Is the Engine Auto Start-Stop Light On or Off?

[DiCarlos]

When the auto start-stop light is on, the auto start-stop function is turned off. Relevant details are as follows: 1. Meaning: The engine auto start-stop is a system that automatically shuts off the engine when the vehicle comes to a temporary stop during driving and automatically restarts the engine when it's time to move forward again. 2. Usage Method: When the car is first started, the auto start-stop is enabled by default, and the light is off at this time. Press the button once, and the light will turn on, indicating that the auto start-stop is turned off. After the auto start-stop is turned off, there will be a prompt on the dashboard: a yellow light is on, and the start-stop symbol (a circle with an A) is accompanied by the letters OFF, indicating that the auto start-stop is turned off. This display may vary depending on the car model, with some models showing a circle A with a slash. Every time the car is restarted, the auto start-stop defaults to the on state; it is not permanently turned off with a single press.

[VanIsaac]

When I first started driving, I was also confused. The auto start-stop indicator light usually means the function is turned off. For example, when waiting at a red light, if you see the light with an 'A' illuminated on the dashboard, the engine won't shut off automatically. This design is mainly because the system will disable this function on its own to protect the vehicle when the battery charge is low, the air conditioning is cooling, or the outside temperature is too low. However, the logic might vary slightly between different car models. For instance, when I drove my friend's Japanese car, I noticed that the light being off indicated the function was disabled. The safest approach is to check the manual or observe whether the engine shuts off automatically at a red light. It's true that this function saves fuel, but I think frequent start-stop cycles can be quite harsh on the battery.

[SanSkylar]

This is a common question at repair shops. When the auto start-stop indicator light is on, it usually means the system isn't functioning. Most likely, vehicle conditions have triggered the protection mechanism: the function automatically deactivates when battery voltage drops below 12V, when AC is on, or when the steering wheel is turned too sharply. Take Volkswagen and Ford models for example - the light typically indicates the system is off. But BMW designs are the opposite, so it's best to check the owner's manual. I usually recommend drivers manually turn off auto start-stop, especially in heavy traffic to reduce starter wear. If the light stays on constantly, remember to check battery health - aging batteries are the most common cause of this issue.

[VanGrace]

After driving for several years, I finally figured it out—the light being on basically means the auto start-stop is turned off. When stopping at a red light, if I press the brake and the light is on, the engine keeps running; if the light is off, the engine shuts off immediately. Different car models have different display logic—my brother's Hyundai shows a green light when it's enabled, while my Honda shows a yellow light when it's disabled. When the weather is too hot and the AC is on, the system automatically turns off the function, and the light comes on. Once, when the battery was almost dead, the light stayed on for half a month until I replaced the battery. Honestly, it's quite annoying in the city, so the first thing I do when getting in the car is press the center console button to turn off the auto start-stop for peace of mind.

[MacJuniper]

Just figured this out last month. The auto start-stop light typically indicates the function is disabled. For instance, when the vehicle is shifted into reverse or the air conditioning is in strong defogging mode, the indicator light will illuminate to signal the system is paused. Most car models follow this logic, but some high-end vehicles use indicator light colors to differentiate statuses. Remember that time when it was minus five degrees outside, the light came on by itself without the engine shutting off? It wasn't until I asked after-sales service that I learned the low-temperature protection mechanism had activated. If you don't want frequent start-stop at red lights, you can manually turn it off by pressing the button with the 'A' icon. If the light stays on long-term, it's time to check the battery, as insufficient capacity is the most common cause of false alarms.