2011 BMW M3 gets Start-Stop technology

[SSense]

Buried deep into the extensive bulletin sent to dealerships, BMW introduced an important change to the 2011 BMW M3 models: automatic/Start Stop.

Seen in other BMW vehicles, the Start-Stop technology now comes standard in the M3. Start-Stop is a feature developed from BMW’s EfficientDynamics strategy that will shut down the engine under certain conditions when the vehicle comes to a complete stop.

The benefit of this technology is reduced fuel consumption and the function can be switched on/off via a button located next to the Start/Stop button.

The way it works is that the system automatically switches off the engine when the car comes to a standstill. As soon as the driver puts in the clutch or depresses the gas pedal, the engine fires up automatically.

Source: bmwblog

[Hasan Shaikh]

I am not sure if it will actually save fuel, unless the vehicle has to stop for like more than 5 minutes.

These big engines actually consume a lot of fuel when firing up.

[Ramzi]

I am not sure if it will actually save fuel, unless the vehicle has to stop for like more than 5 minutes.

These big engines actually consume a lot of fuel when firing up.

I agree. i think BMW just want to shut up the environmentalists and enhance the brand image as a socially responsible brand.

on another note, this would definitely fail in Lebanon....car will shut off then on then off then on :D

[M_Powerholic]

As I know firing up the engine consumes more than keeping it running ... :dunno:

[SewerSideUp]

As I know firing up the engine consumes more than keeping it running ... :dunno:

That statement is wrong unless you're in stand still traffic and keep shutting down and starting up everytime you stop. Basically like our smart taxis do when they throw the gar into N and back into D.
I don't think this is that efficient as the car isn't a hybrid so a start stop system doesn't make much sense...

[ahmad.alkhalil]

that's what I always thought... maybe one of the engineers on here can shed some light!

[M_Powerholic]

That statement is wrong unless you're in stand still traffic and keep shutting down and starting up everytime you stop. Basically like our smart taxis do when they throw the gar into N and back into D.
I don't think this is that efficient as the car isn't a hybrid so a start stop system doesn't make much sense...

Exactly what I meant ! :)

[Ayham]

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8520/4.6.1.272 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/212)

There must be an algorithm that justifies the repeated use of the required amount of fuel to overcome the engine's inertia upon firing up. Assume:

- the engine needs an amount of fuel to fire up it would use to idle for X seconds
- the start/off module would switch off the engine if the car idles for more than X seconds
- in an ideal case the car would always be idle fora value greater than 2X seconds to justify the startup fuel amount
- the start/off module is a desparate attempt of hoping ideal lab conditions would be the case in real gridlocks

My $0.02

[Hasan Shaikh]

Perhaps!

I do not expect it to work on the roads.

[Ramzi]

for the engine to actually save fuel on this, the amount of time the car is not moving should be significant enough that starting up again requires less gas than if the car had been turned on still.....i dont c any way of the car being able to tell how much ur gona be stuck in traffic so i believe this is pointless

My $0.02 (Ayham style) :)

[Bruno]

congrats another pointless bmw technology :clap:

[M_Powerholic]

^ :rofl::rofl:

[G37Sam]

Well you never know, what if BMW came up with some magical way of firing the engine up by consuming less fuel than when idling?

I'm sure BMW engineers thought it through don't you think?

[Ayham]

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8520/4.6.1.272 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/212)

We are only speculating, none of these opinions was based on an official technical bulletin by BMW :)

We could be correct, let's wait for their end of it.

[Hasan Shaikh]

I believe it would be a better idea to keep 4 or if possible 2 cylinders running when the vehicle is stationary.