Bad Driving Experience with Vehicle Start-Stop System

Succulent on 06/06/2024 - 18:46

I recently test drive a hybrid car with an automated Stop-Start system where the engine shut down when braking to a full stop. But, I have issue when resuming acceleration.
After releasing the brake and pressing the accelerator pedal, I noticed a significant delay in the car's response. There seemed to be a lag in the vehicle's movement, leading to potentially dangerous situation.

When I attempted to enter a roundabout after coming to a complete stop, the car failed to respond promptly to my accelerator input. This delay prompted honking from the car behind me, mistakenly assuming I was hesitating. Moments later, as another car entered the roundabout from my right, my car suddenly surged forward, dangerously close to the vehicle on my right.

I adapted my driving technique by releasing the brake slightly earlier, allowing the engine to engage for a brief moment before pressing the accelerator pedal. This seemed to mitigate the lag and give smoother acceleration.

I wonder if this behavior is typical of hybrid cars or if there might have been an issue with the specific car I was driving.

I read similar experience here . Mine was not heavy breaking though, just after every normal brake.

Poll Options

  • 15
    Yes this is how you should drive Hybrid car with start-stop system
  • 16
    Nah something wrong with that car
  • 161
    Nah something wrong with how you drive
  • 37
    Cant tell, never drove car with Start-Stop system
Automotive

Comments

    • Succulent on 09/06/2024 - 14:17

      Will try them in the future.

  • Herbse on 09/06/2024 - 16:02

    Some systems are better than others. Depends on the make and model.

    I've driven some Hyundais which have really good start/stop with a very fast start up that doesn't get in the way even when it turns off a awkward times like that.

    Other ones like ones I've seen in ford and VW are longer and I have to pre-emtively turn the feature off when I know it's going to get in my way of having to I accelerate quickly.

    • Succulent on 09/06/2024 - 20:26

      Oh Cupra seems to be part of VW, so they may use the same tech

  • alexlim2000 on 09/06/2024 - 20:14
    +1

    this is an issue with hybrids which don't use the electric motor for motion - i.e. it doesnt have instant torque to react to your need to accelerate.
    cars with stop-start and only an ICE engine for motion will have signifiant lag, as it has to start the engine agaginbefore getting going.

    it's also worth noting that, if you fully plank your foot from zero in a hybrid, it will try to spool up the petrol engine without using the electric engine. if you lightly started the accelerate it should use both petrol and electric to get started.

    personally i wouldnt buy any hybrid that isnt a toyota hybrid. they've gotten it just right
    (having driven a 2007 prius for yonks, and switched to byd atto3 EV).

    • Succulent on 09/06/2024 - 20:27
      -1

      Does EV have this start-stop system as well?

      • THICKnSLOW on 10/06/2024 - 07:57
        +1

        No.

        EV's do not have a combustion engine.

    • samfisher5986 on 10/06/2024 - 09:55

      Is this correct?

      You are telling me there are hybrids that are essentially powerless while the engine is off?

      Doesn't that mean that half the time you are driving, you are getting a 1 second delay?

      Sounds terrible and doesn't make a lot of sense since I thought the original prius could move using its batteries.

  • whitfords on 10/06/2024 - 08:01

    I've driven a Toyota and a Subaru with the start-stop feature and didn't feel this kind of danger, however both were petrol models.

    For situations where I don't want the engine to turn off (i.e. at give way signs/round abouts), I would usually press the brake pedal in a way that I am able to come to a complete stop if necessary, but not all the way to the floor which would cause the engine to stop. Not sure if there hybrid would feel the same though.

    It is an adjustment but you get used to it pretty quick.

  • tanksinatra on 10/06/2024 - 11:26

    I think the OP is conflating two features: Stop Start and Hybrid.

    Stop Start systems have been around for decades and are pretty much still garbage. Especially in hot Australia where most air conditioning
    compressors are engine belt driven and must turn off when the engine stops. And they can have delays in restarting the engine leading to problems at roundabouts.

    Mild Hybrids are similar to stop start, but they are supposed to have an auxiliary electric motor to assist the engine when needed and smoothly restart the engine when needed. Unfortunately they are also garbage.

    The only decent Hybrid I'd trust is the Toyota Hybrid system (HSD). It is a electro-mechanical system which replaces the mechanical gearing in other cars.

  • Darude Sandstorm on 10/06/2024 - 18:11

    Dunno, my hybrid doesnt always stop and even when it often starts instantly and sometimes I get to use EV mode for 1-2 kms
    It's a Toyota though

  • jaimex2 on 10/06/2024 - 19:14
    +1

    Those systems are a scam to help the manufacture score lower on emission tests. They do nothing for the environment and will cost you more in the long run.

    The battery alone in start stop is like twice a normal lead acid. See if you can permanently disable.

  • MikeMikeMike on 10/06/2024 - 20:24

    When I come to a stop in my Chinese hybrid it applies the hand brake but the electric motor is always ready to go. When I apply my foot on the accelerator it automatically releases the handbrake and takes off. I thought it was weird at first but now I’m used to it and it’s pretty seamless.

    • Succulent on 11/06/2024 - 19:27

      That sounds like auto-hold feature, which should be able to be disabled.

  • icejester on 11/06/2024 - 23:07

    Yes
    I've driven multiple stop start cars
    They all have a delay to restart

    Since you've pressed down the accelerator on standing still there's a build up of fuel so when it does ignite it's big push

    Even worse is if you have turbo - there's stop start delay plus turbo lag

    Previous naturally aspirated engine without stop start felt much quicker response

    So all in all you do have to adjust your driving to account for these differences

    In my stop start engine car I let go of the brake slightly earlier to start the engine or if it starts via accelerator pedal - I gently tap the accelerator to start it then press to accelerate after

  • tooblue on 11/06/2024 - 23:55

    The most stupid thing my Odyssey does is when I complete my drive and move gear from D to P (will pass R), it will first stop the engine on vehicle full stop, then restart when gear in R within second. I am never quick enough to turn off the engine before it restarts.

    • Nugs on 11/06/2024 - 23:59

      D to N, switch off, then N to P?
      .

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