Let’s Talk About Engine Stop-Start, Part 2: Disabling The Feature
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On Wednesday, we took a look at some of the consumer sentiment regarding General Motors’ automatic engine stop-start system, which seeks to conserve fuel during daily vehicle operation by temporarily shutting the engine off when the vehicle is at a stop, restarting only when the driver is ready to drive again. Much to the chagrin of many customers, GM remains committed to the technology, resolving to install it in nearly every new vehicle by the year 2020. Research indicates that it can effectively boost fuel economy in some driving scenarios, although that boost is perhaps not adequately reflected in EPA testing results.
Today, we’ll be looking at how to turn the feature off, especially when no dedicated shut-off button is present in the vehicle. Plenty of GM products do come equipped with an engine stop-start defeat button, wearing an icon that consists of a capital letter “A” encircled by an arrow. Anytime that GM’s auto engine stop-start is active, the driver need only press that button once to turn the system off for the time that the vehicle is in use, until the next shutdown and startup.
Engine stop-start defeat button in a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500.
For vehicles without that button, such as the 2016-2018 Chevrolet Cruze and 2017+ Cadillac XT5, deactivating GM’s engine stop-start on automatic transmission-equipped cars is nonetheless a simple matter. The easiest way to defeat the system is to drive with the shifter in any mode other than the normal “D”. No, we’re not suggesting that you reverse your way to the grocery store. Instead, you can put the vehicle in whatever low-gear (“L”) or manual (“M”) mode option it has, and set it to shift through all the gears.
Such modes allow the automatic transmission to do its thing, with the driver setting a limit by selecting the tallest gear they want the transmission to reach. By selecting the top gear in the transmission, you’re allowing the transmission to shift into all gears as usual, but auto stop-start is deactivated because you’re outside of “D”.
On that note, another quick fix is to select Sport mode, assuming the vehicle in question has one. GM’s auto engine stop-start isn’t active in Sport mode, although the driver should be aware that other settings on the vehicle – throttle calibration, exhaust mode, suspension mode, shift scheduling, etc. – can also change in Sport, possibly causing a further reduction in vehicle fuel economy.
Finally, if the driver wants to temporarily disrupt the engine stop-start system, he or she can quickly move the automatic gear selector into any mode other than Drive – Low, Neutral, Reverse – and then back into Drive to manually force the engine to kick back on. This can be especially useful if you’re waiting to turn out into a busy intersection and you don’t feel comfortable with the delay in thrust introduced by stop-start.
Stay tuned for more GM engine stop-start news as we publish our third and final part in our series on the feature on Friday.
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Sport mode does not turn off Start/Stop, at least not in the XT5 or Regal GS.
You are correct Jon, Sport mode does not deactivate Auto Stop/Auto Start on my 2019 GMC Sierra Denali either.
Thanks for the article on work arounds for GM’s auto start-stop. I realize everything new takes some getting use too and I’m not totally opposed to the technology. However, for what you pay for a vehicle today I believe the owner should have the option to disable the system in certain instances or when needed.
I don’t like your last option. A better solution is to put pressure on the steering wheel, as if you want to turn the wheels, it will automatically turn the engine on because the power steering doesn’t work with engine off.
The power steering pumps have been electric for some time now, so the car does not need to be running in order to have power stewering. Also holds true if your car breaks down on the road. You still have power steering.
the Gmc vehicles (specifically gmc terrain, maybe more) will allow you to turn the wheel like normal and have power with the stop start activated.
You can also get a calibration which will delete this feature at a pretty moderate price ($350 for the Cruze) – https://www.trifectaperformance.com/store/product/2352-2016-2018-chevrolet-cruze-cruze-hatch-14l-turbo-advantage/#elProductInfo
Well, if all the mfurers are going to have it eventually, here’s another niche for the aftermarket business, and I’ll be one of their customers, no doubt.
Well if I’m paying 30000 to 40000 for car I shouldn’t have to put up with this garbage. Just from reading this group alone how many potential buyers is GM losing ?? They are forcing me to look at like a Jeep Grand Cherokee next time, at least there is a switch on theirs .
