**Fuel Efficiency: The Stop-Start System and Real-World Testing**
In recent times, fuel prices have reached record levels, making it nearly seventy pounds to fill up an average car—nearly twenty percent more than two years ago. Against this backdrop, the allure of fuel-saving gadgets advertised online is stronger than ever. From ECU remapping to magnets on fuel lines and devices that plug into cigarette lighters, there seems no shortage of options. However, it's often the simplest ideas that prove most effective. Turning off the engine when it's not in use means it can't consume any fuel at all. This principle has led to the growing adoption of stop-start systems across Europe.
The stop-start system works by automatically shutting down the engine when the car comes to a halt, such as at traffic lights. The engine restarts seamlessly when the accelerator or clutch is pressed. Renault claims that their stop-start system on the Megane can save between 10% and 12% of annual fuel costs. For a driver covering ten thousand miles a year, this could mean saving around £110. To verify these claims, a real-world test was conducted in Birmingham.
The experiment involved draining the car of all residual diesel and refueling it with exactly one liter of diesel. The car was then driven continuously until it ran out of fuel. This process was repeated twice: once with the stop-start system switched off and once with it switched on, under identical conditions.
During the first test without the stop-start system, the car managed to travel 12.8 miles before running out of fuel, achieving a mileage of 58 miles per gallon (mpg). The second test, with the stop-start system enabled, showed significant improvement. Despite encountering traffic lights and roadworks, which are known challenges for the system, the car managed to travel 14.2 miles on the same one liter of diesel, resulting in a fuel efficiency of 67 mpg—a 10% improvement over the first test.
However, there are drawbacks to consider. In situations with heavy traffic and frequent stops, systems like stop-start may not function optimally if additional factors such as air conditioning usage come into play. Additionally, drivers might find the sudden shutting off of the engine unsettling at first. Despite these minor drawbacks, the long-term financial benefits of improved fuel efficiency are undeniable.
The test conclusively demonstrated that the stop-start system can make a significant difference in real-world driving conditions, especially for motorists who predominantly drive in urban areas. While the initial cost of cars equipped with such technology might be higher, the potential savings on fuel costs over time can offset this investment.
In conclusion, while other car manufacturers may have their own unique features—like Ferrari's manettino switch or Lamborghini's "anima" system—the stop-start technology remains a practical and effective solution for reducing fuel consumption. As fuel prices continue to rise, such innovations are likely to become even more appealing to cost-conscious drivers.
"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enfuel prices are at record levels it's now got nearly seventy pounds to fill up the average car nearly twenty percent more than two years ago the stack of fuel saving gizmos advertised on the internet from ECU remapped to magnets that sit on the fuel lines to gadgets that plug in a cigarette lighter look more tempting than ever but it's often the simplest ideas that are the best an engine is turned off it can't use any fuel at all which is why more and more manufacturers across Europe roughing models with systems known as stop start when your car comes to a halt at traffic lights for example the engine automatically shuts itself off then when you press the accelerator or clutch the starter motor kicks the engine back into life now Renault claim that the stop-start system fitted to this McGann will save between 10 and 12 percent of your annual fuel costs which means you'd about ten thousand miles a year you should save about 110 pounds if it works so to find out whether the stop-start system is one you should make sure you have on your next car we're going to put it to a real-world test this car has been completely drained of fuel is now being refueled with exactly one liter of diesel and they get to drive it round and round the streets of Birmingham until it runs out we'll check the mileage bring it back here and then repeat the experiment over again first I'll have the stop-start system switched off and then I'll repeat the test with it switched on the same roads same conditions same car we'll find out if stop-start really does save fuel you never notice how many trapping rats are in Birmingham to do a test like this whereas shift light suggests when to change gear at the most economical time I'll stick to it rigidly to drive it as it wishes to be general bring light up to fourth gear well this little holdup might help the stop-start system because although we're just moving now as you've been sat at some roadworks traffic lights for about two minutes going nowhere using fuel after 45 minutes the McGann began to struggle Oh woke up oh I've got a boy I've got a engine failure hazard a spanner I've been told to stop oh no I was flattered obviously engine um wasn't happy that's a definite splatter I ran out of fuel after twelve point eight miles equated to an impressive 58 miles to the gallon about a phonograph hope the Reno's fuel lines were completely drained of any residual diesel and exactly one liter was brought back in time to do the test all over again with the stop-start system switched on and now when we stop the engine stops Oh see there he goes but there is one drawback that every tells you about with these cars is if you got a lot of traffic and then she keeps