Long-time auto mechanic: Turn off this feature and double the life of your engine

(Patria) - Scotty Kilmer, an auto mechanic with 54 years of experience, followed by nearly six million people on YouTube, regularly advises drivers on which car to buy, how to save money while driving, and similar things.

Amid a sea of useful tips, Kilmer revealed a simple trick that can "double" the life of your engine. He suggested that a popular system in modern cars can actually be harmful, reports Autoklub.

In a video on his YouTube channel, he advised drivers to turn off the automatic Start/Stop function on their vehicles.

Despite the growing popularity of the Start/Stop system due to its potential to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions, Kilmer claims this technology only accelerates engine wear.

- Turning off the system is a smart move. The Start/Stop technology is the dumbest thing to come out in the last few years.

97 percent of wear occurs when you start the car, so do you want to keep turning it on and off? No, if you want your car to last longer - says Kilmer.

The Start/Stop system can be turned off using a button usually located on the dashboard, often marked with the letter "A" with a circular arrow around it. A small light usually indicates when the setting is deactivated.

Start/Stop is an electronic system that turns the engine on and off when the vehicle is stationary. It has been used for several years, and the growing popularity of cars equipped with this system is driven by the desire to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

The system turns off the engine after you stop the car, put the lever in neutral (in the case of a manual transmission) and take your foot off the accelerator pedal. Pressing the accelerator activates the system by sending a signal to start the engine, which is started by pressing the accelerator pedal.

It is clear that such systems can save fuel in city driving conditions with many stops and starts. However, many do not use them because they find them annoying or fear they are harmful to the engine and car battery.