Rockhopper's occasional comments about experimenting with "manual Greenline" engine start-stop in stationary traffic have prompted me to try it out myself. I've been turning the ignition off to stop the engine and immediately back on again to keep things like audio going while I wait. I'd need to do it for a bit longer, and more scientifically, to know what effect it's having on fuel consumption, but these are my thoughts about the overall user experience so far:

• HID headlights (you wouldn't believe how gloomy it's been in Edinburgh this week!) - I understood that it was not good for them to be turned off and on frequently, as happens when you stop and start the engine with the ignition key. Does that happen with the automatic stop-start on the Greenline?
  
• Sometimes, but by no means always, I have to turn the ignition fully off again before it will restart (like when you stall it ). Why does it do this?
  
• Radio/CD/MP3 playback is interrupted when you re-start the engine. Again, does that happen with the Greenline?
  
• Sometimes (rarely) the BT connection to phone drops when I turn the ignition off. It re-connects automatically but this is still annoying because of the blasted bongs! If I were in the middle of a call it would be decidely inconvenient.
  
• Someone mentioned the possibility of increased wear on ignition key barrel.
  

I have often thought that it would be better if cars had a system more like motorcyles, which have an engine run switch and a separate starter button. It's much more convenient to flick a switch to kill the engine, then just press a button to start it again, rather than faffing around with notary ignition switches which impact all the other systems on the vehicle as well.

1[*]HID headlights (you wouldn't believe how gloomy it's been in Edinburgh this week!) - I understood that it was not good for them to be turned off and on frequently, as happens when you stop and start the engine with the ignition key. Does that happen with the automatic stop-start on the Greenline?

2[*]Sometimes, but by no means always, I have to turn the ignition fully off again before it will restart (like when you stall it ). Why does it do this?

3[*]Radio/CD/MP3 playback is interrupted when you re-start the engine. Again, does that happen with the Greenline?

1. No, the Greenline keeps the ignition on position 2 (effectively) so there is no interruption of power supply.

2. It's to stop you activating the starter motor while the engine is running I believe. It may relate to how far back you are turning the key?

3. No, the Greenline keeps the ignition on position 2 (effectively) so there is no interruption of power supply to anything. It's more advanced than switching the key off and on again.

Rockhopper's occasional comments about experimenting with "manual Greenline" engine start-stop in stationary traffic have prompted me to try it out myself. I've been turning the ignition off to stop the engine and immediately back on again to keep things like audio going while I wait. I'd need to do it for a bit longer, and more scientifically, to know what effect it's having on fuel consumption, but these are my thoughts about the overall user experience so far:

• HID headlights (you wouldn't believe how gloomy it's been in Edinburgh this week!) - I understood that it was not good for them to be turned off and on frequently, as happens when you stop and start the engine with the ignition key. Does that happen with the automatic stop-start on the Greenline?
• Sometimes, but by no means always, I have to turn the ignition fully off again before it will restart (like when you stall it ). Why does it do this?
• Radio/CD/MP3 playback is interrupted when you re-start the engine. Again, does that happen with the Greenline?
• Sometimes (rarely) the BT connection to phone drops when I turn the ignition off. It re-connects automatically but this is still annoying because of the blasted bongs! If I were in the middle of a call it would be decidely inconvenient.
• Someone mentioned the possibility of increased wear on ignition key barrel.

I have often thought that it would be better if cars had a system more like motorcyles, which have an engine run switch and a separate starter button. It's much more convenient to flick a switch to kill the engine, then just press a button to start it again, rather than faffing around with notary ignition switches which impact all the other systems on the vehicle as well.

You are right about the xenon lights, not keen on the on and off all the time, but I rarely need to turn off the engine at night as in the evening the roads tend to run better and I don't need to use the stop start.

My experience of the MiTo was that everything kept on working, but the engine switched off and on via the clutch position and brakes and gear lever.

The phone problem you mention must be to do with your phone, as my iPhone 4 does not disconnect until I remove the key. Radio works fine as well, but it will reduce the volume to my 'start up' volume when I restart.

I used the system today, if you can call using the key to turn off the engine the system, as I had to wait for a while at a level crossing in Mitcham, and at some other traffic lights which I know takes a long time for them to get round to you. I don't tend to do it for very short periods of time.

I would love a greenline 4x4 DSG, but not ready to buy just yet! I'm only 6 months into ownership....

Mike