When you shop for a car, hundreds of features may be considered throughout your research. The vehicle’s miles-per-gallon average is definitely a concern among most consumers.
In response to this consumer need, car manufacturers have been trying to conserve gasoline in their designs for years. The latest trend is incorporating stop-start technology into the engine. You may not be familiar with this feature, but it’s slowly appearing in new cars on nearly every lot today.
Understand this technology so that you know what to expect down the road.
What is stop-start technology?
Stop-start technology is simply a different design when it comes to engine operations. Cars traditionally stop at lights and signs where the engine idles. Press the accelerator, and the engine roars back to life. It doesn’t shut off.
When you have a stop-start feature, the engine shuts off entirely when you come to a complete stop. As you lift your foot from the brake, the engine activates for instant speed. This simple change saves gasoline in the long run. Combine stop-start features with other advancements, such as lightweight metals and enhanced tires, and you have a vehicle that might hit 50 miles per gallon or more.
Incorporating stop-start into American vehicles
Back in 2011, car manufacturers began to incorporate stop-start technology into standard, gas-powered vehicles. The concept behind the change was largely due to increasingly tight, EPA-emission standards. These rules, however, don’t always go along with what consumers want in their next vehicles, such as:
- Several dozen miles per gallon
- Large SUVs
- Aggressive styling
The stop-start technology works well with these consumer desires because good mileage can be matched with a big vehicle. Other options, such as lightweight parts, continue to help the MPG in each car.
The outlook for 2018
Beginning in 2017, stop-start technology showed up in many different vehicles. These manufacturers made it a point to update their features, such as:
- Ford
- Buick
- Lincoln
- Volvo
To remain competitive in the marketplace, stop-start features will probably continue to expand to other manufacturers. European vehicles have long had some form of this technology in their vehicles because of high, gasoline prices. With prices increasing across the globe, every car manufacturer is looking for another pathway toward enhanced MPGs.
Mixed feeling among consumers
In all honesty, American consumers haven’t necessarily embraced stop-start technology. From car batteries to body styling, maintaining the car “as is” has been a cultural norm since the 1950s. Car manufacturers are responding to this mixed bag of emotions by offering an “off” button for the stop-start feature. Consumers are using it.
When it comes to saving on gas, however, some consumers are acclimating to the new feature. They understand the ultimate reasoning for the technology, which only improves their finances one mile at a time.
Understanding the engine-wear dilemma
One fact that both consumers and manufacturers must face is the wear on the engine because of stop-start features. Starters and car batteries, in particular, take on strain that’s not within their design. They don’t normally shut off and activate as often as stop-start features require.
Manufacturers respond to this dilemma with batteries that work with the latest technology. Enhanced starters are also part of the designs. With every component checked and rechecked, engine wear with stop-start features shouldn’t be a concern in the future.
Completing the system with advanced batteries
From the Ford F-150 to Mercedes models, stop-start technology is showing up as often as cruise control today. Engine wear, especially on the battery, cannot be a factor. As a result, manufacturers are adding these batteries to the vehicles, including:
- AGM
- EFB
Absorbent Glass Mat batteries use compression between energized plates, which reduces sulfation that leads to no power upon startup. Enhanced Flooded Batteries are an advanced design based on the lead-acid battery. Carbon additives connected to the internal plates reduce charge loss on these latest battery innovations.
Are you confused about the batteries necessary for your next sale or personal need? Northeast Battery is here to explain the latest technology and how it might apply in your situation. From EFB to AGM batteries, advanced products and applications are our specialty. Get your customers on the road with a battery technology that they can trust.