Stop/Start and Towing
Comments
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I can't see S/S as a problem, nothing in my Suzuki handbook WRT it and towing. I admit I was dubious about it when I first got the car but to be honest it's pretty unobtrusive and I just let it get on with things itself. The car is a manual so that may make it more predicatable in operation regarding hill hild etc.
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If the towbar wiring is correctly configured into the cars CANBUS system the stop/start will disable when the caravan is connected. I too have an Alltrack and do not have a problem with s/s save for the annoyance of having to keep the foot brake pedal depressed
which must annoy the hell out of drivers behind, especially when intraffic queues on dark nights.I have a factory fit towbar and stop start operates when towing and I feel sure its properly configured
Same here, both on my last car and my current one.
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My latest Touareg seems to be slightly different from my previous one - and the Passat before that. Once S/S is activated, no need to keep your foot on the brake pedal, engine doesn't start again until accelerator is pressed. That said, I have a feeling that the brake lights are on regardless of whether or not your foot is on the brake pedal. As for manouvering - although the engine will stop via S/S in the middle of it, with mine, it automatically restarts as soon as reverse is selected, so it doesn't cause any inconvenience. My towbar was dealer fitted and S/S is disabled when towing. As for the hill start function, I find it brilliant and gives a smooth, controlled start even up the steepest of hills with the van on the back.
Sounds like VW have learned a few leasons as your new Touareg has a much better implementation of SS than our now previous generation Passat.
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Had SS on a rented Polo in Spain last year. Didnt even know it had it until I thought I had stalled at traffic lights. After that, it was just a case of squeezing the throttle and it all comes back to life. No handbrake or footbrake involved. Just switched
on and off as the car stopped.0 -
There is no mention in this thread of the effect of S/S n the caravan fridge and battery charger. The software onlyballows charging/running these things when the car engine is running and when the car battery is adequately charged from the alternator. So,
whenever the S/S kicks in, your fridge goes off and so does the onboard battery charger. They will stay off until the car battery has been sufficiently recharged after the S/S.0 -
The only mention regarding caravan battery and fridge is most good manufacturers have taken this into consideration, Like LR where it is disabled when a trailer is plugged in providing a proper canbus trailer loom has been installed. Obviously if a smart
relay or scotchlock job has been done the car won't know if it has a caravan attached or not.0 -
On my 2014 Tiguan with a retrofit towbar/electrics but with a vehicle specific electric fit the SS is deactivated automatically when the electrics are connected be it with a caravan or trailor. However, like a number here, I tend turn it off when driving solo.
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My last two Mercedes have had Stop/Start, auto hold etc and with the auto box renders the whole set up entirely seamless, I never give it a second thought. Only time I notice it, is when it's not there driving one of our other cars
I have fitted the last two towbars myself and Mercedes have remapped my software. The Stop/Start, auto hold still functions when towing and remains completely seamless.
The ATC and fridge supply are unaffected
Never given it a thought.
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My xc60 has the stop/start feature, however the dealer fitted towbar and electrics means that when I am hooked up to the caravan the system is overridden meaning the s/s feature doesn't operate.
That's good to know damo. We've just taken delivery of a XC60 and only towed once with it and must admit didn't notice whether it operated or not as didn't have to stop en route until we reached our deatination.
Nellie my stop/start works whilst towing, mine is the D4 manual not sure if that makes a difference to the automatics.
Thanks, SELL. I'll see what happens on Sunday when I next tow the van.
Off post, but what I do find annoying is not having a handbook, but have to look at the one that's on the info panel in the car. Much rather have a book in my hand so I can sit in the van and read it. I do appreciate that I can download it i=onto my laptop
but I'd still have to load thaty up each time I want to check something.
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Hi PJMEG,
I have a Antara Diamond and in the handbook it says to turn the stop/start off when towing, i think this is because the function also cuts down BHP to increase fuel consumption same as stop/start is supposed to do.I just switch it off as it doesn't seem
to save fuel and only puts more strain on the starter motor and battery.0 -
I have a 2012 Passat and had a Tow Trust detachable tow bar fitted by an independent fitter.
When obtaining quotes for fitting this was one of the few that advised me about the SS system, and that they had the software and laptop to activate the relevant VW towing settings as part of fitting service.
When hooked up to the caravan the screen in the dash shows it's connected, disables the SS, and also disables the rear parking sensors so that it doesn't bleep when reverse is selected. It may change other settings but these are all I'm aware of.
(the tow bar was fitted on my drive by Jacques Towbar Services in York who I can highly recommend http://jacquestowbarservices.co.uk/)
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My xc60 has the stop/start feature, however the dealer fitted towbar and electrics means that when I am hooked up to the caravan the system is overridden meaning the s/s feature doesn't operate.
That's good to know damo. We've just taken delivery of a XC60 and only towed once with it and must admit didn't notice whether it operated or not as didn't have to stop en route until we reached our deatination.
Nellie my stop/start works whilst towing, mine is the D4 manual not sure if that makes a difference to the automatics.
Thanks, SELL. I'll see what happens on Sunday when I next tow the van.
Off post, but what I do find annoying is not having a handbook, but have to look at the one that's on the info panel in the car. Much rather have a book in my hand so I can sit in the van and read it. I do appreciate that I can download it i=onto my laptop
but I'd still have to load thaty up each time I want to check something.Mine came with a handbook have you asked your dealer to supply you with one.
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I'm picking up a VW Passat Estate next week that has Stop/Start and will be fitting a non VW towbar.
The Handbook says that:
"The start/stop system must always be switched off manually when towing a trailer using towing brackets that have not been retrofitted by Volkswagen. Otherwise faults can occur in the brake system, possibly resulting in accidents and serious injuries."
That doesn't make any sense as the the Stop/Start only operates when the car is stationary, not when it's under braking.
Can anyone explain further? Do all cars with Stop/Start have this restriction?
Write your comments here...Only VW seem to have this reference to the operation of stop start the Tiguan does as well. If you are having a dedicated wiring kit fitted e.g. Westfalia the stop start should be automatically disabled once the caravan 13 amp
plug is connected. Our current Merc does not do this and has to be manually disabled though there are no safety comments in the handbook that I have seen. I switch it off when towing to avoid possible issues with the fridge etc.0 -
MM, I have to say that my every instinct tells me that you are correct. 90% of the wear & tear on an engine is caused by stopping & starting. How can this new system of constant stopping & starting be good for an engine in the long run.
Only time will tell, & I guess that I'm probably too old now to be taking much notice when these birds come home to roost, but I predict that this will prove to be as much of a good step forward as the square steering wheel was on the Allegro!
TF
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