3DLANES #62 - Auto Start-Stop Systems in Cars-Benefits and Disadvantages

There was a car feature that has been not banned but "discouraged" for automakers, the auto start-stop system. Is it worth having it? Or is it better to get rid of it? Find out more here.

Sources:

• Consumer Reports – “Does the Start/Stop Function Really Improve Your Car’s Fuel Economy?”
  https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/fuel-economy-efficiency/does-start-stop-function-really-improve-cars-fuel-economy-a10282359consumerreports+1

• Edmunds – “Do Stop-Start Systems Really Save Fuel?”
  https://www.edmunds.com/car-reviews/features/do-stop-start-systems-really-save-fuel.html[edmunds]​

• USA Today (Edmunds data summary) – “Does auto start-stop actually save you gas when driving?”
  https://www.usatoday.com/story/cars/research/2025/09/08/auto-start-stop-disable-good-for-car-fuel-effiency/85972474007/[usatoday]​

• AAA – “AAA’s Tests Reveal Real-World Benefits of Automatic Stop-Start Technology”
  https://newsroom.aaa.com/2014/07/aaas-tests-reveal-real-world-benefits-automatic-stop-start-technology/[newsroom.aaa]​

• NAPA – “Stop-Start Technology — Pros and Cons”
  https://knowhow.napaonline.com/stop-start-technology-pros-and-cons/napatexas+1

• SAE / ORNL technical paper – “Auto Stop-Start Fuel Consumption Benefits”
  (SAE landing page) https://www.sae.org/publications/technical-papers/content/2023-01-0346/[sae]​
  (ORNL summary) https://www.ornl.gov/publication/auto-stop-start-fuel-consumption-benefits[ornl]​

• New York Times – “Trump Administration Ends Credit for Start-Stop Feature in Cars”
  https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/15/business/energy-environment/epa-tax-credits-stop-start-ignition-cars.html[nytimes]​

• AutoConnectedCar – “EPA Rescinds Endangerment Finding & Kills Start-Stop Off-Cycle Credits”
  https://www.autoconnectedcar.com/2026/02/epa-rescinds-endangerment-finding-kills-start-stop-off-cycle-credits/[autoconnectedcar]​

• Fox News – “Obama-era greenhouse gas rules gone as EPA’s Zeldin signs ‘single largest deregulatory action’ in history”
  https://www.foxnews.com/politics/obama-era-greenhouse-gas-rules-gone-epas-zeldin-signs-single-largest-deregulatory-action-history[foxnews]​