How to Turn Off Auto Start-Stop?
3 Answers
To turn off the auto start-stop system: 1. Press the brake pedal while the vehicle is in normal operation; 2. The auto start-stop system will activate, and the indicator light on the dashboard will illuminate; 3. Press the off button of the auto start-stop system to deactivate it. The engine auto start-stop system automatically shuts off the engine when the vehicle comes to a temporary stop during driving and restarts it when it's time to move forward again. The working principle of the engine auto start-stop system is that when the driver presses the brake pedal to stop and shifts to neutral, the StartStop system automatically detects that the engine is idling and in neutral; the wheel speed sensors of the anti-lock braking system show zero; and the electronic battery sensor indicates there is sufficient energy for the next start.
I find the auto start-stop feature really annoying when driving, especially in traffic jams where the engine keeps turning off and on, making the car jerk constantly. The first thing I do when getting in the car is to turn it off. It's quite simple – just look around the steering wheel for a button with a circled 'A' letter, press it until the light comes on to deactivate. However, be aware that this function automatically reactivates every time you restart the vehicle, so you'll need to make a habit of pressing it upon entering. Permanently disabling it won't affect your car's warranty, but I once almost damaged the engine driving through floodwater with auto start-stop on during rain, which taught me that keeping it enabled in special road conditions can be safer.
Having worked in car repairs for over a decade, I'm often asked about auto start-stop systems. Actually, turning it off is simple. Look for the most prominent button on the center console - usually marked with an 'A' symbol or circular arrows - pressing it will deactivate the function. This feature was originally designed for fuel economy, but in urban areas with frequent stops, it actually wears out the battery faster. From my experience, it's most reasonable to manually activate it only when waiting at red lights exceeding 60 seconds, and turn it off for stops under 30 seconds. Alternatively, during vehicle modifications, you could ask the mechanic to permanently disable it via ECU, though this might affect annual inspections. I still recommend manual operation for greater flexibility.
