I have a MY2014 so can't tell you. What I can tell you is that I belong to a Chrysler paid focus group of MY2014 owners and the overwhelming opinion is that they are glad they bought the MY 2014 as they don't want to deal with start/stop even though it can be turned off. This is what they told Chrysler but I doubt it will make a difference as Chrysler has to meet EPA mpg guidelines and start/stop is how they are doing it.
I have a 2015 TH V6. Stop/start works great. I use it all the time. My wife says she hates it, but she won't even try it. I think if you use it a few times, you will find it is pretty seamless.
Took the KL (yet to be named) on a weekend road trip - wedding. Start /stop worked great. Found you should give it just a "fraction" of a second from removing your foot from the brake and stepping on the gas. Again, only a fraction of a second. We both like it and as was pointed out above, if it were in a situation where it was a hassle you can always turn it off.
Coming home it started to rain. As DW, was reaching for the wiper switch the wipers came on by them selves. Gave DW, (and me) a bit of a start. I asked her if she rotated the switch - she said no, she was just reaching for it.
The ACC distance control will take a bit of getting use to though as well as the +/- speed controls. Went to de-accelerate with the "set-" button and "held it". I might as well of hit the brakes hard. Just got to learn the little intricacies of the car.
All in all, the car is great. Road and handled quite well. Ride was good - even with ADII. Only option she didn't get was the phone charging pad. Will start checking mileage after a few tanks of gas and the first oil change.
I like it. Reminds me of the gas golf carts. I'm learning how to keep it from shutting down the engine if I know it's going to be a short stop; like not coming to a dead stop. Normally I just let it do its thing. It's pretty smooth.
Picked up my new Cherokee Limited on Wednesday. Got 250 miles on it with a lot of it in the city. Just love the stop/start. City lights take forever to change and the idea of not wasting gas appeals to me. Engine is running before I can hit the gas pedal.
Tried to live with the stop/start system for the first 400+ miles and decided to disable it after starting, at least for now. Here are my two reasons:
At a stoplight I feel a slight rollback of the car just as the trans engages, wherever there's a very mild upward incline (less that the 7% or so where the hill-hold activates). I can't imagine that's a good thing for the trans.
When I drive into driveway or parking spot, I hit the brakes [engine Stops] then shift to Park [engine Restarts] and then tap the stop button on dash. I need to figure out the best way to avoid this extra restart. I tried hitting stop button with car in gear and foot on brake that didn't shut engine... I tried a few times to remember to turn the Stop/Start system off as I approach the driveway... that worked when I remember.
So... for now, I'll train myself to hit the button no dash to disable the StopStart system every time I start the car. I can always engage it when in stop-and-go traffic when it is most useful. IMHO after only a few hundred miles, there should be a way to set the StopStart default either way.
Tried to live with the stop/start system for the first 400+ miles and decided to disable it after starting, at least for now. Here are my two reasons:
At a stoplight I feel a slight rollback of the car just as the trans engages, wherever there's a very mild upward incline (less that the 7% or so where the hill-hold activates). I can't imagine that's a good thing for the trans.
These are pretty good comments. Although I haven't received mine yet I will probably disable it for at least the first tank or two - if not forever. I can't see it being good for the transmission.
Thanks for sharing your feedback about the Stop & Start.
I know one thing for sure: I will keep it disengaged most of the time. The sheer idea of having the engine shut down on you is simply too much of an emotional discomfort, especially if you have driven some clunkers in the past like I have
I agree I wish had a way to disable like other vehicles do leave it in the last state you select. I never would want this "feature" on a "off-road" vehicle. The parking/shutdown double tap also is really is a pain. I also worry about long term reliability, wear and tear on the engine over 7-10 years.