How to Turn Off the Auto Start-Stop Function in an Automatic Transmission Car?

[DelNoah]

To turn off the auto start-stop function in an automatic transmission car, simply press the start-stop button located below the center console, which is marked with a capital letter A surrounded by arrows. The start-stop function, also known as 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. An automatic transmission means the driver does not need to manually shift gears; the vehicle automatically selects the appropriate gear based on driving speed and traffic conditions. There are six gear positions in total, arranged from top to bottom as follows: P, R, N, D, S, L.

[Liam]

The auto start-stop function in my Volkswagen always shuts off the engine at red lights, but I later found it incredibly easy to turn off. Just locate the circular button with the letter 'A' below the central console's AC panel, press it, and the indicator light will turn on to confirm it's deactivated. It defaults to 'on' every time you start the car, so I’ve made it a habit to press this button right after getting in. Some models position the switch near the gearshift or integrate it into the driving mode selection menu. Now, with the AC running in summer, turning this feature off has made the cooling much more consistent. Honestly, manually disabling it occasionally during heavy traffic is also gentler on the battery lifespan.

[DiBrynlee]

Last time I drove my colleague's Buick GL8, I noticed that turning off the auto start-stop requires tapping the touchscreen. Just find the 'Engine Auto Start-Stop' option in the vehicle settings menu and toggle the switch to the off position. Some American cars even require operating through the dashboard's trip computer interface, switching via buttons on the right side of the steering wheel. I recommend checking the manual, as the logic varies significantly between brands. For instance, my car shuts off the engine with a hard brake press, and the frequent start-stop during city commutes is really annoying. Now I only keep it on for long trips, and I always turn it off for daily commutes—the engine runs much quieter that way.

[MacEliana]

A veteran driver with 20 years of experience tells you that most auto start-stop switches are physical buttons. Look for the yellow-green circular arrow light on the dashboard—the button usually features the same icon. On my old Toyota, the button is located in the lighting control area below the left side of the steering wheel, made of rubber. In newer models, it might be integrated into the electronic gear shift area. Note that some luxury cars require you to disable it in the vehicle settings on the central control screen, or press and hold the start-stop button for 5 seconds immediately after a short press of the ignition button to power on. This feature isn't particularly friendly during the break-in period of a new car.

[Lucas]

A cool fact I discovered while modifying cars: Besides using the button to turn it off, you can also disable the auto start-stop system via the OBD port. Of course, for regular car owners, finding the button inside the car is the safest bet. Nowadays, with new energy vehicles, it's even simpler—just say 'Turn off the start-stop system' via voice command. Last week, during a test drive of a domestic new energy car, the salesperson showed me how to disable it by pulling down the quick menu on the central control screen. As for traditional fuel-powered cars, Japanese models usually place the button on the left side of the steering wheel, while German brands prefer positioning it around the gear lever. A tip: shifting to N gear at red lights can also temporarily avoid the start-stop function.

[KathrynLee]

My friend's BMW has the auto start-stop function enabled by default every time it starts. Later, a small car icon button was found in the control area near the left knee in the cockpit. My old Honda is even more unique; you need to turn off the AC button first to disable the start-stop. Actual tests have shown that this function must be turned off when driving through water, as a second ignition could cause the engine to be scrapped. A temporary solution is to switch to sport mode or press the brake pedal hard when parking. For long-term deactivation, it's recommended to disconnect the battery negative terminal and install a current limiter, but this may affect the vehicle's computer data.