Dumbest car feature ever designed

[retiredguy123]

I have a 2017 Ford Escape. Whenever I start the vehicle, I need to remember to push a button on the dashboard that turns off the automatic engine shutdown feature. When I forget to push the button, the engine will shut off every time I stop the vehicle at a red light or stop sign. I guess this is supposed to save gas, but I hate the feature and will never buy another car that has it. Does anyone else have this feature and do you like it? Is there any plan to eliminate it on future vehicles?

[manaboutown]

I have been told it is required on all gasoline powered passenger vehicles sold in the USA courtesy of our all seeing and all knowing government. My 2017 BMW X5 xDrive50i has it. When mine is turned off it remains turned off when I restart the engine although at times I inadvertently push the button which is adjacent the starter button on the vehicle, thereby reactivating this extremely annoying feature.

[retiredguy123]

I have a friend who has a 2018 Lexus that does not have the feature.

[Arctic Fox]

When I forget to push the button, the engine will shut off every time I stop the vehicle at a red light or stop sign. I guess this is supposed to save gas...

It reduces air pollution. Saving gas is an added benefit.

Admittedly, it takes a bit of getting used to.

Most cars have the option to turn it off until you choose to turn it on again, so why Ford took a different route...

[manaboutown]

I have a friend who has a 2018 Lexus that does not have the feature.

I just found that not all cars have it and whether it is "latching" or "nonlatching" depends on the manufacturer. The Real Reason Stop/Start Systems Won’t Stay Turned Off | News | Car and Driver (https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a19561461/automakers-increasingly-offer-ways-to-deactivate-stopstart-systems-temporarily/)

Also vehicles that have it have beefed up bearings and starters. What is auto stop start and does it cause more wear and tear on my car? (https://autoweek.com/article/technology/what-auto-stop-start-autoweek-explains)

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

I always thought that starting a car took more energy than idling it for 2 minutes. If you have to start it up every time you're at a stop light or even a stop sign, it seems to me you'd be burning a LOT more gas than if you just idled til it was time to go again.

[Regor]

I've had it on my last 3 vehicles. Don't have a problem with it. Even the golf cart engine stops when I stop. Hmmm...

[Arctic Fox]

I always thought that starting a car took more energy than idling it for 2 minutes.

That used to be the case, but modern computerized fuel injection systems are more efficient than the carburetors of old.

[Dan9871]

I have automatic stop/start on my car and don't have problem with it, though it does take getting used to. I know some people hate it and will go to great lengths to defeat it including hacking the car computer to keep it turned off. If you search online for your car model and auto stop start elminate you will probably find directions or a product that will hack its computer that will keep it shut off.

Auto stop/start does not use more gas than leaving the car idle, it uses less. That's why mfg's add it to cars. It's not like you have to pull out the choke to richen up the mixture to start a car that was just shut down.

However it does drain your battery to keep all the fans and electronics going. A lot of auto stop/start cars will start the engine up after a stop before you take your foot off the brake if you are stopped for too long.

I don't know if auto stop/start is mandated but it will probably be the norm on most cars soon if it is not already. Manufactures will do anything to boost their EPA numbers.

[Topspinmo]

So, that’s why I got to set in line at stop lights for all the cars to start up before they move and I miss the light.

[JimD215]

And i thought from the title it was about turn signals.

[Nucky]

The least they could do is let you know when they loan you a car or truck. We zipped out of Village Ford, A great dealer in a loner F350 Behemoth. It was as comfortable as driving from your Living Room Couch. When we stopped at the first Red Light it started getting warm inside the truck, these Florida Traffic Lights leave you there so long you could need a shave by the time it turns green. Anyway, keys out the hood open, engine to high didn't see anything wrong, no steam or garbage that was obvious so back in and it started up and we made it home. I called Mrs. Jay at the dealer and that's when I found out, we were the victim of more technology. There was a way to program it to stay off all the time and until you find out what it just drive the Escape in the Sports Mode. No Charge, I hope it works and programming the real fix is a walk in the park.

[retiredguy123]

The least they could do is let you know when they lone you a car or truck. We zipped out of Village Ford, A great dealer in a loner F350 Behemoth. It was as comfortable as driving from your Living Room Couch. When we stopped at the first Red Light it started getting warm inside the truck, these Florida Traffic Lights leave you there so long you could need a shave by the time it turns green. Anyway, keys out the hood open, engine to high didn't see anything wrong, no steam or garbage that was obvious so back in and it started up and we made it home. I called Mrs. Jay at the dealer and that's when I found out, we were the victim of more technology. There was a way to program it to stay off all the time and until you find out what it just drive the Escape in the Sports Mode. No Charge, I hope it works and programming the real fix is a walk in the park.
If you have a programing fix, I sure would like to know what it is. The only thing I could find on google was to remove part of the dashboard and wire the contacts together, which I don't want to do. As far as I know, there is no program fix, but please let me know if there is one. My Escape doesn't have a sport mode.

