Engine Stop Start System ?

[undercover]

Nissan's Idling Stop system automatically stops a car's engine when waiting at signals or other times the car is stopped, and then restarts it when the car needs to move again. Cutting the engine when the car is stopped improves fuel efficiency and reduces CO2 emissions.

http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/ENVIRONMENT/CAR/FUEL_COST/FOR_FUEL_COST/index.html

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Reading the above on Nissans website makes me wonder how the aircon can continue to work while the engine is off ? if sitting in a long traffic jam like in Bangkok or modern Pattaya for a considarable length of time without moving and the Idling Stop system having shut the engine down am I right that the engine driven aircon pump has also shut down

[Semper]

"and then restarts it when the car needs to move again"

How does it know when the car needs to move?

[richard_smith237]

"and then restarts it when the car needs to move again"

How does it know when the car needs to move?

I suspect that in this case you've picked up on the phrase 'needs to move' with an incorrect concept of intended timescale.

Simply pressing the accelerator triggers the ignition when the car ‘needs to move’… a different time scale than I suspect you had in mind Semper... The car doesn't predict your movements 5 minute in advance !

I too wonder how the Air-conditioning system remains operational when the car is ‘stopped’ in traffic.

[wandrinstar]

I see the Stop /Starting leading to some Fun Replys. Perhaps the Windows open when the Air Con Cuts Out .

[beano2274]

Used this system on a Seat I hired in the UK, the engine will cut out and a depress of the accelerator starts the car again (just need to touch the pedal gently, you hear the engine start then accelerate), sorry do not know about the aircon, as not much use in the UK.

[Litlos]

There was something I read recently where one of the French manufacturers has a system where the A/C will continue to function for 6 minutes after engine shutdown, used hydraulic pressurised storage from memory. Of course I cannot find it now to reference

That would help get around the A/C problem, for a while.

However I personally think this type of engine shut off system in BKK traffic would be a waste of time. Picture this; you are at the lights about 50 cars back, the traffic creeps forward a few metres, you do not move to save fuel, Somchai on the left and Suchart on the right both decide there is a 1% chance of getting a metre ahead and both try and edge into the space and get about half way in. Two hours later you are still there along with Somchai and Suchart and most of the rest of the vehicles in Thailand as neither wants to give way and the road is blocked. Vendors are setting up their foodcarts to take advantage of the captive market, flower sellers are roving the lanes, the clown in the mercedes four cars back has flattened his battery from leaning on the horn. A bit tongue in cheek, but some of it would come true for sure.

Cheers

[funcat]

There was something I read recently where one of the French manufacturers has a system where the A/C will continue to function for 6 minutes after engine shutdown, used hydraulic pressurised storage from memory. Of course I cannot find it now to reference

That would help get around the A/C problem, for a while.

However I personally think this type of engine shut off system in BKK traffic would be a waste of time. Picture this; you are at the lights about 50 cars back, the traffic creeps forward a few metres, you do not move to save fuel, Somchai on the left and Suchart on the right both decide there is a 1% chance of getting a metre ahead and both try and edge into the space and get about half way in. Two hours later you are still there along with Somchai and Suchart and most of the rest of the vehicles in Thailand as neither wants to give way and the road is blocked. Vendors are setting up their foodcarts to take advantage of the captive market, flower sellers are roving the lanes, the clown in the mercedes four cars back has flattened his battery from leaning on the horn. A bit tongue in cheek, but some of it would come true for sure.

Cheers

:cheesy:

[funcat]

I've test drove the Almera and checked the ignition shut down...the AC is cut of,but the fan will still operate...useless in the hot climate traffic !!...the car gets hot in just 1 minute...

About the restart,there are 3 methods...1.gently touch the accelerator (or brake?)pedal 2.move the shifter,or 3.move the steering wheel a bit...

[katabeachbum]

its old tech, i drove it first time in 1980?, Audi 80 fuelsaver. Useless at that time in cold climate, as hot water discontinued feeding the heater. Later came with electric circulation pump.

I still find it useless in hot or cold climates

and I have it on my local runaround moped, a 73k baht honda pcx, and best thing about it is its OFF switch disabling it

[Semper]

For the more adventurous motorists that don't want to invest in the latest gadgets, there is the option of using the ignition key instead.

[undercover]

Yes I can see the shut down system being of some use in certain places in cooler climates but here in Bangkok the moment the engine is shut off the passenger compartment starts to heat up rapidly. I would hope there is an option to switch the automatic shutdown off like there is on a Honda PCX Scooter ? maybe some one will come along who has a Nissan and explain how his works in heavy traffic and hot weather.

[funcat]

Yes I can see the shut down system being of some use in certain places in cooler climates but here in Bangkok the moment the engine is shut off the passenger compartment starts to heat up rapidly. I would hope there is an option to switch the automatic shutdown off like there is on a Honda PCX Scooter ? maybe some one will come along who has a Nissan and explain how his works in heavy traffic and hot weather.

...read post#8...and there is an on/off switch to disable this function...

[transam]

If you are in traffic a long time l believe the on board computer reads that the battery power is going below a preset level the engine will start and charge battery though you remain stationary. Perhaps and l say perhaps, if the interior gets above a certain temperature the engine will start to power A/C until temp change.

