Ford sets plans for start-stop feature throughout line

If they can put it in a golf cart, you’d think Ford can add it to a car — at least so it seems.

But adding the so-called start-stop technology to all cars in Ford’s line-up won’t be as easy as it sounds because when you turn off a car’s engine you also turn off critical functions like cabin heating and cooling.

Ford’s automatic engine shutoff technology (which turns of the engine at stoplights or and/or when the car is not moving) is already available on the Ford Fusion Hybrid, the Escape Hybrid, and some several other Ford models in Europe.

Never-the-less Ford has just announced it plans to be the first U.S. car manufacturer to add its Auto Start-Stop system to gasoline engined cars in the U.S. Ford says it will boost city fuel economy 4 to 10 percent depending on traffic.

Ford is doing this in part to meet the new stringent fuel economy standards in the U.S. for 2016. Adding automatic engine shutoff to all of the automaker’s cars is a great first step.

“For the driver, Ford Auto Start-Stop provides extra fuel efficiency without inconvenience, as it works completely automatically,” said Barb Samardzich, Ford vice president of Powertrain engineering. “And, just like in our hybrid vehicles, the heater and air conditioner work as normal so drivers will not sacrifice comfort.”

We think most cars will have the feature in the near future.

Read more of contributing editor Roman Mica’s automotive content on www.tflcar.com.

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