Sign up for the Today newsletter
Get everything you need to know to start your day, delivered right to your inbox every morning.
Could a car’s automatic engine shut off feature wear out the starter?
John Paul, AAA Northeast's Car Doctor, answers a question from a reader with concerns about a new car’s automatic engine shut off feature.
Q. We recently purchased a new car which has the automatic engine shut off feature every time we come to a stop sign or stoplight. This is my first experience with this, and I was wondering if it could lead to the starter prematurely wearing out. We tend to keep cars for a very long time, usually 10 years or more. I understand we can override this feature, but we would have to remember to do it every time we start the car.
A. The battery and starter are more robust and should not wear out any sooner than a similar vehicle without this system. I answered a similar question recently from a new Toyota owner with the same concerns. I have read that Toyota vehicles will actually generate a fault code when the starter needs replacement. This code appears after nearly 400,000 starting cycles. This to me looks like about 20-30 starts per day for 50 years. If the system in your car is as stout as the Toyota system, I don’t think you need to worry.
Advertisement:
Q. I have a 2025 Chevy Trax that takes E85 fuel or higher octane. I was told I can mix and match octane. I also have a Volvo that takes 87 octane or higher. Can I mix E-85 and 87 octane regular fuel in my Volvo ? I haven’t tried it yet. I’m curious whether it’s safe for my Volvo.
A. E-85 is fuel that can contain up to 85 percent ethanol alcohol. E-85 has a higher-octane rating than even most racing fuels. The typical octane of E85 is 100 or more. Your Volvo is not designed to run on gasoline with more than 15 percent ethanol. I would not suggest trying to be a chemist and mixing some percentage of E-85 fuel with any other fuel. The result could be quite expensive.
Advertisement:
Q. Are there any federal guidelines on “front collision stopping or warning” on cars? My dealer told me my 2023 Lincoln Corsair is two feet. No one can react to a warning in that little time.
A. The guidelines are not for distance, and this may be where the dealer is confused. The rule making is more about the speed of the car. The systems are designed to work above six miles per hour. The systems are also designed to provide both visual and auditory warning. The system will also apply the brakes when a collision is imminent with a pedestrian or vehicle. Some systems only provide brake assist, others apply full braking in an attempt to fully stop the car. The systems typically work between six and 50 miles per hour. Curves, light, glare, and weather can impact these systems, and may even cause them to turn off completely. As good as some of this technology is, never assume it will make up for being an engaged driver.
Q. I would like to know if, when I replace my battery in my Toyota Avalon, I can use a NOCO GB50 battery jump starter to keep all my data when taking the battery out? I understand if I don’t, the car may not run correctly.
Advertisement:
A. You can use your jump pack, but you need to trick it into staying on. The NOCO, like most, won’t produce electricity unless it sees electricity of over 2-volts. In this case you need to use the manual override feature. Here is a link to the video from NOCO.
Q. It is time to put away my summer equipment. Unlike you, I haven’t switched to battery powered lawn mowers, blowers, or trimmers. What do I need to do to make sure my lawnmower, backpack blower, and gas trimmer start next spring? Also, what do you know about Ethanol Shield stabilizer? Is this what you would use?
A. Well I haven’t completely switched away from gasoline, but the battery tools I have do make it easy for off season storage. I typically add fuel stabilizer to anything with a gasoline engine that is being put away. This could be cars, boats, power equipment – anything that burns gas. Years ago, I ran things dry, but more times than not I had a problem with rust build up in the fuel tank or carburetor. If storage is more than just a few months I would add premixed two-stroke fuel plus stabilizer. The idea here is the extra oil in the fuel mix helps keep things lubricated. As for Ethanol Shield, I had not seen it until just recently at a local hardware store. I typically use STA-Bil or Lucas fuel stabilizer.
Advertisement:
John Paul is AAA Northeast’s Car Doctor. He has over 40 years of experience in the automotive business and is an ASE-certified master technician. E-mail your Car Doctor question to [email protected]. Listen to the Car Doctor podcast at johnfpaul.podbean.com.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com