Although it is pleasing to feel you are saving a lot of fuel in heavy traffic situations, what are the feelings of people regards wear and tear on the starter motor ?

Furthermore, do you think it is advisable to switch off the eco button when travelling at speed. The general saying is to let diesel engines idle dor a while after high speed, before turning them off, so as to protect the catalyctic converter.

heavy traffic in Tywyn??

The starter system is upgraded to cope and stop start only happens when engine is warm and easier to start At work
At home

"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

Give it a few years or so then we will see. It doesnt matter how they upgrade the starter motor or flywheel teeth they will still wear and all that extra drain on the battery will take its toll. if a extra high capacity battery is fitted then this means so much more expence for parts when they need replacing, AND THEY WILL

I suppose it all boils down to which side of the warranty your car is ? in or out 

This is what they LR has done

REFINEMENT AND DURABILITY Engine operating refinement has been maintained and in some cases refined to ensure the vehicle ’ s occupants witness an almost seamless operation with regard to engine shutdown and restart within a Stop/Start cycle. To reduce engine shake when the engine is shutting-down a revised throttle closing strategy is introduced, which ramps down the fuel injection in a more smooth and controlled manner. At the same time the generator is turned-off to reduce load on the engine. ECM software changes and revised engine calibration further aid a smoother engine shutdown. Furthermore the optimized engine mounting strategy and tuning assists in reducing engine shake on engine start-up. Components directly involved with engine start-up and shut-down have been either upgraded or replaced to withstand the increased frequency of Stop/Start cycles over the lifetime of the vehicle. These enhanced and more robust components are discussed in this section. Starter Motor
CAUTION: To maintain the correct operation of the Stop/Start system care must be taken when replacing components, that only approved parts are fitted as some components from earlier vehicles will fit the TD4_e.

To improve durability due to the increased start-demands on the starter motor a number of improvements have been made:  Grease seals have been upgraded.  A hard wearing copper-tungsten contact material has been introduced to improve wear resistance within the starter solenoid.  The pinion gear is manufactured from a harder grade of steel. Flywheel Ring Gear Due to the increased start-demands, the flywheel ring gear is manufactured from a harder grade of steel with 25% more carbon content which increases its durability. Dual Mass Flywheel As with previous diesel powered vehicles a dual-mass flywheel is fitted to ensure refinement when the engine is being either started, stopped or running at low speeds. To provide an even greater level of refinement due to the increased start and stop demands, a new friction disc has been developed for the TD4_e dual-mass flywheel. The new friction disc which is able to withstand seven-times the pressure of a standard disc is manufactured from polyetheretherketone also known as PEEK. PEEK is a semi-crystalline thermoplastic, which is resistant to both organic and aqueous environments. It has a high- melting point making it resistant to thermal degradation. It is also one of the few plastics compatible with ultra-high vacuum applications and is typically used in bearings, piston parts and pumps.

