How to Turn Off the Auto Start-Stop Function in BMW?
4 Answers
BMW's auto start-stop deactivation button is located near the engine start button. Press the "A off" button to turn it off. More information about the auto start-stop function is as follows: 1. After the car is started, the auto start-stop function is automatically activated. If you do not wish to use the auto start-stop function, you can manually turn it off. The illuminated button indicates that the start-stop function is deactivated, while the unlit button means the function is active. 2. Purpose of the engine start-stop function: To save fuel and reduce fuel consumption.
My BMW has been running for over three years, and I have to manually turn off the start-stop function every time I start the car. Look for the button with the letter A and an arrow near the gear lever or in the central control air conditioning button area. Press it, and a yellow circle with the letter A will appear on the dashboard, indicating the start-stop function is turned off. This is especially useful in traffic jams; otherwise, the constant engine start-stop can make you dizzy. Remember, some older models require going into the iDrive menu settings—you can find the option to turn it off under Vehicle Settings → Drivetrain/Chassis. Also, make sure to turn off the start-stop before driving through water on rainy days. If the engine stalls and automatically restarts, it could be severely damaged.
Last week, I helped a friend adjust the auto start-stop function on his newly purchased X5 and noticed that the operation has changed in the latest model. The easiest way is to find the physical button under the air conditioning panel to turn it off, but it defaults to auto-enable upon restarting the vehicle. To permanently disable it, you need to code the hidden settings by connecting an OBD and using the BimmerCode software to modify ECU parameters. However, this carries risks and may void the warranty. A simpler alternative is to buy a start-stop deactivator for ten bucks and plug it into the OBD port. Actually, it's fine to occasionally turn it off during traffic jams, as the auto start-stop can save a lot of fuel when waiting at red lights normally.
At the 4S shop, we often get asked about start-stop deactivation. For models with electronic gear shifters, the operation differs: after starting the engine, don't shift to D immediately—first press the start-stop button to deactivate, then shift gears. Some hybrid models have unique start-stop logic; for instance, the engine won't start at all when battery charge is sufficient. During maintenance, you can ask technicians to modify the start-stop memory mode via computer, but manufacturers don't recommend this. Note that battery aging can affect start-stop function triggering frequency in daily use.
