Automatic Engine Switch Off

[beckersjay]

I am contemplating buying a new automatic car. In common with many, I gather, this model now has the feature that it switches the engine off automatically when the car stops even for a short time. For me, one of the advantages of an automatic is that you don't have to juggle with the handbrake when stopping on hills. If the engine switches off, presumably the car doesn't hold on a hill. Anyone have this feature and does it greatly affect ease of driving?

[Mass_Hysteria]

I have it and also hill start assist which is good. You can switch off the auto stop if you don't want to use it. I find it useful if i'm sitting waiting in traffic.

[Hopkirk]

Even in an automatic car ,you should apply the handbrake when stopped on a hill really.

[beckersjay]

Thanks for the reassurance, Mass_Hysteria! By the way, I thought I was posting this under Motoring but my finger must have slipped!

[Hymie]

On a really steep hill, an automatic will not stop the car rolling back – well, that is what happened to me many moons ago driving a hired automatic.

Many manual cars are now fitted with an electronic handbrake (although I don’t like them, mostly due to lack of my experience in their use), my understanding is that they will not release until there is sufficient drive to the road wheels to stop the vehicle rolling back. If your issue with manual cars is hill starts – then a manual, with an electronic handbrake maybe for you (after you have mastered the technique of its use).

[Mass_Hysteria]

beckers was only asking about the auto stop. I threw the hill start assist in as an asset for me, (manual car) ! Sorry to confuse the thread

[belrec]

My OH has an automatic with the auto stop thing and unless you are in a stop-start traffic jam it is OK to use.

For example if you are stopped at traffic lights on a hill you would either have your foot on the brake pedal or put on the hand brake. As soon as you lift off the brake pedal the engine starts so by the time you have got to the accelerator the engine is ready :-)

I have driven it a few times and thought it would be annoting but actually you get used to it and as said before you can switch it off.

I would seriously consider an automatic next time I change my car based on driving hubby's. Hope this helps x

[beckersjay]

If any of you are still around, thanks for all your responses. I had to log off when someone arrived at the door and have only just seen the remaining posts.