JL Wrangler Forums has just verified that the updated Pentastar 3.6-liter V6 engine that will be available for the 2018 Jeep Wrangler will in fact come standard with Engine Start-Stop (ESS) technology.
We’ve learned that while the ESS feature can be turned off it will default to “on” with each ignition cycle, similar to the way it operates on other FCA vehicles that offer the feature.
FCA debuted its engine start-stop technology in North America in the 2013 Ram 1500 full-size pickup which it reported to account for a one-mpg city-cycle fuel economy gain in the Ram. The ESS feature has since made its way into the Pentastar engine family starting with the 3.2-liter Pentastar V6 engine in the 2013 Jeep Cherokee which FCA estimated to provide up to a 3% improvement in both fuel economy and CO2 emissions-reduction. It has since made its way into the updated 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine which debuted on the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
How does the ESS technology work? Once the vehicle’s monitors determine that the vehicle has come to a stop, fuel flow is cut and the engine turns off. Larger batteries ensure that the other in-cabin vehicle systems are unaffected from the fuel cut-off. When the brake pedal is released, the engine automatically restarts and the transmission is engaged within fractions of a second, all without any driver intervention.
Since the engine no longer idles for prolonged periods, the result is a reduction in fuel consumption, particularly in city driving. If a driver chooses to forgo the benefits of ESS, the feature can be deactivated (and reactivated again) with the push of a button. However, as noted above the ESS feature in the 2018 Wrangler will be “on” by default upon each ignition cycle.
The new ESS technology combined with other powertrain changes, more efficient engine offerings and an aerodynamic exterior redesign all serve to provide for significant miles-per-gallon gains for the next-generation 2018+ Jeep Wrangler (JL).
See more details on the new Engine Start-Stop technology in the updated 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine and all of our other verified features for the 2018 Jeep Wrangler (JL) and 2019 Jeep Pickup (JT).