Over the past couple of days, we’ve been discussing GM’s automatic engine stop-start feature – a technology that allows the engine to turn itself off when a vehicle so-equipped is brought to a complete stop, conserving whatever fuel would otherwise be expended simply to keep the engine idling. On Wednesday, our first part in a three-part series on the subject discussed some of the mixed opinions GM customers hold on the feature. On Thursday, we talked about how the system could be defeated in GM vehicles without a dedicated “off” button.
Today, we’re talking about the latest Chevy crossover to feature the technology: the all-new, 2019 Chevrolet Blazer. The midsize CUV appears destined to be the newest in a line of vehicles from General Motors not to offer a dedicated button to defeat the auto engine stop-start feature. We’ve scoured photographs of the interior, and come away with no visual evidence that the new Blazer might pack such a button. We even reached out to Chevrolet to confirm, but we have yet to get a response.
This is not unusual; a number of newer GM vehicle models, including the 2016-2018 Chevrolet Cruze, 2017-2019 Cadillac XT5, 2017-2019 GMC Acadia with 2.5L I4, 2018 Buick Enclave, and 2018 Chevrolet Traverse are also without engine stop-start defeat buttons, although the Cruze and Enclave have both added buttons for the 2019 model year, likely in response to customer feedback. The XT5 will add one for 2020. Given that, and considering how closely related the new Blazer is to the XT5, it seems quite possible that GM might give the Blazer a defeat button in the future.
Until then, Chevrolet Blazer customers who find GM’s engine stop-start feature noisy, intrusive, or otherwise unsatisfactory should plan on using one of the methods we outlined in yesterday’s post in order to shut the system off.
Keep it tuned to GM Authority for all the latest Chevrolet Blazer news.
Comments
It would be nice if one of the web sites would dig into this and find out just why some vehicles have the defeat button while other do not.
Is it because they lose the off cycle credits on some whole there they do not?
Inquiring minds would really like to know.
Even if the MFG does not want to talk I would think the EPA could give you a really good lead story no one else has answered.
All you have to do it put it in L or M, and set the gear to the highest gear possible. It will drive just like in D, but will override stop/start.
Wouldn’t pressing an off button be easier ?
Yes but people buy automatics so they do not want to shift. Many find it as annoying as start stop.
Put the shifter in L ,press the +button until it shows L6 on the dash for a 6 speed, (L9 for a 9 speed), once you do this you don’t shift again until you park. No big deal. But GM needs to put a defeat button in every car as soon as possible.
Shouldn’t have to do that. You can turn it off with a switch in almost every other competitor.
I did not trade my 2016 Equinox on a 2018 or 2019 Equinox because of the start stop feature. The TERRAIN has a double reason not to buy……….start stop and the terrible button shift on the dash.
I test drove both models and found the start stop a nuisance on the hills of Western PA and the button system on the TERRAIN was hard to engage with winter gloves on my hand. I want to buy a vehicle that you put in gear and go……..I don’t want to put the selector in “M” and push the button either 5 or 8 times every time I jump into the vehicle.
Honestly, it’s hard to continue to buy GM after 50 years of loyalty when their vehicles aren’t user friendly. In addition, the Equinox and the TERRAIN are way overpriced!
I currently shopping……….but a GM dealer may not be my last stop.
I bought a 2018 Chevy Equinox LS for 22000 before tax ,it is very nice for the money. I am averaging about 29 mpg with 80 percent city driving. While having to press the + button 5 times when I am driving is at the most annoying (it was stupid not to have a defeat button) It is hardly a deal breaker. I would not own a car that I had to use stop / start. That would be a deal breaker.
I just bought my first Toyota Highlander (2018) with the towing package and 3.5L 6. I really wanted a Terrain until I drove it and researched it. First problem was SS. At an absolute minimum there needs to be a defeat switch or be able to program the firmware to set the default to OFF like one of my older BMW’s.
That lost the deal right then and there … but wait there’s more
Second, with the towing package, the engine recommends Premium gas. BAD.
Third, the push button transmission, I thought these went away with 1957 Fords, but apparently not. Can you imagine trying to rock your way out of a snow drift with buttons? RIDICULOUS.
The Toyota met all requirements and more. Sigh. I’ve been buying GM cars since 1968. This last car replaced a 2002 Envoy and my other car is a 2007 Malibu. GM needs to get its act together. Also, looked at the Acadia and Traverse, which are nice, but didn’t offer 60/40 seats in the second row, so fold down storage has this big gap in the middle.
The offer a 40/60 Acadia.
I think that’s only on the base model, however. We couldn’t find one with the features we wanted that had 60/40
Most cars will have push button very soon its a industry trend. High octane is recommend in most higher performance engines and turbo’s. Toyota has none of these in their cooking cutter cars. High octane pricing can be fixed easily if the their was only one rating of gas. high octane only gas has been pushed by almost all of the car manufactures for simplicity and lower gas prices.
