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How Will Fans React To the New Ford Ranger's Auto Stop-Start Technology?

The all-new Ranger modernizes a truck that Ford quit on before many recent advances. Will this new standard technology be seen as a feature or an annoyance?
Will Ford Ranger owners want auto stop-start?

The all-new 2019 Ford Ranger is headed our way. Ford has been providing more and more information on this exciting new truck model. We all know the new Ranger is going to be a huge hit, but details matter.

One detail that Ford has shared is that the new Ranger will have Auto Stop-Start technology. Auto Stop-Start shuts off the truck's engine when it comes to a stop in many situations. For example, at a stop sign, stoplight, or when the vehicle is in park. When the driver lifts his or her foot off the brake and moves it toward the accelerator pedal, the engine restarts automatically and the vehicle is ready to go in an instant. The idea is that this saves fuel. Not much that you will notice, but when millions of vehicle in America are using this technology the drips and drops of fuel saved add up to significant amounts. Automakers are incentivized by the folks who regulate corporate fuel economy for having the technology.

A little over two years ago, our editor and truck expert, Patrick Rall penned a story that took the opinion that Ford's F-150 Stop-Start technology should be embraced by owners and fans. The story was a huge hit and has been one of our most popular truck stories. Comments poured in, and continue to pour in. Mostly negative.

Torque News Reader and Commenter, Marty Wade's words echo those of many of the commenters. Mr. Wade said, "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 of 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."

S. Sabale jumped right in and offered support to Mr. Wade, saying, "I totally agree, I will buy used vehicle before I buy start-stop tech.!!!"

There are always two sides to a story and this topic is no different. Almost every new vehicle we test these days has Auto Stop-Start. In some, vehicles it is a pain in the neck. In some others, we hardly notice it. In almost all there is a temporary Auto Stop-Start disable function. This system can drive you nuts in city stop and go traffic and we frequently hit that button to shut it off. However, in every vehicle we have tested, it always comes back on when the vehicle is restarted (or if you want it to come back on and simply tap the button again).

What say you, Ranger fans? Are you a fan of the idea of Ford getting a small Corporate Average Fuel Economy credit and helping to reduce fuel usage in America, or would you prefer not to have your new Ranger shutting itself off at stops?

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Comments

Mark Day (not verified)    June 16, 2018 - 4:26PM

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The situation: It's not much up to Ford to embrace or not embrace Auto Stop-Start. Ford is mandated to enhance fuel economy. I'm also forced, by unelected, unaccountable bureaucrats, to comply - if I want a new vehicle.

The bureaucrat's assumed power is illegitimate, especially since I'm forced to
pay their salary. In addition, with the ignorant mandates, many vehicles are being priced beyond folks ability to pay.

My reaction - I'm not buying any vehicle with Auto Stop-Start.

Lee p (not verified)    July 20, 2019 - 5:06PM

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I do not like the start & stop feature. My wife MB has it I have the new Ranger it drives me crazy. It’s harder on the starter & battery plus the startup uses more gas than if it stays running

Michael (not verified)    June 18, 2018 - 12:07PM

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As the current owner of a Ford Ranger, I will not buy the new Ranger in a stop/start configuration because I expect the new Ranger to be offered in a base trim level: normally aspirated engine with a manual transmission.

Dave (not verified)    June 20, 2018 - 9:16AM

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I have a 2018 F150 with Start/Stop, if it were not for forescans ability to permanently disable start/stop I would not have bought the truck. Start/Stop is a joke...

John (not verified)    June 23, 2018 - 7:18PM

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5-10 years ago, I read about a Mazda patent to restart an engine by using the alternator (by varying the load on it) to precisely position one cylinder during shutdown so that, at restart, you could just fire the injector in that cylinder, fire the spark plug and you're going again (without using the starter motor). Given the close relationship between Ford and Mazda (at least back then) does anyone know if the current Ford start/stop uses this or does it just use the starter motor?

Benjamin Y (not verified)    July 13, 2018 - 6:13PM

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The new Ford ranger was #1 on my list for what to get for a new vehicle. Stop/start changed that. It's no longer on my list at all. Now I'm looking at a Chevy Colorado. It's a shame because I've owned two fords in the past and loved them, but stop/start is a deal killer for me.

Dups (not verified)    August 3, 2018 - 10:29AM

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Auto Start Stop would suck if you are off-roading. It would be plainly unsafe if you are climbing boulders and hills and stop for a moment to think, loose engine power or roll over backwards. It is a recipe for disaster in the off-roading scene.

