Quote:
Originally Posted by JCR1960
From what I read recently in one of the major car magazines was that MINI USA didn't see any real fuel savings benefit from the start/stop feature so that was why it isn't available in the U.S.
|
The way the EPA drive cycle is defined it doesn't improve gas mileage. But about 10% of the gas we carry around is burnt up while idling, so in real world driving, it's a huge savings. I'm bummed it didn't come here when it first came out.
Really, this is a great idea. Why run the engine if it's not needed? You get a combo starter/alternator, and actually reduce the mechanical complexity of the car.
Matt
ps, most of the "i don't want it" excuses I hear are based on fear that the system won't work and we'll end up stranded becuase it's some electronic wizardry. Do the math on how often a computer fires a spark in you car (all done with electronic wizardry) and it's really millions of time without issue. Not all change is bad change, some is good change. I think this is good change....