Start Stop and S Tronic

Ron240

Ron240

Breaking the stereotype
Joined
Jun 9, 2018
Messages
1,229
Reaction score
1,567
Points
113
Location
Kirkcaldy
I am no stranger to Start Stop having had it on 4 previous cars.....some of the time I would disable it while other times I would let it do its thing.....the good thing was the activation was easily controllable on a manual car and was no problem.
This is my first experience of the system with an automatic, and in my opinion the activation point is completely ridiculous! :rage:
You can have a situation where you are stopping to immediately go into reverse, but as soon as the wheels stop turning with your foot on the brake the engine cuts out. :unamused:
Surely it would make much more sense for the system to activate when you shifted into neutral and took your foot off the brake....similar to how a manual works when lifting the clutch.
I now always try to remember to press the disable button every time I start the engine, but sometimes I forget and am reminded with my engine stopping when I don't want it to. :rage:
I can understand why so many people want to permanently disable Start Stop on their cars.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jimbob76
The main complaint is that it can kick in when you haven't even fully stopped, though this wasn't a trait with the older cars..

You can code it to be disabled I believe and @DJAlix sells a module which is installed. It doesn't disable start/stop fully, but it remembers the last state is was in... Ie, if you turn it off, get in the car the next day, it is still off...

https://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threa...o-you-hate-the-audi-start-stop-system.325840/
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jimbob76, Ron240 and Flying Scotsman
Just thank your stars that you can manually shut it off. I believe that future models will not allow this due to new legislation. oil356 is correct on coding via Carrista or similar and there are modules to do what he describes.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jimbob76
Flying Scotsman said:
Just thank your stars that you can manually shut it off. I believe that future models will not allow this due to new legislation
Click to expand...
That's going to be a sad day....

Also Ron, pulling the gearstick back into S or pushing it to the left (M) will stop start/stop kicking in.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jimbob76
Yea it sucks, first thing I do after turning on my ignition is to disable the start/stop.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ron240, Jimbob76 and Tom.H
Having had my S3 for about 6 weeks now the start/stop function is the one thing that actually makes me shout at the car. It is way too sensitive, and while I’m trying to train myself to switch the damn thing off as part of my start up routine, there are inevitably occasions when I forget.

My wife’s MINI Cooper also has start/stop, but being manual you still have to lift your foot off the clutch when you’ve come to a stop for it to kick in. This still gives you a choice regarding when YOU decide to activate it.

I know that you if you break gently to a stop in the S3, then it won’t cut the engine, and I know that it’s also disabled if you pat the gearstick to the left and put yourself in manual mode, but honestly - I hear you Ron, it frustrates the hell out of me.

DJAlix’s memory module solution looks like the best solution out there. And next time I’m in North London I’ll definitely be giving him a shout!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ron240
Ron240 said:
I am no stranger to Start Stop having had it on 4 previous cars.....some of the time I would disable it while other times I would let it do its thing.....the good thing was the activation was easily controllable on a manual car and was no problem.
This is my first experience of the system with an automatic, and in my opinion the activation point is completely ridiculous! :rage:
You can have a situation where you are stopping to immediately go into reverse, but as soon as the wheels stop turning with your foot on the brake the engine cuts out. :unamused:
Surely it would make much more sense for the system to activate when you shifted into neutral and took your foot off the brake....similar to how a manual works when lifting the clutch.
I now always try to remember to press the disable button every time I start the engine, but sometimes I forget and am reminded with my engine stopping when I don't want it to. :rage:
I can understand why so many people want to permanently disable Start Stop on their cars.
Click to expand...
Don't have a issue with start stop on my car and you just need to learn the difference with a stronic...
 
@cuke2u - is your car a pre-face lift model? From what I’ve read the start/stop function is harder to live with on the facelift 8v
 
cuke2u said:
Don't have a issue with start stop on my car and you just need to learn the difference with a stronic...
Click to expand...
The "difference" is it is completely illogical....it stops the engine when you wouldn't want it to stop!
Why on earth would you want your engine to cut out when about to pull out from a junction.....or about to put the car in reverse etc. etc.
No.....it simply does not operate in a logical manner....I don't care what anybody says. :(
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nikon and Bellasdad
Ron240 said:
The "difference" is it is completely illogical....it stops the engine when you wouldn't want it to stop!
Why on earth would you want your engine to cut out when about to pull out from a junction.....or about to put the car in reverse etc. etc.
No.....it simply does not operate in a logical manner....I don't care what anybody says.
Click to expand...

