The button drivers hate: "halves engine life"

A British study reveals that the automatic start-stop function, which is mandatory in all new cars, is the feature most drivers hate. It's best to turn it off, says a mechanic.

The start/stop function in new cars is the feature most drivers hate the most. A new survey by insurance company Direct Line shows that more than one in four drivers (27 percent, ed.) find the feature annoying and turn it off completely.

The survey, based on responses from 2,021 UK drivers, highlights a number of features that annoy drivers in modern cars. The start/stop function took clear first place on the list of unpopular features.

Mechanic and YouTuber Scotty Kilmer agrees with drivers' frustration with the feature, claiming that the start/stop feature shortens the life of the engine.

"It's smart to turn it off. Start/stop technology is the stupidest thing that's come out (of the automotive industry, ed.) in years," says Scotty Kilmer.

– 97 percent of wear and tear occurs when you start your car, so you want to keep starting and stopping? Not if you want your car to last longer.

Kilmer believes that the constant starting and stopping puts unnecessary wear on the engine.

Service technician Marc Ribeiro disagrees, however. He acknowledges that starting the engine takes a toll. But he points out that the engine is already hot when the start/stop function is activated.

Ribeiro believes that the start/stop function is beneficial for both drivers' wallets and the environment, as it reduces fuel consumption and thus emissions.

– This function exists to reduce emissions and protect the environment, says Marc Ribeiro.

Although Ribeiro sees the benefits of the feature, he understands the drivers' frustration.

"It can be good in certain contexts, but it can be a bit distracting if you're driving in the city, for example," he says.

The debate over the start/stop function shows that opinions are divided about its advantages and disadvantages. Drivers must weigh up whether they want to prioritize fuel economy and environmental concerns or comfort and engine life.

For now, the EU has not decided that the start/stop function must be permanently enabled by law. Drivers can therefore still switch the function off. But without coding, it must be done every time the car is started.

This is also the case with the new ISA – intelligent speed assist – technology, which became mandatory for all new cars last year. The technology's sole purpose is to prevent drivers from driving too fast.

Therefore, an alarm also sounds every time a car drives as much as 1 km/h too fast on a given stretch. Drivers must turn off the alarm system themselves.

Car features that most drivers hate and turn off