How to Permanently Turn Off the Engine Auto Start-Stop?
3 Answers
Owners can directly press the auto start-stop button. Below are the relevant details: 1. Auto Start-Stop: The engine auto start-stop system automatically shuts off the engine when the vehicle comes to a temporary stop (e.g., at a red light) during driving. When it's time to move forward again, the system automatically restarts the engine. This is achieved by equipping the traditional engine with an enhanced motor that has idle start-stop functionality, allowing the engine to completely shut off when idle stop conditions are met. When the vehicle needs to start moving again, the idle start-stop motor system quickly responds to the driver's start command, rapidly restarting the engine for seamless transition, thereby significantly reducing fuel consumption and exhaust emissions. 2. Working Principle: When the vehicle stops due to traffic congestion or at an intersection, the driver presses the brake pedal and shifts to neutral. At this point, the Start/Stop system automatically detects that the engine is idling and not in gear; the wheel speed sensors of the anti-lock system show zero.
Last time I helped my buddy tinker with his Tiguan L, completely disabling the auto start-stop really required some brainpower. The easiest method is to visit a tuning shop to reprogram the vehicle's computer—plugging an OBD device into the system to permanently deactivate the start-stop module, done in ten minutes, but it costs around 200 yuan. For those with strong DIY skills, you can remove the lower steering wheel cover yourself, locate the start-stop switch wiring harness, and connect a relay to simulate a long-press state—there are detailed tutorials online. If you prefer not to modify the circuits, search for 'start-stop deactivator' on Taobao; a 30-yuan plug inserted into the OBD port near the driver's left foot can automatically remember the off state. Be aware that such modifications may void the warranty—my neighbor's Sylphy had its circuit warranty denied by the dealership after reprogramming. Honestly, developing a habit of turning off the start-stop every time you start the car isn’t bad either: press the ignition button with your left hand and immediately tap the start-stop switch with your right, forming muscle memory so it becomes effortless.
As a seasoned long-distance driver, the start-stop function can be particularly annoying during stop-and-go city driving. My experience is to look for the vehicle customization options in the central control screen settings. Some models like the Peugeot 508 allow you to permanently disable it in the 'Driving Preferences' menu. For cars with mechanical keys, there's a trick: turn the key to the power-on position without starting the engine, hold the start-stop button for 5 seconds until the hazard lights flash twice, then start the engine—it will default to off. If you've just bought a new car, I recommend getting an OBD blocker first; just plug it into the rectangular port under the steering wheel for a quick and damage-free solution. Some German cars automatically disable start-stop when shifted into Sport (S) mode, and you can drive it like a regular gear without issues. In fact, the start-stop system is quite harsh on the battery, and replacing an AGM battery can cost over 2,000 RMB. Keeping it turned off long-term can save both hassle and money.
