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While at high altitude in Colorado, we drove the new 2015 Cherokee on a brief course designed to showcase the engine Stop/Start system. We took full advantage of the chance to use it in various scenarios and compare it to other vehicles with similar technology that we've driven in the past. While the Cherokee's may not be the best we've seen, it certainly is high up the list of favorites.
Funny enough, the chance to try this came as a side note to an event meant to showcase the new Jeep Renegade, which you can read about here. We were asked by Chrysler representatives to keep quiet about the Start/Stop tech we sampled, however, until today, for marketing reasons.
How Stop/Start Works
Now, we're free to give you our driving impressions, analysis, and thoughts on this system as it compares to others. To begin with, briefly, a Stop/Start system simply shuts off the engine when the vehicle is stopped and automatically starts it again when it's ready to go again. It's a relatively simple improvement that requires only a more robust starter and a few electronic controls to implement, but it can greatly improve fuel economy in the city where vehicles stop-and-go often.
In most vehicles, including the 2015 Jeep Cherokee we focus on today, the Stop/Start system works by simply turning the engine off when the vehicle is stopped, such as at a stop light or in traffic. When the driver lets go of the brake pedal, the engine is automatically started up again. It's a popular feature on most hybrid vehicles and is not proliferating into standard gasoline engines as well. A few things may pre-empt the Stop/Start system, such as climate control requirements, a low battery, engine faults, and so forth.
How It Feels in the 2015 Cherokee
For the most part, the Stop/Start system in the Cherokee is automated. We drove the Limited 4x4 model with a 3.2-liter V6 and new 9-speed automatic transmission. This 2015 Jeep Cherokee was well-equipped at $38,760, delivered. The Stop/Start engaged as soon as we brought the Cherokee to a complete stop at our first intersection on the course. The delay is roughly one second in length between a soft, comfortable stop and the engine turning off. The delay to re-start was a little less than that, happening as soon as the driver's foot is lifted from the brake pedal.
At a hard stop, the delay to turn off the engine is a bit longer, not happening until the vehicle is at a fully motionless state (not rocking). Re-start was still within a second.
For the driver, the engine shutting off is largely unnoticed unless you're anticipating it. For passengers, it's hardly felt at all, even when waiting for it or trying to feel it happen. It's more obvious when the windows are down, but only slightly more so as the V6 is a very quiet engine when idling. The re-start of the engine is far more obvious and comes through even when one isn't anticipating it happening, but this doesn't impart discomfort.
Comparing the Cherokee to Others
Few in the Cherokee's segment feature Stop/Start as an option, but several vehicles outside of its segment do. The Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, for example, has Stop/Start as standard, but in that vehicle, the engine cutting off and starting back up is disconcerting and tinny-sounding. So much so that several times while driving it, I was concerned that the engine had stalled out until I realized what had happened. Other vehicles, particularly V6 models in the Chevrolet lineup, feature very well-done Stop/Start systems as do most of the Toyota hybrid vehicles such as the Prius line and Camry Hybrid.
In comparison to other models with this technology as a whole, the 2015 Jeep Cherokee is a very good example of a well-done Stop/Start system. It's not quite perfect, but it's far better than many.
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Comments
Larry, we all drive
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Larry, we all drive differently for various conditions and terrains. Living in the Northeast, hunting fishing, semi off roading, with minimal traffic lights and never sitting in traffic, I opt NOT to use this feature (and scoff at having to hit a disable button after each start up)
For the tree huggers having to save a few pennies by not running an idling engine, so be it, to each his own. Let me know how much it's saving on vehicle wear from excessive starter/flywheel, battery, etc... Let alone shuddering in sub zero weather on stop/start up.... Great I guess, if your love that sinking feeling of, "is it gonna stall??" I am performance driven, also own a couple Mustangs, and for a $40k off road high performance fully loaded Cherokee Trailhawk...... and as the guy footing the bill, I don't want the feature, period. Yet another useless feature that is being driven down the throats of consumers!
