Why do we hate Auto Start/Stop so much?

[Whiskey Bizness]

Whether or not you believe that auto stop/start is a problem or a problem waiting to happen, it annoyed me so I addressed it yesterday with the Autostop Eliminator. I splurged for the $99 version from AutostopEliminator.com since people have reported issues with the Chinesium Amazon version.

Installation was quick and simple and the product works exactly as described, so I am a happy camper.

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[adam1991]

So, what is the solution?

hear me out now....
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green light cameras.

 

[LanceM]

I dislike it, because... my radar detector stops and restarts every time the engine loses power. Yes, I tapped the mirror connection... ug...

 

[Lcubed]

I dislike it, because... my radar detector stops and restarts every time the engine loses power. Yes, I tapped the mirror connection... ug...

seems more like poor installation choices were made

 

[Dral97]

Whether or not you believe that auto stop/start is a problem or a problem waiting to happen, it annoyed me so I addressed it yesterday with the Autostop Eliminator. I splurged for the $99 version from AutostopEliminator.com since people have reported issues with the Chinesium Amazon version.

Installation was quick and simple and the product works exactly as described, so I am a happy camper.

Chinesium version has worked flawlessly for me for that last few years/15k miles. However, nothing at all wrong with going with autostopeliminator. Out of curiosity, is the actual piece made in China or somewhere else? I went to the website and cannot figure out where they are made - at least the company is US based.

 

[CV428]

hear me out now....
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green light cameras.

So, if a camera detects that a driver is goofing off on their phone instead of moving when the light turns green, then what? It sends them a fine in the mail? Or, might I suggest, sending a notice to the carrier to disable their cell phone's network for 30 days? As much as I like that idea, I have seen what addicts resort to when they are forced to stop cold-turkey and it isn't pretty. Most of the population is ridiculously addicted to phones- I've even seen people pull out their phones and start scrolling while at urinals in public restrooms (not that I stare at other people while in public restrooms... but... peripheral vision... you know what I mean... hopefully...) XD

I dislike it, because... my radar detector stops and restarts every time the engine loses power. Yes, I tapped the mirror connection... ug...

My dash cam is hooked to the mirror connection too. A/S/S causes it to restart. I'll probably splurge and buy that $50 Amazon eliminator just because I'm so sick of hitting that button that shouldn't exist in the first place.

 

[LanceM]

seems more like poor installation choices were made

Who would think there is a third circuit that turns off when the auto start stop engages..

 

[Lcubed]

If it’s like the other fords, there are two choices for hot
https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/forum/attachments/003-jpg.194859/

 

[adam1991]

So, if a camera detects that a driver is goofing off on their phone instead of moving when the light turns green, then what?

While the public was adamantly against red light cameras, you will have everyone backing green light cameras. Make laws and phase them in, and put ridiculous fines for blocking the flow of traffic. Light turns green, if you haven't moved in 5 seconds, bam! big fine. 10 seconds, bam! huge fine.

I don't care about addiction. The fact is, my state AND city have laws regarding cell phone use in the car. No touching the phone, period--even when stopped at a red light. This is an EASY way to fil the coffers of the city/state, as well as stop the behavior and keep traffic moving.

Unless you think we shouldn't enforce laws. These are laws I'm 100% behind, and the punishment should be designed to change the behavior. It's not unlike speeding fines in countries that ramp them up per the violator's annual income. If you can afford a million dollar speeding fine, you should pay one. It should hurt to violate the law.

 

[adam1991]

I dislike it, because... my radar detector stops and restarts every time the engine loses power. Yes, I tapped the mirror connection... ug...

So some idiot engineer or manager at Ford let that happen. Why does ANY circuit go down just because the engine stops running???

So now you're at a traffic light and your autodimming mirror undims because of ASS. Nice.

 

[CV428]

While the public was adamantly against red light cameras, you will have everyone backing green light cameras. Make laws and phase them in, and put ridiculous fines for blocking the flow of traffic. Light turns green, if you haven't moved in 5 seconds, bam! big fine. 10 seconds, bam! huge fine.