I’ll second that!
 
Jimbob76 said:
@cuke2u - is your car a pre-face lift model? From what I’ve read the start/stop function is harder to live with on the facelift 8v
Click to expand...
I have a A4 which has the same system as the a3 fl. When I moved over to the A4 from a pfl A3, and owning a car with a stronic gearbox I seem to be able to adapt quickly. It's just getting used to what activates start stop and what doesn't using a brake and throttle technique..
 
Fair enough @cuke2u - respect your opinion, but also with respect have you experienced the start/stop function in a facelift S3 8v? I’m not sure you’re making a like for like comparison - your experience is in a different car, with different engine management programming. Sorry, and happy to be corrected if I’m not being fair!
 
Jimbob76 said:
@cuke2u - is your car a pre-face lift model? From what I’ve read the start/stop function is harder to live with on the facelift 8v
Click to expand...
There seems to be the opinion that it's a facelift vs preface lift thing but I'm not convinced.

My 64 plate A3 would only stop once properly stopped, my 16 plate S3 stops sometimes when approaching junctions. Different engines yes, but both S-tronic and both pre pace lift.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jimbob76
I think it varies car to car: I had a 65 plate PFL from new, and I could just about live with the start stop as it would only cut when at a complete and utter standstill. BUT, I then had that car sent back on a rejection (lots of reasons) and so I got another new but still PFL 16 plate, but this time the engine would cut when still rolling to a standstill. I thought this was an error so went back to audi but was advised this happens. The two cars identical engines and spec.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jimbob76
To my mind the system should not be set up to activate while still in gear. If you are in gear any stop is likely to be very brief, or if not you should be shifting into neutral....which would be the logical time for the system to activate.
I wonder if other manufacturers implement start stop on their automatic models in the same way as Audi.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Jimbob76
The other thing I’ve noticed, is that sometimes when stopped the engine will start itself up again if, for example it needs to give some extra power to the air-con. If you don’t have your foot firmly on the brake, the car can then lurch forward a little. Not enough to be dangerous, but still a little disconcerting!
 
Ron240 said:
To my mind the system should not be set up to activate while still in gear. If you are in gear any stop is likely to be very brief, or if not you should be shifting into neutral....which would be the logical time for the system to activate.
I wonder if other manufacturers implement stop start on their automatic models in the same way as Audi.
Click to expand...
Not quite sure I follow what you say here Ron. You don’t take an auto out of gear when coming to a stop. I would on a manual unless the stop was very brief.
I am really glad my car is a pfl, because the s/s is absolutely fine. You have to stop and keep your foot on the brake for a definite duration before the engine stops.
 
  • Like
Reactions: oli356
What Ron’s saying is that it should be driver’s choice to actively engage the stop function, and one way of doing this on an auto box (in the absence of lifting your foot off the clutch as you would in a manual) would be to shift the gearstick into neutral, as a means of telling the car you’ve given it permission to engage stop. Sensible suggestion IMO
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ron240
I get the point.. But nobody would do it, ever.

Can't comment on whatever regulations or similar the manufacturers have to meet though.

At least for now there are a number of ways to temporarily or permanently disable start stop.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jimbob76
I tried getting used to the start/stop on my PFL S3 S-Tronic but found it too unpredictable so I’ve turned it off permanently with VCDS.
On the other hand my manual Transit Connect work van has start/stop and I leave it turned on as it’s easy to control activation.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jimbob76 and Ron240
oli356 said:
I get the point.. But nobody would do it, ever.
Click to expand...
I do it. :)
Do you sit with your foot on the brake in Drive for the duration of all enforced stops.....some of which can be for a number of minutes?
 
Ron240 said:
I do it. :)
Do you sit with your foot on the brake in Drive for the duration of all enforced stops.....some of which can be for a number of minutes?
Click to expand...
Sometimes... Or flick the handbrake switch, then take foot off and just need to press accelerator to move off again as it will release the handbrake.

Only one action required compared to going in and out of neutral :)
 
oli356 said:
Or flick the handbrake switch, then take foot off and just need to press accelerator to move off again as it will release the handbrake.
Click to expand...
Is this good practice though......because surely brakes and gearbox are being put under unnecessary strain, particularly just after a cold start?
Everybody has their own driving style and thats fair enough, but my mechanical sympathy would not allow me to do this.
 
