These instructions apply to the Maserati Levante (M161) 2016-2024.
For other models, please choose your vehicle here.
The Maserati Levante (2016–2024) uses a Start/Stop system that shuts the engine off at a standstill to save fuel and cut emissions in town. If you’d rather keep it running — in traffic, when manoeuvring, or before working under the bonnet — you can switch it off from the steering-wheel display menu. The Start/Stop indicator is not a fault light: a Levante that cuts its engine at the lights is behaving exactly as designed, and the system re-arms itself automatically to keep the car within its emissions figures.
How Start/Stop works on the Levante
When you bring the car to a halt and hold the brake, a control module decides whether to shut the engine down. It only does so when a set of background conditions are met — the 12 V battery holds enough charge, the engine has reached operating temperature, and the cabin doesn’t need strong heating or cooling. Lift off the brake and the engine restarts immediately. On a large V6 like the Levante’s, the starter and battery are uprated to cope with the extra cycling, which is why the health of the 12 V battery has such a strong bearing on how smoothly the system works.
Before You Begin
- You can change the setting with the engine running; there’s no need to park or select a specific gear.
- The control is in the driver’s display menu, so it’s easiest to set it before you pull away rather than on the move.
- Planning under-bonnet work? Deactivate Start/Stop first so the engine can’t auto-restart, and switch the ignition fully off for any real repair.
- Watch the display for the confirmation message so you know the change registered.
Turning Start/Stop Off
- Using the multifunction steering-wheel controls, scroll the display with the forwards/backwards button.
- Select ‘Start/stop’.
- Press and hold the switch until ‘Start/stop deactivated’ appears on the display.
It Resets Every Time You Start
Start/Stop re-enables automatically each time you start the engine. There’s no permanent off setting — repeat the menu step after each start if you want it disabled.
If the System Won’t Stop the Engine Anyway
Even with Start/Stop active, the engine won’t cut unless conditions are met. If it keeps idling at every stop, work through these — it’s almost always normal behaviour rather than a fault:
- The 12 V battery is sufficiently charged — short trips leave it too low.
- The engine is warm and cabin demand is satisfied.
- The car is fully stopped with your foot on the brake.
- Climate load is high. On a very hot or very cold day the system holds the engine on so the air-con or heater can keep the cabin comfortable.
- You’re on a slope. Parked facing up or down a noticeable gradient, the Levante often stays running so it can pull away cleanly.
- Ageing battery. As the 12 V battery gets older it may no longer support a stop even when fully charged, which is usually the first sign it needs testing.
After the Reset
Once you see ‘Start/stop deactivated’, the engine idles normally at every stop for the rest of that drive. Nothing else about how the Levante drives changes — power, throttle response and gearchange are unaffected; you’ll simply use a touch more fuel in stop-go traffic. Because the setting resets at the next engine start, you’ll need to scroll to the menu and hold the switch again on your next drive if you want it off.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I turn off Start/Stop on a Maserati Levante?
Use the multifunction steering-wheel controls to scroll the driver’s display to ‘Start/stop’, then press and hold the switch until ‘Start/stop deactivated’ appears. That disables it for the current drive, so the engine idles at stops instead of shutting down. It’s a menu action rather than a single dashboard button, so give the display a moment to confirm.
Does it stay off permanently?
No — the Levante re-enables Start/Stop every time you start the engine, so there’s no factory setting to keep it off for good. You have to repeat the menu step at the start of each drive. This is intentional, because the fuel-economy and emissions figures the car is rated on assume the system is active.
Why doesn’t the engine stop at lights?
Because one of the enabling conditions hasn’t been met. The usual reasons are a 12 V battery that isn’t charged enough, an engine that isn’t yet warm, strong heating or cooling demand, or being parked on a gradient. The car simply waits until conditions suit before it begins cutting the engine, so it can vary from day to day.
Should I disable it for engine work?
Yes — deactivate Start/Stop so the engine can’t auto-restart while you’re working. For any real repair, don’t rely on the setting alone: switch the ignition fully off and only work on a cool engine, so there is no chance of the engine turning over with your hands near moving parts.
Is it bad to leave Start/Stop on?
No — the engine, starter and battery are all designed for constant stop-start cycling, so leaving it enabled won’t wear anything out early. The one thing to keep an eye on is the 12 V battery: as it ages, the system can become erratic or drop out, which is often the earliest hint the battery is due for a check.
Does turning it off change how the Levante drives?
Not in any meaningful way. Disabling Start/Stop only stops the engine cutting out at a standstill; it doesn’t alter power, throttle response or the gearbox. Some owners simply prefer the uninterrupted idle in traffic or when parking, which is a reasonable reason to switch it off for a drive.
If a Start/Stop fault light stays on, it usually points to the 12 V battery or its charging state — have the battery tested, and look up any stored code on autodtcs.com.
Independent guide — not affiliated with Maserati. Always follow your official service manual and safety precautions. Read our full disclaimer.