These instructions apply to the Ford Kuga Mk3 (CX482) 2020-Present.
For other models, please choose your vehicle here.
The Ford Kuga Mk3 (2020–present) has an Auto Start-Stop system that switches the engine off at a standstill to save fuel and cut emissions, then restarts it the instant you lift off the brake or dip the clutch. That brief shudder as the engine dies at a red light is completely normal — it is the system working, not a fault. Plenty of owners still prefer to keep the engine running in slow traffic, on very hot or cold days, or before opening the bonnet, and on the Kuga you switch it off with a single button.
How It Works on the Kuga
Auto Start-Stop only shuts the engine down when a long list of conditions is satisfied: the car is fully stopped, the brake is firmly held (or on a manual, you are in neutral with the clutch up), the 12 V battery has enough charge, and the engine and cabin are close to temperature. A dedicated battery sensor constantly watches state of charge, so the system quietly holds off whenever a stop would leave too little reserve to restart cleanly. Because so much depends on that battery, the Kuga uses a heavier-duty unit than a non-stop-start car — keeping it healthy is the single biggest factor in the feature behaving predictably.
Before You Start
- The engine should be running — the button toggles the current drive cycle, not a stored setting.
- Do this with the car stationary and in Park or neutral, not on the move.
- Locate the AⓇ button before you set off so you can press it without hunting for it in traffic.
- If you are about to open the bonnet, switch it off first so the engine cannot restart on its own.
How to Turn Off Auto Start-Stop
- Find the AⓇ (A with a circular arrow) button on the dashboard or centre console.
- Press it once — the indicator confirms Auto Start-Stop is off, and the engine will keep running when you stop.
It Resets Every Drive
Like nearly every car with this feature, the Kuga re-enables Auto Start-Stop each time you switch the ignition off and on. There’s no permanent factory ‘off’ — press the button once per journey if you don’t want it.
Why Switch It Off?
- Before engine-bay work — stops an unexpected restart.
- Stop-go traffic — avoids constant restarts.
- Maximum cabin cooling/heating on extreme days.
The system also won’t stop the engine on its own when the battery is low, the cabin still needs heating/cooling, or the engine is cold — that’s normal. (On the hybrid Kuga the petrol engine cycles on its own as part of normal hybrid operation.)
If the Engine Won’t Cut Out
If Auto Start-Stop seems to have stopped working even though you haven’t pressed the button, run through the usual reasons before assuming a fault:
- Weak or ageing 12 V battery — by far the most common cause; the system suspends itself to protect the reserve needed for a restart.
- Cold start — on a cold morning the engine and catalytic converter must reach temperature before a stop is allowed.
- Cabin climate demand — with the heater or air-con working hard, the engine stays on to keep the temperature stable.
- Brake not firmly held, or on a manual the clutch not fully up in neutral — the system needs a positive ‘stopped’ signal.
- Steep gradient or the car not fully at rest — a stop may be inhibited on a slope.
- Recent battery disconnect — the charge sensor relearns state over a few normal drives before it trusts a stop again.
- Bonnet open or a very high demand elsewhere — certain interlocks hold the engine running.
What to Expect After
Once you press the button the indicator changes to show Auto Start-Stop is off, and the engine will idle normally at every stop for the rest of that journey. Nothing else changes — there is no warning light, no stored fault, and no effect on how the car drives. Next time you start the Kuga the feature comes back on automatically, so if you always dislike it, make pressing the button part of your setting-off routine.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I turn off Auto Start-Stop on a Ford Kuga?
With the engine running, press the AⓇ button (an A inside a circular arrow) on the dash or centre console. The indicator confirms it is off, and the engine will now idle at every stop instead of shutting down. It applies only to the current drive.
Can I disable it permanently?
Not from the driver’s seat. The Kuga resets Auto Start-Stop to on at every ignition cycle by design, so there is no menu toggle that sticks. The only lasting workaround is a coding change, which most owners simply avoid by pressing the button once each drive.
Why did it come back on by itself?
It didn’t re-enable mid-drive — switching the ignition off and on is what resets it to on. If you stopped for fuel or a quick errand, restarting the engine restored the default, so you will need to press the button again for the next leg.
Why won’t the engine stop at lights sometimes?
A low or ageing 12 V battery, a cold engine, or the cabin still reaching temperature will all hold the engine running even with the system on. That is deliberate protection, not a fault. Once everything is up to temperature and the battery is well charged, normal stops usually resume.
Is it bad for the engine to leave Start-Stop on?
No. The Kuga’s starter, battery and engine are all specified for frequent restarts, so leaving the system on causes no extra wear. Switching it off is purely a comfort and convenience choice — both settings are equally safe to use day to day.
Does the hybrid Kuga have the same button?
The self-charging and plug-in hybrid Kuga manage the petrol engine automatically as part of normal hybrid operation, so the engine cycling on and off is expected and is not controlled by a conventional AⓇ button. If your Kuga has the button on the console, this guide applies to it.
If a start-stop fault light shows instead of the normal indicator, look it up on autodtcs.com — a tired 12 V battery is the usual cause. See our Kuga battery guide.
Independent guide — not affiliated with Ford. Always follow your official service manual and safety precautions. Read our full disclaimer.