Stop start technology in MY12

[Tony Tiggy]

I just received my new Tiguan TDI 103 DSG yesterday and have taken it for a 200k spin today as a shake down run. One of the new features is the Blue Motion Stop Start technology and I'm impressed by how smooth it is in its functionality. Can any of you good people here please explain how this technology impacts the longevity of the starter motor and what is the concensus of opinion on the benefits that it brings to the vehicle?

This is my second Tiguan and I absolutely love it!

[mythik]

They've strengthened the flywheel + starters (earlier systems were notorious for premature flywheel/starter failure due to wear), however, at the end of the day you are trading off hugging the trees for vehicle wear. I'd flick it off and let the diesel engine clap away.

[wai]

It comes down to how long you spend stopped compared to how long a particular trip is to decide whether it is worthwhile.

Also, if the air conditioner is running (i.e. not just the fan going), then it will not switch on.

Now, there has to be a delay between you pressig the accelerator, the engine starting, and then the vehicle moving. From a safety standpoint I would not want to have an additional delay should the engine shutdown and I then needed to move.

Just like cruise control, there is a time and place for it.

You are going to have to work out whether it is for you, and it is not just the fuel saving. You can make a greater contribution to fuel economy by changing the way you drive. No point in saving fuel with the car stopped, but then driving in such a way that you use more fuel when moving.

If it was me, I would not use it.

[Transporter]

There is also stronger battery which is dearer than STD one, which means you will use some of that money you saved on fuel, when the time comes to replace it. I would switch it off.

[clip]

It drives to me to absolute distraction! Do yourself a favour and get your dealer to disable it at your next service. It's just plain annoying at the least, is useless as far as 'saving the planet', and is bloody dangerous - as I've found out at least twice. Once was no biggie, just wanted to move forward quickly because the car behind me in the traffic seemed to be having problems stopping! But 3 weeks ago I was convinced how seriously dangerous it actually could be. I left home and forgot to turn the stupid thing off one morning. Got round the first two corners and had to stop because the council was trimming overhead branches and had blocked half the road. The big knob up the road from me (thinks our back rd is QLD raceway), flew around the corner in his Patrol with trailer (I could hear him coming) and saw me stopped. So he locked it up, throwing it sideways with trailer jack-knifing. The lolly pop man dived for the bushes and I planted my foot -but no, the bloody thing had to start up first!!!

Fortunately he missed me by literally gnats hair, but with no thanks to any evasive action from me. By the time my car had started, he had all but stopped. Needless to say it was a good few minutes before my sphincter would relax

The consequrnces of having your car literally stall when it stops could be disastrous. It will only take one legal action and this nonsense 'feature' will be removed - as it should be.

[Aurange_Tiguan]

Is it possible to disable this feature with VCDS? I'm still waiting for my cable to arrive, but this would be one of the first things I want to action.

[Mister_E]

Just wondering can't you disable the stop start feature via options in the MFD??

[Jad]

I'm having a totally different experience with the Stop/Start. I find it quite handy while waiting at the lights for long periods. I'm in a 118TSI though with a manual so I don't get the same problems that a DSG driver would have as I need to put the foot on the clutch to crank up the engine, its fast to do it as well. If I think the traffic change is going to be quick I just leave my foot on the clutch and the gearbox in neutral.

[Aurange_Tiguan]

Just wondering can't you disable the stop start feature via options in the MFD??

I can't find anywhere in the MFD menu that toggles the start/stop feature. I'm just forcing myself to get into the habit of turning it off after ignition and moving my hand to the shifter.

[Pelican]

I have to agree with Clip. It annoys the hell out of me. I've looked but can find no way of disabling with MFD which seems an oversight. I can imagine that it could be useful under some circumstances but for most of my driving its simply a pain in the arse (if I forget to turn it off). Like Aurange_Tiguan, I'm trying to train myself to reach for the button immediately after starting. I don't mind the coasting function though. Good on the open road but I disable it (using MFD) around town.

[RGE]

If you have the air-con on is the stop/start then disabled?

[Aurange_Tiguan]

If you have the air-con on is the stop/start then disabled?

When I used to have this feature enabled and the engine stopped at a red light, it would sometimes restart itself after a short time if the aircon was running.

[Jad]

In the 118TSI the engine stays off even with the AirCon going. Maybe it behaves differently with a manual.

[RGE]

Thanks, I was just thinking outside the box for a back door method of turning off stop/start for those who bought it but then decided it wasn't for them.

[sunilr1]

Personally think stop/start tech is excellent. Saves fuel engine re-starts instantly and none of the cars systems go off line, air con, lights etc.. all keep running, thanx to the heavy duty battery and brake energy recovery system. Noticed the engine will restart sometimes before the brake is released, probably due to the battery getting a bit low, smart stuff