Correct, and this is what the button looks like:

 

Thank you for the photo of our 'missing' button

In the US, it is only the hybrids that shut off when stopped AFAIK. CNN said that over ten seconds of idle begins fuel waste for a fuel injected engine.

Some areas of US are known for getting a horn blown from behind, if you are not moving within a ¼ second of light turning green.

Today, I did my first MINI wash using an 1800psi (drought restrictions only allowed method) pressure washer. this revealed NO Leaks through the Sunroof or any window, boot hatch or bonnet.

Following this with a lint-free cotton polish and a little wax (where some MINI's wear bra's), equally exposed LeBaron had picked up two or three chips in ten years. So I must find some 'touch-up' paint for that possible event.

During this very 'hands-on' operation, the name Trixi came to mind and would not leave. Had never before met (or even thought of) anyone or anything *named* Trixi so I guess I have now.

 

I have gotten into the habit of turning off the engine when I'm at a traffic light that I know is long. As soon as the engine is stopped I put it into first gear. I try to look at the traffic light from the road crossing the one i"m on and when I see yellow I start my car. I've rarely been caught being too slow and having someone honk at me. I do a lot of city/town driving and I'm still getting close to 31 MPG. Is this partially because I shutdown at stop lights? Who knows?

 

o yay!! That a great name for a MY mini! Im sure shes very happy now!

 

There's always the argument that it takes more fuel to restart than to idle for a minute or two. But no way to really tell. If you did the same type of city/town driving for another tank but never shut it off at lights, and tried to match the rest of your driving, you might be able to see if there is a change in your average mpg.

I do the stop/restart on my streetbike at almost every light, especially on hot days. But that's just due to keeping the engine heat down, which keeps the fan from kicking on and blowing hot air all over me, in full leathers.

 

That "...more fuel to restart..." was true with carburetor, but not with current Fuel Injection engines.

However, I can think of many reasons *NOT* to make a habit of killing engine at traffic lights.

Link here for one; "...stop-start technology required the development of a specially designed starter motor, the Smart Starter Motor..." this is just one (of many) changes that were necessary before adding the Stop/Start System. Starters do use a great deal of 'energy' and the new "Brake Energy Regeneration..." is supposed to help with that. (Lack of that "BER" would result in a very heavy POWER draw from your Alternator immediately following any start.)

First seconds after shutoff, internal engine temperature will have a huge spike (even greater problem with the TurboCharger), I know we have electric fan on radiator, but would also need electric coolant flow to prevent that. Oil Pressure, as well takes a few seconds after start to be available for lifters and lubrication, electric oil pump?

All that being said, I would still shut engine off for ANY stop that might go into minutes AND will allow a few seconds to get car moving again.

 

That makes sense.

Doesn't the Mini continue to pump oil through the turbo after it's shut off? Could have sworn I read that somewhere. Still the oil pressure issue is more important. When does an engine get most of it's wear? At startup. Unless the auto-start function in the Euro models keeps the oil pumping when it shuts off, sounds like a good way to cause a lot of wear.

 

I must admit to being very new to MINI technology,
I have yet to finish that free tank of fuel she came with and have no TurboCharger to worry about.

My last auto did have a 'Turbo' as well as many TurboCharged Aircraft engines.
The big problem with shutdown of a hot Turbo was called "Coking"
and continued oil flow would prevent that.

My Chrysler also had coolant flow through the TurboCharger, but it all stopped upon shutdown.

I am all for these improvements in technology; but, "lifetime coolant", '15K Oil Change'
100k SparkPlugs and ATF... can't even see where they go??

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"Man has a limited biological capacity for change. When this capacity is overwhelmed, the capacity is in future shock." AlvinToffler