Start and Stop: the warning light to save fuel

The Start and Stop warning light is part of the orange warning lights category. With advancements in vehicle electronics, we now have the ability to enhance driving comfort as well as fuel efficiency.

But what does the warning light look like?

How does Start and Stop work?

And what should you do in case of a malfunction?

Start and stop warning light
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    What does the Start and Stop warning light look like?

    The Start and Stop warning light is represented by the letter “A” in uppercase, surrounded by an arrow.

    This warning light, usually orange, informs the driver that the Start and Stop feature is available for activation.

    Start and Stop warning light on dashboard

    Start and Stop: why does the warning light turn on?

    Often associated with modern cars, the Start and Stop system actually first appeared in the 1970s.

    Initially, it was only installed in high-end luxury cars. The system started becoming mainstream in 2004 and is now found in all vehicle categories.

    But how does it work, and why does the warning light turn on?

    Depending on the vehicle model, the Start and Stop system operates in different ways:

    • When the vehicle is moving below 15 km/h, and the driver applies the brakes to bring the car to a stop, the engine turns off. As soon as the driver releases the brake pedal, the engine restarts.
    • Upon complete vehicle stop.

    However, like all systems, Start and Stop has both advantages and disadvantages.

    Advantages of Start and Stop

    The Start and Stop system has two major benefits: fuel savings and reduced environmental impact.

    Additionally, turning off the engine when the car is stationary helps reduce noise pollution in cities, making traffic jams slightly more bearable.

    This system is ideal for urban driving, as it is designed to turn off the engine during short stops, such as at traffic lights.

    Traffic jam in the city

    Disadvantages of Start and Stop

    When driving outside urban areas, the system becomes relatively useless. In fact, the primary function is to turn off the engine during short stops to save fuel. However, if you drive mainly on rural roads, where traffic lights are rare, the system will rarely activate.

    For rural road driving, the system remains inactive most of the time, making it less useful.

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    Start and Stop: how to turn off the warning light?

    The Start and Stop warning light has two variations:

    • The standard warning light indicating that the system is available.
    • The crossed-out warning light indicating that the system is unavailable and the engine cannot be put on standby.

    But what to do when the system fails and the warning light does not function correctly?

    Like with any malfunction, you must identify the root cause. Since this is an electronic system, you will need to perform a diagnostic by connecting a diagnostic scanner to your car’s OBD port.

    This will allow you to determine the issue, carry out necessary repairs, and turn off the warning light if needed.

    Conclusion

    The Start and Stop system helps reduce fuel consumption as well as air and noise pollution. The dashboard warning light indicates when to use it for optimal efficiency.

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    Pour en savoir plus

    That concludes this article on the Start and Stop warning light. If you have any tips or questions, feel free to share them in the comments.

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