These instructions apply to the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Mk1 (949) 2017-Present.
For other models, please choose your vehicle here.
Your Alfa Romeo Stelvio (2017–present) shuts the engine off at a standstill to save fuel and restarts it as you pull away. If you’d rather keep it running in traffic or while manoeuvring, you can switch the system off in one press. Here’s how, and why it resets each drive.
On the Stelvio the feature is branded Start&Stop, and its button carries an “A” inside a circular arrow. If the engine cuts out the instant you stop and refires as you move off, that is the system behaving normally — it is not a fault and it is not damaging anything. As a heavier SUV that often crawls in queues or reverses onto a driveway, the Stelvio is a car where many owners like the option of a steady idle, and one press gives it to you.
How Start&Stop Works on the Stelvio
The Stelvio only stops the engine when several conditions line up together: the vehicle is fully stopped, the 12 V battery is well charged, the engine is up to temperature, and the cabin is close to the temperature the climate control wants. The system watches battery state continuously, so a weak or partly-charged battery is the most common reason it simply keeps idling. Switching the system off with the button is a per-drive choice — the car re-arms it at the next start.
Before You Begin
- Have the engine running and the Stelvio at a complete standstill before you press anything.
- Find the Start&Stop button near the gear selector (the “A”-in-arrow symbol) in advance.
- Treat it as a per-drive action — there is no permanent “always off” setting on this car.
- If you tow or expect heavy stop-go traffic, press it once at the start of the journey.
Turning the System Off
- With the engine running, press the Start&Stop button (an “A” inside a circular arrow), near the gear selector.
- An indicator confirms the system is off; the engine now stays running at a standstill.
The system defaults back to on every time you start the Stelvio, so disabling it is a per-drive choice — press the button again to re-enable it.
When the Stelvio Disables Start&Stop Itself
Even with the system on, the Stelvio won’t stop the engine when conditions aren’t suitable, 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 control is working hard, when you are stopped on a slope, or in the first minute or so after a cold start.
If Start&Stop Stops Working
- Check the battery. A healthy, charged 12 V battery is essential; an ageing one is the usual reason the engine stops cutting out.
- Seat belt fastened, doors and bonnet closed — any left open inhibits the function.
- Let it warm up. On a short, cold trip the engine may not reach the temperature it needs before you arrive.
- Ease off heavy climate demand. Full heating or cooling keeps the engine idling to satisfy the cabin.
- Stop fully with firm brake pressure — a light or rolling stop won’t trigger a shutdown.
- Take a longer drive. After a battery disconnection or a run of short trips, the battery needs recharging before the system resumes.
- Fault light showing? A charging or sensor issue stores a code — decode it on autodtcs.com.
After the Reset
After you press the button, the indicator confirms the system is off and the Stelvio idles normally at every stop for the rest of that drive. Fuel use in town rises slightly, but there is no effect on the engine or starter’s longevity. At the next start the system re-arms itself automatically, so if you prefer it off you will press the button again each time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I turn off Start&Stop on an Alfa Stelvio?
With the engine running and the car stopped, press the Start&Stop button near the gear selector — 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 Stelvio resets Start&Stop to on at every engine start, so there is no permanent disable. If you want it off, press the button once at the start of each drive; the setting then applies for the whole journey.
Why has my Stelvio stopped switching the engine off?
Usually a low or ageing 12 V battery, which the system monitors and protects. It can also be that the engine or cabin hasn’t reached temperature, the climate control is working hard, or a recent run of short trips has left the battery under-charged.
Is leaving Start&Stop on harmful?
No. The engine, starter and battery in the Stelvio are all built for repeated stop-start cycling, so leaving the system on causes no additional wear. Turning it off is purely a comfort preference rather than something the car needs.
Does it matter that the Stelvio is a heavier SUV?
Not for the button itself — the procedure is identical. A larger vehicle does place more demand on the battery and climate system, so the Stelvio can be a little more likely to hold the engine on until everything is warm, which is normal.
Should I switch it off when towing?
Many owners do. Repeated restarts under load are harmless, but a steady idle is more comfortable when manoeuvring a trailer or crawling. Press the button once at the start of the drive and the engine stays running for the whole journey.
If a warning light appeared with the change, decode it and check the likely cause on autodtcs.com.
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