Chrysler adding stop/start systems to vehicles
Chrysler's Frank Klegon says that we should expect to see the incorporation of stop/start systems in a number of vehicles "pretty soon," according to Automotive News. They'd be marketed as "micro hybrid" systems (showing that automakers will jump at absolutely anything to be able to apply the term "hybrid" to a product). The so-called micro hybrids simply kill the engine when the car's stopped, and according to Chrysler, this can net drivers a 5% gain in fuel economy without their having to do anything. (Except spend some money. Cost per vehicle would be "several hundred dollars.") Klegon also notes that more mild hybrid systems and additional 2-Mode implementations are in the works, as well. What say you good readers? Would you pay $300 for a 5% gain in fuel economy?
[Source: Automotive News - sub req'd]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Matt 1:00PM (11/21/2007)
Gas pedal, brakes unavailable for comment.
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mark_welby 1:01PM (11/21/2007)
I'm assuming the car would instantly fire up as soon as you hit the gas? can you imagine being in stop and go traffice and having to restart the car every 20 feet?! The gas savings would probably cover the initial $300 fairly rapidly, but what about the addional costs down the road? Seems like it would be a tremendous additional strain on the starter and electircal system...
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mark_welby 1:05PM (11/21/2007)
I really butchered the English language in my first post. Arrrgghhhh.
Zoom 1:23PM (11/21/2007)
The general concept is that instead of having an engine starter and an alternator you will have a larger alternator that also doubles as a electric motor/starter. In the short time after you depress the accelerator pedal the car will be powered by the motor I mentioned before (energy provided by a larger battery bank). This also alleviates starter noise and provides a smoother power transition, think golf cart.
CastleCharles 2:56PM (11/21/2007)
Stop / Start is not new. they have figured it out and it will not hurt your car. It is a feature on all the 2 mode hybrids and should be mandatory feature on all new cars. 5% across the board on all new cars, for what will come down to a unnoticeable charge once used on 16 Billion + cars a year,,, seems like a no brainer,, but we know that is the way most things are done, with no brains.
psarhjinian 1:02PM (11/21/2007)
Yes. This needs to be added to every car, and it's such a simple idea both in concept and implementation, that it's surprising that it hasn't happened yet.
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zamafir 1:27PM (11/21/2007)
It will be, mainly because Bosch announced it would be readily available to any auto maker last year (or was it the year prior)? I totally agree though, one of the cheapest things automakers can do to help reduce green house emissions is one of these auto start/stops preventing the engine from idling at stoplights, traffic, et-al.
And if Chrysler's already adopting it, you know everyone won't be far away.
Check that, BMW’s already there.
http://www.bosch-presse.de/TBWebDB/en-US/PressText.cfm?id=3042
Sam Salemi 1:10PM (11/21/2007)
I've installed this system in my 92 jetta diesel for hundreds of dollars less! It's really ingenious; when I get to a stop light i turn the key counter clockwise...
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Tim 1:26PM (11/21/2007)
That's incredibly dangerous, and probably illegal and most importantly will wear out your starter in no time.
These systems are designed specifically for this purpose and can re-start the engine as soon as you apply pressure to the gas pedal or clutch, depending on transmission. Some may also re-start when you take your foot off the brake.
Alex Nunez 1:30PM (11/21/2007)
Tim, the GM mild hybrids I've tried fire the engine back up as soon as you take your foot off the brake.
TimA 1:33PM (11/21/2007)
Yes, that makes the most sense. You can use the delay between foot off brake/ foot on gas to get the engine running again.
Bear in mind Alex, that the hybrids have the benefit of an electric motor in the drive system already. Adding it to a purely IC engine will result in some differences.
Sam Salemi 2:53PM (11/21/2007)
Wooah Tim, relax. Firstly; I'm not sure what is dangerous about being still with your engine shut off and brake lights on. I don't do it at every stop, but if I'm pulling up to a traffic light that just turned red, I'll shut my engine off, or at a railway crossing. I don't shut it off at stop signs. My starter is 15 years old, still works, and when doing this I've managed as low as 5.2 L/100km. Not too shabby. Secondly; why would it be illegal??
tankd0g 1:20PM (11/21/2007)
At GM they are shaking their heads right now. Stick a Hybrid monicer on a car just for having on demand ignition. "You mean they can do that?!? We could have saved millions!" - Bob Lutz.
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psarhjinian 2:41PM (11/21/2007)
Considering that the BAS system is pretty much exactly this, GM already did stick the hybrid moniker on this technology.
CastleCharles 3:23PM (11/21/2007)
Is there a "law" about what they can call a hybrid? Start / Stop is a great system, but technically, not really a hybrid system. It is a Green system perhaps, if a system at all. Don't get me wrong, like I said, it should be on ever car, but it is not a hybrid.
Jason Bird 1:22PM (11/21/2007)
If the engine is not designed for frequent start/stop cycles, ala Prius and other "real" hybrids, the wear and tear repair bills will add up, far in excess of the 5% fuel savings over time.
Also, I don't car how green a car is today if you don't maintain it, it won't be green for long.
I am fairly certain that there are more than a few older Prius' out there putting out far more pollutants per mile than my meticulosly maintained '98 Lincoln Continental with 115K miles on it. I have seen a couple older Prius' running around here chugging oil smoke. Not very green.
BTW where are we going to put those batteries when it comes time to junk the car?
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Charles S 1:39PM (11/21/2007)
Obviously, you do not do enough research about hybrids, so you're just making it up as you go.
Every hybrid batteries have a $200 bounty on them, so there will not be a single junkyard out there that would not rip those out and sell them back to Toyota and Honda. Both companies have an internal recycling program for these batteries. Batteries for hybrids are certainly much safer for the environment than the NiMH AA batteries being sold in the stores. Those are more likely being thrown into the trash.
Second, I do not know where you live have emission inspections or not, but if a Prius is spewing oil smoke, it will not pass inspection. And if one is comparing apples to apples, a well maintain Prius is 90% cleaner than any cars made in 1998.
HotRodzNKustoms 1:21PM (11/21/2007)
For 5%? and putting a huge strain on my charging and starting system? No thanks I'll pass. It makes no sense because then all that gas savings and then some will be used to replace your starter, alternator and battery more often than normal.
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Tim 1:30PM (11/21/2007)
In this system, all the parts in the starting/charging system are built for this purpose. They don't just put a on-off switch on the gas pedal and call it good.
tankd0g 1:23PM (11/21/2007)
If they double the size of the starter and double the size of the alternator and battery, and make the battery a deep cycle one, and use the starter to actually drive the car forward for the first few meters while the engine starts. Well that wouldn't be half bad. They will not do that of course.
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