The presence of Stop-start technology can be a key factor to determine the correct starter motor and alternator for your vehicle. This guide will take you through the methods of identifying if your vehicle is equipped with Stop-start technology.

1. What is Stop-start technology?
2. Activation criteria
3. Activating Stop-start
4. Benefits of Stop-start technology
5. Does my car have Stop-start technology?

1. Check buttons near steering wheel
2. Check Handbook or Vehicle owner’s manual

What is Stop-start technology?

Stop-start technology allows an engine to temporarily turn off when idle and stationary. Some example uses of Stop-start technology are turning off the engine while stationary at traffic lights or when queuing in heavy traffic.

Stop-start can be written as ‘stop start’, ‘stop and start’ or stop/start. Car brands also have their own names for the technology.

Brand	Stop-start branding
Kia/Hyundai	Idle Stop and Go (ISG)
Mazda	i-Stop
Mercedes-Benz	ECO
Ford	Auto-Start-Stop

Activation criteria

Specific criteria must be met before Stop-start can be used. Every manufacturer specifies their own criteria but some of the main criteria are:

• Engine running time
• Engine temperature
• Battery health
• AC / defrosters on

This could mean that Stop-start cannot be activated for most short journeys especially in colder climates

Activating Stop-start

There are two ways of activating Stop-start.

For automatic gear box transmission vehicles, the engine will turn off when the vehicle is stationary and the brake pedal is depressed. The engine will turn back on when the brake pedal is released

For manual gear box transmission vehicles, the engine will turn off when the vehicle is stationary, in neutral and the clutch pedal is released. The engine will turn back on when the clutch is depressed.

Benefits of Stop-start technology

Stop-start technology reduces the running time of an engine. Manufacturer’s state an overall fuel saving of 8-12%. Also, the environmental benefits of reducing emissions when stationary must be taken into consideration especially as most Stop-start activations will occur in inner-city, built-up areas. These areas are where stationary traffic emissions are most problematic.

One caveat to all the benefits of Start-stop technology is the strictness of the activation criteria. The average journey time of 22 min per car journey may not be enough to meet the criteria to activate Stop-start so some of the benefits of the Stop-start may not be realise in real world driving scenarios.

Does my car have Stop-start technology?

Check buttons near steering wheel

Most vehicles with Stop-start technology will have a button to temporarily turn it off the feature. Each car brand has their own icon on the button the majority have some variation of an ‘A’ symbol within a circular arrow. If you have this button near your steering wheel then there is a good chance the vehicle has Stop-start technology.

Check Handbook or Vehicle owner’s manual

The best way to find out if a vehicle has Stop-start technology is to check the owner’s manual. Manufacturers have they own name and branding for Stop-start technology so it may need a thorough read through the manual to find the correct section. A good place to start is the steering wheel, dashboard and associated buttons section because Stop-start indicators and button are usually located in this area.