them stopping a lot that because you're using air-conditioning that sort of thing batch get to a certain level complain won't stop sometimes not so benefit right here we are the drew we've just missed the light that is 4-way road work so this should give a big advantage oh it just started up again I haven't put it in gear I haven't attached anything I haven't D clutched with the electrical system still sapping power at a standstill the engine was forced to cut in to recharge the battery that's not a good sign two laps down and that's 8.9 miles on the clock twelve miles point eight of a mile again no sign of an engine problems and soon I was past that twelve point eight miles achieved on the non-stop start run winning question now is how much 14 miles completed 10% improvement ah as soon as we left those likes the bong-bong-bong have gone I now know that it's gonna be a splatter any second now oh that's it let's look we've coughed it did the 10% but now it doesn't want to go any further the began managed fourteen point two miles so stop-start had made a significant difference increasing my fuel economy from 58 to 67 mpg and yes the average motorist doing most of their driving in town could save a hundred pounds a year while these systems will push up the price of cars and you might find the sudden chattering to a stop rather unsettling there's no doubt the technology can save you money in the long run plus the Ferrari has its little manettino switch to change the cars setup the Lamborghini has an anima yes I did say but back in Italian it meansfuel prices are at record levels it's now got nearly seventy pounds to fill up the average car nearly twenty percent more than two years ago the stack of fuel saving gizmos advertised on the internet from ECU remapped to magnets that sit on the fuel lines to gadgets that plug in a cigarette lighter look more tempting than ever but it's often the simplest ideas that are the best an engine is turned off it can't use any fuel at all which is why more and more manufacturers across Europe roughing models with systems known as stop start when your car comes to a halt at traffic lights for example the engine automatically shuts itself off then when you press the accelerator or clutch the starter motor kicks the engine back into life now Renault claim that the stop-start system fitted to this McGann will save between 10 and 12 percent of your annual fuel costs which means you'd about ten thousand miles a year you should save about 110 pounds if it works so to find out whether the stop-start system is one you should make sure you have on your next car we're going to put it to a real-world test this car has been completely drained of fuel is now being refueled with exactly one liter of diesel and they get to drive it round and round the streets of Birmingham until it runs out we'll check the mileage bring it back here and then repeat the experiment over again first I'll have the stop-start system switched off and then I'll repeat the test with it switched on the same roads same conditions same car we'll find out if stop-start really does save fuel you never notice how many trapping rats are in Birmingham to do a test like this whereas shift light suggests when to change gear at the most economical time I'll stick to it rigidly to drive it as it wishes to be general bring light up to fourth gear well this little holdup might help the stop-start system because although we're just moving now as you've been sat at some roadworks traffic lights for about two minutes going nowhere using fuel after 45 minutes the McGann began to struggle Oh woke up oh I've got a boy I've got a engine failure hazard a spanner I've been told to stop oh no I was flattered obviously engine um wasn't happy that's a definite splatter I ran out of fuel after twelve point eight miles equated to an impressive 58 miles to the gallon about a phonograph hope the Reno's fuel lines were completely drained of any residual diesel and exactly one liter was brought back in time to do the test all over again with the stop-start system switched on and now when we stop the engine stops Oh see there he goes but there is one drawback that every tells you about with these cars is if you got a lot of traffic and then she keeps them stopping a lot that because you're using air-conditioning that sort of thing batch get to a certain level complain won't stop sometimes not so benefit right here we are the drew we've just missed the light that is 4-way road work so this should give a big advantage oh it just started up again I haven't put it in gear I haven't attached anything I haven't D clutched with the electrical system still sapping power at a standstill the engine was forced to cut in to recharge the battery that's not a good sign two laps down and that's 8.9 miles on the clock twelve miles point eight of a mile again no sign of an engine problems and soon I was past that twelve point eight miles achieved on the non-stop start run winning question now is how much 14 miles completed 10% improvement ah as soon as we left those likes the bong-bong-bong have gone I now know that it's gonna be a splatter any second now oh that's it let's look we've coughed it did the 10% but now it doesn't want to go any further the began managed fourteen point two miles so stop-start had made a significant difference increasing my fuel economy from 58 to 67 mpg and yes the average motorist doing most of their driving in town could save a hundred pounds a year while these systems will push up the price of cars and you might find the sudden chattering to a stop rather unsettling there's no doubt the technology can save you money in the long run plus the Ferrari has its little manettino switch to change the cars setup the Lamborghini has an anima yes I did say but back in Italian it means\n"