If it’s an auto start-stop defeat switch you’re after, then you should know that the 2020 Blazer will have one. Details:
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2019/06/2020-chevrolet-blazer-to-gain-engine-auto-stop-start-disable-switch/
That’s good to know. Too bad I have a 2019 Blazer and I’m not likely to trade it in or sell it just for this inconvenience……HUGE INCONVENIENCE. So I’ll continue to drive around with my window defogger on, since that appears to disable the auto stop.
probably leaves the A/C on which keeps the motor running.
probably leaves the A/C on which keeps the motor running. If you put trans in manual and select the top gear the stop/start feature does not work.. 😉
Hello, I test drove a 2020 Blazer yesterday and can confirm it does have a button to disable the auto stop/start feature.
Most cars have the ability to do a disable when they get in the car. What they don’t like is having to do that each time they start the car. Did you verify that if you disabled the stop/start that the next time you start the car it is still disabled? My guess is it resets to enabled again when you start it.
the new Regal does not have a disable button in the US, but the European version does – that is what is very frustrating.
Because of this stop start feature, I am not buying a GM product. I have been buying GM products since 1987. I just told the dealer this week that I am going to another manufacturer.
Lost me, living in the northeast I want nothing to do with any start/stop vehicle. We were all set to buy a new Equinox, not now. While I understand all the work arounds and shifting my certainly will not. As she put it “if we’re spending this type of money I don’t want to have to fool with things!”. Were back to Toyota… too bad we like OnStar Allan
GG, I am with you you, already looking at a Jeep Grand Cherokee’s
Any time you flash the ecm with a “tune” GM can find out with a diagnosis when you bring the car in for warranty work. So, good option if you are out of warranty.
Range technology dot com makes a device for $200 that cannot be detected by manufacturers or dealers. Works on AFM or DFM vehicles. Some say leaving the AC on works, but reduces gas mileage and performance and at least one guy tested it on a varying type roadway over several trips, Mike’s, speeds, weather conditions and shows it to improve gas mileage in his GM truck slightly, pays for itself in one year under moderate use conditions, search YouTube for his videos. The AFM Disabler does NOT affect REMOTE START (and is “silent” until the engine is actually started). It WILL disable eAssist Start/Stop as a side benefit. To install the Range V8, simply plug the device into the vehicle OBD II port under the steering wheel. Remove it when you go to the dealership because they will need access to the port to diagnose any other issues you may be having, other than that just leave it plugged in all the time. YMMV
Sorry, the DFM version for GM vehicles from Range Technology is still not available, but I just received an email saying it is in “final” testing mode and should be released soon. I’m at the top of the list to get one and will report my findings here as soon as I have tested mine, hopefully sooner rather than later.
I can’t believe the dealers aren’t up in arms about it.
Even if it isn’t noticeable, I would worry about it wearing out the starter and battery prematurely.
Speaking as a EE here – The starters on these guys are actually beefed up a LOT to compensate for the larger number of cycles. A standard car/truck starter are usually rated for 10-15k starts. The starters in vehicles with auto start/stop feature are typically designed to a rating of around 150k.
Can’t speak to the battery though. Nice thing about lead-acid is that they aren’t excessively worn by cycling the way lithium ions are. What kills them is the depth of discharge.
I would like to read an article either from GM or quoting GM officially that says the starters are actually “beefed up a LOT” to compensate for Auto $/$ on their vehicles, same goes for Ford, etc.
Would really love to see an article regarding the battery effects with this new feature, be it Ford, GMC, Fiat, etc,
With todays technology on engines they can stop the engine exactly where they want to optimize in starting the engine with a power stroke firing of the spark plug. Todays engines start so easily it does not take much to get them going with crank sensor and cam sensors. Mercedes and BMW and any other car maker that is using auto stop/start do this. Most of the time the starter is not even used unless you car does not start easy. Go read up on it you might learn something
Yea and LED bulbs last 25 years or 2 years sometimes. I’m calling BS on the 150k cycles, 10 times better, I think not. I bought a 2018 Traverse in July and did not know it had this feature until September when the temperature cooled down and AC demand was decreased. Hate it and cannot wait for bypass/disable product.