Agree with Chris fully.
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In reply to Larry, we all drive by Chris (not verified)
Agree with Chris fully. Chrysler is forcing a potentially unwanted feature so it can claim higher gas mileage. We all know how the auto manufacturers lie about these numbers and I doubt there is any savings at all.
Also, what about the extra wear on the starter ? Instead of one start per trip it potentially could be dozens of starts.....maybe more money for the service dept ???
What about when the car doesn't start just when you need it most (ie: at an intersection ?).
Just because it is new and others are doing it doesn't make it a better idea.
I'm a "tree hugger" and I
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In reply to Larry, we all drive by Chris (not verified)
I'm a "tree hugger" and I still want this feature off permanently. These vehicles are more and more efficient all the time. It's not necessary to get the extra 1% AFAIC.
The newer Cherokee with the
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The newer Cherokee with the Auto Start/Stop have a significantly modified starter and flywheel. They are rated for 100,000 starts minimum. The engineers took into account the added stress of this system and upgraded the hardware to have an average life expectancy equal to an older/standard car starter system.
My 2008 Grand Cherokee, was
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My 2008 Grand Cherokee, was destroyed in a accident. Now looking for a new vehicle, Same one, Grand Cherokee Laredo 2016? or 2016 Cherokee, both seem like good choices?
I just bought the 16 overland
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I just bought the 16 overland and I hate this auto stop go...HATE IT!!!!! they should allow you to turn it off permanently with the option button to turn off. Are any of you working at Jeep that can relay to them our hatred for this? HATE IT !!!!
If anyone hears of a way to kill it by a jeep engineer or a trick (other than the hood idea) please post.
If anyone out there knows someone at Jeep please tell them to update the cars ASAP via a SD update...PLEASE!!!!!
The "unplugging the hood
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The "unplugging the hood closure sensor" works on the 2015. It is a shame Chrysler has forced the consumer to find little tricks like this to by-pass their "feature" but so be it.
After running in this mode for 3 months, the only drawback is at intervals a warning light comes on saying the start/stop feature is not working.
When taking the vehicle in for servicing you would need to remember to alert the mechanic that this is done on purpose.
Mike Carter: Just out of curiosity, why don't you want to try this method (other than Chrysler is blind to their customer desires and need to be told) ?
I just picked up our new 2016
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I just picked up our new 2016 Grand Cherokee Limited last night. Within minutes I'm experiencing the 1 second delays, hesitations, and a light on the dash that occasionally flashed at me (no idea at this point what it meant). Not too thrilled to find the cause to my perceived problems is the Start/Stop function. Absolutely hate the idea. Yes, I've read the posts regarding more robust starter etc.but no one mentions the worst thing for an engine (when all things are working properly) is starting that engine as oil drains and the engine runs for a split second without proper lubrication. This was what I was taught in about day one of automotive school back in the seventies. Anyway, I really despise this so-called feature (enhancement?). Chrysler, are you listening??
HATE the stop/start. The
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HATE the stop/start. The first time it fails at a busy intersection will be the day I trade it in.
I just don't get the hate.
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I just don't get the hate. Unless your first at the light and trying to race the other car, it's non intrusive. I've got 40K miles on our 2013 Malibu and 10k miles on the 2016 Trailhawk and don't find the auto stop /start to be bothersome. And if I want to beat you off the line, I slightly lift the brake and it starts so I'm ready to own you.
I guess some folks are annoyed at everything that requires some relearning or change. I'm fine with it, it works well and I can easily control it.
How about when you are
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In reply to I just don't get the hate. by Larry (not verified)
How about when you are stopped in an intersection to turn left and waiting for oncoming traffic.
There is an opening any other car model would safely allow you to take advantage of but your car (that is now stopped) starts slightly and cuts out because it just started.
The uneasiness of not having the reassurance of the engine purring when you make your move isn't that hard to get.
Wait until the auto gets older and see if you trust it the way you might trust it now.