[kcrazorbackfan]

So, that’s why I got to set in line at stop lights for all the cars to start up before they move and I miss the light.

Should be a nano second for the car to start; our Traverse starts as soon as my foot leaves the brake. So the reason you’re having to wait is probably for the idiots to quit playing ticky tac on their phones and realize the light has turned green.

[thetruth]

I have a 2017 Ford Escape. Whenever I start the vehicle, I need to remember to push a button on the dashboard that turns off the automatic engine shutdown feature. When I forget to push the button, the engine will shut off every time I stop the vehicle at a red light or stop sign. I guess this is supposed to save gas, but I hate the feature and will never buy another car that has it. Does anyone else have this feature and do you like it? Is there any plan to eliminate it on future vehicles?

As said in reply #9-I doubt you are the only person who objects to this ?????? feature???????

I would expect, if your research it on the internet, there is a way to disable it. Before you do any such thing I would check to be sure it does not void your warranty.

[Nucky]

I did all the investigation that you did. It appears that jumping that switch or putting a plug in the trailer hitch disabled the on/off problem but for me, I don't like either fix. That is terrible. The switch is a backyard mechanic trick and the trailer plug makes you give up your backup camera in 2017? This is not 1817, Ford should be ashamed of themselves. I wonder if the can reprogram the computer at the dealer or if Advanced Auto Parts can disable something for you. I even found your Owners Manual and it didn't give the answer you want. Just terrible. Wish I could do more. I had a 2015 Flex and 2015 Escape with no problems seems to be confined to 2017.

[Nucky]

If I bought the car new and found this out as I was leaving the Dealership they would be getting the car back without a doubt. Please let us know how you make out if you go the dealership route. Sorry I couldn't help you more.

[Dan9871]

As far as I know, there is no program fix, but please let me know if there is one.

Generally to reprogram the ECU requires going into it via the diagnostic socket. Even with one of these tools there typically isn't any straightforward to to do anything.

Using one of these tools might void warranty. Also, maybe more important, if you don't do the hacking just right you can actually break something in the car. Engine tuners use these kinds of tools to increase engine horse power without making mechanical changes to the engine. Prices are all over the place but here is one:

Automotive Reprogramming & Diagnostic Scan Tool for All Makes and Models. (https://www.dgtech.com/vsi-2534/)

Here is a reasonably easy hardware fix for Fords.

Autostop Eliminator - The only no-compromise solution. (https://www.autostopeliminator.com/)

Auto Start Stop Sucks! Fixing the Annoying feature EVERY Ford F150 Owner HATES!! - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Paacud8Y9ag)

[Dan9871]

If I bought the car new and found this out as I was leaving the Dealership they would be getting the car back without a doubt.

When you buy your next new car it will almost certainly have this feature so why not save yourself a trip and stick to your current car:)

Seriously though it will be on the next new car you buy. For sure the dealer will not have a "standard" way to turn it off but some dealers may be willing to hack it off for you and others won't. Check to see of your dealer is willing to do this for you as part of the sale. In any case secondary market products are coming out of the woodwork to to undo this feature.

Also the time for the restart is barely noticeable but it makes no real difference in how long it takes to get rolling off from a light unless maybe you're are drag racing...

Some say it will wear out your starter sooner than it should. I'm not so sure that is true. This feature has been available on some trucks for at least ten years and I don't think there is any evidence it actually degrades starters.

[Chi-Town]

Electric cars coming soon. Problem solved. But in the meantime I still forget to turn the feature off when I start the car. Four months now.

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[Bay Kid]

I have a 2017 Ford Escape. Whenever I start the vehicle, I need to remember to push a button on the dashboard that turns off the automatic engine shutdown feature. When I forget to push the button, the engine will shut off every time I stop the vehicle at a red light or stop sign. I guess this is supposed to save gas, but I hate the feature and will never buy another car that has it. Does anyone else have this feature and do you like it? Is there any plan to eliminate it on future vehicles?

That is why I didn't buy a Volvo suv several years ago. Each time you started the car you had to reprogram start/stop not to come on. Some cars just have too much control.

[Two Bills]

I used to have a car that conked out every time it stopped. I just used the hand break to stop, dipped clutch, revved the engine like mad, and that I found solved the problem!

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I always thought that starting a car took more energy than idling it for 2 minutes. If you have to start it up every time you're at a stop light or even a stop sign, it seems to me you'd be burning a LOT more gas than if you just idled til it was time to go again.

