If you have a car that is no more than ten years old, it likely has a Start-Stop system. You’ll probably find the following information interesting. At first, you might have been very pleased that your car was equipped with all sorts of innovative features. However, over time, you might have realized that some of these features aren’t as useful as you thought and, moreover, they could cause costly malfunctions.
The Start-Stop function seems, in theory, like a necessary innovation. It helps cars become more eco-friendly and makes driving more economical. The Start-Stop system on the Mini Cooper aims for up to 15% fuel savings in total. Additionally, this feature aims to reduce pollution by taking into account that cars idle with the engine running in traffic more than 30% of the time they are active.
In practice, Start-Stop is useful only for city driving. For those who drive outside congested cities or in less trafficked areas, Start-Stop is less beneficial. Furthermore, it can become a source of discomfort and dissatisfaction for drivers.
We know there is a strong interest in this topic, so we’ve prepared this material to provide objective opinions and recommendations about the Start-Stop function on the Mini Cooper.
Key Information About the Start-Stop System on the Mini Cooper
The Start-Stop system activates when the car is running but stationary. It is designed primarily for city cars and drivers who spend a lot of time in traffic. For instance, the Start-Stop function will engage every time you stop at a traffic light. That’s why, sometimes, when you stop for just a few seconds and then the light turns green, requiring you to be ready to go, this feature can be considered annoying.
On less congested roads, you may not even notice that your car has the Start-Stop feature. It will activate when you reach a parking spot and will abruptly turn off the engine.
To decide whether this feature is useful for you, it’s recommended to consider the objectives stated by the car manufacturers and the results obtained from testing. Start-Stop on the Mini Cooper helps reduce carbon dioxide emissions. This goal is achieved not permanently, but temporarily, when you are forced to idle with the engine running and the function activates.
Start-Stop on the Mini Cooper optimizes fuel consumption, resulting in up to 15% lower fuel usage. Of course, if you don’t drive in the city most of the time, this percentage becomes much smaller and might be negligible.
The Start-Stop system could also have a third objective: reducing noise in congested cities. You might not consider your car very noisy when idling at a traffic light. But imagine if all the cars around you were equipped with this feature. The difference might become more noticeable, right?
How Are Cars Equipped with Start-Stop Different from Others?
The differences are noticeable in both functionality and the components used in these types of cars.
Functionally, cars with Start-Stop stop instantly if running in eco mode and then you put it in neutral or press the clutch. They also stop when you are driving and don’t accelerate. Of course, when you brake, accelerate, or change gears, the engine restarts.
The components used in cars with Start-Stop are more advanced. For example, they use a type of alternator with a built-in starter, and the starter motor is state-of-the-art.
Advantages and Problems with the Start-Stop System on the Mini Cooper
The advantages are clear and have an immediate effect. The Start-Stop function is among the features that contribute to a more environmentally friendly attitude, both by reducing biological pollution (temporary interruption of carbon dioxide emissions) and by reducing noise pollution (less noise). Additionally, this feature helps save fuel and, consequently, offers financial savings, especially noticeable for those who use their cars in the city or in very congested areas.
Disadvantages arise over time, and that’s why they are sometimes overlooked. Here are the top 3 frequently noted disadvantages by Mini Cooper users with Start-Stop:
Higher battery replacement costs. Cars with the Start-Stop system have a different battery than those without this feature. Due to the increased demand caused by frequent activation of the Start-Stop system, the battery’s lifespan is about 2 years, which means it wears out faster than usual. The cost of replacing the battery is significantly higher compared to a non-Start-Stop car.
Increased engine strain. It’s understandable that engines in cars with Start-Stop have been tested and can handle this innovation. However, stopping and starting the engine so many times in a day, within minutes or seconds, is very demanding. Although it might seem like a minor detail, Start-Stop is one of the features that can shorten the engine’s lifespan.
Increased turbo wear. This disadvantage is especially encountered by those who have a more aggressive driving style, meaning driving at high speeds and then suddenly stopping. The explanation is that when the Start-Stop function frequently activates after periods of high engine revs, the remaining hot oil in the turbo turns into deposits, which over time damages the turbocharger.
Disabling the Start-Stop Function on the Mini Cooper
Factors that lead car owners with Start-Stop systems to consider deactivating it are both comfort-related and the need for better control of the car at every moment, even while idling with the engine running, as well as the desire to prolong the car’s lifespan.
In many cases, Start-Stop is an unnecessary feature, especially when driving long distances. Sometimes, it’s considered a feature that is more of a nuisance, especially in cases where the stop is only for a few seconds, such as at less busy intersections.
If you’re interested in disabling the Start-Stop function, it’s important to explore all your options and choose the one that suits you best. Read on to learn about all the deactivation options:
Start-Stop can be temporarily or permanently disabled.
Temporary deactivation can be done before each trip. To ensure the Start-Stop function doesn’t bother you, you can turn it off by pressing the Eco, Start and Stop, or SS button. Until this action becomes routine, you may still forget to disable the Start-Stop feature before starting a journey.
Permanent deactivation of the Start-Stop function. To permanently disable Start-Stop on the Mini Cooper, you can use the OBD Eleven app. Start-Stop is deactivated from the car’s software.
Another possible, but not recommended, option for those unfamiliar with the process is to weaken the battery. In this case, the car will detect the insufficient battery power and will operate in a sort of energy-saving mode, meaning it will no longer activate Start-Stop to avoid unnecessarily draining the battery. Warning! If this operation is not done correctly, dashboard warning lights may activate or other operational issues may arise.
On the opposite side of those who wish to disable Start-Stop are those who want to install this feature in their car. If you’re considering this, you should know that it requires a budget that can reach up to 1500 euros and, in some cases (e.g., using the car outside the city), it may be unjustified.
What No One Tells You About the Start-Stop Function on the Mini Cooper
We aim to reveal our honest opinion about cars with Start-Stop. This opinion is also supported by other users who have asked us about this topic.
The objectives of the Start-Stop function are clear; we have nothing to add here. However, there are quite a few situations where these objectives are not justified. For example, the financial savings from reduced fuel consumption are not as significant as they seem. Drivers who travel on roads that don’t force frequent stops and starts might not notice it.
Moreover, the financial savings from reduced consumption do not cover the frequent repairs needed for these cars – battery replacement, engine or turbo issues. In other words, what you save on fuel, you might spend on repairs, or even more disadvantageously.
Protecting the environment is not only about reducing carbon dioxide emissions; it can also be achieved by extending the lifespan of parts and less frequent replacements. Frequently replaced batteries are a pollution factor to consider.
There is also another factor that is less frequently discussed. In some situations, Start-Stop can endanger traffic safety. The sudden engine stop when you only need a few seconds of idling can slow down your reaction time. You know how fast and aware you need to be to have full control in traffic!
Our opinion is that this feature is, in many cases, less useful than it is intended to be. We recommend disabling the Start-Stop system on the Mini Cooper when you’re sure it’s more of an inconvenience, but you are the only one who can make the final decision. We hope we’ve provided you with all the information you need to make a well-informed and suitable decision for you!
