Skip to main content

Start/Stop Technology in the Ford F150 Should Be Embraced

Ford Motor Company has announced that all 2017 F150 pickups with an EcoBoost engine and while some people will complain about too much technology increasing the cost to consumers – this is a simple technology that is spreading across the industry, and it should be embraced.

Start/Stop technology has been around in the world of super-efficient hybrids for quite some time now, but this is fresh technology in the full-size truck world. Ford introduced Start/Stop tech with the current F150 powered by the 2.7L EcoBoost V6, but starting with the 2017 model year, all F150 pickups with any of the EcoBoost engines will feature this fuel-friendly upgrade.

Since this was first announced, I’ve seen some negativity online about the implementation of this technology in the Ford F150, but it seems as though the people opposed to this feature aren’t very familiar with how it works. With that in mind, we bring you a rundown of what this technology does, how it works and why it is a good addition to the F150 lineup.

“EcoBoost already powers F-150’s best-in-class towing,” said Doug Scott, Ford truck group marketing manager. “Now, with every EcoBoost-equipped F-150 mildly electrified with standard Auto Start-Stop technology, customers’ fuel efficiency is expected to improve as well.”

How Start/Stop Technology Works
Start/Stop technology is as simple as it sounds. It is a system that works with the braking system to save the gasoline burned when the Ford F150 is sitting still in traffic. I have driven the current F150 with the 2.7L EcoBoost V6 and Start/Stop, and it is a great system. When you come to a complete stop with the truck in drive and rear-drive mode, the engine quickly shuts itself off. As soon as you begin to lift your foot off of the brake pedal, the system detects it and starts the engine back up incredibly quickly. Really, as quickly as you can move your foot from the brake pedal to the gas pedal to drive away, the engine is back up and running – ready to go. Since the engine is off in the same manner that it is off when parked in your driveway, the start time is significantly quicker than starting the truck up from being completely shut off.

The 2017 Ford F150 Start/Stop tech will be offered in all EcoBoost-equipped trucks, meaning that the 2.7L V6, the “normal” 3.5L V6 and the high performance 3.5L V6 in the new Raptor will all feature this fuel-saving technology. For those who really don’t like it, there is a switch that allows you to disable the system altogether, but since there is really no downside to the system – I wouldn’t see why any driver would really want to shut if off under normal driving circumstances.

Also, in more extreme driving situations – such as towing, hauling or driving in four wheel drive – the 2017 F150 will automatically disable the system.

Studies have shown that a tremendous amount of gasoline is wasted idling in traffic. When these vehicles are idling, they are not only wasting gas, but they are also contributing to the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Start/Stop technology cuts down on that negative impact as well, so it helps the environment and it will save owners money at the gas pump.

Comments

John Goreham    January 28, 2016 - 5:33PM

AND Ford will get a nice little CAFE credit from EPA for installing it. Little tinted glass, stop/start, some eco refrigerant and all of a sudden the truck is no longer a problem for Ford on its MPG mandates. Thumbs up.

Marty Wade (not verified)    January 31, 2018 - 5:30PM

In reply to by John Goreham

Had I known about this feature I would not have bought the truck it might be fine but it is not for me. I am very capable turning the engine off when I am ready to turn it off. I also blame the salesman for not explaining this feature because I would not have purchased the truck and that is final.
Sincerely,
Mad Consumer

Brian (not verified)    March 6, 2018 - 4:43PM

In reply to by Marty Wade (not verified)

Marty Wade, Did you not read the article? It also says, " For those who really don’t like it, there is a switch that allows you to disable the system altogether, but since there is really no downside to the system – I wouldn’t see why any driver would really want to shut if off under normal driving circumstances."