And manufacturing and disposing of batteries does more harm to the environment than do gas vehicles. But facts never got in the way of politicians trying to please constituents or backers

[Spoiler]

I'm just glad that my heart doesn't quit each time I stop moving.. that would be... uh... not good... :shocked:

[Regor]

Like I said, I have had 3 cars with the feature. My question is "What is wrong with having the engine stop when you're stopped?" As soon as you let up pressure on the brake it starts. By the time your foot gets to the gas pedal, it's ready to go. So what is the problem? On my cars if it's real hot out and the air is working real hard, the vehicle starts itself much sooner.

[retiredguy123]

Like I said, I have had 3 cars with the feature. My question is "What is wrong with having the engine stop when you're stopped?" As soon as you let up pressure on the brake it starts. By the time your foot gets to the gas pedal, it's ready to go. So what is the problem? On my cars if it's real hot out and the air is working real hard, the vehicle starts itself much sooner.
Well, I hate the hesitation that I feel when I step on the gas, so I have gotten into the habit of turning off the feature every time I start the car. I'm not the only one who hates this feature. Just google it and you will find many complaints from others.

[Dan9871]

Like I said, I have had 3 cars with the feature. My question is "What is wrong with having the engine stop when you're stopped?" As soon as you let up pressure on the brake it starts. By the time your foot gets to the gas pedal, it's ready to go. So what is the problem? On my cars if it's real hot out and the air is working real hard, the vehicle starts itself much sooner.

I don't have any problem with it either. But lots and lots of people just hate it... big time.

[rjm1cc]

I have a 2017 Ford Escape. Whenever I start the vehicle, I need to remember to push a button on the dashboard that turns off the automatic engine shutdown feature. When I forget to push the button, the engine will shut off every time I stop the vehicle at a red light or stop sign. I guess this is supposed to save gas, but I hate the feature and will never buy another car that has it. Does anyone else have this feature and do you like it? Is there any plan to eliminate it on future vehicles?

And as we try and reduce the use of fossil fuels we will have more devices like this and higher costs that go with them.

[retiredguy123]

And as we try and reduce the use of fossil fuels we will have more devices like this and higher costs that go with them.
I agree, but I think this particular feature is doomed, especially as a mandatory feature on cars.

[manaboutown]

As I understand what I read the feature adds only about 4 - 5% to estimated mileage. If the feature is nonlatching so that if it is switched off it will automatically turn on again after the engine is manually shut down and later restarted, the EPA rates the vehicle's mileage as if the autostop is always used which results in higher estimated mileage than if the device is latching as the EPA rates those systems as only being used part of the time. The manufacturers may benefit from higher mileage ratings by installing nonlatching devices.

[retiredguy123]

As I understand what I read the feature adds only about 4 - 5% to estimated mileage. If the feature is nonlatching so that if it is switched off it will automatically turn on again after the engine is manually shut down and later restarted, the EPA rates the vehicle's mileage as if the autostop is always used which results in higher estimated mileage than if the device is latching as the EPA rates those systems as only being used part of the time. The manufacturers may benefit from higher mileage ratings by installing nonlatching devices.
Well, in the case of my car, the EPA rating is way off because I always turn off the feature when I start my car. The only way for their ratings to be correct would be to remove the on-off button altogether. But, then, I would buy a new car.

[CFrance]

Like I said, I have had 3 cars with the feature. My question is "What is wrong with having the engine stop when you're stopped?" As soon as you let up pressure on the brake it starts. By the time your foot gets to the gas pedal, it's ready to go. So what is the problem? On my cars if it's real hot out and the air is working real hard, the vehicle starts itself much sooner.


We have a six-speed that has this feature. Push in the clutch or take your foot off the brake, the car starts. Maybe something needs to be adjusted on OP's Escape to make the feature work faster. We never had a problem.

[EastCoastDawg]

Dumbest thing on my golf cart? Audible turn signals.

Hey, I'm in Florida. I don't want to hear my indicators the whole time I'm driving around.

[Nucky]

I put my heart and soul into finding an answer for you the other day retiredguy. I was strictly a Ford guy for about 30 years as far as new primary cars were concerned. There were other new cars sprinkled in over the 30 years but they were secondary fun vehicles. The last two Fords I had were a 2013 Escape and an 2015 Ford Transit Connect. Both cars were quirky as far as acceleration was concerned. It is absolutely terrible that nothing can be done to take this problem from you. That is a fine choice of make and model car and I would be on fire if they couldn't solve this without jumping a switch or pushing a button, B.S to that. Please let us know which way this repair goes for you. Good Luck.

[Nucky]

Dumbest thing on my golf cart? Audible turn signals.

Hey, I'm in Florida. I don't want to hear my indicators the whole time I'm driving around.

