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+--- Thread: Turning car off at stoplights (/showthread.php?tid=264857)
Turning car off at stoplights - rz - 03-06-2022
I’m in the middle of a 5 week business trip in Japan. Something I’ve noticed is that many drivers turn their cars off as they approach a stoplight, then start them back up when the light turns green. I even noticed a bus do this the last time I was here, but have been on several busses and none of them has done it on this trip. I think I saw a sign that said people should do this out of courtesy for people along the side of the road so there are less fumes, but this seems counterintuitive to me. Wouldn’t restarting the car generate more fumes? And wouldn’t it waste more gas? Gas is expensive here, about the equivalent of $6/gallon.
Re: Turning car off at stoplights - rz - 03-06-2022
Also, it’s weird being the only registered user on MRF right now. I guess pretty much all of you in the US are asleep right now.
Re: Turning car off at stoplights - Forrest - 03-06-2022
It would not be safe on older vehicles to swich off the engine approaching a stop, because you would loose power steering and brakes. Hybrid vehicles are designed to turn the ICE off and still run the power steering and brakes - I assume these systems run on electric power.
Re: Turning car off at stoplights - bazookaman - 03-06-2022
A lot of cars do that now automagically. Most people I know who have that "feature", hate it.
Re: Turning car off at stoplights - RecipeForDisaster - 03-06-2022
Some kind of do this automatically now. They just seem to stop the engine when idling, then start it back up when you give it gas.
Re: Turning car off at stoplights - Fritz - 03-06-2022
my last 2 cars had this. Hated at first, but got used to it after a fashion and kind of enjoyed the huge savings in gas over the higher risk of mechanical failure from constantly on/offing around town.
Re: Turning car off at stoplights - Filliam H. Muffman - 03-06-2022
Digitally controlled direct injection cuts emissions on restarts. It is fine as long the battery and starter were also designed with this in mind. Might be an issue for someone driving a car over 10-12 years old.
Are electric cars going to shut off their noisemaker feature at stoplights in solidarity?
Re: Turning car off at stoplights - Lux Interior - 03-06-2022
Cars I rented in France did this automatically.
This was over 10 years ago.
Freaked me out at first (and still did a little each time - hard to get used to).
Re: Turning car off at stoplights - ztirffritz - 03-06-2022
Many cars now do this. In some places it’s required by law.
Re: Turning car off at stoplights - M A V I C - 03-06-2022
I think this has been around for 20 years or so. My new car does it. I might buy the $60 wiring harness that turns it off by default. In the city it doesn't make much sense. 90% I'm stopping at stop signs so only stopped for a second or two before proceeding or moving forward. At stop lights where one might be stopped for a minute or two, it makes more sense.