Letters: Will shutting off engine to coast damage starter?

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Q: Most of my driving is in the city. I have started turning off my engine when I see a red stop light. I glide to the light and turn my engine on when the light turns green. Usually, the engine is off for 20 to 75 seconds. Will this practice hurt my starter? Am I using more gas starting my engine than I save when turning it off? – Steve, email

A: Yes, you are hurting the starter by doing this. Also, when turning the engine off, you lose power steering (unless your car has electric assist). Without power steering during your “glide” to a stop, you might need to make a sudden evasive maneuver and not have the ability to avoid a collision.

The braking system is another area of concern. With the engine turned off, you may not have enough power braking capacity for multiple pumps of the brake pedal. If that happens, the brake pedal will require much more force from your leg to stop the vehicle.

In case you’re thinking, hey, what about hybrids? Keep in mind that hybrids were designed from the start with the ability to perform with the engine off. Non-hybrid vehicles were not designed to be driven with the engine off.

I’m not sure if there are any substantial savings in fuel by shutting your engine off and coasting to a stop. That really depends on how long you’re stuck idling at a stop. My advice, leave the engine running unless you know for sure that you’ll be idling for several minutes or more.

Q: At about 39,000 miles I had the front brakes replaced on my 2006 Toyota Sienna at a local repair facility. Now, 13,000 miles (and 18 months) later, I’m told it needs to be done again. Cynic that I am, I wonder, was the work really done at 39,000? Could brakes possibly wear out after 13,000 when my driving habits and driving environment haven’t changed?

When the brakes were replaced, the repair facility did not give me any options in regard to quality of parts. Should I trust it to perform this service again? I can’t afford to incur this expense so frequently. Do you have any suggestions? Should I get a second opinion from another facility? – G.F., email

A: The brakes likely were replaced at 39,000. But it’s quite possible that the quality of the replacement parts wasn’t as good as the original components. Maybe you should ask mechanics at the repair facility, “Why did the replacement brakes only last one-third as long as the original?” See what they say.

Unfortunately, sometimes cheaper parts are installed to keep the cost of repairs down. Of course, repair costs are generally higher when factory replacement parts are used. Some repair facilities do provide their customers with choices, though, allowing them to pay less or more depending on the quality of parts and length of warranty offered. Maybe the repair facility was afraid you’d have gone elsewhere if they quoted you a higher price for factory parts. If you don’t trust the repair facility that replaced your brakes, get a second opinion.

Questions for Ira Siegel? Call the Auto Advisor Hotline at (708) 633-6839 or e-mail ira.siegel.is@gmail.com. Siegel is an automotive instructor and an automotive service excellence-certified master auto technician.