The best thing is if you use them and then remember to turn them off! :coolsmiley:

[DeanFL]

1. Re the Stop/Start feature. It's a Love/Hate relationship. There are some auto mfrs that do not have an on/off switch - it's always activated - that would have been a NOGO re our new car purchase. We have a set routine when starting our MB - the ECO on/off is switched off and our dashcam is switched on. We do turn the ECO ON when just missing a long light etc. Cannot see having it ON all the time and having the engine off for short stops - even a stop sign...

2. Re the OP question of dumbest feature on a car? The Nut on the steering wheel.

[Arctic Fox]

Dumbest thing on my golf cart? Audible turn signals.

Hey, I'm in Florida. I don't want to hear my indicators the whole time I'm driving around.

Same here, ECD.

Mine keep me awake most nights, beeping away in the garage.

Living in Florida does have its drawbacks.

[photo1902]

Same here, ECD.

Mine keep me awake most nights, beeping away in the garage.

Living in Florida does have its drawbacks.

Just plain funny!

:bigbow:

[ColdNoMore]

Dumbest thing on my golf cart? Audible turn signals.

Hey, I'm in Florida. I don't want to hear my indicators the whole time I'm driving around.

Same here, ECD.

Mine keep me awake most nights, beeping away in the garage.

Living in Florida does have its drawbacks.


Awesome! :boom:


:1rotfl:

[retiredguy123]

I put my heart and soul into finding an answer for you the other day retiredguy. I was strictly a Ford guy for about 30 years as far as new primary cars were concerned. There were other new cars sprinkled in over the 30 years but they were secondary fun vehicles. The last two Fords I had were a 2013 Escape and an 2015 Ford Transit Connect. Both cars were quirky as far as acceleration was concerned. It is absolutely terrible that nothing can be done to take this problem from you. That is a fine choice of make and model car and I would be on fire if they couldn't solve this without jumping a switch or pushing a button, B.S to that. Please let us know which way this repair goes for you. Good Luck.
Thanks for your efforts. I think I will survive by learning to push the button when I start the car. I have another year until the warranty runs out, and then I will be shopping for a new car. But, if possible, it will not have the auto engine shut off feature.

[The Gerbs]

I have a Cadillac XT5 with that feature and it really does save on gas. The Cadillac does not have a way to turn shut that feature off. However, when I stop at a light and brake then quickly release my foot from the brake and reapply brake pressure, the car does not turn off.

[ukbill70]

! have a 2017 Toyota Highlander with this feature and I don't understand what the fuss is about. When I stop if I press hard on the brake pedal the engine stops and restarts when I take my foot off, if I don't want the engine to stop I simply don't press so hard on the brake pedal, simple.

[kcrazorbackfan]

! have a 2017 Toyota Highlander with this feature and I don't understand what the fuss is about. When I stop if I press hard on the brake pedal the engine stops and restarts when I take my foot off, if I don't want the engine to stop I simply don't press so hard on the brake pedal, simple.

It’s the new technology they don’t like. They’re probably still using DSL and have a flip phone. 😜😜

[Topspinmo]

For those that lease or trade every two or three years they will not notice nothing. For us the keep car long enough to get value of or investment and not trade just to keep up with the jones. It’s up in the air if this starting and stops thousands of time will not wear cylinder walls out let along the starting system.

Manufacture’s don’t care all they got to is get it to last 3 or 5 years if it’s even covered under warranty? After that’s if big bucks for dealers and auto repair industry when system fails. They use to all say wear on rotating parts are worn the most during starting. Same goes for all the turbocharging, boost puts more pressure on cylinders which equals to more wear, especially if you can’t find the dipstick or change the oil religiously. Then, there the cost when turbocharger goes, and on certain models where the turbocharger part of the exhaust manifold it’s going to fail due to the heat.

[curtis41]

Looking for two people. First, the one who suggested moving the light dimmer switch from the left floorboard to the steering wheel. The second one is the person who suggested putting ethanol in gasoline. Ethanol picks up water like a sponge. It dissolves some engine seals and can rust almost any metal gas tank. That includes motorcycle tanks.old car tanks, lawnmower tanks, generator tanks if metal, and the like. If you see neither one of these guys, please contact me so I can give them a piece of my mind. Well, not too big a piece,

[CFrance]

Looking for two people. First, the one who suggested moving the light dimmer switch from the left floorboard to the steering wheel. The second one is the person who suggested putting ethanol in gasoline. Ethanol picks up water like a sponge. It dissolves some engine seals and can rust almost any metal gas tank. That includes motorcycle tanks.old car tanks, lawnmower tanks, generator tanks if metal, and the like. If you see neither one of these guys, please contact me so I can give them a piece of my mind. Well, not too big a piece,
Me too on the dimmer switch. I assume you mean the button on the floor you could push with your foot to make the bright lights come on or off. It was so easy. Some design engineer needs to be throttled over that one.