I don't care about addiction. The fact is, my state AND city have laws regarding cell phone use in the car. No touching the phone, period--even when stopped at a red light. This is an EASY way to fil the coffers of the city/state, as well as stop the behavior and keep traffic moving.

Unless you think we shouldn't enforce laws. These are laws I'm 100% behind, and the punishment should be designed to change the behavior. It's not unlike speeding fines in countries that ramp them up per the violator's annual income. If you can afford a million dollar speeding fine, you should pay one. It should hurt to violate the law.

That works in theory, but a law is worthless if it is not enforced and upheld. First, it takes police to enforce the law, and then court systems have to uphold the law. My state has a "hands-free" law but it is pathetic and therefore not enforced. $25 and no points. It's a waste of time for the police to write a ticket, but they're so understaffed and over-encumbered with accident scenes to attend to that they lack the bandwidth for a proper crackdown. (and, if I haven't said it before, I totally support the police)

Believe me, we're on the same page in terms of addressing the issue with stricter laws and consequences. It's just not as easy to make that happen. I'm fighting with my backwards little town right now over lack of enforcement on that topic. Sadly, people just don't care and have absolutely no sense of prioritization. Most of my town is preoccupied with nonsensical wastes of time rather than addressing the issue of a 22.7% chance of being in an MVA in this town, annually... I get tired of calling out icebergs only for the ship to speed up and crash into them anyways.

 

[helifino16]

I know for me, since I never had this on any previous vehicle, it's a little disconcerting to hear the vehicle shut off at a light. MANY years of driving experiences feed this concern. Ghosts of vehicles having a hard time starting first comes to mind. I finally tracked down the ASS eliminator and the install was ridiculously easy - now I have the ''benefit" of leaving it OFF or ON (like when I drop off for service) whenever I like.

 

[adam1991]

That works in theory, but a law is worthless if it is not enforced and upheld.

are you kidding? The infrastructure is in place. Take pictures, send violations out.

They were ALL over red light cameras for revenue; citizens objected, and forced the issue down over several years. But turn these into green light cameras, and watch the revenue roll in--

--or watch people choose not to do the behavior that keeps traffic rolling.

 

[CV428]

are you kidding? The infrastructure is in place. Take pictures, send violations out.

They were ALL over red light cameras for revenue; citizens objected, and forced the issue down over several years. But turn these into green light cameras, and watch the revenue roll in--

--or watch people choose not to do the behavior that keeps traffic rolling.

I get the impression that you think I'm disagreeing with you- I am not. We are in agreement that a solution is needed and that the infrastructure is already in place. My point is that logic doesn't thrive in bureaucracy.

They could easily implement a software update that geofences and restricts phone usage while in motion, with a delay, when in a driver's seat. Those nannyisms already exist for infotainment systems- why not phones?

Again, I am all for a crushing level of accountability to cut down on distracted driving.

 

[adam1991]

I get the impression that you think I'm disagreeing with you- I am not. We are in agreement that a solution is needed and that the infrastructure is already in place. My point is that logic doesn't thrive in bureaucracy.

They could easily implement a software update that geofences and restricts phone usage while in motion, with a delay, when in a driver's seat. Those nannyisms already exist for infotainment systems- why not phones?

Again, I am all for a crushing level of accountability to cut down on distracted driving.

We have laws that, as you say, aren't being enforced (well, not much*). Throw some revenue opportunity into the mix, and watch the fun happen.

Then it will eventually settle down into, as you say, some mechanism that stops the phone screen from working while the driver is occupied (don't know how that will work vs allowing the passengers access, but I know Apple has some patents on knowing where the phone is in the car). People will scream loudly enough about the fines, so Android/Apple will come to their rescue while currying favor from govt entities by "helping" them enforce the laws.

*SOME cops enforce the law:

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