Quote:
Originally Posted by sammyg2
I can turn it off with the push of a button, until the next time the car is started. It defaults to on every time.
|
Also read something about that - I think that was in the latest 000 mag/Book.
The reason it's not always permanently defeatable in cars and comes on by default is that if it did not, the manufacturer would have to certify the car's MPG in all modes (on and off). If it automatically comes on and you have to defeat it each time you start the car, they get away with certifying the car with it ON and do better MPG as a result. Unless I read that wrong.
I'm all for fuel economy but I hate that gizmo. Over the years pros kept saying you do the most damage on engine start, and now we're stop/starting the engine 20x more per day. There's no way it can be good for the engine lubrication / starter wear and the manufacturers only really care about the warranty period. When I asked the Audi techs about my wife's SUV (not permanently defeatable even with aftermarket software) and they said "oh we never had to replace any starter motor".. Sure but how long has this been mandatory, a couple years tops ? not the best test sample...