I had a 2013 Mercedes C Class and a 2015 Malibu. The Malibu’s Stop/Start far far exceeds the Benz, which was absolutely horrific (but it did have a button to shut it off). The best way I found to defeat the system in the Malibu was after you brake and are stopped, relieve the pressure on the pedal so that the car doesnt roll but the system thinks you are about to go. After a few times you find where in the pedal range the deactivation point is (like you were driving a manual car with clutch). Becomes second nature and is really easy.
If your GM vehicle is equipt with Precision Shift, just tap the shifter. Retap to allow automatic transmission operation. Another way is to engage the E- Brake. Release before traffic resumes flow. Stay safe, sane. M4rk
I am not a fan of “Start Stop” And I never will be…. I was all set to lease a 2017 Lacrosse, once I learned I could not disable “Start Stop” I leased a 2018 Acadia Denali V-6 I also own a 2018 Camaro SS Convertible. (both are without “stop start” GM needs to provide a SIMPLE means to disable this feature (a dedicated shut-off button) as Chrysler and Ford are doing. I am and have been a LONG term loyal GM customer. But I will not own or lease a vehicle with this uncontrollable feature. Lastly I can’t believe GM plans on installing this in the majority of their vehicles by 2020. If so I will have non GM vehicle lined up well before the lease for my Acadia is up.
I would think that more models will have defeat switched at least by then. And it’s not just GM that are striving for most models to have this in the next few years. Ford and FCA are also going this route along with German marques like Mercedes and BMW. Even Hyundai is starting to use it.
When a manufacturer choses to put a button in the car that disables auto start-stop, they get less credit under CAFE regulations. That’s why manufacturers chose to have a disable button in some of their cars but not in others.
Almost any other idea to save gas would be better than this garbage feature . I dont want to be sitting i n the middle of an intersection waiting for traffic to clear and “HOPE” this thing is going to start and you be able to get thru the intersection safely .
Thats weird the 2018 would not have it, but the 2019 does.
Same reason they did not put blind spot detection on the 2018 and they did on the 2019 sierra/silverado. There were technical design changes that needed to be made.
Another thing that works for me is to put the AC to front window, works for me very well 😉
Having the AC on, windshield only or otherwise does work to disable the Auto Stop/Start (A$$), but takes away power and decreases gas mileage. Taking vehicle out of Drive works too, but why not just flip the simple on/off switch instead? It is literally the very first thing I do after starting my engine to avoid it. Or spend $150 to $200 for a simple device to plug in the OBD II port and forget it. I find it easy to just flip the switch that GM conveniently includes on the dash of my GMC Sierra Denali so it is my choice to use it or not rather than the government or GM or Ford or Ram/Chrysler deciding for me. I have a Range Technology unit ordered just to test some other features and will report back here and on the various GM-trucks forums that I follow.
Shawn M
We leased a 2018 terrain not realizing it has this terrible feature! If I could return it I would, never again GM unless it can be disabled.
Most of the newer GM vehicles of which I know that have these also have a button to switch it on and off, unlike the Ford F-150 for one Ford example (their #1 selling vehicle) does not come with a button or switch to disable this feature without purchasing one of the workaround gadgets on the market or some clever wiring trick to permanently disable it which most likely voids your warranty.
2019 REGAL DOES “NOT” HAVE ON/OFF BUTTON FEATURE!!! I HATE IT!!!
Was auto-stop ever tested in the real home owner world of easing into one’s garage by tapping the brakes so as not to mar a new $52K investment? Having driven a shift for decades, I have the manual sensibility but still one should not have to go through extra steps in a $52K vehicle designed for comfort ‘n luxury. How much gas will this design truly save? I would think it uses more gas to stop/start at a stop sign within one second. Now if there were a 2-3 second delay in this system, it would make more sense and not be as irritating. The near-sightedness of this “feature” is so frustrating.
I could not agree more!!!! I have a 2017 Cadillac XT5 and I didn’t realize when I purchased this vehicle that I couldn’t disable this feature and honestly didn’t really notice it all that much when I first test drove it. After driving it for about a week I drove me insane!!! I wouldn’t have gotten it had I known about this issue. I love everything else about the vehicle. It’s a shame….especially considering the price point.
