These instructions apply to the Jaguar XE Mk1 (X760) 2015-Present.
For other models, please choose your vehicle here.
Your Jaguar XE (2015–present) switches the engine off at a standstill to save fuel, then restarts it as you pull away. If you’d rather keep it running — in traffic or by preference — you can switch the system off in one press. Here’s how, and why it resets each drive.
On the XE this feature is the stop/start (ECO) system, and its button carries an “A” inside a circular arrow. If the engine goes quiet as soon as you stop at lights and fires again as you lift off the brake, that is the system working as intended — it is not a fault and it does not wear the car out. Plenty of owners simply prefer a settled idle in stop-start traffic or when reversing into a space, and switching it off is a one-press job.
How Stop/Start Works on the XE
The XE only stops the engine when several conditions are met together: the car has come to a complete halt, the 12 V battery is well charged, the engine is at operating temperature, and the cabin is close to the temperature the climate control is asking for. A battery-management system (BMS) monitors the state of charge, so a tired battery — or one recently disconnected that the BMS is still relearning — is the usual reason the engine keeps idling. Switching stop/start off with the button applies only to the current drive.
Getting Ready
- Have the engine running and the XE at a complete standstill before pressing the button.
- Locate the stop/start (ECO) button on the centre console — the “A”-in-arrow symbol — in advance.
- Treat it as a per-drive action: there is no permanent “always off” menu setting.
- In heavy stop-go traffic, press it once at the start of the journey to keep the engine running.
Turning the System Off
- With the engine running, press the stop/start (ECO) button on the centre console (an “A” inside a circular arrow).
- An indicator confirms the system is off; the engine now stays running at a standstill.
The system defaults back to on each time you start the car, so disabling it is a per-drive choice — press the button again to re-enable it.
When the XE Disables Stop/Start Itself
Even with the system on, the XE won’t stop the engine when it isn’t appropriate, so continued idling isn’t necessarily a fault. It keeps the engine running when, for example, the cabin is still reaching temperature, the engine is cold, or the 12 V battery charge is low. It will also hold the engine on when the demister or climate is working hard, when you are stopped on a gradient, or in the first minute or two after a cold start.
If Stop/Start Stops Working
- Check the battery. The system relies on a healthy, charged 12 V battery and a settled BMS; an ageing battery, or a recent disconnection, is the usual reason it stops cutting out.
- Seat belt fastened, doors and bonnet closed — any left open inhibits it.
- Let it warm up. On a short, cold trip the engine may never reach the temperature it needs.
- Ease off heavy climate demand. Full heating or cooling keeps the engine idling to satisfy the cabin.
- Come to a full stop with firm brake pressure — a light or rolling stop won’t trigger a shutdown.
- Take a longer drive. After a battery disconnection the BMS needs a good run to relearn the state of charge before stop/start returns.
- Fault light showing? A charging or sensor issue stores a code — decode it on autodtcs.com.
What Happens Next
After you press the button, the indicator confirms the system is off and the XE idles normally at every stop for the rest of that drive. Town fuel economy drops slightly, but there is no effect on the engine, starter or battery life. At the next start the system re-arms itself, so if you prefer it off you will press the button again each drive.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I turn off stop/start on a Jaguar XE?
With the engine running and the car stopped, press the stop/start (ECO) button on the centre console — the one marked with an “A” inside a circular arrow. An indicator confirms it is off, and the engine then idles normally at every stop until you next restart the car.
Does it stay off?
No. The XE resets stop/start to on at every engine start, so there is no permanent off. If you want it disabled, press the button once at the start of each drive; the setting then applies for the whole journey.
Why has my XE stopped switching the engine off?
Usually a low or ageing 12 V battery, a recent battery disconnection the BMS is still learning, or the engine and cabin not yet being at temperature. Heavy climate demand and a run of short trips can also keep the engine idling.
Is leaving stop/start on harmful?
No. The engine, uprated starter and battery in the XE are all designed for repeated stop-start cycling, so leaving the system on causes no extra wear. Switching it off is purely a comfort and preference choice.
Why does my XE not stop/start after I changed the battery?
The battery-management system needs to relearn the state of charge after a new battery or any disconnection. Until it has settled — typically after a few normal drives — the car holds the engine on to protect the battery. This is expected behaviour rather than a fault.
Does the diesel XE behave differently?
The button and procedure are the same across engines. A diesel simply needs to be warm enough before it will stop, so on a cold morning or a short trip you may notice the engine keeps idling for longer — that is normal until it reaches temperature.
If a warning light appeared with the change, decode it and check the likely cause on autodtcs.com.
Independent guide — not affiliated with Jaguar. Always follow your official service manual and safety precautions. Read our full disclaimer.