Larry (not verified)    December 22, 2021 - 8:37PM

In reply to by Rick Fast (not verified)

For the stop/start technology, the computer stops the engine at a "high point". The starter then only has to turn the engine past the point where the first cylinder fires. This action then continues what was in older tech done by the starter. There is very little wear on the starter. My-my you have to push a button every time you start the vehicle. So strenuous. If you're stopped with the engine off surely you're aware enough to let up on the brake a bit to start the engine. It'll start without rolling. Now, what other downside are you going to come up with?

larry d blankenship (not verified)    December 14, 2018 - 11:08PM

In reply to by Marty Wade (not verified)

bought a new f 150 3 days ago didn t know about the stupid brake thing would not have bought the truck had I known if others don't have it I probably will never buy another ford have driven them for 40 years but no more unless they can unhook that brake stop thing if they can't probably wont have this one very long and won't buy another one.

r m (not verified)    April 29, 2018 - 12:32PM

In reply to by John Goreham

Yes! and don't forget this increases the dealership over all profit. pats the coffers on high cost repairs. The auto industry has the technology for all this so call frontal collision braking, lane drift warning, blind spot. I'm in traffic. come to full stop and my engine stops. traffic moves up several feet. so my engine restarts only to stop again when I stop after a short move.

The engine is up to temperature. When I would normally shut my vehicle off. The temperature doesn't immediately
begin to drop. I'd guess it rises.

So why not just meet or exceed EPA emissions. Stop playing around with holding back on fuel systems which could give greater MPG. OR does this cut into the oil industry profits? I like my engine to run along with my AC compressor
keeping me cool on hot days, or cold also.

Explain how the engine continues to keep my AC going if it's off when I come to a full stop.

Oh! a buy pass switch is installed. more electronics to fail and cost the consumer hundreds if not thousands of dollars.

CK Myers (not verified)    July 12, 2018 - 4:21PM

In reply to by mike wilson (not verified)

Will I save enough on fuel to replace the starter and damage on the flywheel? I think not. Just make them run more efficiently and problem solved. I know you have the technology because you have bought up and stifled all the inventions that offer better mpg for years. Yes we know about that. You aren't fooling all of us.

Kyle b (not verified)    January 9, 2019 - 10:06AM

In reply to by John Goreham

It's nice to be eco friendly but, let's be honest with ourselves the fact is,we are talking about trucks they are meant to do work,not start and stop all day. We are paying fn good money for these vehicles to run the right way.just goes to show the people what the ford management and engineers are doing,this is no more then a high dollar GOLF CART!!!!!,Henrey ford is rolling in his Grave.

Richard wilkins (not verified)    July 29, 2017 - 1:11PM

In reply to by Dk (not verified)

It is 98 degrees outside and my engine turns off at every stop light and I'm roasting not to mention the wear and tear on the starter. How much gas would you gave to save turn buy one starter replacement. Certainally, you can defeat this feature but I am seriously thinking of ditching this truck for another brand that doesn't have this pain in the ass design.
Can it be overiden permanently?

Dan R Brouillette (not verified)    October 16, 2017 - 9:54AM

In reply to by Richard wilkins (not verified)

I don't like it. The salesman waited till we were ready to drive off the lot before he told us about this feature. I went to Harbor Freight and purchased a four prong trailer light tester for under $5 and leave it plugged in. The dumb ass truck thinks there is a trailer hooked up and the start stop feature is disabled

Jason (not verified)    November 6, 2017 - 8:42PM

In reply to by Richard wilkins (not verified)

It can be over ridding by buying a $7-8 trailer plug and leaving it connected. It tricks the pcm into thinking you are towing something and disables the auto start/stop feature.

Chris (not verified)    January 14, 2018 - 6:54PM

In reply to by Jason (not verified)

You can also pop the panel off and out a jumper in the connection behind the switch. And then it will always be off, and the rear camera wi still work because you're not in tow mode.

GALAN ALMY (not verified)    September 26, 2017 - 1:57PM

In reply to by Dk (not verified)

Wear and tear on what? Sitting at an idle for hours is far more wear and tear that turning the starter over. Starter is far cheaper than an engine or a couple of hundred gallons of gas over 10 years. So please explain your comment in detail how it's wear and tear to not sit idling your vehicle?

Tom (not verified)    January 11, 2018 - 12:41AM

In reply to by GALAN ALMY (not verified)

Wrong ! An engine shows less wear if it is in constant motion with a film of oil in between moving parts. Constant start up and shut down decreases mechanical and electrical longevity.