These instructions apply to the Porsche 718 Boxster / Cayman 982 2016-Present.
For other models, please choose your vehicle here.
The automatic stop/start on your Porsche 718 Boxster or Cayman (2016–present) — the 982 — shuts the engine off at a standstill to save fuel and restarts it the instant you lift off the brake. The ‘A’ symbol that appears when the engine cuts is the system doing its job, not a warning. If you prefer the engine to keep idling — for a sharper getaway, on a hot day, or simply because you don’t like the restart shudder — you switch it off with the dedicated button.
How Stop/Start Works on the 718
The 982 only shuts the engine down once a set of conditions line up: the car is fully stopped on the brake, the engine is at operating temperature, the 12 V battery has enough charge, and the cabin climate demand is met. A battery sensor watches the state of charge so the system never risks a no-restart. Choosing Sport or Sport Plus automatically holds the engine running, because those modes prioritise throttle response over economy. That is why stop/start can behave differently from one stop to the next.
Before You Start
- The button works with the ignition on or the engine running — you don’t need to be moving.
- Find the Auto Start/Stop switch on the centre console before you set off.
- If you’re about to work in the engine bay, switch it off first so the engine can’t restart unexpectedly.
- Remember any change lasts only for the current drive cycle.
Turning Stop/Start Off
- Find the Auto Start/Stop button — the ‘A’ with a circular arrow, on the centre console.
- Press the button once.
- The indicator / dash message confirms the system is off — the engine now idles at a stop.
Turning It Back On
Press the button again, or restart the car — stop/start defaults to ON each time you start the engine. Selecting Sport or Sport Plus also holds the engine running, so if you spend most of your drive in a sport mode the engine effectively never auto-stops.
If Stop/Start Won’t Work
If the engine no longer cuts out at a stop even with the system switched on, work through the common reasons first:
- A weak or ageing battery is the most likely cause — the system disables itself to protect the ability to restart. Short journeys accelerate this.
- The engine is still cold — on the first minutes after start-up the coolant is below the threshold, so no auto-stop.
- The cabin is still heating or cooling — strong climate demand keeps the engine turning until the interior settles.
- A Sport mode is selected — Sport or Sport Plus intentionally hold the engine running.
- After a battery change, fit the correct type and have it registered to the energy manager with the right dealer-level equipment; an unregistered battery can leave stop/start disabled.
- A stored fault can inhibit the system — look up the code on autodtcs.com.
What to Expect After
With stop/start off, the ‘A’ indicator shows the crossed-out state and the engine idles normally at every stop for the rest of the drive. Refinement is unchanged — you simply lose the brief restart each time you pull away. Next time you press the start button, the system quietly returns to its default on state.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I turn off stop/start on a Porsche 718?
Press the Auto Start/Stop button — the ‘A’ with a circular arrow — on the centre console. The dash confirms the system is off, and the engine idles at every stop until you next start the car. Selecting Sport or Sport Plus achieves the same result for as long as that mode is active.
Can I disable it permanently?
Not from the button — stop/start resets to on at each engine start by design. There is no owner setting that makes the ‘off’ state stick. The practical options are to press the button at the start of every drive, or to run the car in a Sport mode, which holds the engine running for you.
Why does the engine keep running even with stop/start on?
The 718 only auto-stops when the battery has charge, the engine is warm, the cabin climate demand is met, and no Sport mode is active. A cold engine, strong heating or cooling demand, or a tired 12 V battery will all keep the engine idling. That is the system protecting itself and your comfort, not a fault.
Why won’t stop/start work at all?
Usually a weak or ageing battery — the 718 disables stop/start to protect its ability to restart. Frequent short trips leave the battery under-charged. Have the battery and its state-of-charge sensor checked; after any battery replacement the new unit must be registered to the energy manager or the system stays off.
Does switching stop/start off hurt the car?
No. The engine simply idles as it would in any car without the feature. You may use marginally more fuel in traffic, but there is no mechanical downside — stop/start only ever acts when you are stationary, so open-road driving is unaffected either way.
Do Sport modes turn stop/start off automatically?
Yes. Selecting Sport or Sport Plus holds the engine running because those modes favour immediate throttle response. If you switch back to the normal drive mode, stop/start becomes active again for that journey unless you have also pressed the Auto Start/Stop button to disable it.
If a warning light came on with the fault, decode it on autodtcs.com.
Independent guide — not affiliated with Porsche. Always follow your official service manual and safety precautions. Read our full disclaimer.