Start/Stop Feature & EPA Action

[Shutterbug57]

If the EPA follows through and eliminates the need for the start/stop function, will Ram update our software to default the feature to off? Hoping…

 

[vincentw56]

If the EPA follows through and eliminates the need for the start/stop function, will Ram update our software to default the feature to off? Hoping…

Seriously doubt it. But it would be good to have an option to use it or not by default. Not everyone is a hater.

 

[John Kloehr]

Unlikely as there are still CAFE considerations.

I actually like the start/stop feature in my Ram, also have the big battery pack and assist thing on the accessory drive. It works seamlessly and I can disable it a couple different ways.

If you really want to disable your's, one of these gizmos would do so for $100 or less:

Amazon.com : ram 1500 auto start stop eliminator

 

[jimothy]

I don’t understand the hate for Ram’s start/stop. I do agree that it sucks in many vehicles. But eTorque works, and shaves a lot of idle hours off my engine. My take is, people who had bad experiences with other systems default to hating it in the Ram. <stephencrowder.jpg>

Now, if my generator bearings or battery pack go bad, I might sing a different tune. But no, Ram isn’t about to turn off a system they—and we—paid big bucks for. They might just not build start/stop systems into future vehicles.

 

[wvinson]

Hate it here in the south on hot days. Turns off at stop lights and the a/c gets warmer -just sucks. Just make it part of my routine before I put in reverse out of the driveway.

 

[jimothy]

Hate it here in the south on hot days. Turns off at stop lights and the a/c gets warmer -just sucks. Just make it part of my routine before I put in reverse out of the driveway.

I’m also in the south. Depending on what temp you have your AC set at, then engine won’t turn off if the cabin is hot.

But yeah, that’s the only thing mildly annoying about it. I still like it overall, and it doesn’t have the jerky feeling of other, non-mild hybrid systems.

 

[John Kloehr]

My lady has a Ford Ranger with the Turbo 4, and start stop (AutoStart). AutoSart is as annoying as can be in that truck. The system just uses the starter and starter battery, no "just fired up" torque assist like the Ram. Also a noticeable lag between when moving one's foot from the brake to the gas... It ain't ready to go but the traffic light is green. Also the AC slows down noticeably when the engine stops. On hot summer days, it shuts off too easily and waits to long to start again to keep the interior nice. She has to remember to hit the disable button when planning to grab an opening across multiple lanes of traffic.

My Ram? It is running again before I get to the gas pedal. And interior comfort was clearly more important to those who programmed it. The engine restarts before the AC falls too far behind.

I will say one good thing about the Ford Ranger system... As the main battery starts to weaken, the computer disables AutoStart. This serves as an indicator to get a new battery soon. As a result of this, my lady did need to get a battery sooner than she might otherwise have had to but she also did not have to go through a jumpstart or no start and an urgent trip for a new battery. Had days to test, evaluate, trickle charge, understand, and then go get a battery in our own good time. After a day for the system to catch up to state of charge, AutoStart came back. The battery really was starting to fail, no idea if it would have weeks or months but certainly was not going to last another year. The original battery, freshly charged an hour earlier, did fail load test.

 

[John Kloehr]

I’m also in the south. Depending on what temp you have your AC set at, then engine won’t turn off if the cabin is hot.

East Tennessee, Summer temp and humidity both top 90. Ram AC set to 70. It keeps up. The big deal which affects comfort here is the humidity, and the Ram keeps it under control. Don't know if it would manage at 110 degrees, still a few ways to disable it as needed.