These instructions apply to the Skoda Scala Mk1 (NW1) 2019-Present.
For other models, please choose your vehicle here.
Your Skoda Scala (NW1, 2019–present) shuts the engine off at a standstill to save fuel. When you’d rather it didn’t — crawling traffic, a hot day, or before any under-bonnet work — one button switches it off.
On the Scala, auto stop-start is a fuel-saving convenience rather than a warning of any problem. Roll to a halt with your foot on the brake and the engine quietly shuts down; ease off the pedal or press the clutch and it restarts at once. It trims fuel use and tailpipe emissions in town, which is exactly what it is meant to do. Plenty of drivers still prefer a car that idles at every stop, and for them the button described below turns the feature off for the journey.
How It Works on the Scala
An engine stop is only permitted when the car is happy with several readings at once. The 12 V battery needs a good state of charge and a sensible temperature, the engine must have warmed up, and the heating or air conditioning has to be near its set point. Ask for a lot of climate output, sit nose-up on a hill, hold the steering near full lock, or run the brake vacuum low, and the Scala keeps the engine running on purpose. So the same car will stop the engine on one trip and refuse on another, depending on those live conditions.
Before You Begin
- You can press the button with the engine running or just after switching the ignition on.
- Do it early in the drive so the engine keeps running from your very first stop.
- Watch the instrument cluster for the light or message that confirms it.
- Note that the choice only lasts for the current drive, not permanently.
Turning Start/Stop Off
- Locate the AⓇ button (an “A” circled by an arrow), usually by the gear lever.
- Press it once; the indicator confirms the system is off and the engine stays running at stops.
Why It’s On Again Next Time
The Scala switches start/stop back on at every ignition cycle — there’s no permanent off from the factory. Tap the button once at the start of each drive if you don’t want it.
Reasons to Switch It Off
- Engine-bay jobs — no surprise restart.
- Heavy traffic — no constant stop/start cycling.
- Hot or cold extremes — steady climate output.
The system also declines to stop on its own when the battery is low, the cabin still needs heating/cooling, or you’re on a slope — all normal.
If the Engine Won’t Stop (or Won’t Stay Off)
Left the system enabled but the engine keeps idling at lights? The Scala is holding a stop for one of these reasons:
- 12 V battery too low — a lot of short trips or an older battery leaves too little charge, so the car keeps running to protect it.
- Engine not yet warm — no stop is allowed for the first minute or two after a cold start.
- High heating or cooling demand — strong climate output in extreme weather keeps the engine turning.
- Brake pressed lightly — too little pedal pressure or brake vacuum can block a stop; hold it firmly.
- On a gradient or steering near full lock — the car often stays running for stability.
- Bonnet released — with the bonnet catch open the feature is disabled for safety.
If it still refuses on a warm engine with a firm brake, a weakening 12 V battery is the most likely culprit.
After the Reset
Once you press the button, the Scala idles through every stop for the remainder of the drive and the “off” indication stays lit. When you next start the car the feature is switched back on automatically, so you press the button again if you want it disabled. Leaving it enabled does no damage; the restarts are engineered to be smooth and quick.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I switch off auto stop/start on a Skoda Scala?
Press the AⓇ button near the gear lever once. The cluster confirms the system is off and the engine then keeps running at every stop for the rest of the drive. It is a single button press — there is no menu to dig through on the Scala.
Can I make the setting stick permanently?
Not from the cabin controls. The Scala re-enables start-stop each time the ignition is switched on, so the button only applies to the current drive. A workshop can alter the default with diagnostic software, but the built-in button will always behave as a per-trip toggle.
Why did start-stop turn itself back on?
Because switching the ignition off and on returns the system to its factory default of “on.” This is normal and not a fault. Just tap the button again at the beginning of your next journey if you would rather the engine kept idling at stops.
Why doesn’t the engine stop at lights even with the system on?
The Scala only stops when its conditions line up: a charged 12 V battery, a warm engine, modest climate load, a firm brake and level ground. If the engine is cold, the heater is working hard, or the battery is weak, it deliberately keeps running.
Is all this stopping and starting bad for the car?
No. The Scala uses a reinforced starter and a battery designed for frequent cycling, and the engine is built to cope. If the repeated shutdowns bother you in slow traffic, simply switch the feature off for that drive using the button.
Could a fault light point to the battery?
Yes. If a start-stop fault symbol appears instead of the normal indicator, a tired 12 V battery is the common cause on the Scala. Have the battery’s condition checked before suspecting anything more serious, particularly on a car used mainly for short hops.
If a start/stop fault symbol shows rather than the normal one, look it up on autodtcs.com — usually a weak 12 V battery. See our Scala battery guide.
Independent guide — not affiliated with Skoda. Always follow your official service manual and safety precautions. Read our full disclaimer.