Few features draw the ire of our readers quite like GM‘s automatic engine start-stop. Designed to increase fuel efficiency by turning the engine off when it’s not needed (such as idling at a stop sign), then restart the engine when the driver lifts their foot off the brake, it’s a relatively simple system, but real-world applications have proven more than a little irritating for some owners. Luckily, future Chevrolet Equinox owners will have the option to disable automatic engine start-stop with the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox.
As evidenced by the recent debut of the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox at the Chicago Auto Show, the new ‘Nox will come with a large button on the center stack that will deactivate the automatic engine start-stop feature. The feature deactivation button will be included with both the base turbocharged 1.5L LYX inline four-cylinder engine, as well as the optional turbocharged 2.0L LTG inline four-cylinder.
The automatic engine start-stop deactivation button, pictured left.
What’s more, the 2021 GMC Terrain is also expected to offer a button to deactivate the automatic engine start-stop feature.
Interestingly, fuel economy numbers between the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox and 2021 Chevrolet Equinox are identical, rated at 31 mpg on the highway and 26 mpg in the city.
Back in 2016, we reported that GM had plans to implement automatic engine start-stop on nearly every vehicle by 2020. The reaction was immediate, with readers posting comments asking if there was a way to deactivate the feature. As such, we’ve covered how to deactivate the feature numerous times, including tricks like starting the engine with the hood open as one possible solution for those owners that despise the system.
Are you happy to see GM offer a quick and easy method of disabling the automatic engine start-stop feature with the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox? Do you hope it carries over to other models as well? Let us know your thoughts in the comments, and make sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more Chevrolet Equinox news, Chevrolet news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
You need to do a little more home work. The system was not a factor in the EPA ratings as with how it works it has little effect on their test cycle.
Now you need to dig in and learn about Off Cycle Credits. This is a big area automaker exploit as they are things that can save mpg and or emission that are not reflected in the EPA fuel mileage ratings. The Engine stop is one of these Off Cycle Credits. AFM is also another. Automakers put these systems in to earn these credits so they can keep more HP and more better engines.
Not Off Cycle Credits can be associated with many parts of the car such as colors that run the AC less, Tinted glass that does the same. Low friction Alternators and many more small things that add up.
The one questions I never could find an answer for is why GM would put the kill button in the Acadia but not in the Blazer in the same year? Why they did not do it from the start. Was it the delay from getting these off cycle credits that made them skip a year or two?
Johnathon I would recommend you look into the off cycle credits as it may make a good story since so few people hear or know of them.
Turn on the heat or AC , the Start/Stop Will not work
Not true on mine at least but if you mean turning on the heat or AC when the vehicle is stopped & the engine has gone into stopped mode- it will then restart. Otherwise, if you start out with the heat or AC on it will go through it’s usual (normal) cycle.
Start/stop should come with a defeat switch. It was stupid not to offer it in the first place. I am glad that the Equinox finally got it. The Malibu got it a year or two ago. The Blazer got it last year.
If the car can’t move itself on electric power at all, there should be a way to defeat an automatic engine stop system. It does nothing but hurt sales and upset the people that actually did buy the car.
A defeat switch is STILL missing from the Traverse and Enclave – both are a class of vehicle where a lack of a defeat mechanism would be frustrating to owners. The Buick LaCrosse is the same way, and I know of at least two sales that Buick lost because there is no way to turn that stupid feature off.
FYI – Volvo now allows you to turn it off permanently.
Where is the switch on the 2021 equinox?
just bought a 2021 equinox and it doesn’t have the defeat button dash, not sure where they got that picture from.
So did I There is no button on my 2021 either
Our 2018 Cadillac CT6 has a defeat switch, and we would not have leased the car without it.
Thanks a lot GM for waiting until I bought a 2019 and a 2020 Equinox. I understand the credits but the start stop is a complete pain when driving stop light to stop light in a small town.
When I trade these vehicles in………I’m sure the dealer will say……….Oh, that’s the old model with start stop, it’s not worth that much!
