So what have you done to your car today?

[Shackeng]

 I didn't realise you only have to buy an ordinary battery if you don't use the start/stop. Worth knowing.

[YZ250]

Remind me why I shouldn't like start/stop?  It works perfectly on the Mondeo. For interest I've tried quick starts with it on and off (engine idling), and it starts so quickly there is no discernible difference. I don't see the problem, unless you are a permanent traffic light drag racer like TB. 

Batteries for stop/start cars are stupidly expensive?

Yep, battery for mine :   Exide = around the £470 mark, Bosch = around the £535 mark. I haven't had to buy one yet but they are bloody expensive when compared to normal car batteries. 

[Marks DTM Calib]

Yes, tends to be an Advanced Glass Mat (AGM) cell technology in order to support the stresses with repeated starts and allow a slightly deeper cycle.

Most cars with start stop also tend to support a mild hybrid type approach so the batteries remain at maybe 85% charge and the alternators beefed up to beyond 150A capability, under braking the alternator acts as a mild energy recovery.

Of course stop start also increases starter and ring gear wear.

[Sir Tigger KC]

Any reason why you couldn't put an ordinary battery in a stop/start car if you disabled the stop/start or made sure you turned it off every time?

[Doctor Gollum]

Any reason why you couldn't put an ordinary battery in a stop/start car if you disabled the stop/start or made sure you turned it off every time?

The net saving would probably be zero

[Sir Tigger KC]

Any reason why you couldn't put an ordinary battery in a stop/start car if you disabled the stop/start or made sure you turned it off every time?

The net saving would probably be zero

Eh?  When a stop/start battery is at least 5x the cost of an ordinary battery? 

Talking of batteries I've just ordered a new one for the Mondeo as the current one is about to expire. 

[Doctor Gollum]

For every AGM battery, you would potentially have to replace the standard one three or so times. 

[Rangie]

Fitted new number plates to SWMBOs Subaru the others had started to fade , got a set from eBay for £12.00 without all the document nonsense, bargain I think Halfords are around the £30 mark now.

[Sir Tigger KC]

For every AGM battery, you would potentially have to replace the standard one three or so times. 

Why?  If you didn't use the stop/start surely you wouldn't be using the battery anymore than an ordinary car? 

[Nick W]

For every AGM battery, you would potentially have to replace the standard one three or so times. 

Why?  If you didn't use the stop/start surely you wouldn't be using the battery anymore than an ordinary car? 

AGM batteries tend to be a bit more durable than standard lead acid ones. But those do have wildly varying lives

[STEMO]

My battery is the GM original. Seven years and 73000 miles.

[Marks DTM Calib]

For every AGM battery, you would potentially have to replace the standard one three or so times. 

Why?  If you didn't use the stop/start surely you wouldn't be using the battery anymore than an ordinary car? 

Because, as per my above info, there is more than the start stop that is changed and this includes the charging strategy 

[Shackeng]

I'm still none the wiser. Why don't people like s/s. It works perfectly for me.

[Nick W]

I'm still none the wiser. Why don't people like s/s. It works perfectly for me.

It's OK.


If you're putting a manual trans into neutral when stationary, like you should, by the time you've dipped the clutch, selected first and started letting the clutch up, the engine will be running and you haven't 'lost' anything.


An auto has less time to restart and select a gear, because all it has to go on is you lifting off the brake.


Whatever, we're only talking fractions of a second so complaints are  trivialities.


I'm more dubious about the long term durability of the starter and flywheel, but if we're honest modern cars aren't going to last far into their second decade for any number of reasons.

[Shackeng]

Mine's auto, and gets away very smartly.