One of the biggest criticisms of the all-new Chevrolet Blazer is the inability to disable its automatic engine stop-start feature, causing owners to come up with all sorts of makeshift workarounds. In fact, the same issue has plagued the Blazer’s C1 platform mates – the GMC Acadia and Cadillac XT5. Luckily, that will soon change, as General Motors will add a way to disable the automatic engine shut-off feature for the 2020 Chevrolet Blazer.
According to exclusive information uncovered by GM Authority, the 2020 Chevrolet Blazer will gain a stop-start system override engine control. Coincidentally, the same holds true for the 2020 GMC Acadia and 2020 Cadillac XT5. That sound you hear is a collective sigh of relief among those who really like the Blazer, but detest being forced into having the fuel-saving feature always enabled on the mid-size crossover.
Other notable changes to the 2020 Chevrolet Blazer include the addition of the turbocharged 2.0L LSY four-cylinder engine (about which we previously reported), three new exterior colors, and various package-level changes. We will report on these changes in more details in a jiffy.
In the meantime, subscribe to GM Authority for more Chevrolet Blazer news, Chevrolet news, and ongoing GM news coverage.
Comments
Nice!
We need it in the Equinox and Malibu too!
I’d like to see the new Blazer Carryall with start/stop disable and full LED lighting. That’s probably worth $55,000 to me.
In the Malibu with the 6 speed AT, shift to L and press the +/- button 6 times on top of the shifter, so that it will use all 6 gears. Stop/start doesn’t engage when the AT is in L. You have to do it every time you start the engine, but that’s not different that the defeat button.
Is it a permanent disable or do you have to hit the button every time you start the engine after push-button stop. Also, still needs a TTV6 performance pkg.
Not permanent. It’s a disable per ignition cycle, so you’ll have to press the button it every time you start up the vehicle if you want the equivalent of a permanent disable.
Wasn’t stop/start invented for hybrids (Toyota, etc)?
For ICE- mobiles, it apparently wears on everything from the battery, and an engine that was designed for 100k starts, not 3-400k starts.
And fuel efficiency ranges from +10% to a more likely 3-4%.
S/S is no panacea; tough on conventional batteries, engine parts, and is just plain annoying.
Nice that they have a convenient on/off switch now, but it’s annoying Tech we don’t need. And the current admin (or drivers) aren’t asking for.
GM has this system for years and it was called the “belt assist system” or BAS because it uses a strong belt between the engine crankshaft and the starter/generator. It saves weight eliminating the starter as the generator does double function (as in regular hybrids) and there is no gearing on the flywheel so there is nor gear wear or noise. The starter can add HP to the gas engine as an “assist”, as a full hybrid does.
What most mistake about start stop is it is there for mpg and that it adds more wear and tear.
The reason it is added is for off cycle emissions credits that the vehicle earns. It is considered to reduce emissions and with the government awarding stated credits for reductions that can’t be measured it can lead to extra credits offered to meet tougher regulations in the future. There are a number of features that automakers are now doing to earn these off cycle credits.
As for wear and tear it is a well sorted system and the batteries last no less and the starters are not your standard starter systems.
I do agree they are totally annoying and the offer of a defeat button would save a sale to me as I refuse to buy a vehicle with out the defeat button.
As to if we need this tech or not comes down to what we would lose if the credits were lost. Would we lose HP or even the number of cylinders due to tougher regulations? That may be the real determining factor if we need it or not.
Just keep the shut off button either way.
I agree with Scott3 100% This Stop-Start nonsense is driven by Washington’s mandated requirements. I can’t fault the GM engineers for trying to take advantage of every credit tweak, but what results is a nearly universally despised feature. Try Stop-Start in Arizona when the temp is 115°! The workarounds that folks have figured out most likely defeat the supposed credit and then some.
Another downside to politicians dictating requirements is the current trend toward mouse sized engines…again likely because of credits earned. I’m probably going to lease a 2019 Terrain with a 1.5L turbo engine. I’m sure it wall be more than adequate for around town or Tucson to Phoenix driving where there are no hills. However on a trip to San Diego, Flagstaff or Albuquerque, the mountain grades will have the engine revving so fast that the pistons will be swapping cylinders.
This is good! Now where is the option to turn it into a proper RWD SUV like it should have been in the first place?
Totally agree, if it is already AWD capable, why can I not decide to just enable RWD mode?! WANT THIS!
It is what it is due to weight and efficiency. But there are some things you should know about this set up.
Yes in standard drive mode it is FWD. But in 4×4 mode it is a 50/50 split on the drive. In Sport mode on this and my Acadia it is a 40/60 rear split in drive. It drives like a RWD but with much better traction. It turns my Denali into a much better handling vehicle. With tightened steering and stiffened up suspension.