I wish GM would tell some of their designers to get off their phones and ask the people what they want.
My best friend just traded his Equinox on a HONDA CRV because of start stop!
The new cars are like driving a video game…………to fix stupid in most folks! Over $40K for a NOX ……just peachy!
recently drove a Chevrolet Equinox while evaluating vehicles for my next purchase. I was not annoyed in any way but rather impressed with the seamlessness of the action. However, I could project some annoyance in one of those Interstate 3 mile back-ups with stop & go traffic but of course that’s exactly when you need it.
And yes, I like saving gas…
People on the web come up with all sorts of BS.
#1 The start stop works very well and is seamless accept for a small jump when you step on the gas. Most of the issues are mental just knowing it stops. Yes it bothers me too but I have no reason to be bothered.
#2 It does affect sales as I would not buy as well as many others do to the system. If it did not affect sales there would be no shut off.
#3 The fuel savings is minimal at best under the right conditions. The credits are valuable though so they will be using this.
The real question is why GM and other MFG’s have staggered the kill button. Was it something they had to wait for EPA approval etc?
So that is it in a nut shell. No drama needed here. It is there when people buy and the system works. To me it just feels wrong for an engine to stop but that is just the mental aspect you have to conquer.
No one complains at the golf course as gas carts have used this for years.
We will have to learn to adapt to many things. The EV cars are one where they are quiet and you hear all sorts of things you never heard before. The first time in the snow I thought the under side of the car was getting ripped off.
We see the same mental block on the Turbo 4 cylinder engines. People thing less cylinders are less dependable and less power but in many cases they can be very powerful and most are every bit as strong as larger engines. The only negative is there are more parts that could have an issue but most have proven as durable as any other engine.
I never wanted a Turbo 4 till I owned one. I have to admit it was one of the most fun engines I ever had and never had an issue with it. The low end torque was amazing and it got MPG like I never had with similar powered engines.
The defeat switch is for dumb people who cant except new technology that actually works. I cant believe that people live in fear over new technology like this!
Why are you so scared of this technology!!!! And dont say it doesn’t work, because it does work very well
“Cant except” should be “Can’t accept”. “Cant believe” should be “Can’t believe”. “Dont say” should be “don’t say”. The word “dumb” should be deleted.
That was fun! 👍😁
Thanks Jose,
You said it well. Insulting someone calling them dumb because they don’t agree with you is immature. Technology has certainly helped advance our civilization, but it has also made some awful choices to common sense. As far as the start stop issue, you can talk to a number of mechanics and engineers that disagree. The wear and tear on an engine from s/s are significant compared to gas savings on a vehicle over time and an economic burden on the consumer in premature repairs at today’s parts and labor costs. S/S may be a good idea for some but not for me from the facts.
hmmmm…maybe all the extra wear and tear on the starter…watch how many more starters go bad…we have already replaced starters on 2018 and newer cars that had the auto-stop feature. All of them were pretty low mileage cars to be needing a starter.
gm forget about the stop start feature remove it from all products..supply kits for older models to bypass
To “commonsense” above; Got news for you, I’m a “car guy”, and I did shop for an suv, and thanks to all the other “car guys” out there that did the same…..we’ll figure a way to defeat the start stop system, sooner or later. I just purchased a 2020 Equinox, 2.0T LT AWD, knowing full well, the start stop system was there, and also knowing fully, it can be defeated. The mere fact GM, or any other automaker, finally after the fact, places a defeat switch within reach of the driver, should tell you it was simply politics that put it there in the first place. The amount of fuel savings, within a given life span, of a start stop automobile system, has to be so extremely minimal, within the big picture…..maybe a fill-up over a 10 year period of time?! Who knows, but I will tell you one thing, I would trade a little gas, for a longer lasting starter, and engine, that doesn’t sit thousands of times, and heat soak every time it’s driven!? Just a little “commonsense” advise,……please learn to spell, and compose a sentence, as “saying anything on the internet” makes you look more ignorant, than you hopefully really are! “Come on man”, don’t speak for me, because you can’t!
