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Automakers are improving fuel mileage on new vehicles and customers like the upgrades they make to the engines that make cars more fuel-efficient.
Subaru is bringing smaller turbocharged engines to its lineup of all-wheel-drive cars, and the 2020 Outback wagon now has the FA24 2.4-liter four-cylinder turbocharged Boxer engine that replaces the 3.6-liter naturally-aspirated six-cylinder powerplant. You can read the full comparison here.
But the newly-redesigned 2020 Outback also features a new Auto Stop-Start system that also comes on all-new Subaru Forester, Legacy, and Crosstrek models. It’s one of the most controversial gas-saving features of the newest Subaru vehicles. Many automakers are using the system that automatically stops the engine when you come to a complete stop for more than a few seconds. It’s designed to save a little fuel every time the car stops at a light, or wait at a stop sign.
2020 Subaru Outback uses Auto Stop-Start
The frequent starting and stopping of the engine become tiresome to some drivers who live in urban areas and especially if you drive in heavy stop-and-go traffic every day. Some drivers say they don’t like the car stopping and starting because they fear the system could fail and the engine won’t restart and leave them stranded. They also consider the extra wear on the starter.
Automakers use the system to bump up gas mileage numbers but do they really save enough fuel to be worthwhile? According to a study conducted by the Society of American Engineers, it is beneficial to turn your car’s engine off if it is going to be idling for at least seven seconds.
2020 Subaru Forester also comes with the fuel-saving system
Within that range of time, enough fuel is saved to restart the car. So any time the engine is shut off over seven seconds, fuel will be saved. I know of one stoplight on my commute where I can sit as long as two minutes. After a period of time, the fuel savings add up.
Can I disable my Auto Stop-Start?
The Auto Stop-Start can be disabled on your new 2020 Subaru Outback, Forester, Legacy, and Crosstrek. It’s different for each model, and the problem is, on some models like Forester, you cannot permanently disable it. The system will always default to an on position once you turn the car off. So every time you get back in your car, you have to manually disable the system again.
The new Outback and Legacy, does have a feature on its new 11.6-inch touchscreen menu and you can disable the system. When you are on the home screen, push the car icon button to change the settings and then click on “Others” allowing you to turn off the Auto Stop-Start system. The Auto Stop-Start on the new 2020 Subaru Outback, Legacy, Forester, and Crosstrek can be annoying but it will save fuel if you live in an urban area.
You Might Also Like: Subaru’s 5-10 Year Cost Of Ownership Is Higher Than All But One Other Mainstream Brand
Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. All of his reports are archived on our Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Subaru Report. Check back tomorrow for more Subaru news and updates at Torque News!
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Comments
On our 2nd Subaru, 2015
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On our 2nd Subaru, 2015 Outback 3.6R and likely our last. Love the vehicle, power and color combo. We have a loaner 2020 Outback 2.5 while ours is under warranty repair. Some features are nice, however, I can't buy a vehicle with the auto start/stop feature. Totally unnerving and to me, a completely useless feature. That goes for any vehicle, not just Subaru, although Subaru is one of the worst I have driven. Also, Subaru has decided to ditch certain exterior / interior color combos. Shouldn't be important, but it is. That said, might be able to get past that if the start / stop could be disabled permanently. Hopefully, this trend for stop / start will go away by the time we plan to update our vehicles.
I've just trained myself to
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I've just trained myself to go thru the A.S.S. ritual delete at start up along with engaging the auto hold for stop lights. If not disengaged, the A.S.S system is DIABOLICALLY BAD NEWS! Whatever government (EPA & CARB) benefits derived are undoubtedley sacrificed in lost sales as word of this SERIOUSLY INTRUSIVE AND PHYSICALLY JOLTING act occurs. If not deactivated this feature is unnerving to even the most experienced driver...SUBARU TAKE NOTE...LOVE YOUR CARS BUT THIS FEATURE IS A MAJOR DETERRENT TO REPEAT SALES!!
I have been thinking of
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I have been thinking of trading my 20126 Outback for a 2020 or 2021 Outback. My concern that stopped me in my tracks is the stop and start feature. I hope Subaru would put in a heavy duty starter as well as an extremely powerful battery. From what I can see this feature would cause lots of wear on the vehicle starting system.
googled this and will buy a
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googled this and will buy a $100 gadget that plugs in under driver seat on 2020 forester sport. gadget stops it permanently.
love subarus ,,,was about to
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love subarus ,,,was about to trade my 2016 outback for a 2021 ,,,that ss feature has me worried ,,,if enough people complain they might do away with it ,,,but maybe not till 2022 model
I recently drove a new
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I recently drove a new Outback with the start-stop feature. I can guarantee you I will never purchase a Subaru with that feature. The car seriously hesitated at every stop. This technology is not worth the extra cost and the long term effect is not determined. Bad show Subaru!!!!!
It would have been so much
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In reply to I recently drove a new by William Cleair (not verified)
It would have been so much better to just place that option in a simple button on the dashboard. IMO, deal breaker.
I hope that Subaru is paying
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I hope that Subaru is paying attention to all of these comments about this stupid Auto Stop/Start. I knew nothing about this when I bought my car last month, and it's almost driving me crazy! I try to remember to shut it off every time I get in, but sometimes I forget. It is seriously such a major pain that I would be hesitant to recommend buying a Subaru to anyone else... and I REALLY like my car! At the very least, they need to either make it a toggle switch that will stay in one position or the other, or else have a way to change the default setting to OFF. It is the first feature that I mention to anyone that asks how I like my new car... "I like a lot EXCEPT for..."
The auto stop feature is a
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The auto stop feature is a killer in the summer months. Car heats up inside in seconds. If I had known this I would have bought the Rav4 Hybrid instead. This feature if it cannot be disabled will be a deal breaker on my next car. Bye Bye Subaru. I you can't afford an extra gallon of gas a month then you can't afford the car.
The auto stop feature is a
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The auto stop feature is a killer in the summer months. Car heats up inside in seconds. If I had known this I would have bought the Rav4 Hybrid instead. This feature if it cannot be disabled will be a deal breaker on my next car. Bye Bye Subaru. I you can't afford an extra gallon of gas a month then you can't afford the car.