My new L200's stop-start is erratic...
Hi,
I have a new Mitsubishi L200 series 6 Barbarian. Done less than 500 miles, mixed driving. The auto stop-start is totally unreliable. Green light comes on first start, goes out, may occasionally flash whilst driving. Over a 40-mile trip the stop-start functioned only once. Worked less than half a dozen times since purchase. Dealer says no fault or error codes.
Any ideas?
Dave Lewis (Portsmouth)Jan 2020 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Dave,
I'm surprised to hear that from a new truck where the battery will be in good condition, but stop-start systems regularly don't work as people expect. The system measures loads of variables before deciding whether the engine will be stopped, including the temperature of the engine and even the outside temperature. If it's cold weather, it may not work at all. If you're using items that are a big electrical drain, it may not operate.
Read our Why won't my car's stop-start system work? feature
Will my car stop if stop-start is broken?
Will my car stop if the auto stop-start feature stopped working?
Sherry Smith (Dunn)Jan 2020 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Sherry,
It should not, no, though you are likely to get a warning light in the dashboard.
Read our Why won't my car's stop-start system work? feature on why that might be happening.
Do I have to fix the stop-start system?
Hi, my auto stop-start stopped working and a symbol keeps on flashing on the dashboard. Will it damage my car if I don’t get it fixed right away? I’ve a Nissan Note.
Sandra Clarkson (Dundee)Dec 2019 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Sandra,
It shouldn't cause any damage, but it could indicate a weakness in your battery or electrical system, so it's best to have it looked at when you can.
Read our Why won't my car's stop-start system work? feature for more information
Can I tax a commercial vehicle as private?
Hi there,
I am looking for an option here. I am soon to change job. The options will be a company car or a car allowance. I would like to think I would be better off with the allowance as this will be a gross amount added to my wages and then taxed instead of a net amount taken directly from my wages. Probably the same amount but in reverse, but with the allowance I won't be down per month. I am wondering how possible it is to tax some commercial vehicles (the ones with back seats) as private vehicles. Is this allowed? Is there any law against this? Obviously this will increase the road tax on them anyway, but it will give me more options as am just considering these as an option.
Thanks.
Brian Murphy (Cork)Dec 2019 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Brian,
It’s pretty simple to tax a commercial vehicle as a private car, but it does mean reverting to the old by-engine-capacity tax system, so beware of going over 2.0 litres in engine capacity as the tax cost starts to become prohibitive after that point.
Read our Buying a commercial vehicle for private use feature on the subject for more.
How much VRT on a Lamborghini Gallardo?
Hi, I was wondering would you have any idea on the VRT of the following car:
Year: 2005
Mileage: 67191
Seats: 2
Colour: Silver
Drive Side: Right-hand drive
Transmission: Manual
Power: 520
Fuel: Petrol
Engine Size: 4,961cc
Manufacturer: Lamborghini
Metallic Paint: Yes
Model: Gallardo
Safety Features: Driver Airbag, Passenger Airbag, Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS), Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Immobiliser, Safety Belt Pretensioners, Xenon headlights, Four Wheel Drive, Alarm
Body Type: Coupe
Interior/Comfort Options: Air Conditioning, Climate Control, Central Locking, Leather Seats, Electric Adjustable Seats, Electric heated seats, Electric Windows, Power-assisted Steering (PAS), Tilt Steering Wheel
Doors: 2
In-Car Audio: AM/FM Stereo, CD Player, Navigation System
Nov 2019 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Paul,
Basically, rocking up to an inspection with a Lamborghini is a licence for Revenue to charge you whatever it fancies… I wouldn’t be surprised to see a VRT bill of more than €30-40,000 for this one.
Mercedes stop-start issue has started...
Hi
I drive a 2014 Mercedes E 220 model saloon and it has start-stop technology, but recently it's just switching the engine on and off at the traffic lights; it's doing this quite often so I have to turn it off. I have heating on as per usual and I have never had this problem before.
Tahir Aurangzaib (OLDHAM)Nov 2019 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Tahir,
The first thing we'd check is the condition of the battery. It sounds like the system is turning off the engine as normal, but then sensing that it needs to go back on right away. That's unusual, to be honest, as most systems just won't turn the engine off if an issue is detected. I'd advise you bring the car to a good mechanic or auto-electrician to have it looked over.
Our feature, Why won't my car's stop-start system work?, is worth a read as well.
What's happening with the new Clio?
Hi,
Can you tell me please what the new Renault Clio to be released here by 2020 will be called that is comparable with the existing Renault Clio IV Dynamique Nav and is it expected to same sort of price? Thanks so much as dealer offering to buy 191 and get 2020 in year's time and I want to make sure will be getting as good a spec with offer in a year's time and know what I should be asking for clarification.
Alison Jones (Waterford)Oct 2019 Filed under: pricing
Expert answer
Hi Alison,
We have to give you a slightly cop-out answer on this one as Renault is in the process of launching the new Clio on the Irish market, and so isn’t prepared to confirm pricing and spec details with us just yet. What Renault has told us is: “The Dynamique version of Clio IV was by far our most popular, accounting for almost 9,000 of the 12,000 Clio IV sold in Ireland since 2013. We’ve built the Clio V range to ensure that the new car has the easy-life features that Clio IV Dynamique owners enjoy, while now including a raft of life-saving active safety features as standard.”
The new Clio will go on sale in Ireland next week, so keep an eye on CompleteCar.ie, and at your local Renault dealer, for more details.
What's up with my Land Rover's stop-start?
Had my car's stop-start checked by Land Rover when it didn’t operate. They said it was the battery. They fitted a new heavy duty battery and the stop-start worked for about a week... It now only works with fan off. Could this be due the recent heat wave and use of the air conditioning? Very temperamental. Advise if possible.
H Stokes
Harry Stokes (Bedford)Aug 2019 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Harry,
The most likely culprit is that there’s some electrical item draining the system as you’re driving. Or, possibly if you’re only driving for short hops, the engine is still in its warm-up phase and can’t be shut down by the stop/start. Or, and this is a wild guess, Land Rovers often have flakey electrics.
Maybe read our Why won't my car's stop-start system work? feature for further understanding. We get a lot of questions like this.
Is my Jaguar's stop-start ok?
On my new Jaguar E-Pace, the stop-start system only turns the engine off for a maximum of 16 seconds; do you think this acceptable?
R Hill
Robert Hill (Tenbury Wells)Expert answer
Hi Robert.
Stop-start systems have a mind of their own — literally. They’re designed to only stop the engine when demand for electrical supply within the car falls low enough that it’s safe to do so. So if you’re running the air conditioning, for instance, or have the heat turned up, or if the engine is still in its warm-up phase, then it will either not shut the engine off at all, or will only shut it off briefly. Driving style also plays into it, as does where and when you’re driving. It also depends on the battery condition, so if you’re concerned about the short stop-start times, it’s worth having the health and charge level of the battery checked.
Finally, as we get so many questions on this subject, we put together a quick feature on it for your interest: Why won't my car's stop-start system work?
My Kia Sorento's stop-start isn't working...
Hi,
I have a 2016 Kia Sorento and my stop-start does not work when I brake and come to a stop. The lamp in the dashboard is amber, not green and the stop-start does not activate like it use to.
Abdul Rahman (London)Aug 2019 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Abdul,
Stop-start systems can stop working for a variety of reasons, usually to do with battery condition or load. We get so many questions about them that we've put together this feature that you may find of interest: