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Editorial Ford and Affordable Start Stop
Up till now the idea of your car not idling at a stop light or in the drive thru was relegated to the land of hybrids. Now Ford Motor Company is trying to make start/stop an affordable and user-friendly feature on its North American cars.
Some of the first cars to use this technology were the Volkswagen Polo Formel E and Fiat Regata ES models of the 1980s. This early technology was crude, expensive and disconcerting. For most drivers the idea of your car shutting off in traffics means costly repair bills and the possibility of being stranded. This isnt the 1980s anymore and technology can help solve those issues the early adopters faced.
Hybrid buyers have been experiencing this technology for quite some time. From what I have experienced its a smooth, refined experience. The reason for this is the fact that the electric motors helps propel the car from a stop and start the engine. The issue has been adapting it to non-hybrid powered cars and trucks. Fords plan isnt that technically advanced but its low cost ($295 option) and promises to work smoothly.
The Ford system uses a hardened 12 volt starter and a stronger 12 volt battery capable of the multiple cycle action needed for auto start/stop. Another feature that should help with the smoothness of the system is an electronic pump that maintains automatic transmission fluid pressure even while the car is off. This should help avoid jerky launches. For those times when you dont want this system to operate there is a simple button to turn it off.
It isnt the system that excites me, but its the reality of a start/stop system that may get more people into the technology and away from senseless idling. Start/stop is less about your individual savings and more about a group effort to reduce unnecessary waste. According to Ford if 50,000 customers it would stop 14 million pounds of CO2 and save 1 million gallons of gasoline annually. This is based off the 1.6L Ecoboost engine with the start stop system. Auto start/stop is not available on the 2.0L Ecoboost.
I hate idling. From the cars that I have driven I enjoy nothing more than the soothing silence of a start/stop system. No vibrations, no wasted energy and not having to watch my average miles per gallon trickle down is why I love start/stop systems. Ford is onto something with a low cost system that will hopefully be very effective. For $295 dollars I dont know why any 1.6 liter EcoBoost Fusion buyer wouldnt equip their car with auto start/stop. Its just the smart thing to do.
For more questions about it check out @FordService on Twitter. They have been awesome in answering all my questions about Ford Products.
Editorial Ford and Affordable Start Stop
Up till now the idea of your car not idling at a stop light or in the drive thru was relegated to the land of hybrids. Now Ford Motor Company is trying to make start/stop an affordable and user-friendly feature on its North American cars.
Some of the first cars to use this technology were the Volkswagen Polo Formel E and Fiat Regata ES models of the 1980s. This early technology was crude, expensive and disconcerting. For most drivers the idea of your car shutting off in traffics means costly repair bills and the possibility of being stranded. This isnt the 1980s anymore and technology can help solve those issues the early adopters faced.
Hybrid buyers have been experiencing this technology for quite some time. From what I have experienced its a smooth, refined experience. The reason for this is the fact that the electric motors helps propel the car from a stop and start the engine. The issue has been adapting it to non-hybrid powered cars and trucks. Fords plan isnt that technically advanced but its low cost ($295 option) and promises to work smoothly.
The Ford system uses a hardened 12 volt starter and a stronger 12 volt battery capable of the multiple cycle action needed for auto start/stop. Another feature that should help with the smoothness of the system is an electronic pump that maintains automatic transmission fluid pressure even while the car is off. This should help avoid jerky launches. For those times when you dont want this system to operate there is a simple button to turn it off.
It isnt the system that excites me, but its the reality of a start/stop system that may get more people into the technology and away from senseless idling. Start/stop is less about your individual savings and more about a group effort to reduce unnecessary waste. According to Ford if 50,000 customers it would stop 14 million pounds of CO2 and save 1 million gallons of gasoline annually. This is based off the 1.6L Ecoboost engine with the start stop system. Auto start/stop is not available on the 2.0L Ecoboost.
I hate idling. From the cars that I have driven I enjoy nothing more than the soothing silence of a start/stop system. No vibrations, no wasted energy and not having to watch my average miles per gallon trickle down is why I love start/stop systems. Ford is onto something with a low cost system that will hopefully be very effective. For $295 dollars I dont know why any 1.6 liter EcoBoost Fusion buyer wouldnt equip their car with auto start/stop. Its just the smart thing to do.
For more questions about it check out @FordService on Twitter. They have been awesome in answering all my questions about Ford Products.
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