How to Turn Off the Engine Start-Stop System?
3 Answers
Here are the methods to disable the engine start-stop system: 1. Directly press: The auto start-stop button (circular arrow containing the letter A), and the dashboard will display a system deactivation prompt. 2. Reactivation: To reuse this function, simply press the button again to turn it on. 3. Automatic operation: After enabling auto start-stop, applying moderate pressure on the brake pedal will shut off the engine; releasing and reapplying the brake will restart it, thereby achieving fuel savings. Below are the drawbacks of auto start-stop: 1. Battery: Higher maintenance costs for batteries and starters: Frequent engine starts and stops can damage related components such as starters and batteries. Although vehicles equipped with auto start-stop systems use reinforced starters and batteries, in practice, their failure rates are higher than those in conventional vehicles without this system. 2. Poor user experience: Auto start-stop system designs vary across different brands and models. Some vehicles have suboptimal start-stop logic with poorly timed interventions, occasionally failing to activate during prolonged stops. 3. Increased fuel consumption in traffic jams: During severe congestion, prolonged engine shutdowns lower combustion chamber temperatures, causing unburned hydrocarbons and paraffin to form carbon deposits on cylinder walls. Poor fuel quality exacerbates this issue. Carbon buildup leads to higher fuel consumption and reduced power output, counteracting the fuel-saving purpose of the auto start-stop feature.
I remember every time I drive and encounter a red light, the engine automatically stops, which feels a bit annoying. Especially in big cities during traffic jams, the frequent start-stop is really hard to get used to. Turning it off is actually quite simple. Most cars come with a dedicated button, usually located near the steering wheel or on the dashboard, with an icon resembling an 'A' with a slash. Press it, and when the light turns on, it means the function is off. My Corolla works exactly like this, very easy to operate. If you can't find the button, it might be hidden in the settings menu, requiring you to access the car's infotainment screen to adjust it. The start-stop function is originally designed to save fuel and reduce emissions, but there might be a slight delay during startup, and in summer, it can affect the air conditioning output. I recommend keeping it turned off normally and only activating the button when you need to save energy. Remember to check the owner's manual to confirm the location, just in case there are differences between car models.
As someone interested in automotive technologies, I've spent time researching the engine start-stop system. It shuts off the engine via sensors detecting stopped conditions, with quick restarts aimed at environmental protection and fuel savings. To disable it, mainstream models typically have a physical button marked with the start-stop icon, usually located near the gearshift or center console. BMW series, for example, positions it quite conspicuously. If no button exists, switching to sport mode via driving mode settings might be required. While start-stop is beneficial, frequent restarts cause minor wear to the engine and battery, so I often disable it to avoid this. Regular battery health checks can also help minimize malfunctions.
