How to Turn Off the Start-Stop Function in Toyota Highlander?
2 Answers
Toyota Highlander's start-stop function can be turned off by pressing the start-stop cancel button located on the left side of the steering wheel, and the dashboard will display accordingly. The Toyota Highlander is a mid-size SUV. Taking the 2018 Toyota Highlander 5-seat two-wheel-drive Elite Edition as an example, its body dimensions are: length 4890mm, width 1925mm, height 1715mm, with a wheelbase of 2790mm. The 2018 Toyota Highlander 5-seat two-wheel-drive Elite Edition is equipped with a 2.0L turbocharged engine, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission, and its suspension system adopts a MacPherson independent front suspension and an E-type multi-link independent rear suspension.
Turning off the auto start-stop function on my Toyota Highlander is quite straightforward. After starting the car, look at the central console area for a small button usually labeled "Auto Stop" or "A Off". Press it once, and when the indicator light comes on, it means the function is deactivated. However, this is only a temporary disable – you'll need to press it again the next time you start the vehicle. I personally do this every time I drive because in city traffic, the feature keeps automatically shutting off the engine, and the noticeable vibration during restart makes it quite uncomfortable, especially when it wakes up my kids in the back seat. Additionally, I've heard that frequent start-stop cycles might accelerate battery wear. My neighbor had to replace his car battery after just three years of use, so turning it off gives me peace of mind. Though the auto start-stop was originally designed for fuel efficiency (helping save some money on highways), it's better to ignore it in urban driving. I recommend new owners check the user manual for button illustrations to confirm its location – it's very easy to get the hang of it.
