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Audi introduces stop-start for auto ‘boxes
Audi Stop-Start Introduced
Stop-Start Freelander on the way
Fiat Punto Evo revealed
BMW i100 Coupe Active Hybrid in 2013
2011 Mercedes S63 AMG 5.5 litre Biturbo revealed +video
Porsche Panamera S Hybrid Confirmed
Nissan Murano Convertible coming
Fiat 500 gets Stop-Start
Flavour of the month, stop-start, and here’s another to add to the list. The Fiat 500 gets Start&Stop (I’ve lost count of the different monikers) as an option on the 1.2 Lounge, using Bosch technology to beef up the system to make it reliable. The Stop/Start also gets another Fiat moniker – Blue&Me – which gives the driver EcoDrive to aid emissions and adds hands-free phone and an entertainment system.
Fiat are at pains to point out how and when the system will work. The Start&Stop can be manually switched off, and only works once the car has gone above 6mph. It won’t work if the car already has a heavy electrical load (for example if the engine is cold, or the HRW is on or other similar situations) and nor will it cut in when reversing to make sure it doesn’t interrupt parking manoeuvres.
Fiat 500 gets Start&Stop to help economy
Fiat also points out that you’ll need to start the car with the key if you’ve been stopped for more than three minutes without depressing the clutch. Which doesn’t seem long, particularly if you’re trying to edge your way along the embankment at rush hour (or through central Rome or Paris, for that matter).
As we’ve said, if you do a fair bit of town driving Stop-Start is hard to argue against. Emissions drop and fuel economy improves, in the Fiat 500′s case by around 12%. At £9,500 this isn’t the cheapest option, but if you’re after a cute, stylish run-around, and you do a lot of town driving, it’s a pretty good choice.
malcolm frazer on Mon, 29th Mar 2010 12:37 pm
Has anyone else out there had the major problems with Fiat’s stop/start sytem that I have had on my 12th Feb registerd 500c?Stop/start and engine management warning lights come on and car goes into limp mode ( not good on the motorway in rush hour ) Dealer says my wife is holding car on the clutch for more that 10-12 seconds so it’s “our fualt” So she will never be able to make a hill start ever again.
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lEX123 Reply:
April 24th, 2010 at 5:05 pm
Exactly the same problem and our dealer has also told me I am driving wrong! I had the problem at a roundabout because I was using clutch control. Annoying as each time it occurs I have to go back to the dealership to have the lights turned off. apparently we are not alone, I have found at least 20 other comments on the web.
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Alison Patrick on Sat, 5th Jun 2010 8:31 pm
Have this problems too – car back in garage 3 times in first week, and was told it was my driving style. I paid nearly £17000 for my 1.4 500C Lounge with extras and feel I have not been sold a car fit for purpose. I now turn off Start and Stop every time I start the engine so as not to have warning lights come on while driving. Can anyone tell me if there is a definitive answer to this problem? Is there a software upgrade available from Fiat which will enable start and stop to be used even though clutch contol is used on hill starts or when a quick exit is required at an intersection etc???
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CarsUK Reply:
June 6th, 2010 at 2:47 pm
We keep hearing this, so we’ve got a 500 with stop-start from Fiat next week to see how we get on. We think the problem is simple – no-one who drives regularly puts the car in neutral and foot off clutch when they stop in traffic. And the way this – and most stop-start systems are set up on manual cars – means the system either doesn’t work or gets confused unless you go back to driving like a learner.
Watch out for our review on the Fiat 500 with Stop Start in the next couple of weeks.
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Elaine Reply:
June 7th, 2010 at 6:35 pm
I dont know why your Fiat 500 wont fit in your garage because it is a small 4 seater car it is good for familys with 3 in them but it is a small fiat and all the other fiats are big
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