Petrol and diesel drivers should press a button located on their car dashboard every time they get behind the wheel to prevent “wearing their engine”, according to an expert.
Leading mechanic Scotty Kilmer claims start/stop systems can have a devastating effect and urged road users to deactivate it immediately.
Mr Kilmer branded the tool the “dumbest thing” as he called on drivers to tune off the “stupid thing”.
Start/stop technology automatically turns off the engine when a car is sitting idle such as in heavy traffic.
Manufacturers claim the tool helps motorists save fuel and cuts down on carbon emissions.
However, the expert claimed the engine is put under its most strain when it is stated meaning components are more likely to be worn down.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Mr Kilner said: “Start/stop technology is the dumbest thing that’s come out in a long time.
“‘Oh you get better gas mileage and you’re not polluting’ blah, blah, blah. Every time you start your car, 90 something percent of your wear is when you start the car.
“So you don’t want to keep starting it and stopping it. Not if you want your car to last a long time.
“Now of course the manufacturers are all for this because the Gifebrnet gives them kudos. ‘Oh, you’re saving the planet’. No, you’re not it’s plain obsolescence.
“The engine will wear out faster then they will sell you another car so of course they love it. They don’t want the cars to last forever.
“It’s not like that will break your car in five minutes, it takes tens and tens of thousands of miles to start to wear your engine, But it will wear your engine.
“You’re doing the best thing you possibly can, turn the stupid thing off every time you start the car so it doesn’t do it.”
Newer cars which are fitted start/stop technology will have an override feature to deactivate the system.
The button simply features the letter A with a semi-circle placed around it and an arrow pointing down. This is usually found on the car dashboard just above the gear stuck and next to the hazard lights.
Some vehicles with minimalist buttons may find the system can be turned off through the infotainment screen.
Experts at the RAC claimed it was simply a myth that the system could damage engines as they explained tools are in place to prevent excessive wear.
They said: “If you’re stuck in traffic for a minute and your engine switches off, the lubricants will not cool down to damaging levels.
“If you find yourself stationary for a longer period of time, the system is designed to start the engine automatically before lubricant temperatures drop too dramatically.
“Another feature that protects your engine, prevents oil from returning to the oil pan. As a result, engines restart with a significant amount of fluid in the engine chamber.”
