How to turn off the auto start-stop feature on the Cadillac XTS?

[DeHeidi]

The method to turn off the auto start-stop feature on the Cadillac XTS is: 1. Start the car; 2. Press the "Stop" button on the center console to deactivate it. Taking the 2018 Cadillac XTS as an example, it belongs to the mid-to-large-sized car category with body dimensions of: length 5103mm, width 1852mm, height 1502mm, wheelbase 2837mm, front track 1580mm, rear track 1591mm, and a fuel tank capacity of 70L. The 2018 Cadillac XTS is equipped with a 2.0T turbocharged engine, delivering a maximum horsepower of 269PS, maximum power of 198kW, maximum torque of 353Nm, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission.

[LeoLynn]

I've driven this Cadillac XTS for three years and have plenty of experience with disabling the auto start-stop function. On the center console panel to the left of the steering wheel, there's a circular button marked with an 'A' inside a circle - that's the dedicated control for this feature. It defaults to being active upon each startup, but a light press temporarily deactivates it, with the instrument cluster displaying a yellow warning light indicating auto start-stop is disabled. The main annoyance is during traffic jams when the engine keeps restarting frequently - turning it off makes driving much smoother, eliminating that vibration sensation at red lights too. However, it automatically reactivates upon the next vehicle start, so I've developed the habit of pressing this button immediately after getting in. The design is actually quite user-friendly: easily activated when desired, or one-touch deactivation when not wanted, balancing both fuel efficiency and personal driving preferences.

[DeAlice]

Last week when teaching my wife how to drive the XT5, I happened to research the auto start-stop deactivation method - it's quite simple. Below the left AC vent on the steering wheel side, there's a small round button in the black control panel area marked with an 'A' inside a circular icon. Pressing this button keeps the engine running when stopped, preventing the constant restart cycle. Highly recommend turning it off during urban rush hour traffic - the repeated engine starts drain the battery excessively and cause long-term wear to the starter motor. A yellow indicator light on the instrument cluster confirms successful deactivation. While designed for eco-friendly fuel savings, this feature performs poorly in China's stop-and-go traffic conditions. The only drawback is needing to manually disable it after each ignition - wish there was an ECU flash option for permanent deactivation, but for now it's about developing muscle memory for that button press.

[Camila]

My friend who just got a Cadillac XTS asked me about turning off the auto start-stop. I told him to look above the left knee on the driver's side, in the area behind the AC panel where there are three buttons - just press the middle one with an 'A' and an arrow symbol. A light tap to illuminate the indicator turns it off, and the dashboard will show a matching icon. I advised him to especially remember to disable it when driving through water in rainy weather to prevent engine water intake from accidental restarts. It can be left on for fuel savings during smooth highway driving, though most owners including myself keep it permanently disabled. While this feature is quite practical in North America, it's honestly just annoying at frequent red lights in China. The dealership said it can't be permanently deactivated, so you'll need to toggle it each time you drive - a two-second action that becomes habitual and stops feeling bothersome.

[MacKayden]

Last week at the Cadillac club, we discussed the auto start-stop issue. Taking my XTS as an example, let me explain how to disable it. Actually, all control buttons are located in the driver's left-hand area—just glance down to see the physical button with a circled 'A' icon on the center console. There's no need for long or short presses; a single press instantly deactivates it. The most noticeable improvement after disabling is smoother follow-up in congested traffic without jerky movements, especially when the AC is on—keeping the engine running uninterrupted feels much better. Although it defaults back to 'on' after restarting, the button's ergonomic placement makes it effortless; once you're used to it, pressing it with your left hand while buckling the seatbelt with your right becomes second nature. Also, a quick note: the brake pedal may feel slightly firmer right after disabling start-stop, but this is completely normal.

[Chloe]

Just picked up the XTS and made a special trip to the 4S dealership to learn how to disable the auto start-stop feature. The technician pointed to a button on the lower left side of the steering wheel with an 'A' and a curved arrow, saying pressing it would deactivate the entire engine start-stop system. Testing it out, it's especially comfortable during long red lights over 60 seconds without hearing the noise and vibration of the engine restarting. It's recommended for beginners to use the auto hold function in conjunction with disabling the start-stop for complete peace of mind—no rolling even when taking your foot off the pedal. The downside is having to disable it every time the car restarts, which feels counterintuitive. Some owners reportedly use OBD devices to permanently disable the system, but since it voids the warranty, I decided against it. Now, my startup routine is fixed: ignition, disable start-stop, adjust mirrors—three steps that took just five minutes to get used to.