Posted on 05/13/2025 3:39:39 AM PDT by davikkm
The Environmental Protection Agency is rolling back fuel economy incentives for start-stop technology, a system that automatically shuts off a car’s engine when stopped at a red light or in traffic. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced the decision, calling the feature a “climate participation trophy” that drivers overwhelmingly dislike. The move marks a significant shift in federal policy, reversing regulations that encouraged automakers to include the system in new vehicles.
Start-stop technology was introduced as part of Obama-era emissions rules, designed to reduce fuel consumption and lower carbon emissions. The system became widespread, with 65 percent of new cars featuring it by 2023. While environmental advocates praised the technology, many drivers found it frustrating, complaining about sluggish acceleration, reduced air conditioning performance, and unnecessary wear on engine components. For years, automakers insisted the system was beneficial, but consumers never bought into it. Now, the government is finally listening.
(Excerpt) Read more at citizenwatchreport.com ...
You were able to rent a manual? And you have the nerve to complain? I’ll PM you the address to return your man card. :)
We unfortunately had to buy a vehicle during the plandemic. With the chip shortage Ford was having trouble fielding chips for the start-stop. They gave us $50 to NOT put in the BS “feature” we didn’t want.
I believe existing cars on the road could have their systems updated to remove this function. Either in the programming, or with a hardware update. The car basically has to ‘decide’ when to just itself off, based on a number of conditions. NO reason it cannot be turned off
I got tired of having to hit the button to turn the “feature” off every time I started the vehicle - got lucky with the new Rav 4 - got the overhead view package that includes using the camera from the rear view mirror if you have stuff piled in the back, blocking the view - the control to turn it off is via buttons on the mirror (weird place for it), but once I turned it off, it stayed off - don’t have to mess with it every time I get in the car.
Get a diesel truck, they don’t shut off.
There’s a button on the dash of my Chevy labelled “A” that enables/disables the engine shut off.
I get it.
This is the only car I’ve had with it. I hope I don’t run into the problems you had.
I am more irritated about the process to incorporate the “feature”! As it is, it is just an annoyance to deal with...until it leaves you stranded in the road!
I rented a cheap Ford Focus or some such with practically no automated or computerized features. It was so easy to drive and quiet, felt like a breeze. I preferred it over my newer BMW.
The real purpose was to make cars more expensive and less pleasurable to drive.
Because the left hates freedom of transport almost as much as it hates freedom of speech.
My son and wife both have a Honda CRV. My wife’s is about six years old. You can shut off this feature if you want.
She had to look it up in the manual.
My son had bought a new CRV during Covid. His previous car(Suburu Impreza)needed a new transmission. This shut off feature on his needs to be turned off each time you start the vehicle. There is no way to turn it off permanently.
There are “fixes” you can do to many automobiles to disable this. Apparently, the companies have not made one for Hondas.
My 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee HEMI V8 has an option in “Controls”, to negate the ‘start-stop’ idiocy. I turned it off before I left the dealership, on day one.
Remember the years when you HAD TO FASTEN YOUR SEAT BELT to get the car to start?
Just another one of the insane regulations that government loves to force on us. Remember the rules that prevented cars from starting if you didn’t have the seat belt buckled? I believe I encountered this on a Toyota in the 70’s. It was possible to turn the “feature” off, which I did.
The one on the Chevy stays off or on, as you set it. Doesn’t reset at startup. 2021 Silverado 1500.
Just like everything else that the Left foists upon the working world, in an effort to keep their hyper-sanctimony well-fed.
A lot of this new technology/EPA regulations on automobiles is why I have decided to keep my 2012 Tacoma. Plus the vehicle I am considering buying is a Lexus 2012-2015 IS350C.
Which low mileage used models are around for between 20K-30K. Depending on how low the miles.
Almost all the new vehicles now have 4 cylinder turbos now.
Even all the new pickups have these engines now.
The idea of the bearings in my Bronco’s turbocharger marinating in hot, non circulating engine oil causes me a bit of concern on the effects on the turbocharger’s longevity.
If you have the small start battery, you just disconnect the plug on the positive terminal. Check out youtube for your specific model.
If there’s no incentive it’ll be gone very quickly, asap.
I highly doubt it even provides the claimed benefits in reality. It only adds up for urban traffic when you hit red lights, which isn’t always. If your commute is mostly freeway or rural the benefit is practically zero.
It can only wear out your starter motor more quickly as well.
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