Does engine auto start and stop help the environment?
This may seem like an obvious question. It should go without saying that having your engine off is better than having it on for the environment. We don’t need more carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses entering the atmosphere. However, does engine auto start and stop really help the environment that much? Find out here and also check out our new Mercedes-Benz inventory in Peoria, AZ at Mercedes-Benz of Arrowhead with the link below.
How does stopping your engine help the environment?
Sure, if all you do is hop right on the highway and take it straight to your destination, it’s not going to do too much. But in city driving, it can make a difference, and in heavy traffic, where a lot of pollutants can originate, it can make a huge difference. In fact, a study by the Society of Automotive Engineers found that it can improve fuel economy by over 8% in those heavy traffic situations. Eight percent may not sound like a ton, but it literally can be.
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A typical vehicle puts 5 tons of carbon dioxide into the air every year. Eight percent of that is over 800 pounds. This means for every three vehicles that employ the feature, over a ton of carbon dioxide is kept out of the atmosphere, which also keeps gas in your fuel tank and money in your wallet.
What is the Mercedes-Benz auto engine start and stop feature called?
Mercedes-Benz does indeed have an auto engine start and stop feature that is generally called Eco Start and Stop. In many engines, Mercedes-Benz actually uses what’s called an integrated starter generator (ISG) to do the work. This puts the electric motor that typically would act as a starter, right on the crankshaft.
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Not only does this placement allow the electric motor to quickly start the engine, but the ISG can also act as both a generator and a balanced weight, eliminating the need for an alternator and a flywheel. Additionally, this feature also allows the engine to operate as a mild hybrid which means more efficiency, more power, and still all the benefits of auto start and stop.
