WANTED: Automatic Start-Stop Feature OFF as Default

[Nikoman]

Love my new B9. Never liked the auto start-stop feature on my wife's old 3 series and my new A4. BMW offered to set the default on OFF at no cost at the local dealer. Just needed to request it. Never did it since it didn't bother my wife. The dealer I bought my A4 from said they can't do it.

Has anyone heard if this default feature can be set to OFF versus ON? I used to be fluent in VAGCOM but doubt that exists on the B9 yet....

[Jet Jockey]

That's bad news if it cannot be defaulted to "OFF".

My friend's A6 had his car's system defaulted to "OFF" but that's in Montreal Canada.

I have already asked my dealer to have that switched to "OFF" prior to my B9 delivery in two weeks. I also asked for the auto lock feature to be deleted.

[pszydlik]

look into VAG-COM or even little tool like ODBEleven to access control modules, there is or will be a way to disable and enable things in B9

[strife1013]

[Jet Jockey]

And what's your point?

[strife1013]

Your only option on how to turn if off right now.

[Nikoman]

The default setting is on after every start. The point of this thread is to set the default to off and turn it on by driver choice. It's not really a big deal, just like things my way and now.

[McWicked]

I used to have a 350Z Track model and I spent everyday getting in, starting her up, and turning off the VDC/TCS. Every single start up. It just became habitual after a while.
Now I have this A4. Everyday I get in, start her up, turn off the START-STOP... sigh.
So yes, I too would like the default to be off as well.

[doobydoo]

I used to have a 350Z Track model and I spent everyday getting in, starting her up, and turning off the VDC/TCS. Every single start up. It just became habitual after a while.
Now I have this A4. Everyday I get in, start her up, turn off the START-STOP... sigh.
So yes, I too would like the default to be off as well.

Seems silly to turn off stability and traction control for your morning drive to work.

[McWicked]

Seems silly to turn off stability and traction control for your morning drive to work.

It does seem silly... seems even sillier to fit a sports car with stability/traction control that is so sensitive and intrusive that it cuts throttle control during normal activities like accelerating onto a freeway on ramp or spirited passing.

[dd_quattro]

Got the same answer from my dealer and even Audi America... Will have to turn it off manually everytime.

Problem is that I drive in the city and this stop/go happens too often, and it's not easy to control it with brake. Sometimes it doesn't work at all probably due to battery low.

[dbuxton13]

Anyone know if the S4 will have this BS system?

[Jet Jockey]

Yes they all have it now.

[dbuxton13]

Nooooooooooooo

Isn't that hard on the starter? Getting blasted constantly in traffic and city driving?

[Mitchfin]

Nooooooooooooo

Isn't that hard on the starter? Getting blasted constantly in traffic and city driving?

Starter and battery are beefy to withstand 10X the load of starting.

[Jimminez@Nemesis]

That seems silly. As mentioned, the 3 series had it and it could be turned off permanently but if you didn't do that, the vehicle remembered that you manually turned it off and didn't turn on again when restarting. Not sure why they didn't make it a setting that stayed as a preference rather than having to turn off every time you restart.

[jygesq]

Anyone know if the S4 will have this BS system?

last S4 b8.5 DOES NOT have it. Do not know about b9 S4 yet

[Mitchfin]

That seems silly. As mentioned, the 3 series had it and it could be turned off permanently but if you didn't do that, the vehicle remembered that you manually turned it off and didn't turn on again when restarting. Not sure why they didn't make it a setting that stayed as a preference rather than having to turn off every time you restart.

It is because of tax credits. If it is a "on at start" system you get improved mpg and more $$$, Mercedes does this as well, BMW doesn't.

[sirsycott]

last S4 b8.5 DOES NOT have it. Do not know about b9 S4 yet

that's because of DSG


only zf tranmissioned cars use start/stop technology

[dracolnyte]

It defaults to off on our '16 Q5 if that was the last setting. Also I noticed if you step on the brakes just hard enough to stop the car, but not completely depress the brake pedal down, the engine would not shut off. Only if I depress it completely down, then the engine would shut off.

