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As I have an 09 Rolla S that is not flat-towable, I will only cut the ICE when approaching a red light. Obviously I start her up when its time to move, but I'm getting a lot of question by others who are impressed by my 42 mpg about the wear I am creating for the starter, and that I will wear it out a lot quicker.
Should I be concerned about this? If so, is there any "preventive maintenance" I should be doing to avoid preemptive wear-out?

Thanks.

The starts you are doing are no more wear than a normal engine start cycle, and probably much less because the engine is warm so it cranks a very short time. Factor in that (a) you don't do it that often so you aren't adding a lot of starts, and (b) the starter is built for many many start cycles. So there is not much to worry about.

If you are really worried, check how much a new starter costs. I bet it doesn't cost very much. And not much labor probably: I changed the starter on an older car once and it involved only two bolts and a couple of electrical connections, didn't even need to jack the car up in that case.

Just since I got my Accord in Aug. I have saved enough by cutting the engine off to buy several starters. Also, Ford on one of their sites stated that there is little wear on the starter due to restarts.

I am looking for a link.

ETA:

The link is: https://www.drivingskillsforlife.com/index.php?option=com_elearningquiz&Itemid=33

It is a little flash thing that you have to go through. It is under the eco-driving topic.

For those who can't/don't want to find it:

"Frequent restarting has little impact on components that include the battery and starter motor."

For reference, the thing that kills starters (other than worn out brushes) is heat. Heat that is only generated in long cranking sessions. This doesn't occur when the engine is warm (as mentioned above).

Also for reference, I've been using my starter on the Elantra in the same circumstances as you are for the life of the car -- since I started hypermiling, I also started using it more often as at times I don't have enough speed to bump start. The car has 100K now and still has the original starter.

Lastly, Wayne's Accord (AT) has been regularly put through the P&G wringer with FAS and his starter lasted 92K mi (IIRC).

I don't think you have much to worry about. :)

It certainly creates a bit of extra wear on the flywheel gear and on the starter gear, but as many have said, it is probably minimal. The alternative, bump starting in MTs, creates extra cycles on the clutch and transmission synchronizers. So on MTs, it is a matter guessing which is worse. On an AT, there is only the one option.

I do as you are doing, so I guess I'm not too worried. My Echo seems no worse for the slight abuse :-)

300,000 miles and my starter is still going, and i have to shut off and restart alot being a courier...