Conventional batteries lose their capacity to hold charge overtime as their internal lead plates steadily deteriorate with the continual vibration and erosion that occurs with normal use. The rate of deterioration depends on a number of factors, including charge and discharge cycling rates. Therefore the extreme power consumption of a Stop/Start system would have a detrimental effect on the life-span of this type of battery. To counteract the deeper discharge and recharge cycles of a Stop/Start system, a high-performance battery based on Absorption Glass Mat technology has been developed to reduce battery deterioration caused by excessive usage. The battery owes its success to the ‘ absorbent glass mat ’ which is a fine fibreglass mat compressed between the lead plates. The ‘ absorbent glass mat ’ also absorbs the battery acid, enabling a more efficient use of the cell ’ s volume. While the ‘ absorbent glass mat ’ permits the electrolyte to function normally, it also provides mechanical support for the lead plates, therefore reducing vibration and subsequent degradation. This technology substantially increases the effective charge and discharge life of the battery. The battery also has an extremely low internal resistance, resulting in a quicker reaction between acid and plate material. Absorption glass mat battery technology offers several advantages:  The battery remains completely spill and leak proof due to the absorption of the fibreglass mat.  In freezing conditions, expanding fluid is unable to cause any damage as the plates are packed in fibreglass mats; consequently there is virtually no plate movement.  Vibration or shock does not damage the battery.  As electrolyte is contained through the acid in the mat, there is no need for battery maintenance. The battery's capacity is 80Ah, meaning the battery is theoretically capable of supplying an 80 amp current for one hour. A typical engine restart will draw a very high current for a fraction of a second, so will have very little impact on the battery's total state of charge. An engine restart may typically consume about 0.001% of a new battery's full- charge capacity. If a new battery is fitted to the vehicle, the BMS (battery monitoring system) module will require recalibrating to register the greater charge holding capacity of the battery, this is performed using Land Rover approved diagnostic equipment. If diagnostic equipment is not available the BMS module will recalibrate automatically however, this could take 48 hours to complete depending on vehicle usage. The Stop/Start system will not function correctly until the BMS module is recalibrated. If the BMS module is replaced the module will recalibrate automatically; for additional information refer to the Battery Monitoring System section, below. CONTROL DIAGRAM New software added to the ECM (engine control module) controls the operation of the Stop/Start system where in addition to its own dedicated components the Stop/Start system encompasses many other vehicle systems. Complex technology interconnects these systems and many of the inputs associated with the Stop/Start system are relayed to the ECM and transmitted via the CJB (central junction box) , which has also been upgraded with new software. The control logic for inhibiting an engine shutdown during a Start/Stop cycle resides in the CJB. The CJB also acts as a gateway relaying this information to the ECM over the medium and high-speed CAN bus networks. Eight vehicle harnesses have been modified to accommodate the Stop/Start system. Freelander 2 TD4 HSE Auto
Zermatt Silver
Side Steps & Mud flaps

wow !!!!! Many thanks.

So what do you think about my gear box then please...... Separate thread.

I'm impressed Udash.

BUT !!!

What's the cost like when the car is 5/6 years old to put right when it all goes wrong.
Will this damage the resale valve or is back to the main dealer with you bank manager in tow so you can ex-plane why is cost so much a ring gear or starter motor.

But we will have saved a few pounds on fuel & and possible got just over 40 mpg. which is good for the plant.

It is all a good idea but as with every good idea theres a high failure rate. its the average punter who will foot the bill. NO WHERE in your long speech have you made any referance to the cost of any of these parts when they fail and need renewing.Its very rare for a deisel engine to fire on the first stroke and added with the power being drained from the battery, as for the power drain on the battery when you have your heated seats, demister,lights and the many other electrical items on in the winter time that the current drain will Not be as low as you think it will. Its never a good idea to keep stop starting an engine at the best of times let alone a diesel one. Best of luck to those of you who are easly led and are blinded by technical guff.

Udash wrote:

This is what they LR has done

REFINEMENT AND DURABILITY Engine operating refinement has been maintained and in some cases refined to ensure the vehicle ’ s occupants witness an almost seamless operation with regard to engine shutdown and restart within a Stop/Start cycle. To reduce engine shake when the engine is shutting-down a revised throttle closing strategy is introduced, which ramps down the fuel injection in a more smooth and controlled manner. At the same time the generator is turned-off to reduce load on the engine. ECM software changes and revised engine calibration further aid a smoother engine shutdown. Furthermore the optimized engine mounting strategy and tuning assists in reducing engine shake on engine start-up. Components directly involved with engine start-up and shut-down have been either upgraded or replaced to withstand the increased frequency of Stop/Start cycles over the lifetime of the vehicle. These enhanced and more robust components are discussed in this section. Starter Motor
CAUTION: To maintain the correct operation of the Stop/Start system care must be taken when replacing components, that only approved parts are fitted as some components from earlier vehicles will fit the TD4_e.

To improve durability due to the increased start-demands on the starter motor a number of improvements have been made:  Grease seals have been upgraded.  A hard wearing copper-tungsten contact material has been introduced to improve wear resistance within the starter solenoid.  The pinion gear is manufactured from a harder grade of steel. Flywheel Ring Gear Due to the increased start-demands, the flywheel ring gear is manufactured from a harder grade of steel with 25% more carbon content which increases its durability. Dual Mass Flywheel As with previous diesel powered vehicles a dual-mass flywheel is fitted to ensure refinement when the engine is being either started, stopped or running at low speeds. To provide an even greater level of refinement due to the increased start and stop demands, a new friction disc has been developed for the TD4_e dual-mass flywheel. The new friction disc which is able to withstand seven-times the pressure of a standard disc is manufactured from polyetheretherketone also known as PEEK. PEEK is a semi-crystalline thermoplastic, which is resistant to both organic and aqueous environments. It has a high- melting point making it resistant to thermal degradation. It is also one of the few plastics compatible with ultra-high vacuum applications and is typically used in bearings, piston parts and pumps.

