How to Turn Off the Mercedes-Benz Auto Start-Stop System?

[VonMargaret]

To turn off the Mercedes-Benz auto start-stop system, locate a circular arrow with the letter 'A' and the word 'off' on the button near the gear shift lever on the center console. Press this button to deactivate the engine start-stop function. The auto start-stop system automatically shuts off the engine when the vehicle comes to a temporary stop, such as at a traffic light, and restarts it when you begin to drive again. Mercedes-Benz is a renowned German automotive brand known for luxury and high performance, headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany. It is a member of the Daimler AG group, offering a wide range of passenger cars and medium to large commercial vehicles. Its model lineup includes the A-Class, B-Class, C-Class, CLS-Class, SLC-Class, and more.

[McJourney]

I often encounter the same issue—the Mercedes auto start-stop isn't hard to turn off, but you have to do it every time. After starting the car, I look down at the center console for that 'A' button with a circle around it, usually near the climate control panel or the electronic parking brake. Press it, and when the button light comes on, it's deactivated. Unfortunately, it can't be permanently disabled; you have to press it again after the next ignition. I almost always turn this feature off when driving—the engine repeatedly restarting in city traffic is annoying, and the slight delay when pulling away disrupts the driving rhythm. On highways or less congested roads, I can tolerate the start-stop for the minor fuel savings, but for daily commuting, it's more comfortable to keep it off. Though the operation is simple, having to repeat it constantly is a bit of a hassle.

[AubreeMarie]

Mercedes-Benz owners must have been annoyed by this auto start-stop feature. The steps to turn it off are quite straightforward: After sitting in the car and starting the engine, look for the button with an 'A' inside a circle on the center console, usually near the gear lever. Press the button until the light comes on, and the system will be deactivated. However, you'll need to repeat this every time you restart the vehicle. Personally, I disable it for two main reasons: first, frequent start-stop cycles put a lot of strain on the battery, and second, the sudden engine shutdown and restart at traffic lights create an uncomfortable vibration. Once, stuck on a bridge with over a dozen start-stop cycles, I quickly checked the manual after getting out to confirm the steps. Originally designed for fuel efficiency and environmental benefits, this feature’s real-world experience varies—seasoned drivers like us prioritize smooth driving over such interruptions.

[Valentina]

I also have the habit of turning off the start-stop function as soon as I get in the car. In Mercedes-Benz vehicles, the auto start-stop switch is usually located on the center console, marked with a circle enclosing the letter 'A'. After starting the car, pressing it once to light up the indicator turns it off, and the operation takes no more than two seconds. However, it's not very user-friendly that you have to do this every time you drive. The main reason for turning it off is that the start-stop action feels too abrupt, especially when picking someone up or listening to music—suddenly turning off the engine is quite disappointing. Some friends say that keeping it off for a long time harms the battery, but in reality, it doesn’t affect it since I turn it off right after starting the car. If I need to use the start-stop function temporarily in a traffic jam, pressing the button to turn it back on is also simple.

[LeReese]

Turning off the automatic start-stop feature in a Mercedes-Benz is actually quite simple, but you need to understand the operation logic. After starting the vehicle, look at the center console and locate the button with an 'A' inside a circle – it might be positioned near the driving mode selection button. Press it, and when the light comes on, it means the function is deactivated (you'll also see a notification on the instrument cluster). The key point is that this deactivation isn't permanent – the system will default to active again the next time you start the car. Personally, I turn it off because the constant engine restarting in traffic jams is extremely irritating and affects driving mood. Additionally, I strongly recommend deactivating it after rain or when driving through waterlogged areas to prevent potential engine damage from accidental stalling and subsequent restart attempts. Although Mercedes claims this feature can save around 8% in fuel consumption, for most of us driving a Mercedes, comfort takes priority over marginal fuel savings, right?