it may make a difference if you are daily stuck in gridlock traffic on your commute. sucks to be you
So……which side of this issue are you on? Below you state; “I don’t think this is good for the drivetrain or transmission.” Above you state, “sucks to be you”, regarding sitting in daily gridlock traffic, allegedly, I guess, using up that minuscule amount of gas. What actually sucks, is the extra burden this supposed feature, places on the starter, and all the other mechanicals, that I agree with Ted D. on, as far as heat soaking is concerned. That is why an engine, at times, is harder to turn over, and start again, directly after a total warm-up, then re-start…..such as freeway driving, pulling off to gas up, then re-starting engine. Heat soaking causes expansion on all internal engine parts, as well as all things within reach of that heat, making for more friction upon a re-start….not good. Imagine doing that many times daily, as opposed to a, now and then, scenario. After running an engine through a complete heat cycle, then shutting off, such as coming home from work, etc., and not restarting immediately, let’s the engine cool to the point, where “heat soak” is not an issue. Obviously, best case senario, no re-start until next morning. As a technician for Chevrolet, back in the 70s, through 1995, I can see no real advantages to the, “start stop” system, PERIOD! IMHO, just another mandate from a government suit, justifying his, or her, easy street employment. Nuff said!
Nuff said”- well not quite”. The government has nothing to do with the start/stop technology whether he or she wears a suit or not. It is the responsibility of the manufacture and their employees who attempt to take up the challenge of reduced emissions and improved gas mileage that any such blame should lay. Certainly it is a measure of their worth in our society whether they are able to accomplish the task. But to blame the public (ie through their elected representatives) for the demands made is not just short-sighted it demonstrates a lack of understanding of how our capitalistic system works.
Actually you could say it is the government. Apparently they offer “credits” to offset the fuel use/carbon emissions the vehicle has.
There are such credits in other industries as well, most of which amount to “do this useless thing that makes people think warm and fuzzy thoughts” and we will let you out of some of the requirements.
Those with common sense, know it is two words
What is interesting (not really) is your negative demeanor in your articles toward GM, “Few features draw the ire of our readers quite like GM‘s automatic engine start-stop/have proven more than a little irritating for some owners”.
This in not a GM thing as all automakers have it nor were they first to use it.
“Interestingly, fuel economy numbers between the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox and 2021 Chevrolet Equinox are identical” – It’s the same vehicle with the same engines, what were you expecting?
article
“Why Are The Cadillac Engine Treatments So Bad?” – negative and speaks for it’s self.
article
Check Out The Undercarriage Of The 2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD
“isn’t actually an Allison transmission.” – you forgot to mention who makes the 6 spd. the 6.6L L8T gas engine is mated to.
My favorite? (a lot to “pick apart”)
“Indeed, there’s a lot to pick apart from these undercarriage photos of the 2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD.”
👁
I think the negativity in the articles is meant to stir up the gm guys on here, as that leads to comments.
That is what the game is all about on the web. Posters and clickers mean advertising and that means money.
Controversy pays and that is why the web is loaded with fake news or controversial news.
It was designed by GM and Allison. The 6 Speed is built in a GM plant the new 10-speed is also and they are under license from Allison Transmission
I care. I just bought a 2019 GMC Acadia Denali V6 because it did not have Automatic Stop Start (ASS). I got a loaner Buick Enclave when my car was in for service. I drove it 21 miles in suburb traffic and was ready to scream because of the ASS. I hate it and believe i to be unsafe. But I noticed if I did a Limo stop (very light break pressure) the engine did not turn off. There must be a pressure sensor on the brake hydraulic system. If so, it seams that it could be removed and plugged to turn off ASS. I would try that if I had a vehicle with non-defeatable ASS. (in response to commonsense)
when my truck was in for service I used the sales managers blazer and it feels like the transmission is doing a neutral drop.I dont think this is good for the drivetrain or transmission.I was told the system has a motorcycle size battery to run the system disconnect the battery-no more stop-start poof
Rumor has it you can loop a switch into the (hood latch sensor?) To trick the car into thinking the hood is up. As if it were being serviced which disables stop-start.
