Do you use the automatic start/stop function?

[//M]

It's primary purpose is for emissions in Europe. They have very strict idle laws.

[secretariat]

I would like to thank everybody for the responses. Like I said I was just curious.

[F83]

I've been using it but it works better with the 6MT because you decide when to shut off the engine.

If you keep your foot on the clutch (which I usually do) the car runs. If you take the car out of gear and release the clutch the car stops. So on long delays (trains, really long lights, etc) I do that.

Wouldn't use it on the DCT though.

[mcvaughan]

Nope. I used it for a couple days on my F10 M5, but turned it off after that. Haven't turned it on in the F82, nor will I ever. I sometimes found it turned on after my car has been detailed.

[zer0cool]

I have it on in my BMW in all circumstances except in very frequent stop and go traffic (where it would do it way too much). Otherwise I like having my car all stopped and not vibrating at stop lights. Moreover, there are gas savings... I know it's very small but it's not about money at all, but I mentally feel it as a game... like MPG is like points, and seeing it drop while I am stopped feels bad psychologically...

[GregW / Oregon]

Didn't use it for about 6 months, but now I do in normal commuting. Just doesn't make sense to set at a light for a minute or more burning fuel and producing emissions. I have a manual, and it's very easy to restart by putting in the clutch. If the light is about to change you can easily avoid the engine stopping. Sure, there is some wear on the starter, but I'm sure the engineers took this into account and likely it will last at least the 6 years or so I have this car.

[gatorfast]

Never use it. Fuel savings aside, I find it incredibly annoying to have the engine turn off every time I come to a red light.

[sjax]

Stop/start was designed to reduce emissions and allows the big companies to say they are doing their bit for the environment. They sell it as a fuel saving measure as the average Joe takes more notice of their fuel bill than their co2 levels.

///M and stop/start are counterintuitive... I find it bizarre they put it on these kind of cars!!

[Ray knight]

it works real funny with the 6mt. lol. push in the clutch, shift to neutral and it shuts off. lol. freaked me out. i turned it off. too annoying. especially on my X5 35D starting the diesel really makes some vibration its crazy annoying.

[M Heart]

It's always off on mine. I love the fact that even when I'm on "efficient mode", it does not default back to ON as it did on my F10. I hated that lol

[AYTifosi]

In my wife's MB C300 it default to on every freakin time I get in the car. At least BMW lets you turn it off and it stays off.

[FirstM3]

Originally Posted by F83

I've been using it but it works better with the 6MT because you decide when to shut off the engine.

If you keep your foot on the clutch (which I usually do) the car runs. If you take the car out of gear and release the clutch the car stops. So on long delays (trains, really long lights, etc) I do that.

Wouldn't use it on the DCT though.

This.

I also have a 6MT and use it as described above.

[cbarnes]

Turned it off at PDC pick-up. Starter is designed for Start/Stop service, so should last a long time with ST OFF.

[dmbryson]

I leave it active. But as has been mentioned repeatedly, you have pretty much full control of it with a 6MT. If I want to be ready to take off quickly I push the clutch in.

I actually find it amusing to hear the start up growl as I get ready to drive off. Also, with as long as lights are around here, especially during commute times, it would be silly to idle the whole time.

Couple of interesting observations about it. The auto stop will trigger as you slow to about 2-3 MPH. When auto stopped, the power steering drops out. If you roll up past 3 MPH, it will restart automatically regardless of clutch. (have found these out while rolling down metered entrance ramps at rush hour)

[Nachbar]

Originally Posted by AYTifosi

In my wife's MB C300 it default to on every freakin time I get in the car. At least BMW lets you turn it off and it stays off.

No it doesn't. At least over here in Switzerland. I have to code my F80.

[04cobra]

i only use it when i am low on gas. when i use it and drive in efficient mode, I got 33 mpg on a 23 mile drive to work the other day. This was mainly local highway (one that still has stop lights) with a few light slow downs. I was shocked tbh and took a picture of it. My distance to empty went from 45 up to around 70....lol!

[Sanjuro Makabe]

dealership told me to never use it on an M car...so I turned it off since

what's puzzling is why bother having the feature if it's not meant for M cars?

[Powaup]

I use it, easy to use with the manual if you don't want the engine to stop then just press the clutch

[sjax]

Originally Posted by Railgun

Huh? Why? Who cares what car they put it on. Fuel savings are fuel savings. Emissions reductions are emissions reductions.

While I'm sure that people didn't take fuel consumption or emissions into consideration when buying, it being there is still a win win.

I merely said that, in my opinion, I find it odd that it's on these cars. You're right it is a win win but the gains are so small I think it's pointless. It's easier to control with a manual but with an auto/dct it's inconvenient and as many others have said I'll just switch it off.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by Ray knight

it works real funny with the 6mt. lol. push in the clutch, shift to neutral and it shuts off. lol. freaked me out. i turned it off. too annoying. especially on my X5 35D starting the diesel really makes some vibration its crazy annoying.

Don't you need to re-engage the clutch in neutral (release the clutch pedal) for the engine to stop ?

IIRC, the engine restarts as soon as you press the clutch...

[shortseller]

Yeah, on manuals it's a NO, to weird feeling.

[ginginha]

I don't have the F80 yet, but in my F30, yes, I use it all the time. It feels dumb to be sitting there, not moving, and wasting gas. If I'm trying to speed up quickly, sure, I'll defeat the feature, but I'm not doing that very often. It's easily manageable.