Steve and Mike....undoing the
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Steve and Mike....undoing the "hood closed sensor" (per Dec 2015 messages) works and eliminates the stop/start function. Maybe it is legal EPA reasons why Chrysler doesn't tell it's service people this little gem. I just shake my head.
As far as Chrysler listening....don't hold your breath.
If they are: how about
1) fixing the radio /SD card player programming so radio can be turned "off" and not automatically "on" each time the car is started (like any other manufacturer's radio).
2) coming back down to earth on your GPS hookup fee (currently $600 on a NAV capable system). A person can buy 3 or 4 hand-held systems for that kind of price. Obviously a cash grab by Chrysler.
I hate the stop start feature
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I hate the stop start feature for one reason, the fact that the A/C shuts off when the engine shuts off. When it's 90 degrees outside, the car does heat up quit quickly, and even though the engineers programmed the engine to turn back on after a rise of 4 degrees it still takes even longer for the A/C to blow cool air. So you notice the temperature change at every stop light.
Hybrids have this start stop system, but their A/C stays running when the engine is off because the A/C is run off the batteries. If they implement this system in non-hybrids, at least make the A/C electric instead of belt driven, so it will still run when the engine is off.
I took advice of unplugging
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I took advice of unplugging the hood sensor (located under hood by drivers side firewall) a few months ago, WORKS GREAT! Everything works as it should (including remote start) but NO more Stop Start, yeaaahh! I urge anyone who HATES this feature, just pop your hood and pull the hood sensor plug out of the pin switch, and BINGO, no more awful Stop Start, it's an awesome 2 minute fix work around, loving the Jeep now!
My vehicle just went into the
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My vehicle just went into the shop for repairs. I rented a 2016 Jeep. I had never driven a Jeep in the past but within minutes of driving the jeep off the lot I was startled by the engine behavior when I came to my first red light. I felt and heard a noise and then I could have sworn I heard the engine start up. Well, for the next dozen stops or so before I got home I was intently tuned into what I thought was a failing engine and I was scratching my head over why I kept hearing the engine magically restart. Had it died? As soon as I got home I googled the issue and was taken to this site. All I can say is that if I have to worry ( and I worry a lot) about whether or not this vehicle will not start back up one day at an intersection... especially in an emergency situation... then I cound not own this car. I agree with so many of the complaints. Lets face it.... Even if Chrysler built a fail proof system, it's the psychological aspect of this that unnerves so many. What if it does not start back up? Only I should have the power to decide when my engine gets turned off. I will happily pay more for the cost of mileage any day then to have to worry daily that one day this system will fail or that the delay to restart could cost me my life if I suddenly need to get out of or through the intersection quickly. Sorry... but I will never buy a vehicle with this technology turned on. I have had my Jeep 4 hours and hate it already. Fortunately for me I can return it in 2 weeks and walk away.
In my mind the Jeep has two
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In reply to My vehicle just went into the by Mark (not verified)
In my mind the Jeep has two really annoying faults: 1) the stop/start (but at least this can be overcome by disconnecting the hood sensor, no thanks to Chrysler) and 2) the sound system. Some Chrysler engineer neglected to program in a "off" setting on the radio/SD music. Each time you start the car, the radio turns on. Worse than that, you can immediately turn off the radio and it starts up again in 10 seconds when the sound system has warmed up. Even with the volume at zero, the SD card still cycles through the music.
Would it be so difficult to revise the program and have an "off" setting on the radio ? Jeezz guys, what were you thinking ??? Fiat/Chrysler Engineering really botched this obvious flaw.
So Dennis, you are spot on
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In reply to In my mind the Jeep has two by Dennis Loyer (not verified)
So Dennis, you are spot on with my feelings! Stop/start and the radio are annoying. Are you telling me that if I unhook the hood switch button in the engine bay that it will disable the stop start feature on my 2016 Cherokee?
I know disconnecting that
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In reply to So Dennis, you are spot on by Paul Hampton (not verified)
I know disconnecting that little hood switch works on the 2015 Jeep Cherokee. I suspect it will on the 2016 model also.
You need to pry the little opposed hooks open on the switch to pull the two parts apart. Let them hang unconnected or better yet, put a piece of tape over each end to let the Chrysler warranty guys know it is suppose to be left un-attached.
Now, if I could only find an off switch for the radio.
Hi Dennis... You are right
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In reply to In my mind the Jeep has two by Dennis Loyer (not verified)
Hi Dennis... You are right the Jeep grand Cherokee is very annoying with the start stop and the radio. I have a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee and I also had the 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee it and I figured out after 13 months how to get the radio so it wasn't blaring full blast each time I restarted. Instead of pushing the mute button which we all want to do for the power--turn the volume all the way down--make sure you wait till the volume icon hides before you shut off your car the next time you restart the radio will be silent however it still display the radio but at least it will be silent and not full blast I hope this helps and I hope they update the software for the start stop is I really HATE this feature.
I just bought a 2016 Jeep
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I just bought a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited. I tried it out because I was concerned about this Start/Stop feature. Thinking that I wouldn't like it. Well the start stop feature did not work in 30 minute test drive and I was told by the salesman that it was just the battery for that feature wasn't charged. AND I was told that if I didn't like it, that it COULD be turned off permanently. So I bought it. Well the Start/Stop feature NEVER has kicked in. I took it back to the dealer and they were in contact with Chrysler who claimed that it was working properly and that it needed to be driven for the battery to charge. I told my dealer that Chrysler's solution didn't make sense, as some purchasers of this vehicle may only be city drivers that only drove a few miles a day and supposedly this feature was meant for city driving. Stop lights and such . I was told that the Jeep just had to be driven to charge up the battery. I drive 12 miles to work and the Stop/Start feature STILL doesn't work. So how far am I supposed to drive before it does???? Maybe after reading this thread, I should be glad that mine doesn't work.
Too funny. You had the
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In reply to I just bought a 2016 Jeep by Rhonda Carter (not verified)
Too funny. You had the opposite problem that I had. So you might be right, maybe you are better off this way. I must admit I am a little suspicious of the salesman. If he was aware of your concern about the start/stop feature is there a possibility that he might have disconnected it without you knowing. I have learned that he would only need to disconnect a sensor plug under the hood. You might want to have someone take a look. Good luck!
Twice now I have had the
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Twice now I have had the engine shut off, just as I am pulling off. This seems to confuse the car as it will then refuse to start, I have to put it in park and press the on button to restart the car. The first time was embarrassing as was front of a queue, the 2nd time was dangerous as I stopped on a very busy railway crossing!!. Will complain to Jeep and disconnect the switch as described. I actually no longer feel safe driving this otherwise great car
I should have Googled this
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I should have Googled this topic much sooner. I HATE this feature. I would not have purchased this vehicle if I had known you could not do a permanent override. Chrysler is losing customers, because anyone who has ridden with me has also expressed an undesirable opinion. I will try the "hood sensor" trick. Thanks for the help.
My post is only concerning
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My post is only concerning the auto stop feature.
I agree whole heartedly with the criticism of this feature. I have been loving my 16 trailhawk, AND I'm even agreeable to certain aspects of the auto-stop. My ire comes from the lack of configuration of the feature. First, I should be able to set the delay before it kicks in. I swear a good >50% of the time it kicks in, I'm restarting the engine within 3-5 seconds of the auto-stop. This is really frustrating and does cause me to just turn it off. Plus I really believe this runs counter to why the whole system was implemented in the first place. I mean for 3 seconds?! There's no way I want to cut my engine for that. A: I choose not to use 1 of my 500,000 starts for this. I dont care how efficient they make the auto-stop, it will still always be more stress than it just idling for 3 secs. And B: in this situation (which again very common for my driving) it actually doing the opposite effect for what this feature was designed for. I mean there's no way you're going to convince me that the act of starting the engine isn't belching more exhaust than my engine happily idling at 600 rpm for a mere 3 seconds. So now my car is doing the complete opposite of why this auto-stop was put in the first place. So there needs to be a way to set the delay. For me 6 seconds would be about right. That way it would activate for most red lights or while waiting in drive thru.
