Stop/Start and Brake Lights
Discussion
Ramona said:
My observations over many years and many miles lead me to believe that most drivers of performance cars have no need to try to prove anything (especially on public roads), and are quite happy to be behind those who take a less responsible attitude to their driving.
The need to prove anything has never been particularly high in my considerations. In an ideal World I would have the roads to myself.I'll consider what you've said very briefly next time I am out and about in my 'performance car'. Upsetting people, no doubt. What with all the egos about.
cmaguire said:
Ramona said:
My observations over many years and many miles lead me to believe that most drivers of performance cars have no need to try to prove anything (especially on public roads), and are quite happy to be behind those who take a less responsible attitude to their driving.
The need to prove anything has never been particularly high in my considerations. In an ideal World I would have the roads to myself.I'll consider what you've said very briefly next time I am out and about in my 'performance car'. Upsetting people, no doubt. What with all the egos about.
In my ideal world I would not have the roads to myself because, strange though it may sound to some, a major part of my enjoyment of driving stems from having harmonious interactions with other road users. That's the situation I seek to promote, and with very few exceptions I find it gives a good result. Now if most road users could take a bit more interest in driving, and adopt a similar approach, and the busybody rule makers would just bugger off, we'd all be fine. So far as driving is concerned, that would be my ideal world.
Oh, by the way; I've just covered another 230 miles in the Lexus today, and the fuel consumption averaged 34.9 mpg, and it wasn't all 'Miss Daisy' stuff either. I find that quite pleasing for a heavy car with a 3 litre petrol engine. Having said that, I am an exceedingly good economy driver, er, I like to think.
After pressing my start button, my next action is to switch the stop/start function off. I rarely meet heavy enough traffic for it to be useful. If stopped and waiting, I may engage N and manual handbrake, for short periods to avoid dazzling those behind (I hate being subjected to it from some cars), for long periods I switch off, just as I did in a manual with steering lock/ignition.
I think VW group have got the stop-start right. I have it on my S3 with DSG, and it's not at all intrusive once you understand how it works.
The key thing to remember, at least on the DSG variant, is that if the DSG is holding the clutch at biting (because it thinks you want to pull away) then stop-start in inhibited. If it has dropped to neutral, then stop-start is allowed. The signal for this is brake pedal pressure. Light brake pedal pressure, just sufficient to overcome engine torque at idle, will allow the clutch to stay at biting point and the engine running. Firm brake pedal pressure will cause the DSG to declutch, and the engine will stop.
Extremely easy to use, it just takes getting used to finding the "biting" point on the brake pedal.
The integration with the electronic park brake is also excellent. When at a stop with engine stopped, handbrake can be manually applied, and start-stop will remain engaged. Similarly, you can also shift to neutral, if you anticipate a particularly long stop. Again, start-stop will keep the engine stopped unless there is another demand for the engine to run. In both cases, the brake lights will not be on, as they are linked to the hydraulic brake system, not the parking brake system.
To release the electronic park brake, just touch the accelerator pedal. A short, tap is sufficient to start the engine, but not release the parking brake. A firmer or longer push on the accelerator will also release the park brake, as soon as sufficient torque to prevent roll back is achieved.
Some cars have an optional feature known as hold assist. When the car has been stopped using the foot brake, but the parking brake is not engaged, then the hold assist system will continue to apply hydraulic pressure to hold the vehicle stationary even if the brake pedal is released. This will continue until the accelerator is pushed, or the parking brake engaged. While hydraulic pressure is being applied, the brake lights will remain on.
The key thing to remember, at least on the DSG variant, is that if the DSG is holding the clutch at biting (because it thinks you want to pull away) then stop-start in inhibited. If it has dropped to neutral, then stop-start is allowed. The signal for this is brake pedal pressure. Light brake pedal pressure, just sufficient to overcome engine torque at idle, will allow the clutch to stay at biting point and the engine running. Firm brake pedal pressure will cause the DSG to declutch, and the engine will stop.
Extremely easy to use, it just takes getting used to finding the "biting" point on the brake pedal.
The integration with the electronic park brake is also excellent. When at a stop with engine stopped, handbrake can be manually applied, and start-stop will remain engaged. Similarly, you can also shift to neutral, if you anticipate a particularly long stop. Again, start-stop will keep the engine stopped unless there is another demand for the engine to run. In both cases, the brake lights will not be on, as they are linked to the hydraulic brake system, not the parking brake system.
To release the electronic park brake, just touch the accelerator pedal. A short, tap is sufficient to start the engine, but not release the parking brake. A firmer or longer push on the accelerator will also release the park brake, as soon as sufficient torque to prevent roll back is achieved.
Some cars have an optional feature known as hold assist. When the car has been stopped using the foot brake, but the parking brake is not engaged, then the hold assist system will continue to apply hydraulic pressure to hold the vehicle stationary even if the brake pedal is released. This will continue until the accelerator is pushed, or the parking brake engaged. While hydraulic pressure is being applied, the brake lights will remain on.
I recently drove a Seat auto, 8 seater thing, stop using the footbrake, wait a second engine goes off (presumably auto handbrake goes on), press accelerator, engine starts, handbrake goes off, car moves.
I drove various cars over a weekend and that was the best stop/start combination, some others started when foot came off the footbrake which is daft due the the OPs point about brake lights annoying the car behind.
I drove various cars over a weekend and that was the best stop/start combination, some others started when foot came off the footbrake which is daft due the the OPs point about brake lights annoying the car behind.
Gassing Station | Advanced Driving | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff