ECO Start-Stop

ECO start/stop is a fuel-saving function. When the car comes to a stop, for example at a red light, the system shuts the engine off. As soon as the driver releases the brake pedal, the engine restarts and the car is ready to move.

When the engine does not stop

The system only switches the engine off when conditions allow it. It usually stays running when:

• the engine has not reached operating temperature;
• the battery charge is low;
• the climate control needs the engine to heat or cool the cabin;
• the steering wheel is turned or the car is on a steep slope.

A symbol in the instrument cluster shows whether the function is active, ready or switched off.

The ECO button and why it resets

The function can be turned off with the ECO button on the center console. But the setting is not kept: every time the car is started, ECO start/stop is active again. Drivers who do not want the engine to stop at every light have to press the button on every trip.

On some models the function is also tied to the DYNAMIC SELECT program - in Sport it may be off, and back on after the next start in Comfort.

Keeping it off

A last-mode module changes the car's settings so that it remembers whether you switched ECO start/stop off and keeps that state after the next start, until you press the button again. The car's own button keeps working, the function is not removed, and the module is unplugged after the change. The right module depends on the chassis code, engine and year.