Conventional batteries lose their capacity to hold charge overtime as their internal lead plates steadily deteriorate with the continual vibration and erosion that occurs with normal use. The rate of deterioration depends on a number of factors, including charge and discharge cycling rates. Therefore the extreme power consumption of a Stop/Start system would have a detrimental effect on the life-span of this type of battery. To counteract the deeper discharge and recharge cycles of a Stop/Start system, a high-performance battery based on Absorption Glass Mat technology has been developed to reduce battery deterioration caused by excessive usage. The battery owes its success to the ‘ absorbent glass mat ’ which is a fine fibreglass mat compressed between the lead plates. The ‘ absorbent glass mat ’ also absorbs the battery acid, enabling a more efficient use of the cell ’ s volume. While the ‘ absorbent glass mat ’ permits the electrolyte to function normally, it also provides mechanical support for the lead plates, therefore reducing vibration and subsequent degradation. This technology substantially increases the effective charge and discharge life of the battery. The battery also has an extremely low internal resistance, resulting in a quicker reaction between acid and plate material. Absorption glass mat battery technology offers several advantages:  The battery remains completely spill and leak proof due to the absorption of the fibreglass mat.  In freezing conditions, expanding fluid is unable to cause any damage as the plates are packed in fibreglass mats; consequently there is virtually no plate movement.  Vibration or shock does not damage the battery.  As electrolyte is contained through the acid in the mat, there is no need for battery maintenance. The battery's capacity is 80Ah, meaning the battery is theoretically capable of supplying an 80 amp current for one hour. A typical engine restart will draw a very high current for a fraction of a second, so will have very little impact on the battery's total state of charge. An engine restart may typically consume about 0.001% of a new battery's full- charge capacity. If a new battery is fitted to the vehicle, the BMS (battery monitoring system) module will require recalibrating to register the greater charge holding capacity of the battery, this is performed using Land Rover approved diagnostic equipment. If diagnostic equipment is not available the BMS module will recalibrate automatically however, this could take 48 hours to complete depending on vehicle usage. The Stop/Start system will not function correctly until the BMS module is recalibrated. If the BMS module is replaced the module will recalibrate automatically; for additional information refer to the Battery Monitoring System section, below. CONTROL DIAGRAM New software added to the ECM (engine control module) controls the operation of the Stop/Start system where in addition to its own dedicated components the Stop/Start system encompasses many other vehicle systems. Complex technology interconnects these systems and many of the inputs associated with the Stop/Start system are relayed to the ECM and transmitted via the CJB (central junction box) , which has also been upgraded with new software. The control logic for inhibiting an engine shutdown during a Start/Stop cycle resides in the CJB. The CJB also acts as a gateway relaying this information to the ECM over the medium and high-speed CAN bus networks. Eight vehicle harnesses have been modified to accommodate the Stop/Start system.

Say it again  If I had all the money I spent on Beer!, I'd spend it on Beer!.

I am just providing the info that LR has provided in the service manual..
I agree that any extra item will increase the possible failure but then FL2 is already a very complex machine.
As others have mentioned we will see how reliable (or not) the stop-start in the coming years but with the increasing demand to improve fuel economy all LRs may end up with similar technology at one point as well.

I must say that I am impressed with the amount of work that LR has done with Stop-Start like starting the engine automatically if the battery discharges too much or the level of vacuum in the break servo goes down. Freelander 2 TD4 HSE Auto
Zermatt Silver
Side Steps & Mud flaps

i recently discovered if you cancel the seat belt chime & don`t fasten up(re tips & tricks) the stop start won`t work(RTFM)
so if you want to make your engine last longer but not necessarily your life go for it  land rover freelander 2 xs. santorini black.
factory privacy glass.side steps.
detachable tow bar (for jet ski only!!)
leather pack (inc memory seats, armrests & mats) 6 disc changer.
rear spoilers(top & bottom,)chrome exhaust finisher.

Or switch it off on the dashboard........

My bugbear is that if your aircon is on - it will restart in under a minute and then not shut off again. Pointless wear and tear!

HERE HERE Glad people are starting to wake up and smell the roses