I recently purchased a used 2017 xt5 and somehow my auto start/stop isn’t active. Idk how or why but I’m so glad, that feature is annoying.
Simply run the car with drivers side a/c set to low. No more problem. Use passenger side a/c to regulate cabin temp
Hi, I have a XT5 and have the SPORT driving option and when this option is selected the stop/start is dissable. Thanks
Anyone try one of the aftermarket Auto-Stop Disable modules? I have seen them online and not too badly priced, around $150. I have been trying everything in my XT5, the sport mode suggested above does not disable the feature. So far the only thing that works for me is to shift into another gear (Neutral or Manual) each time I come to a stop OR once I am stopped then lift the foot off the brake to reengage…I call it the stopping 2 step! LOL…..Both of these are extremely annoying so I was considering the module.
UPDATE: So I ended up purchasing one of the after market Auto Stop Disable modules and it worked great! Very easy to install. Unfortunately the first time I went to use my remote start it threw a Service Engine light/code. Because of this I had to remove the module and send it back as I don’t want to do anything to void my warranty. The manufacturer of the module did refund it and apologized. He stated that has only happened a couple of times and they haven’t figured out why yet so once they do they will let me know and I will give it a try again.
Go online and buy a device from stopstart. Problem solved
smartstopstart.com could never get the remote start to work with their gadget on my daughter’s 2019 Chevrolet Traverse. They were very helpful, even building me a one-off version, but the Traverse would not remote start with it installed.
Hi DeAnn,
I have not heard of these modules at all, but I will consider it and really, really appreciate your mentioning them. Being and old school shift driver I am quite used to paddle shifting to avoid the stop,but really, why should we have to? Wish I could bill GM for one of them!
Interesting spelling if your name BTW. I have a very close friend bu the name of DeeAnne Dimeo Tompkins who is a wonderful vocalist, google her.
I read another article about this and the writer said that the average driver will see less than $50 savings on gasoline per year.
It may have as much to do with emissions as with mpg. Think traffic jams in California and their rampant environmentalism.
It also probably helps the automakers more in the complex calculations of CAFE than it does in real life for consumers.
but how much will they spend on a new starter after a couple of years? Especially if one has a garage and tries to inch into it…totally absurd design. and my master cylinder just went, car is two years old. Read that other owners experienced the same within less than 10K miles. for a $50K vehicle, this is just wrong…
Unless you live in LA where you are sitting in traffic all the time it will probably be even less than that .
Hi, I live in a small town and even that bothers me. This stop/start is a safety hasard because your always thinking what to do at a stop sign so the engine would not stop and not paying attention at the road and seroundings… I hate this device and I am considerign selling our new Cadillac XT5 because of it
Wasn’t this company just about bankrupt a few years ago? And this is how they respond?
My father worked for one of GM’s largest suppliers and my grandfather worked for Packard Electric both owning numerous examples of GM brands for their entire lives. Personally, I have never purchased a GM vehicle and with this latest foible never will. It is reprehensible that a manufacturer would install a very limited use feature with no method of disabling. It is surprising that nobody has yet dug under the hood to figure out which wire to cut. However, I’m certain such a feature is very useful on those 200 mile trips to Walmart in Montana.
The monolithic, unadaptable beast that GM is hasn’t produced a vehicle that Americans actually want since the 1960s. The only people who clamor for a GM these days are the Chinese. Please feel free to set your auto stop sails to the East… And remember, for stupid mistakes rather than engage in endless litigation, China just puts the execute in executive.
Buy Korean.
Actually General Motors was one of the very last manufacturers using auto stop/auto start technology, so your reasoning for not purchasing GM is flawed. Toyota was one of the first to use auto stop/start tech in the 1970s along with Volkswagon and others long before GM including Ford and Fiat/Chrysler/Ram. GM sells more full-size trucks than anything and that is where their real profits are made, only cars that make much profit for them are Caddies and Vettes, but the volume is not there like Chevy and GMC Trucks which combined outsell Ford trucks.