[KurtEiger]

that's because of DSG


only zf tranmissioned cars use start/stop technology

Are you sure about that? I'm in a '17 A4 loaner with DSG, and it has it. Aside from the start/stop, I must say the new 2.0t/DSG combo is slick. Ample power/fast shifts, rev matching. Very impressed with the drivetrain.

[Nikoman]

Let's elaborate on why start/stop feature ON is disliked by many of us. My reasons:

- Delay when car restarts. It's minimal but does technically introduce a delay when you let off the brake and car restarts.
- Distinct car start vibrations during all restarts. 2-3 vibrations similar to the cold start "shaking" issue. Similar to BMW 3 series.
- Too quiet when stopped, I would buy an electric car if I wanted that.
- Extra step of turning OFF feature every time car is started with key.

[jygesq]

that's because of DSG


only zf tranmissioned cars use start/stop technology

I asked about auto stop system before I bought my 2015 S4 . I was told S4 do not have it as S4 s are performance cars! Which they definitely are.

[plat]

that's because of DSG


only zf tranmissioned cars use start/stop technology

The B8.5 S4's came with start-stop technology in Europe and ROW. North American models did not get it. The type of tranny did not have anything to do with it. Audi North America bigwigs probably thought they would save a few bucks by using a regular starter and less beefier battery for our market. I know the starters they use for the start-stop system is heftier and beefier so it could withstand repeated start-stops.

According to the B9 S4 and S5 Technical Spec for the German Market, both will come with the start-stop system. Not word yet whether that tech will be available for the North American models.

[McWicked]

Let's elaborate on why start/stop feature ON is disliked by many of us. My reasons:

- Delay when car restarts. It's minimal but does technically introduce a delay when you let off the brake and car restarts.
- Distinct car start vibrations during all restarts. 2-3 vibrations similar to the cold start "shaking" issue. Similar to BMW 3 series.
- Too quiet when stopped, I would buy an electric car if I wanted that.
- Extra step of turning OFF feature every time car is started with key.

OK, here's mine:

-Introduces unnecessary start/stop cycles (high wear operations) on the lower rotating assembly.
-Statistically minuscule mileage and emissions improvements for a car that'll spend 99% of it's life on the highway.
-Can't stand the feeling of "oh crap! my card just died!"
-The car already takes too many steps to get going as it is.

[dannydc24]

Hey guys, was messing around with the scan tool on my car. I was able to turn off the start/stop feature (since I think it is annoying as well). It will remain off even if you press the button for start/stop. I also eliminated the seat belt warning as well since I think it is ridiculously loud on our cars. It is in OBD - ECM - ADAPTATIONS. Hope this helps!

[yvantheterrible]

Hey guys, was messing around with the scan tool on my car. I was able to turn off the start/stop feature (since I think it is annoying as well). It will remain off even if you press the button for start/stop. I also eliminated the seat belt warning as well since I think it is ridiculously loud on our cars. It is in OBD - ECM - ADAPTATIONS. Hope this helps!

Just to clarify, does it remain off after the engine was turned off and re-started? What OBD reader are you using? By the image it looks quite nice.

[dannydc24]

Just to clarify, does it remain off after the engine was turned off and re-started? What ODB reader are you using? By the image it looks quite nice.

Yes, it remained permanently off for me afterwards. Even the button won't turn it back on. The only way to get start/stop back is to go back into the adaptation channel and re-activate it. I'm actually an Audi tech lol. So its a factory scan tool. But i'm sure ross-tech/vagcom should be able to do it as well. Not so sure about other scan tools.

[Nikoman]

Hey guys, was messing around with the scan tool on my car. I was able to turn off the start/stop feature (since I think it is annoying as well). It will remain off even if you press the button for start/stop. I also eliminated the seat belt warning as well since I think it is ridiculously loud on our cars. It is in OBD - ECM - ADAPTATIONS. Hope this helps!

Nice and thanks. I'll pull out my old cable and give it a shot.

[jlindstrom]

The B8.5 S4's came with start-stop technology in Europe and ROW.

In Europe most if not all models of the B8.5 platform came with start/stop in order to reduce co2 on paper & meet EU5 & EU6 regulations.

I currently drive a B8.5 130kw 2.0TDI stronic quattro MY2014 (bought 07/2013) and it definitely has the s/s system. And it's bloody idiotically baked in as afterthought.

