Turn Off the Start-Stop System

Your Land Rover Discovery (2017–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, when towing, or off-road — you can switch the system off in one press. Here’s how, and why it resets each drive.

What Auto Stop-Start Does on the Discovery

Stop-start is a fuel-saving feature, not a fault. On the fifth-generation Discovery it cuts the engine once you have come to a complete halt — typically at lights or in stationary traffic — and fires it straight back up the moment you lift off the brake (automatic) or dip the clutch (manual). The small “A”-in-an-arrow symbol on the dash confirms the system is armed. It is designed to be seamless, so many owners only notice it when the restart feels slightly rougher than a warm idle, which is normal.

How It Works on This Model

The Discovery uses a reinforced starter and a stop-start-rated battery (commonly an AGM unit) managed by a battery sensor that constantly reads state of charge. The engine only shuts down when that sensor is satisfied the battery can support an instant restart and carry the electrical load — lights, climate, infotainment — while stopped. This is why the behaviour changes with battery age, temperature and how much you are asking of the electrics.

Before You Start

• Have the engine running and warm — the button toggles the feature, it does not start the car.
• The stop-start (ECO) button is on the centre console, marked with an “A” inside a circular arrow.
• You can press it while stationary or on the move; it takes effect immediately for the current drive.
• Remember the setting resets to on at the next engine start — there is no permanent off switch in the menus.

Turning the System Off

1. With the engine running, press the stop/start (ECO) button on the centre console (an “A” inside a circular arrow).
2. 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 Discovery Disables Stop/Start Itself

Even with the system on, the Discovery won’t stop the engine when it isn’t appropriate, so continued idling isn’t necessarily a fault. It keeps the engine running when the cabin is still reaching temperature, the engine is cold, the car is on a gradient or off-road, when heating or demisting demand is high, or when the 12 V battery charge is low.

If It Won’t Cut Out

If the engine simply refuses to stop even when everything feels normal, work through the usual causes before assuming a fault:

• Weak or ageing battery. A tired 12 V or AGM battery is the single most common reason the engine stops cutting out — it can no longer guarantee a restart.
• Recent battery disconnection. After a jump-start or a battery swap the management system relearns state of charge over several drives, and stop-start often stays dormant until it does.
• Cold engine or cabin. On a cold morning the engine and heater are still warming up, so the system holds off.
• High climate demand. Strong heating, cooling or windscreen demisting keeps the engine running to serve it.
• Not fully stopped or brake not firm. The car must be completely stationary with the brake pressed properly.
• Gradient or off-road mode. On a slope or in low-traction Terrain Response settings the engine is kept running.
• Battery replaced without registration. A non-matching or unregistered battery can leave the system inactive.

What to Expect After

Once you press the button the indicator shows the system is off, and the engine will idle normally at every stop for the rest of that journey. There is no warning light to clear and nothing to reset — the next time you switch off and restart, stop-start simply arms itself again. If you want it off, make the single press part of your start-up routine.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I turn off stop/start on a Land Rover Discovery?

Press the ECO (“A”) button on the centre console with the engine running. An indicator confirms it is off, and the engine will stay running at every stop for the rest of the drive. Press the button again at any time to switch stop-start back on.

Does it stay off?

No — the setting resets to on every time you start the car. There is no permanent menu switch, so if you prefer it off you need to press the button once each drive. Making it part of your seatbelt-and-mirrors routine is the simplest way to remember.

Where is the stop/start button on the Discovery Mk5?

It sits on the centre console within easy reach of the driver, marked with a capital “A” surrounded by a circular arrow — the standard stop-start symbol. If you are unsure which switch it is, look for that badge rather than any text label; its exact position can vary slightly by trim and model year.

Why has my Discovery stopped switching the engine off?

Usually a low or ageing 12 V or AGM battery, a recent disconnection the management system is still learning, or the engine and cabin not yet being up to temperature. High heating or cooling demand and steep gradients also hold it back. If none of these apply and a fault light is on, have the charging system checked.

Is leaving stop/start on harmful to the engine?

No. The Discovery’s starter, battery and bearings are all specified for frequent restarts, so leaving the system on causes no extra wear. Turning it off is purely a preference — for smoother towing, off-road driving or crawling traffic — not something the engine needs.

Does disabling stop/start use more fuel?

Slightly, in the conditions where it would otherwise cut the engine — mainly stop-go traffic and long waits at lights. On a flowing run the difference is negligible because the engine rarely idles for long. Many owners accept the small penalty in exchange for a smoother stop-and-go feel.

If a warning light appeared alongside the change, decode it on autodtcs.com.