Disable the Start-Stop System

The Kia Ceed Mk3 (CD, 2018–present) has an Idle Stop & Go (ISG) system that switches the engine off at a standstill to save fuel. If you’d rather keep it running — in traffic, on a hot day, or before working in the engine bay — you switch it off with one button. The engine shutting down when you stop is completely normal and expected, not a fault. It’s the car working as designed to trim fuel use and emissions during the pauses in everyday driving, and plenty of owners simply prefer to have the engine idle instead.

How ISG Works on the Ceed

ISG only cuts the engine when a set of conditions line up: the car is at a standstill with the brake pressed (or, on a manual, in neutral with the clutch up), the engine is up to temperature, and the 12 V battery has enough charge for a clean restart. A dedicated battery sensor monitors that charge, which is why battery health matters so much to how well ISG behaves. If any condition isn’t met, the engine just keeps idling — that’s the system holding back deliberately, not failing.

First, a Few Checks

• No tools needed — this is a single dashboard button, done from the driver’s seat.
• Do it with the ignition on, ideally at the very start of your drive.
• Find the ‘A OFF’ (ISG) button first — it’s an A inside a circular arrow, near the gear lever or in the switch bank.
• Remember the setting only lasts for the current journey, so you’ll repeat it next time.

How to Turn Off Idle Stop & Go

1. Find the ‘A OFF’ (ISG) button on the dashboard, usually near the gear lever or the switch bank.
2. Press it once — the indicator confirms ISG is off, and the engine will keep running when you stop.

It Resets Every Drive

Like nearly every car with this feature, the Ceed re-enables ISG each time you switch the ignition off and on. There’s no permanent factory ‘off’ — press the button once per journey if you don’t want it.

If the Engine Won’t Stop — or Won’t Stay Running

If ISG isn’t behaving as you expect, work through these before assuming something is broken:

• Weak or ageing 12 V battery — the number-one reason the engine won’t cut out. The system needs a guaranteed restart, so it disables itself when charge is marginal.
• Cabin not yet at temperature — strong heating or cooling demand on a hot or cold day keeps the engine running.
• Engine still cold — from a cold start ISG waits until the engine warms up before it will stop.
• Manual not in neutral with clutch released, or you’re still creeping — come to a full, settled stop.
• Bonnet not fully closed or a door recently opened — safety conditions can inhibit the stop.
• Short trips or a steep hill — the battery may not have recovered enough charge to allow a stop.
• After a battery replacement, the new battery may need registering so the system trusts its charge readings again.

Once It’s Done

Press A OFF (ISG) once and the indicator lights to confirm the system is off; the engine then idles normally at every stop for the rest of that drive. Turn the ignition off and on and ISG returns to its default on state, so you’ll see the indicator clear and the engine will begin stopping again at standstills. The choice isn’t stored between trips — just press the button again whenever you want it off.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I turn off auto stop/start on a Kia Ceed?

Press the A OFF (ISG) button on the dashboard, near the gear lever or in the switch bank. The indicator lights to confirm ISG is off, and the engine will keep idling when you come to a stop. It’s a single press — there’s no need to hold the button or dig through a menu on this car.

Can I disable it permanently?

No — the Ceed resets ISG to on every time you cycle the ignition, and there’s no owner setting that keeps it off for good. This is standard across nearly all cars with the feature. The practical answer is to make pressing the ISG button part of your start-up routine if you always prefer to drive without it.

Why did ISG come back on?

Switching the ignition off and on re-enables it automatically. The off setting isn’t remembered between journeys, so it’s active again every time you start the car. If it seems to re-arm during a drive, that’s usually the system responding to battery or climate conditions rather than the button setting being lost.

Why won’t the engine stop sometimes?

A low battery, active climate demand, or a cold engine will all hold the engine running — that’s by design. ISG only shuts the engine down when a smooth restart is assured and the cabin is comfortable. On cold mornings or very short trips you may notice it rarely stops at all, which is completely normal.

Does ISG harm the battery or starter over time?

The Ceed uses a starter and battery rated for the extra cycling, so normal use doesn’t cause premature wear. The 12 V battery does work harder than in a car without the system, so it’s the part most worth keeping healthy. Fitting the correct replacement battery type keeps ISG operating reliably.

Is it OK to drive with ISG switched off all the time?

Yes — with ISG off the engine simply idles at stops as any older car would, with no mechanical downside. You’ll use slightly more fuel in heavy traffic, but nothing is harmed. Many owners switch it off for stop-go commuting or engine-bay work and turn it back on for longer runs where it barely activates.

If an ISG fault light shows instead of the normal indicator, look it up on autodtcs.com — a tired 12 V battery is the usual cause. See our Ceed battery guide.