How to Turn Off the Start-Stop Function in Toyota Highlander?
4 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.
Want to disable the Toyota Highlander's auto start-stop function? It's super easy! After starting the engine, just glance at the center console near the steering wheel - there's a dedicated button for this marked with the auto start-stop icon. Press it until the light comes on and you're set. But note this only works for the current drive cycle; the system will automatically reactivate after you turn off and restart the vehicle. From my personal experience, this feature saves some fuel on open roads, but becomes annoying during stop-and-go traffic with frequent red lights - that slight delay during acceleration feels sluggish. After years of driving, I've found manual deactivation makes for smoother driving. If the button doesn't respond, don't panic - sometimes the system automatically disables it during low temperatures or high electrical load as part of normal protection mechanisms. Just make it a habit to press the button every time you start the car - it only takes seconds.
The Toyota Highlander's start-stop function is super convenient. After starting the car, just press the start-stop button on the center console. The button is prominently placed and easy to find, making the operation quick and effortless. I always turn it off to avoid the sudden engine shut-off when stopping, which feels too abrupt and unsettling, especially when driving back after shopping and trying to relax. Some people worry about a slight increase in fuel consumption after turning it off? In reality, the difference in city driving is negligible, but the comfort improvement is significant. Just remember to press it, and it will become second nature.
