Disable the Start-Stop System

The Peugeot 5008 Mk2 (P87, 2017–present) has a Stop & Start 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 can switch it off. The system cutting the engine at every red light is completely normal, not a fault, and comes as standard on most 5008 trims. Many owners simply prefer more control over when the engine restarts, especially in slow queues where the constant cycling can feel intrusive.

How Stop & Start Works on the 5008

The system watches the car’s condition constantly and only cuts the engine when a set of conditions are met — you at a standstill with your foot on the brake, the engine warmed up, and the 12 V battery holding enough charge. It leans on the battery and its charge sensor to decide whether a restart is safe, so a healthy battery is central to it working smoothly. When any condition isn’t satisfied, the engine simply keeps idling. That is the system protecting itself and the cabin, not a malfunction.

Getting Ready

• You don’t need any tools — this is a dashboard control, done from the driver’s seat.
• Do it with the ignition on, ideally right at the start of your journey.
• Locate the ‘AⓇ’ button (an A inside a circular arrow) before you set off, so you’re not hunting for it in traffic.
• On touchscreen-only cars, know where the Driving / Vehicle menu lives in the i-Cockpit.

How to Turn Off Stop & Start

• Dashboard button: press the ‘AⓇ’ (Stop & Start OFF) button, usually on the console or near the gear selector — a message confirms it’s off.
• i-Cockpit touchscreen: on cars without the button, open the Driving / Vehicle menu and switch Stop & Start off.

It Comes Back On Each Drive

Like nearly every car with this feature, the 5008 re-enables Stop & Start at every restart. There’s no permanent factory off — switch it off again at the start of each journey if you prefer.

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

If Stop & Start isn’t behaving as you expect, run through these checks before assuming a fault:

• Weak or ageing 12 V battery — the most common reason the engine refuses to stop. The system needs a confident restart, so a tired battery keeps it running.
• Cabin not yet at temperature — on a very hot or cold day it holds the engine on to keep the climate control working.
• Engine still cold — from a cold start it won’t cut out until it reaches operating temperature.
• Brake not pressed firmly, or you’re creeping rather than fully stopped — hold the car firmly at rest.
• Bonnet not fully latched, or you’ve just had the door open — some safety conditions inhibit the stop.
• Steep incline or a recent short trip — the battery may not have recovered enough charge.
• If it never engages after a battery change, the new battery may need registering to the car’s energy management.

What Happens Next

Once you press ‘AⓇ’, a message or indicator confirms the system is off and the engine will keep idling at every stop for the rest of that drive. Switch off the ignition and back on, and Stop & Start returns to its default on state — you’ll see the indicator light and the engine will start cutting out again. Nothing is saved, so simply press the button once more the next time you want it off.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I turn off Stop & Start on a Peugeot 5008?

Press the AⓇ button on the console or near the gear selector, and a dashboard message confirms it’s off. On i-Cockpit cars without the physical button, open the Driving or Vehicle menu on the touchscreen and switch Stop & Start off. Either way the engine will then keep running when you come to a stop.

Can I disable it permanently?

No — the 5008 resets Stop & Start to on every time you restart the engine, and there’s no menu setting that keeps it off for good. This is by design across almost all cars with the feature. The only workaround is habit: switch it off at the start of each journey if you consistently prefer to drive without it.

Why did Stop & Start come back on?

Restarting the car re-enables it automatically. The setting isn’t stored between journeys, so even if you switched it off yesterday it will be active again today. If it seems to switch back on mid-drive, that is usually the system reacting to battery charge or climate demand rather than the setting being lost.

Why won’t the engine stop sometimes?

A low battery, active heating or cooling demand, or a cold engine will all hold the engine running — that’s by design. The system only cuts out when a safe, comfortable restart is guaranteed. On short trips or cold mornings you may find it rarely stops at all, which is normal and not a sign of a problem.

Does using Stop & Start wear out the starter or engine?

No — the car uses a heavier-duty starter and a battery designed for frequent cycling, so normal use doesn’t cause premature wear. The 12 V battery is the main consumable, working harder than in a car without the system, so fitting the correct type at replacement keeps everything working as intended.

Is it bad to leave Stop & Start switched off?

No — with it off the engine simply idles at stops as older cars always did, with no mechanical harm. You’ll use marginally more fuel in stop-go traffic, but that’s all. Many owners turn it off for heavy traffic or engine-bay work and back on for motorway runs where it barely activates.

If a Stop & Start fault light shows, look it up on autodtcs.com — a tired 12 V battery is the usual cause. See our 5008 battery guide.