Auto stop/start when towing with an automatic

If the wagon is approaching from the rear I believe that the algorithm disables the starter motor in order to preserve battery power as the impetus derived from a wagon in the rear is adequate to provide the initial impetus. 

I don't understand that at all? 

On my manual runaround, I have to have the car in neutral and the clutch depressed for the auto stop to engage, so simply keeping the car in first at a busy junction means it doesn't engage.

On the auto only when it's at a complete stop and brake pedal pressed does it engage, press the accelerator and a split second later (certainly not a second) I'm moving,

I've never been caught out like you suggest even in in busy city centres, and the auto hold will hold the car stationary while I'm moving my foot.

actually I'm wrong, just checked and just taking my foot off the brake restarts the engine so completely ready to go by the time I've moved my foot over.

No idea about manual cars .... I don't drive them.

My auto will do the same as yours  .... but I choose to switch the stop/start off. I use my left foot to hold though the car does have 'hold' if I give the brake pedal an extra shove to engage it. Stop/start will probably save a gallon over the life of the car vs a new £300/£400 starter motor.

Wrong? You sure ...... 🤔

I just press the auto hold button and it's done, happens automatically on the manual for some reason , sounds as if your car isn't that modern?

I think that starter motor wearing out on cars with stop start is now a myth, google it. Also the latest cars with it don't even use a starter motor at all, amazing eh?

Automotive engineers don't use 'traditional' starter motors in these situations," he explained. "The starter used for start-stop systems combines several technologies

...does not use a starter for restarts at all. It uses engine combustion. As a driver releases the brake pedal, the fuel injector in one cylinder fires, and the spark plug ignites, allowing the engine to start with combustion

yes I know! but it does happen every decade or so, even to me

It's a 14 plate ML350 ..... modern & expensive enough for me ... hold is achieved by using the foot brake, no other buttons to press. 

I don't need to ask Google to tell me that if I use something more often it'll wear out sooner. Yes, some cars effectively use their alternator as as starter motor so it's always spinning whether starting the car or not. Google Smarts mhd Fortwo ..... not Merc's best idea.

On both our automatics it restarts when you either take your foot off the brake (if using foot brake) or  on the Touareg, press accelerator if auto hold is in use, so there is a slight delay, which I must say often annoys me in the same way as it annoys MM.

SIL has a manual VW Polo and his stop/start operates when he comes to a halt with clutch depressed and foot on brake, car does not need to be in neutral.  Seems to be a few different ways of doing things.

".does not use a starter for restarts at all. It uses engine combustion. As a driver releases the brake pedal, the fuel injector in one cylinder fires, and the spark plug ignites, allowing the engine to start with combustion"

Somehow I think that with our diesels that spark plug based technology is a "non starter"

So probably restarting our diesels will still be dependant on a starter motor being used?