Cars Pollute the Environment. We all know this. Car manufacturers are aware of it too, which is why they have introduced innovations over time to be eco-friendly and provide users with benefits regarding fuel consumption. The result is that we have cars with increasingly advanced technology, which sometimes causes us headaches.
The start-stop feature was an innovative addition. We say “was” because it’s been quite a few years since car manufacturers deemed this system useful. Why did it appear? The start-stop function on the Ford Fiesta was introduced to optimize fuel consumption and protect the environment. While these goals are legitimate, this system also comes with user complaints.
Read on if you’re interested in the advantages and benefits of the start-stop system.
We’ve prepared useful information about how the system works and the malfunctions that can occur in your car due to this innovation.
What You Need to Know About the Start-Stop System on the Ford Fiesta
First and foremost, if you use your car for long trips outside the city, you might not find the start-stop function very inconvenient. However, if you spend most of your time in heavy traffic where you have to stop and start repeatedly, this feature has likely annoyed you at least once.
The start-stop system on the Ford Fiesta activates when the car is stationary, such as when you’re stopped at a traffic light. In a crowded city, you often spend more time stopped in traffic than actually driving, spending more than 30% waiting in line and hoping for the congestion to clear. That’s why the start-stop feature might activate so frequently that you may question its usefulness.
Thus, it is important to understand the goals of the start-stop system. One of its objectives is to help reduce fuel consumption, with the Ford Fiesta achieving results of 5-15% less fuel used in the city. Another important goal is to reduce the car’s emissions, making it more environmentally friendly. Viewed this way, the feature seems essential, doesn’t it?
Cars with Start-Stop Have Some Specifics:
Parts used are more advanced, including state-of-the-art technologies like the starter motor and alternator with a starter.
The engine may shut off abruptly while driving if the car is in eco mode and you put it in neutral or press the clutch, and more recently, if you stop pressing the accelerator.
When you brake, accelerate, or shift gears, the engine restarts smoothly.
Start-Stop on the Ford Fiesta – Benefits and Drawbacks
The benefits of equipping your car with the start-stop system have been detailed earlier. These cars are eco-friendly, silent when the function is active, and economical with optimized fuel consumption in the city.
What Are the Drawbacks of the Start-Stop System?
The Battery: Ford Fiesta models with the start-stop function use specific batteries that are much more expensive than regular batteries. The downside is that due to this feature, the battery wears out faster and needs to be replaced within a shorter period, up to 2 years.
The Engine: No matter how revolutionary this feature is, consider how much it can shorten the engine’s lifespan, as it has to stop and then restart within a few minutes or seconds! If you had to manually replace the start-stop function, the engine would undoubtedly have many operational issues.
The Turbo: The start-stop system on turbo cars doesn’t seem like a great idea, especially if you drive in a sportier manner. When you rev the engine and then have to stop at a light or in traffic, the engine stops abruptly. The hot oil left in the turbo can cause problems over time, as it acts like a residue affecting the turbocharger. It’s recommended to disable the start-stop if you frequently rev the engine between lights, for instance.
How to Disable the Start-Stop Function?
Before learning how to deactivate this feature, we want to let you know that it can be added to the car if you wish. It costs between 500 and 1500 euros, but it would be a smart investment only if you spend most of your time in the city. If your driving doesn’t involve frequent stops and starts, the start-stop feature is not worth the investment.
Most of the questions we’ve received are about how to cancel the start-stop function on the Ford Fiesta. The main reason for this decision is obvious: the engine stops when you least expect it, and it’s unnecessary in situations like a stop at a non-congested intersection, which is uncomfortable.
If you’re sure you’ve had enough of the start-stop feature for various reasons—if it seems inconvenient, shortens the lifespan of other parts like the battery, engine, or turbocharger, or if you simply don’t drive in the city and don’t need it—we can help with two ways to disable the Start-Stop on the Ford Fiesta.
The start-stop system can be temporarily disabled before each engine start by pressing the control button for the feature. You can recognize the start-stop button by its name, which may vary: Eco, Start and Stop, or SS. Keep in mind that you need to do this every time you start the car because the feature will automatically reactivate after stopping. Initially, you might need to pay attention to avoid forgetting, but it will become a habit over time.
The Start-Stop System on the Ford Fiesta Can Be Disabled Permanently. There are two options here. The safer option is to disable the start-stop feature directly from the car’s software using the OBD Eleven app. The less safe option—meaning you shouldn’t try it yourself at home as it may cause additional issues—is to weaken the battery. The car will detect the weakened battery and, as a safety measure, will not activate the start-stop function, which would drain more power. The risk is activating unwanted warning lights on the dashboard or creating other operational problems.
Realistic Opinions on the Start-Stop System on the Ford Fiesta
From our experience and that of others who drive cars equipped with start-stop, this system is not as useful as it might seem. The objectives announced by manufacturers, such as fuel savings and reducing pollution, are achieved but only in the short term.
For those who need a car that doesn’t require major investments in replacing parts, this seemingly innovative feature can disrupt plans. The money saved from optimized city fuel consumption doesn’t cover the cost of a much more expensive new battery, for example.
Emissions are not the only source of environmental pollution. Batteries that need to be replaced more often can also be a factor. Adding to these inconveniences is the fact that the start-stop system logically shortens the lifespan of other components.
Lastly, safety considerations are also important. Often, abruptly stopping the engine when it shouldn’t can catch you off guard and make you react a few seconds slower. In traffic, quick and conscious reactions are sometimes vital.
Considering these disadvantages, we align with those who advocate for disabling the Start-Stop system on the Ford Fiesta.
