You probably never imagined that you could save money by sitting in traffic. However, that's where Toyota's Automatic Start and Stop features come in handy. This innovative system, which is found on select Toyota vehicles, turns the engine off when full power is not required. This saves you money on fuel and helps lower the car's emissions. The system is designed to cut off power to the engine when you are stopped and resume power when the vehicle starts moving again. Another advantage of the Auto Start and Stop function is that you can turn off the system when you want to.
What Is Automatic Start and Stop?
Automatic Start and Stop is an innovative technology found on newer Toyota models. The system was first added to Toyota vehicles in 2019. A year later, Automatic Start and Stop was updated to include several other additional complementary features such as audible and visual warnings. Automatic Start and Stop is activated and controlled through the vehicle's infotainment touchscreen display, but it can also be managed through Toyota's Smart Key System. Automatic Start and Stop will also turn your car off automatically if you accidentally leave the engine running.
How Start and Stop Works
Start and Stop is active whenever you turn your vehicle on. The system sets to work when you stop your car without manually shutting it off, such as if you come to a stop at a red light or stop sign. The system will also turn off the car's engine if you're waiting in traffic to avoid engine idling and unnecessary gasoline consumption. The system detects when the vehicle is slowing down to zero miles per hour (MPH) by kicking in when your foot hits the brake pedal. When you entirely stop, the system will turn off. You'll see that the system is on through your multi-information display (MID) touchscreen, which will show a green light if the system is active.
Disabling Start and Stop
While Auto Start and Stop is helpful to have in many situations, there are other times when you may not need to have it on. You can easily disable or turn off the automatic engine shut off system temporarily by pressing a button with an encircled "A" that is placed on the left-hand side of the car's steering wheel. This triggers the Start and Stop indicator light to come on, which shows that Auto Start and Stop have been deactivated. The Start and Stop system will reactivate next time you start the car.
For more information on using Toyota's Automatic Start and Stop system, contact us or visit us at our dealership for assistance.