GM should have to compensate us 2018 owners for the bastard start/stop misery as it can’t be called a feature.
Go to http://www.smartstopstart.com This company makes an override switch that’s plug and play and defeats the GM Start Stop.
I hope GM makes a retro fit kit for my 2019 and 2020 Equinox’s…………..
Either way…………I can’t stand the feature………..period, and those who say it’s not noticeable are too busy talking or texting on their cell phone to realize what they are driving!
be careful about using plug and play things gm can tell if you use these things and they as funny as it sounds may use that to deny warranty claims, that is what I Was told about cylinder deactivation devices
I had a 2016 Cruze with the stop-start. I can’t say I totally hated it by the time I got a different car, but I never really stopped wishing it could be turned off. If I had it now, I’d probably use it in the city, but I live and drive mostly in the country, and on highways. And I just can’t see it saving enough fuel to be worth it in either case. And there’s no excuse for GM making the decision for us rather to use it or not. We should always be the ones with the choice. They’re our cars.
My 2020 Equinox has lost its Auto-stop!! Happened maybe a month ago. Thinking back, I recall a screen notice of some update being downloaded but don’t recall what. Now I don’t know if I have a trouble condition, which I’ll handle on my “first service in a couple of months, or a blessing from GM….
There are 2 ways to stop the motor die switch. if you push the brake pedal down just enough to stop it will not die. The other way is to put it in neutral just as you are coming to a stop
Yes I have posted on this previously it can easily be overcome by using neutral just as you’re coasting to a stop or the easy tap (just touch the brake) to slow the vehicle as it approaches a stop sign, stop light or a line of cars. That kills it but you do have it for the long waits. They are plenty of them no matter where you drive- city, rural, highway, drive- thrus,, RR crossings, & interstate accidents to name but a few. Of course, if you’re not interested in saving gas or reducing carbon emissions then I get it but don’t blame GM.
And yes, I have a 2018 Equinox & have not been annoyed in any way by this feature.
My only concern is wearing out the starter, that is why they need to have a switch.
Good Point- apparently the engineers have thought of this & have modified the many restarts with resulting longer life (google it). I also checked the GM warranty & it is not part of the Drivetrain therefore 36k only. I checked AC Delco & a new starter for my 2018 Equinox is $274, of course plus labor.
Just put it on “L6” instead of “D” when you’re ready to drive, I do that now and I also lightly ‘pad’ the break when I have to use “D” when parking, sometimes. I never drive on “D” anymore, the Equinox drives awesome on “L6”
Does anyone now if the Traverse has plans to disable the auto/stop feature with a button?
I have a 2018 Traverse lease and I am turning it back in Aug. 2021.
Love the model – but will get something else if there is no button.
I have left in low gear – on the 9th speed – but the shifting, especially down shifting from highway speeds is horrible.
Been to the dealer too many times for Trans software updates – but the problem is the auto/stop crap!
Every model needs a button to disengage that. What’s next – Corvette?
I can not find a 2021 Equinox with a stop start defeat button.
Because of Covid, they decided not to add the button this year. So, it is coming with the 2022 model update.
Our 2013 equinox was a great vehicle. We bought a 2020 and we hate it because we can’t turn off the start/stop feature. Even though all if ur ads on Google say that the 2021 have the feature. But they do not. Why are you advertising that it does.
Let off the brakes.
My 2021 Chevy Equinox Premier does not have the auto stop start defeat pushbutton ( located beside the emergency flasher pushbutton ) I Is Chevrolet offering any kind of retrofit on this pushbutton , or a way for a service technician to go into the computer and deactivate it ?
Please remove this article from the internet, It is false . You have caused many auto stop start haters to buy the 2021 Equinox thinking they could defeat the sydtem .
2021 Chevrolet Equinox does NOT have an auto stop start defeat switch ( pushbutton ) . Please correct your misinformation . P.S. I know, because I own one .