough problems with these, and even getting the lights to work as they used to before we had a "smart" towcar, that we are taking all the suggested precautions!

I leave it on when not towing, but OH hates the system and always turns it off in both our vehicles.  She also turns off the handbrake auto hold, never uses the cruise control, and prefers to drive with the radio off, so I am not surprised she does not like the stop/start!

Son in law has a 4 year old VW Polo and his stop/start function has recently failed, need to ask him what the problem was.

I leave the stop start on all the time in my Kia Sorento; when towing and solo.

The car uses an algorithm to decide if the oil is the correct temp, the battery charge sufficient, the engines temp right etc before the stop start kicks in. 

If there is a problem with the system the car has a 7 year warranty so Kia can sort it out!

Does it use the same algorithm to start the engine sooner cos there's a big wagon coming and you need to move NOW and not in a second after it's started the engine? 🤔

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