Stop-start system

Everybody’s doing it now, but until recently stop-start systems were relatively rare. Put simply in cars that have a stop-start system the engine stops when the car stops (at lights for instance) and starts again automatically when you move off. This saves fuel and brings down a car’s CO2 emissions. It can also be slightly unnerving.

Normally the system engages when you come to a stop for more than a few seconds and take your feet off the pedals, putting the car into neutral (best to use the handbrake as you were taught all those years ago). The engine starts when you press the clutch again.

Modern electronics have made the stop-start system very easy to live with, although you still have to understand it to make the most of it (there’s no point sitting at the lights in first gear with the clutch down for instance – it won’t work). And there are limits, because obviously while you’re sitting there on a sweltering summer’s day with the engine off, your aircon, radio, satnav etc. are still whirring away using electricity that would normally be generated by the engine. Your battery will eventually give up and the engine will kick in again.

Women and Wheels are even running a Honda PCX scooter at the moment which uses stop-start technology and it with we’re getting over 100mpg!