This was never intended as a major off road vehicle as 95% of these will never leave the roads.
I understand the logic, but I just like RWD and I don’t go off-roading either. You have much better control in a skid with RWD than you do with FWD when it comes to snow and ice.
As it is, the only SUV GM offers in RWD is the massive Tahoe and Suburban.
The Toyota 4Runner is basically one of the few smaller RWD SUVs left and it runs unopposed. Ford keeps their Explorer as a RWD vehicle (though it has grown in size from prior generations)
So AWD Sport mode on the ’19 Blazer, is it 40/60 F/R too?
From what I read yes.
This is why it is reported to be fun to drive. It feels and drives like a RWD with some grip in the front.
The first thing I do in the Acadia is pu it in sport mode.
Good, now how do I retrofit it to my 2019 Blazer RS?!
Read somewhere you can find the associated link to the fuse box and unplug it to keep the stop-start system from being activated. Not sure how valid it is tho
So GM isn’t the stubborn monolith we think it to be! This is good news, seems they are responding to real consumer requests.
Oh boy, now I really want one. ?
you can thank obamas EPA for setting the 54 mpg requirement and this had to be done to help meet it
Yea who wants fuel efficient cars? Now that people want their SUVs and wont buy cars again, we can have a repeat of the mid 2000s gas crisis! Except it wont be as bad this time, thanks to his fuel economy standards regulations.
I know, also instead of affordable, sporty sedans we have now 400hp pickups/SUVs that can’t hit 100mph to transport the average 400lb driver, his 350lb wife, 2 300lb teens with 600lbs of groceries in the back…
M’eurica !!!??️??? ?
Well those moms need their massive trucks and full size SUVs! They need to feel safe on the road while being a danger to everyone else! Not to mention take up 3 parking spots and still throw their doors into cars next to them.
Fuel efficient vehicles yes. Rube Goldberg devices to drive no.
When it comes to regulations too often rules are made but folks who don’t have automotive backgrounds or are represent lobbyist.
Common sense often gets left by the roadside.
You are absolutely correct, scott. But you also can’t deny the massive increase in fuel economy over the last decade or so, either.
The 2.8l v6 mated to a 4 speed manual in my Fiero was considered fuel efficient back in 1985. That thing averages like 20mpg.
with the world awash in oil because of fracking the price of gasoline is dropping every day and it is cheaper allowing for inflation than it was a few decades ago and the libs are worried about MPG. could it be they are just pushing their global warming position for votes and the american driver is paying the price. al lot of people pushing global warming do not even drive so it does in cause them any problem.
Yea I sure love me some fracking! Who doesn’t want toxic chemicals pumped into the ground water?
And gas prices are dropping? Weird since they seem to be going up from where they were when Obama was President. And he also supported fracking, by the way.
Good! It’s about time! But, the wonder boys and girls of GMC are giving the start stop delete on the 2020 but will eliminate the floor shift and go to the Terrain-like shift buttons………
I hope GM gets stuck with the the 2019 MEXICAN $50K START STOP BLAZERS!
They better come up with a retro fix kit…………and a base model that is affordable and doesn’t look like a CHECKER CAB……..you know cheap looking wheels and school bus/work truck seats!
Start/stop is not the point !! This vehicle supports non Americans….Japanese non Americans….we call ourselves patriot Americans but support other governments? Support American products built here // made here … guess what .. this is coming from a Hispanic!
Just put a 6.2 V8 in it then all will love it ! Lt4 options
now that’s what I’m talking about !!! Jeep Cherokee V8 kinda fast
It is a transverse engine vehicle and FWD based. Not going to happen.
Apples and oranges.
Just make it mid engine then it might handle also.
For whatever reason(s) GM put a button to disable the start-stop feature in THIS vehicle, they should put the same button in ALL of their vehicles.
They need this in all their so equipped vehicles. Sadly though it is a stop gap measure that has to be instigated every time and not the needed set it and forget it type.
I wonder if the 2020 Terrain will have the magic button ?
Pop the hood open, start the engine, close the hood. Stop/start is temporarily disabled.
I tried the Open Hood
start Engine
Close hood
Next day did not work
Darn
Any suggestions? Thanks
Maybe they are finally realizing how many sales they lose by not having this. I crossed the Traverse off my list because it didn’t have it.
I love Chevrolet and have been loyal but this is not acceptable. The start stop is not a new concept and can be found on a 1960s Harley Davidson Gasoline Golf Cart . I am also tired of these tinkertoy small cubic inch engines. I still run a 3800 police special that gets great mileage and has good performance. Fed up with all this I bought a 2020 Dodge Charger 392. Problem solved……. By the way the 8 speed that shifts flawlessly is made by the same company that builds transmissions for John Deere Construction equipment. ZF Corporation. Driving is exciting again!