The auto-off feature is the most inconvenient feature I have ever seen. Along with GM’s decision to no longer offer remote starting and door locks from the MyGMC app without a $15 per month subscription, GMC is making many very short-term decisions which will make me look elsewhere. I am just waiting to read about the lawsuits for the auto-stop delays that fail and cause someone to be killed in oncoming traffic as they attempt to to pull out into traffic. My $70,000 2019 GMC Sierra Denali will be traded off very soon and I will not be back to the GMC camp.
I completely agree!! I just hope I’m not the one that gets in the accident and needs to sue.
you can avoid the start/stop at intersections by learning how to use the paddle shifters. I am not suggesting that using the paddles shifters makes the inability to shut the thing off OK, just saying that it is one way to feel safer. I have been driving a shift for over 4 decades, so i can adapt easily…although for $50K one should not have to adapt. My master cylinder went at 23K miles…now i get nervous every time i brake… to be fair, i have heard horror stories about other luxury brands as well…
Got a new 2019 GMC Terrain SLT with the autostop transmission. Since I never had this before, I was uncertain if I would like it? I don’t.
I’m essentially forced to do rolling stops as this vehicle implementation has no delay? Even 1 second would be better. The engine restarts even before it has stopped in this case. I do think it would be good for traffic jams.
A somewhat workaround (NO MODS REQUIRED) is that the restart will take place if most of the pressure is taken off the brake pedal. Sitting at a light, I can mostly release the brake, the engine will restart, then it is ready for the light change without any delay. It doesn’t shut down once started this way for a 2 minute run cycle (if I read that right).
Here in Canada I typically have A/C or heat on so that will alleviate the issue at times too.
Would really like a disable option in setup similar to the main safety features that can be configured but will get used to it I guess. The push button transmission is the really strange and will take a while to feel “normal”.
I have same 2019 GMC Sierra Denali and love that it is has an easy button to press to defeat the auto stop/start technology unlike the Ford and most other trucks where you must use other methods to defeat the “feature” which GM vehicles were among the last to implement. BTW, the MyGMC app uses the free basic OnStar account for 5 years before you have to pay anything unless you want full OnStar features which I do not.
ALL Fords have a button to defeat the auto stop start system. So do Toyotas and Chrysler products.
Mark… I have the identical 19 GMC Sierra Denali with 6.2 motor … If you look in the manual, or on your dashboard you will see a disable switch for Stop/start.
I LOVE everything about this vehicle!
Just purchased a 2018 Buick Enclave with Auto Start/Stop feature, I didn’t know anything about this feature, however, I hate it now. Looking at other comments it’s clear to me that GM recognizes it made mistake putting the feature in a vehicle with no driver override. Hence, 2019 models coming out with driver override buttons. If GM were really customer oriented they would be astute enough to realize there are a lot of unhappy campers with the Auto Start/Stop feature on recently purchased vehicles and scramble to provide an aftermarket fix, which I would be happy to pay for versus buying some module that might or might not work and if not removed on service calls could void my 4-year warranty. Are you listening GM??? Do nothing and my next car will be purchased from a brand that does listen.
No auto start / stop for me. When it comes time for a different vehicle it definitely be one without auto / start stop.
I very much may go to an older vehicle without it or different brand.
Just got a 2018 Silverado 5.3 and the 4/8 cylinder changing sucks. I have it running in V8 mode all the time and the mileage is great. The drive by wire system sucks also. My old 1995 5.7 engine Silverado will beat it any day.
Guess this new technology may be my end of buying a new vehicle.
I have a 2019 Traverse that has the auto start/stop ! Did anyone test this feature in real life situations, You would think they would have put a 5 second delay so you would not need to roll thu stop signs!
I shift mine into low gear when pulling into my garage.
Some times the on / off is so quick that you can hear the starter gears grind.
obviously not tested by anyone who parks in their garage…or who makes left turns at intersections…even a 3 sec delay would be sufficient. and of course they can implement it. the sheer lack of foresight is simultaneously amazing and sad. I really love most everything about my 2018 XT5, save the autostop…and less egregious but clearly a miss is the placement of the AWD/Sport mode switch, and lack of dashboard AWD light. The 2019 at least has the light in the same place as the sport mode indicator…inexcusable for a car (and company) once the face of America