Re: Modern Cars.
Originally Posted by
Baz46
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When I first bought my VW Golf I was a little concerned that the battery would go flat leaving me stranded if the engine had cut out with that start/stop system. I was assured by staff where I bought the car that the computer checks before the engine is cut out that there is enough in the battery to restart. It is also noticeable when having started the car from cold and using heater, heated rear screen etc., that the engine doesn't cut out for some while afterwards. An indication on the dashboard display shows a capital A in a circle with a diagonal cross through it indicating this.
So I believe. However, I don't trust it.
A possible scenario:
Driving with stop-start enabled in traffic jams in winter. After some time, the over-ride comes into play just as you are arriving home.
Your battery is sufficiently charged to allow a cold start in the morning. However, overnight the temperature drops considerably and the battery cools accordingly.
You get up early the next day to drive to work only to find that the battery can't quite cut it, especially as the engine and oil is freezing.
Personally, I'm happy to use the stop-start in the Summer, but I always disable it in the Winter, just in case.