Elton Dudley (not verified)    August 20, 2018 - 8:59AM

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Start-Stop is a joke. What do you do in South Texas 100 degree weather, start stop traffic and running the air conditioner?

April (not verified)    October 8, 2018 - 9:57PM

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My daughter bought a 2017 Focus, not thinking it would bother her to turn this feature off EVERY time she starts the car. After 6 months, she hates it..and she's 20, part of our kids that love new technology EXCEPT this. Now, I do know, if she just leaves it on, at a light, technically the rest of the car is on, so the AC is still blasting, radio, and everything else that comes on when you turn the key to the ON position. She's like me though, the thought of this stopping constantly each time you are at a sign or light, then starting again, can't be good for the engine in the long run, especially if you live in a congested area. I've always been a die hard Ranger fan. My last Ranger I bought in 2002, was a 1998 with 43,000 miles 4x4. When I sold it in 2015, it had 287,000 miles and other than the usual maintenance, I went through 3 alternators. I've been saving and anxiously waiting for the new Rangers...till I found this BS out. I'm now looking at older Rangers or Toyota Tacoma. It would be awesome if they had it as an option that one could order a Ranger without it but that's not going to be possible...especially with our government. SO sad!

Brian Melchiorre (not verified)    August 27, 2018 - 3:53PM

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I rented a truck that had this technology, I had if for a few days and hated it. The AC slowed down every time I was a a red light or in traffic. It's nothing short of annoying. The truck goes quiet, like a poorly tuned car that stalls when you stop. I won't be buying a new Ranger. I have been waiting for a new Ranger for years and I'm very disappointed. I'll keep my old truck.

Matt Nichols (not verified)    December 5, 2018 - 9:06PM

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Start/stop is a deal killer for me as well! Will buy used for the rest of my life b4 I own a vehicle with this ignorant tech! Honda Ridgeline unless they adopt the same tech crap!

JOHN WAYNE (not verified)    December 10, 2018 - 10:55AM

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Nobody in their right mind would want a car with auto start/stop, it's a pain in the neck and shortens engine life.

Jerry Pierson (not verified)    December 12, 2018 - 8:08AM

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Like many, I have been anxiously awaiting the new Ranger, and like many posts here, are against the stop/start feature for many of the reasons stated. It seems to me that Ford could easily make this feature switchable in a more permanent manner, I.e., once selected to the “off” position the system would stay switched that way with Re activation by turning it back on. Give the user the option to use the feature ... easily.

OldDominionDIYer (not verified)    February 22, 2019 - 12:43PM

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I am in the market for a mid sized pickup. I was very keen on the new Ranger until I got word of the terrible Start-Stop feature included in all models. It is an absolute deal breaker, going to purchase from Ford's competition Toyota or Chevy/GMC Colorado/Canyon and won't think twice. Ford didn't have to include it just like the others but are making a gamble it will not be a big impact though I get the feeling it will be. Maybe, just maybe in another decade when lubrication technology and main nearing tech catch up and are proven I would consider it (and only if it proves to be a complete success) MFR's are only employing this dreadful technology because of federal CAFE mandates and it is NOT for the benefit of their customers.

Wally1 (not verified)    March 7, 2019 - 12:55PM

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I was so looking forward to buying a new Ford Ranger. In checking out the vehicle I learned it is not available without start-stop feature. More electronic crap I do not want in a truck. the ranger was top on my list to buy, now not even on the list, looking at a Toyota Tacoma.

Richard Mac Turner (not verified)    September 15, 2019 - 10:50AM

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I own a 2011 Tacoma, awesome truck. I started looking at new trucks and was excited about the new Ranger till I saw the auto start/stop feature. DEAL BREAKER!!! It should be my choice on how much fuel to use, not the government.
So I will buy another Tacoma.

Matt (not verified)    March 29, 2019 - 8:59AM

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I rented a car last year with this auto stop technology and absolutely hated it. Sad, because I was considering buying a new Ranger for my business next year. Now I'll be looking at the competition.

