A Ford salesman says the manufacturer’s Auto Start-Stop feature is “killing” your vehicle’s engine. He has some advice on what you can do about it.

TikTok user Jon Galland (@whitefaceford) is a salesman with Whiteface Ford in Hereford, Texas. In a June 23 video, he reveals his problem with the Auto Start-Stop feature on newer vehicles.

“Auto Stop-Start is killing your engine,” he says. “If you want to save this, your battery; if you want to save this, your cam phaser; and if you want to save that starter underneath? Let me show you a quick little tip.”

An Auto Start-Stop Tip

Galland explains that most gas vehicles manufactured from around 2015 to present are likely to have an Auto Start-Stop engine feature. The feature automatically turns the vehicle off when you’re stopped.

This is intended to help maintain compliance with federal fuel efficiency standards. 

“When your engine is auto stop-starting, it’s hard on the battery, because instead of starting your vehicle one time for a drive, it may do it 15 times in a drive,” Galland says. “So it’s gonna be harder on your battery; it’s harder on the starter.”

Not only that, but your engine loses oil pressure when it shuts off.

Galland says, “And what happens is, when that engine shuts off, the cam phaser loses oil pressure, and it needs oil pressure to work correctly. And so the lockout pin that’s designed to lock out the cam phaser so that it doesn’t move on engine startup gets damaged, and you start getting a rattle sound.”

What Should You Do About It?

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In Galland’s opinion, you should use the off button as soon as you start the car.

“If you turn this feature off every time you drive, you’re gonna save the batteries, you’re gonna save the starters, and you’re gonna save those cam phasers,” he says. “So you can simply press this button every time you start the vehicle. It’s going to give you the off indicator. Unfortunately, it resets every time you cycle the key.”

He continues, “But what this does is: When you select that button, your engine will no longer start and stop at a stop light or at a stop sign or when you’re at a stop with your foot on the brake.”

In the caption, Galland writes, “Most people don’t realize how hard Auto Start-Stop is on modern engines.”

How Does Auto Start-Stop Work?

As Mobil describes, the Auto Start-Stop feature became common in the United States as a way for car manufacturers to continue building large and powerful cars while anticipating stricter fuel economy standards from the Environmental Protection Agency. 

When you come to a complete stop, the system shuts off your engine and restarts it when you let off the brake. The article also points out that approximately 40 percent of drivers at least temporarily disable the Auto Start-Stop system when they’re driving.

But that doesn’t mean Galland’s concerns about the feature are correct. Connecticut Tire & Auto writes that the newer engines Galland refers to in his video are designed to handle the demands of Auto Start-Stop.

“Moreover, the feature stops the engine only when it is at idle, not under load,” the shop continues, meaning the engine isn’t under as much stress as you might think.

The article also calls the claim that the feature degrades engine oil faster a “misconception.” That’s because oil remains in the engine even at a stop, so it’ll remain lubricated once it restarts.

Viewers Weigh In

Auto Start-Stop might not harm your vehicle. But that doesn’t mean people like it. Galland’s TikTok has 8.5 million views and thousands of comments, many from people who detest Auto Start-Stop. 

Viewers used the comment section as a space to vent their frustration with the feature.

“The worst ‘invention’ ever,” wrote one person.

“Turning it off has become part of starting my car,” said a second.

“Auto Start-Stop is the equivalent of paper straws,” wrote a third person. “Useless and inconvenient.”

Another person said, “Whoever invented it needs to be put in isolation for life.”

Motor1 reached out to Galland via TikTok comment and direct message for comment. We’ll update this in the event he responds.

 
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