[funcat]

If you are in traffic a long time l believe the on board computer reads that the battery power is going below a preset level the engine will start and charge battery though you remain stationary. Perhaps and l say perhaps, if the interior gets above a certain temperature the engine will start to power A/C until temp change.

no,not in Almera,there is no temp sensor as far I know...if it gets hot you need to start the engine...but I can see the use for it like last night here in CM,very heavy Loi Kratong fraffic,but the temperature was cool enough to roll down the windows...but than again,you will be breathing all this polluted air..

[wandrinstar]

Someone told me a Cruze does it anyway. All You just twist the key , and off you go again.

[undercover]

What I would like to know is if there is a switch on the Nissan March to turn off this stop start engine system. I am certainly not into winding down the window in a bid to lower the interior temperature while sat in stationary traffic. the traffic in Bangkok is stationary so much of the time I might as well leave the window open permanently.

Also all this stopping and starting the engine constantly in Bangkok traffic must certainly contribute to excessive wear on the starter motor ?

[funcat]

What I would like to know is if there is a switch on the Nissan March to turn off this stop start engine system. I am certainly not into winding down the window in a bid to lower the interior temperature while sat in stationary traffic. the traffic in Bangkok is stationary so much of the time I might as well leave the window open permanently.

Also all this stopping and starting the engine constantly in Bangkok traffic must certainly contribute to excessive wear on the starter motor ?

I'm pretty sure, that March has the same option to turn the "start-stop" thing off at your convenience...so no worries...

[hedonist44]

"and then restarts it when the car needs to move again"

How does it know when the car needs to move?

You'll be sent an SMS from the cars computer asking your permission to start it's engine.

[MoonRiverOasis]

The Nissan Marchs' idle stop system is pretty neat - If the A/C is on, it monitors the interior temperature, and restarts the engine once the interior heats up a few degrees.

As pointed out an some posts above, there are a two other conditions under which the engine restarts: releasing your foot from the brake, or turning the steering wheel to the right.

There are also a couple of conditions under which the idle-stop system won't activate: if stopped on a slope greater than 6% the idle-stop system is shut-off, and if heavy use of stop/start is detected (i.e. stop and go traffic), the engine will simply continue running, as frequent restarts can actually increase overall fuel consumption.

Also, when stopping the engine, it's not just simply shut off - the pistons are instead "parked" in a specific position that maximizes the effect of compressed air in the cylinder, making the restart faster (0.4s) and with less strain on the starter and battery.

The Toyota Prius and Camry Hybrid also use the same "piston parking" technique, but have an electric AC compressor so the AC can always run, and of course they don't need to start the gasoline engine in order to start moving.

[BSJ]

Using an electric motor to run the A/c compressor wouldn't be a big leap!

[Naam]

Using an electric motor to run the A/c compressor wouldn't be a big leap!

it would be a big leap because the battery would be drained in no time.

[Naam]

the start/stop system is a two-edged sword. it saves a bit of fuel and increases wear and tear on engine and battery.

[katabeachbum]

Using an electric motor to run the A/c compressor wouldn't be a big leap!

it would be a big leap because the battery would be drained in no time.

using an electric AC requires larger battery. larger battery increases weight, higher weight increases fuel consumption. Nissan March wouldnt qualify for TH ecocar (20km/liter, max 120 co2) with one drop higher fuel consumption

and I will contineue let my diesel idle while I am at 7eleven, its healthy for engine, does not increase fuelconsumption or pollution for a 10 minute idle, and keeps ac cold

[wandrinstar]

Using an electric motor to run the A/c compressor wouldn't be a big leap!

it would be a big leap because the battery would be drained in no time.

using an electric AC requires larger battery. larger battery increases weight, higher weight increases fuel consumption. Nissan March wouldnt qualify for TH ecocar (20km/liter, max 120 co2) with one drop higher fuel consumption

and I will contineue let my diesel idle while I am at 7eleven, its healthy for engine, does not increase fuelconsumption or pollution for a 10 minute idle, and keeps ac cold

Both You and Naam have it sussed , another gimmick .It would drive me even dafter , all that stalling as my brain would register it.

[MoonRiverOasis]

Using an electric motor to run the A/c compressor wouldn't be a big leap!

it would be a big leap because the battery would be drained in no time.

using an electric AC requires larger battery. larger battery increases weight, higher weight increases fuel consumption. Nissan March wouldnt qualify for TH ecocar (20km/liter, max 120 co2) with one drop higher fuel consumption

and I will contineue let my diesel idle while I am at 7eleven, its healthy for engine, does not increase fuelconsumption or pollution for a 10 minute idle, and keeps ac cold

Both You and Naam have it sussed , another gimmick .It would drive me even dafter , all that stalling as my brain would register it.

LOL you guys - the cars with electric AC compressor are the Prius and Camry Hybrid, and they bath have monster batteries in the trunk

No way it'd work with somethign like a March

[MoonRiverOasis]

the start/stop system is a two-edged sword. it saves a bit of fuel and increases wear and tear on engine and battery.

Nissan engines with idle stop are still rated for 6000 hours, so the combination of piston parking, uprated starter motors, and high pressure oil pumps must be pretty effective at mitigating premature wear. Note that idle-stop does not activate until the engine has reached optimum temp too.

Also, the batteries on idle-stop cars are not the same as those in regular cars - they have been specifically designed for the task of repeated starting.

[undercover]

the start/stop system is a two-edged sword. it saves a bit of fuel and increases wear and tear on engine and battery.

I agree with you Naam. the amount of time that starter motor operates during the life of the car would be phenomenal.

[wandrinstar]

Ive Started ,So im Finished. Magnus Magneto. Must be the most stupid idea a green has ever dreamed up.