Instead of having a button to defeat, perhaps the button should be for activate. 2017 ATS 3.6l 8 spd auto with button. Annoying……
That would pass the common sense test with flying colors.
“Until then, Chevrolet Blazer customers who find GM’s engine stop-start feature noisy, intrusive, or otherwise unsatisfactory should plan on using one of the methods we outlined in yesterday’s post in order to shut the system off.”
Or just not become a Blazer customer and buy one of the many competitors that feature a defeat switch.
too many steps to bypass … what’s needed is an aftermarket solution…. this is a problem across all mfrs. How can SS be good for an engine?
There is an after market answer to Smart Stop Start…………see http://www.smartstartstop.com. It’ a company in Virginia that is currently making a plug and play module that overrides the feature. They also make them for FCA vehicles. I believe they are about $130.
My only question is if this device voids the factory warranty.
If I buy a new Equinox………..I may give this a try!
Hear me GM–I’ve bought about eight new GM vehicles since high school in the seventies–last two were Cadillac CTS vehicles–loved them–including the CTS I have now–if I can’t turn off Start/Stop in my next vehicle I won’t buy it–period–I understand the XT4 has a button to turn it off.
What this is is a “princess and pea” situation….everyone here can’t stand it and its the worse thing ever blarg blargh blargh I’ve been buying GM cars for the last 450 years and I’ll never blarh blarg blarggg blarg”
In the real word, I hear dozens of cars “stop-start” all day long at every intersection and stop light from every car company that offers the feature even from companies that offer a defeat button and people still leave the car in “stop-start” so overall it seems that the public at large uses it and really doesn’t care that its on.
I’m retired–take lots of trips to the sunshine–rent lots of new 2018 GM cars–some stop/starts on the vehicles aren’t too bad–others give off a slight shudder when restarting –I don’t have to like it–and I don’t–my 2008 CTS stays running at stop lights–nice and smooth–no shudder at every light–keep it that way.
How do you know they don’t care that it’s on? For all we know, maybe they all hate it and regret buying the car.
Just went for a ride in my new 2019 equinox. When the engine tries to stop at a red light, the whole dam car lurches forward and stalls! Happened 3 times until I was shifting into neutral. Car seems to be back to its old self now, simply stopping and starting back up, but at a busy intersection when you need to give it gas, this can be SCARY. Think I will keep it in low and + to 6 until Chevy figures out how to disengage these auto stops. A safety hazard for sure. I don’t consider this blarging when I came to see why this is happening, I am concerned that my wife is going to get into an accident with this. Now, She wants no part of it! Brand new car lurching forward and stalling when braking? Dam!
This is an absolute deal breaker for me. The new Honda Passport has this feature so would seem a better alternative.
Like anything else – stop/start is something that will take some getting used to. Me personally at an intersection when you need to give it gas and your engine stops, it is just weird and not safe. The engine starts as soon as you let go of the brake fast enough. but will make you wonder. If you are never in a rush, drive 30 mph, then you are good. If you drive in a city where you need to give it gas from a stop or from a left turn lane, you will have your doubts. I guess once I adapt I will be OK, but I will say and agree that we should be able to disable this feature. This should be STANDARD. Yes I can shift into Low and + the shifter to 6 and the car will disable this feature, but why should I? One thing I find is if I come up to a light and not depress the brake so hard the car will not stop. The Equinox is a fun car for me, doesn’t matter what Make or Model you buy with this feature, it will take some getting used to. I don’t mind it driving local, do not like it on highways and city driving. We should be able to control our own safety features to a point. Not sure why my car was stalling at every stop, but it hasn’t happened again. Always make sure when you start a car that you give the car a minute to run its course. The gauges and all should cycle before putting it in drive. This is the only thing that I could think that I did different that day, where I put the car in drive and went, the car was warming for a few minutes when we took drove off and took our son to work. The stalling has not happened again, keeping an eye on it!!!!
Has anyone looked at http://www.smartstartstop.com??? It’s a plug and play module that cancels stop start…….
Check it out…………
I have seen it – Yes. Sounds like a great idea too if you want to spend $150 and you don’t mind taken the chance –
Just as easy to put the gear in Low +6
Personally, I would be very cautious with this module only for the fact that I am currently leasing, not sure what a diagnostic reader would see God Forbid something happens and GM wants to blame me for any problems on their side.
Below taken from their website
Does this product affect my warranty?
Per the Magnusson-Moss Warranty Act, a manufacturer can only deny a warranty claim when an aftermarket component is installed if the dealer or manufacturer can prove that the aftermarket component caused the failure. To avoid any possible question ever arising from lack of knowledge of this product by the servicing dealer, we recommend removing the module prior to bringing the vehicle in for any service.