Ron240 said:
Is this good practice though......because surely brakes and gearbox are being put under unnecessary strain, particularly just after a cold start?
Everybody has their own driving style and thats fair enough, but my mechanical sympathy would not allow me to do this.
Click to expand...
I'm not mechanically minded so can't comment on it really but "it's in the manual" :)
Screenshot 20180619 003653
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jimbob76
I've had it on 2 other cars and always got along with it (Honda Civic & Insignia).

Our BMW 1 series has it and is an automatic and works fine as it cuts in when it should cuts out when it should and it's easy to sort of work around it whilst parking the car / maneuvering however the automatic A3.. well it's absolutely crap IMO and the first thing i do after starting the engine is turn the thing off.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jimbob76
oli356 said:
Sometimes... Or flick the handbrake switch, then take foot off and just need to press accelerator to move off again as it will release the handbrake.

Only one action required compared to going in and out of neutral :)
Click to expand...

As soon as I put on the handbrake (‘15 A4), the engine restarts. So it only works for a brief stop while on the brake pedal. If you know you’ll be waiting in traffic a while, it restarts?!? Totally illogical. And as has been mentioned earlier, pulling up to a parking space to reverse in, usually with other traffic around, the half-assed system will cut the engine as I stop. As if it does take long enough for s-tronic to think about going into reverse anyway...

I don’t deny it’s a good idea, but the implementation is so poor it gets turned off nearly every time I drive. I programmed the memory with Carista, well worth it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jimbob76
Jemster said:
As soon as I put on the handbrake (‘15 A4), the engine restarts. So it only works for a brief stop while on the brake pedal. If you know you’ll be waiting in traffic a while, it restarts?!? Totally illogical. And as has been mentioned earlier, pulling up to a parking space to reverse in, usually with other traffic around, the half-assed system will cut the engine as I stop. As if it does take long enough for s-tronic to think about going into reverse anyway...

I don’t deny it’s a good idea, but the implementation is so poor it gets turned off nearly every time I drive. I programmed the memory with Carista, well worth it.
Click to expand...
That's strange.. At least on mine the engine will stay off if I engage the handbrake. It might turn on again due to the climate control or whatever else but not immediately.

I can see how the reversing situation would be annoying! I reverse once in a blue moon though so haven't experienced it.
 
I don't use it, always turn it off when I get in the car. Annoys me that it cuts the engine while you're still moving slightly (under braking) and as soon as you lift off the brake pedal it starts up again. Should only come on once you're at a complete stop like HHA does.

Ron240 said:
I do it. :)
Do you sit with your foot on the brake in Drive for the duration of all enforced stops.....some of which can be for a number of minutes?
Click to expand...

I have HHA on mine so I leave it in Drive when I've come to a stop and let that do it's thing, a touch of the accelerator when I'm ready and that comes off and I'm on my way.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jimbob76
I agree with Tom. I have Hold assist and s-tronic, and it all works very well. But this is pfl. I understand that they have messed it all up on the fl.
 
Ron240 said:
I am no stranger to Start Stop having had it on 4 previous cars.....some of the time I would disable it while other times I would let it do its thing.....the good thing was the activation was easily controllable on a manual car and was no problem.
This is my first experience of the system with an automatic, and in my opinion the activation point is completely ridiculous! :rage:
You can have a situation where you are stopping to immediately go into reverse, but as soon as the wheels stop turning with your foot on the brake the engine cuts out. :unamused:
Surely it would make much more sense for the system to activate when you shifted into neutral and took your foot off the brake....similar to how a manual works when lifting the clutch.
I now always try to remember to press the disable button every time I start the engine, but sometimes I forget and am reminded with my engine stopping when I don't want it to. :rage:
I can understand why so many people want to permanently disable Start Stop on their cars.
Click to expand...

Problem I found though is that if you put it into neutral it takes the hold assist off and you roll back (happened to me - first time I've had an s-tronic) meaning you have to put the handbrake on - Assume it's if you need to push the car for some reason and have no electrics to disable the hold assist but I'm only guessing.
 