For example doesn't play nice with auto-hold. When you stop the car on auto-hold it stops the engine, when you lift off the break auto-hold keeps the car in place BUT engine starts. So basically have to pick&choose do you want s/s or auto-hold.

End result, I always disable s/s when I start the car.



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Sojournin]

I would like to add that in warm weather climates (I live in FL), the humidity starts to add up quickly once the a/c turns off along with the engine....in cold weather climates, the residual heat from the engine won't be much of a problem keeping the interior warm...oh well, just another button I have to push whenever I head out each morning....

Let's elaborate on why start/stop feature ON is disliked by many of us. My reasons:

- Delay when car restarts. It's minimal but does technically introduce a delay when you let off the brake and car restarts.
- Distinct car start vibrations during all restarts. 2-3 vibrations similar to the cold start "shaking" issue. Similar to BMW 3 series.
- Too quiet when stopped, I would buy an electric car if I wanted that.
- Extra step of turning OFF feature every time car is started with key.

[photographer143]

I long test drove the A4 and the start stop feature is not noticeable as it is in BMW and Merc models. I didn't even notice it was on. No shutter and not start sound when getting on/off the brake.

[Wan_Man]

I long test drove the A4 and the start stop feature is not noticeable as it is in BMW and Merc models. I didn't even notice it was on. No shutter and not start sound when getting on/off the brake.

If you want the Stop/Start to almost never activate except when you put the car into park try the following...works for me
change your drive select to individual with the following engine dynamic and the rest what ever you want. so far I have not had the car turn off unless I select park. Now I do drive in manual mode all the time using the paddles..I being driving the last 3 Audi's like this...it becomes second nature and have way more control over what gear and how the car will respond at any giving time. (now i do not have to turn it off and have the red light glowing)

[yvantheterrible]

Hey guys, was messing around with the scan tool on my car. I was able to turn off the start/stop feature (since I think it is annoying as well). It will remain off even if you press the button for start/stop. I also eliminated the seat belt warning as well since I think it is ridiculously loud on our cars. It is in OBD - ECM - ADAPTATIONS. Hope this helps!

Was anyone else able to replicate this with a different OBD scanner?

[yvantheterrible]

More info for Automatic Start-Stop Feature OFF as Default, thanks to cuke2u from audi-sport.net, here's more info;

You can do it with VCDS VCDS FAQ's http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/vcds-faqs.27487/ Or there are modules that plug once only into the port that can turn it off permanantly.
This https://www.kufatec.co.uk/shop/en/d....ble-start-stop probably not for your car as it is new.

Original post;
http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads.../#post-2778087

[ChrisR14]

The real deal would be a memory-function like it's coded by factory on C7 models:
SSA off -> remains off until you push the button
SSA on -> remains on until you push the button

[Jet Jockey]

Hey guys, was messing around with the scan tool on my car. I was able to turn off the start/stop feature (since I think it is annoying as well). It will remain off even if you press the button for start/stop. I also eliminated the seat belt warning as well since I think it is ridiculously loud on our cars. It is in OBD - ECM - ADAPTATIONS. Hope this helps!

Bad news...

The tech at my dealer (in Montréal) tried this and although at first it worked, once you start the car a square box opens up in the centre of the virtual dash with a warning that the "Start/Stop" function is disabled and a visit to the dealer is required.... Then the virtual cockpit regains its normal appearance for a short time then the warning message reappears yet again perhaps every 10 seconds... This box that opens in the virtual dash also shows other messages like an amber low fuel warning with remaining mileage before the tank is empty.

They are going to try to find another solution but I am not going to hold my breath.

[dannydc24]

My bad. I forgot to update everyone. I ran into the same problem. It would work for me fine but once the car went to sleep and restarted... same thing. I talked to my TFM and he is going to look into it. Coding may have to be changed or a different adaptation. I will post if we get any positive results.

[dannydc24]

From my technical field manager, "There is not a way to change the start/stop profile for the B9. This is how the vehicle is documented and certified for emissions - from product support"

[Jet Jockey]

From my technical field manager, "There is not a way to change the start/stop profile for the B9. This is how the vehicle is documented and certified for emissions - from product support"

Fucking great! I guess we will have to leave it in "dynamic mode" to avoid the Start/Stop feature. )-: