Kyle’s Corner (FYI) New Development: More Cars Start and Stop!

The breaking news is that more cars are starting and stopping. You might be thinking - Busch are you crazy? Starting and stopping has been going on since man invented the wheel!

What I really mean to say is that more and more cars have engines that start and stop. The engine shuts down a few seconds after the vehicle stops moving. The engine restarts when the driver releases the brake pedal or touches the accelerator. More and more vehicles are gaining the latest technology to increase fuel economy.

The start stop technology requires some electronic controls, a stronger starter and battery, and a few other components.

The gas saving feature is presently on some upper-level vehicles built by Porsche and BMW. The good news, however, is that Hyundai will include the start stop feature on its 2012 Kia Rio, a cat that will be in dealer showrooms next month. The Rio's starting price is $14,350.

John O'Dell, senior editor for auto research at Edmunds.com, told USA Today that he believes

the start stop technology will be in half the vehicles in five years. As the auto industry is so competitive, it might be even sooner than five years. The start stop technology is reported to be a fairly inexpensive way to increase fuel economy. O'Dell suggests that start stop will provide a 3-5 percent fuel economy gain.

It is good to see that Hyundai (Kia is part of the Hyundai group) is being aggressive and will force the other automakers to use start stop in vehicles that most Americans drive!

Kyle Busch is the author of "Drive the Best for the Price: How to Buy a Used Automobile, Sport-Utility Vehicle, or Minivan and Save Money." He welcomes your comments or car questions at his auto web site: www.cartown1.com. Follow Kyle on Facebook and Twitter.