Regarding the hold assist.....I had it on 2 previous manual cars but I didn't like using it because it kept the brake lights on, and I hate sitting behind another car at traffic lights at night where the driver keeps his foot on the brake.
This is just me though. :innocent:

The majority consensus on start stop with our car appears to be that it is indeed ****. :D
 
Jimbob76 said:
Fair enough @cuke2u - respect your opinion, but also with respect have you experienced the start/stop function in a facelift S3 8v? I’m not sure you’re making a like for like comparison - your experience is in a different car, with different engine management programming. Sorry, and happy to be corrected if I’m not being fair!
Click to expand...
The start stop systems are the same in both and nothing to do with different engine management systems, if I let it mine will do what is described in post #1. But if some owners can't manage the system then either place the stronic in sport or purchase a £30 dongle from here https://www.kufatec.co.uk/shop/en/d...agen-audi/coding-interface-disable-start-stop
 
oli356 said:
That's strange.. At least on mine the engine will stay off if I engage the handbrake. It might turn on again due to the climate control or whatever else but not immediately.

I can see how the reversing situation would be annoying! I reverse once in a blue moon though so haven't experienced it.
Click to expand...

That is odd - I was told by Audi that restarting when the handbrake is applied was correct operation when I mentioned that it seemed wrong.

I honestly don't understand why at all. It's not like there wouldn't be a trigger to restart the engine (i.e. tapping the throttle or releasing the handbrake) but the moment I flick on the handbrake switch, it will start up again. If I have Start/Stop disabled and am sitting with the handbrake on, the awful Nanny DIS will tell me to engage Start/Stop even though it will make no difference on my car. Maybe operation is different if you have the HHA option (I don't).

I do love the car, but the not very smart aspects kill me.
 
Jemster said:
That is odd - I was told by Audi that restarting when the handbrake is applied was correct operation when I mentioned that it seemed wrong.

I honestly don't understand why at all. It's not like there wouldn't be a trigger to restart the engine (i.e. tapping the throttle or releasing the handbrake) but the moment I flick on the handbrake switch, it will start up again. If I have Start/Stop disabled and am sitting with the handbrake on, the awful Nanny DIS will tell me to engage Start/Stop even though it will make no difference on my car. Maybe operation is different if you have the HHA option (I don't).

I do love the car, but the not very smart aspects kill me.
Click to expand...
I don't have the HHA option eihter.
Reading the A3 manual....

"The engine cuts in automatically without intervention from the driver.
- The brake pedal is pressed several times in succession"

No mention of handbrake though. Just had a quick look at a A4 manual (not sure for which region) and it was the same as A3, no handbrake mention.
 
I have a 2018 Q5 S-Tronic, and find S/S works ok, and doesn't tend to engage if brake pedal is lightly pressed, but appreciate this is not always possible.
It has activated at times when I am about to engage reverse, which I agree is not the best, but generally find the whole S/S and disengaging of gear (coasting) so much better than my 66 reg A6 Avant. For example that would coast on downhills to the extent that the brake had to be pressed to slow the car down. My Q5 appears to be much more intelligent, and engages a gear to hold speed on downhill. For those that just cannot get on, probably best to code out with VCDS , Carista or one of the modules mentioned above.
 
q5man said:
I have a 2018 Q5 S-Tronic, and find S/S works ok, and doesn't tend to engage if brake pedal is lightly pressed, but appreciate this is not always possible.
It has activated at times when I am about to engage reverse, which I agree is not the best, but generally find the whole S/S and disengaging of gear (coasting) so much better than my 66 reg A6 Avant. For example that would coast on downhills to the extent that the brake had to be pressed to slow the car down. My Q5 appears to be much more intelligent, and engages a gear to hold speed on downhill. For those that just cannot get on, probably best to code out with VCDS , Carista or one of the modules mentioned above.
Click to expand...
The coasting feature of the eco setting I hate. I just don’t like the feeling of the engine not giving some braking.
I’ve only tried it once and returned to one of the other settings.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Pook
Start/Stop Question (S-Tronic)
Replies
41
Views
4K
RichardT
RichardT
Muttley75
Stop/start with S-Tronic
Replies
62
Views
5K
Blackwhite
Blackwhite
V
Stop start in S Tronic
Replies
6
Views
1K
The Challinor
The Challinor
Vertigo1
Stop/start with S-Tronic?
Replies
13
Views
5K
karlfevans
K
Wibbly
Start/Stop and VCDS
Replies
21
Views
4K
Alex jb
Alex jb
Top
Back