GArry (not verified)    April 11, 2019 - 9:33AM

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Ford's devotion to Start-Stop tech is very disappointing to me, as is their recent dependence on smaller displacement engines with turbo chargers. I have a 2011 F-150 Lariat with the 5L Coyote V8. I want to buy a new truck before I retire in five years, rather than having a 13 year old vehicle (at that point) when Ford started putting Start-Stop on the V8 F-150 in 2018, they lost my $$$. The tech DOES NOT save fuel. The 2019 V8 F150 is rated to get 1MPG more than my 2011 but has 25 more HP. Its not because of Start-Stop, its because weighs 700lbs less due to its aluminum body. Now the Ranger, which I was considering, is out too. As much due to the rubberband engine as the Start-Stop Tech. Start-Stop is just Ford bowing to the god of the global climate change lie. Political non-sense. GM and Ram are out due to the bail-outs, I guess I'm buying a Titan.

Eric Benjamin (not verified)    July 8, 2019 - 8:25AM

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7-6-19 I was ordering my New 2019 Ford Ranger @ a local Puget Sound Ford dealership & was reviewing the packages & found something called start stop … I asked the sales person about this & they informed me about it. I asked if the Ford Tech could go into the PCM & change the logic? he called the shop & for a $160 an hour they did not know what I asked for, but told me that shutting off start-stop would void the warranty.
I looked at the salesperson & told them when Ford comes up with a solution for they pile of adaptive driving, contact me. Ford, let me be clear, I will never buy one of your new cars with this start-stop & a high maintenance diesel engine from you.
It is time we consumers boycott all purchases of new vehicles until the automakers listen to the consumer instead of the social justice - save the world warriors.

Bruce Fraser (not verified)    July 11, 2019 - 10:40AM

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I just bought the 2019 Ford F-150 with the Auto Stop feature. This was not demonstrated or explained to me when I purchased the truck and I was unaware it had been made standard. I love my truck except for this feature. I came to a stop and my truck bumped slightly as the motor shut off and then back on. I thought I had a transmission issue at first. I then realized the motor was goind to zero rpm's and oil pressure to nothing when this occured, talk about scary the first time for a brand new truck. I thought initialy I had a failed pressure sensor or something else wrong.

When I released the brake the truck bumped and came to life again but it was very disconcerning. I then realized later after reading the owners manual about the A button on the dash "Auto Stop". I thought, Ok, the sales guy just left this feature turned on and I can change the dash settings on how it reacts. No such luck! Again I have been given something I don't want with no choice to change it
according to the owners manual. Had I known this I might have considered a different brand truck but have had F-150' for the past 20 years.

This needs to be corrected immediately by Ford. I, the owner, should be given the option to turn this feature OFF in the display settings. I should not have to push a button each time I start the truck. Since when does something I am paying for have to operate like this??? I am sure there are many more frustrated people with this mandated by Ford feature. I amcurrently investigating the trailer wiring tester mentioned in another forum to defeat this system.

It makes me wonder how much wear and tear this is putting on my electrical system, the starter and the oil pressure system? I am sure Ford will say it has been tested, but we know how that has worked out over the years. I think Ford should step up to the plate with a lifetime vehicle warranty on this system, the starter and the engine.

Dennis (not verified)    July 24, 2019 - 7:17AM

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Found the Ranger I wanted in Atlanta i was going down the next day to pick it up I found out at the last minute it had the stop and go feature on it OMG this can't be never again will i own one of those type vehicles. Sorry Ford another sale lost.

Theresa (not verified)    August 4, 2019 - 4:06PM

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I haven't had any personal experience with this new "tech", but I totally agree with what y'all are saying! It's like, I can shut off my engine when I want to; I don't need a computer to do it for me!!!!!
Unfortunately, I have waited about half my life for this "truck" to come out (yes, I am only 15), and when it does, it is an absolute hunk of junk!
I already had doubts about this vehicle (esp the engine) and this stupid "start/stop" really cements my decision never to buy one of these things.
My dad has been a ranger person all his life, but now we have both given up on this truck.

Ford, you have LOST YOUR WAY!

Theresa (not verified)    August 4, 2019 - 4:10PM

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I haven't had any personal experience with this new "tech", but I totally agree with what y'all are saying! It's like, I can shut off my engine when I want to; I don't need a computer to do it for me!!!!!
Unfortunately, I have waited about half my life for this "truck" to come out (yes, I am only 15), and when it does, it is an absolute hunk of junk!
I already had doubts about this vehicle (esp the engine) and this stupid "start/stop" really cements my decision never to buy one of these things.
My dad has been a ranger person all his life, but now we have both given up on this truck.

Ford, you have LOST YOUR WAY!