So I'm someone who sees promise in the feature, but I totally agree with everyone's anger at not being able to disable it as default. This just makes no sense to me at all. I mean there's a button right on the dash to disable it, why not a setting to do the same thing. C'mon Jeep, address this.
I have a '16 Grand Cherokee.
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In reply to My post is only concerning by Hukky (not verified)
I have a '16 Grand Cherokee. I was able to go into my settings an change the delay of the stop/start to 45 seconds before it kicks in. You can actually set it for a longer delay also. And, there is a button on the control panel that you can shut it off all together. Why doesn't anyone else seem to have this ability?
Hello Mary, The settings that
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In reply to I have a '16 Grand Cherokee. by Mary Hogan (not verified)
Hello Mary, The settings that you are changing the delay on to 45 seconds is not for the auto restart--it is for how long the lights stay on once you shut the car off and how long your radio will play before shutting off. At least that is what the setting is for in my car and what the dealer told me. Yes--there is a button to shut OFF the start/stop, but it is VERY annoying that it can't remember your setting once you shut the car off. MOST people want to control how many times your car stops and starts...not have the system do it for you. It is VERY annoying to pull into the garage, and forget that you don't have the button off and as soon as you step on the brake, it shuts down. So you have to take your foot off the brake in order to finish parking! I HATE the new 2016 Jeep. I want my 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee back!
Jeanne,
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In reply to Hello Mary, The settings that by Jeanne (not verified)
Jeanne,
I have the 2016 Grand Cherokee. It has the computer screen. If you go to Apps / Settings / Engine Off Options, you can change the delay time there. There is a separate setting for the lights delay. Also, everyone is saying how it is a pain to have to constantly turn the button off. I don't like the park assist or the econo feature. I found that within a week of turning those buttons off, they are now off by default when I start my vehicle.
Hi Mary...that setting is for
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In reply to Jeanne, by Mary Hogan (not verified)
Hi Mary...that setting is for radio power and accessories--not auto restart...we changed those setting at the car dealer...does not affect the automatic restart. After you shut off engine...you can set how long the accessories will run. Setting to 10 minutes does not work on my car...it still shuts car off. The Parking assistance and Eco Off buttons can be shut off and your car will remember the last setting on next startup..NOT SO for the Auto restart button. very annoying! My guess is Jeep is getting government kickbacks to promote fuel savings features. But in my case...I am wasting more fuel for restarting immediately.
Jeanne,
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In reply to Hi Mary...that setting is for by Jeanne (not verified)
Jeanne,
No, I know for a fact that the car would shut off after 3 seconds, that was the setting. I changed it to 45 Seconds, because I don't mind the feature when I am stuck in traffic. I actually gained 2 Mike's per gallon using it. I don't know who told you that feature is for the lights, because I timed it & changed the stop / start. There is a whole different setting for the lights and radio feature. I actually went out and made the stop / start feature longer, and drive around and timed it, after your first reply. The setting I am talking about is for the stop / start of the engine and it definitely change the delay of the vehicle shutting off. Maybe we have different models of the Grand Cherokee and the features are different because I most certainly can change the timing. I hated the feature until I set it differently.
I have the 2016 Jeep Grand
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In reply to Jeanne, by Mary Hogan (not verified)
I have the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited with backup brake assists...my software must be different than yours because I set for 10 minutes and it shuts off in 5 seconds!!! I called Jeep and they said I have the latest update. So I guess I'm just stuck with this. I had a 2015 same model that did not have this feature but had so many transmission problems...in 13 months we had it worked on about 12 times and they couldn't get it fixed...so yes we lost a lot of money and not a fan of Jeeps any more.