Turn Off the Start-Stop System

Later Land Rover Freelander (2006–2014) models — the stop/start-equipped TD4 versions — switch the engine off at a standstill to save fuel and restart it as you pull away. If you’d rather keep it running, 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 Freelander

Stop-start is a fuel-saving feature, not a fault — and on the Freelander Mk2 it is only fitted to the later, stop/start-equipped TD4 diesels, so many earlier examples do not have it at all. Where it is fitted, the engine cuts once you have come to a complete halt and restarts as you dip the clutch to pull away. The “A”-in-an-arrow symbol on the dash tells you the system is armed. Because this is a manual-gearbox system, the restart is triggered by your clutch action rather than by lifting off a brake pedal.

How It Works on This Model

The Freelander’s system relies on an uprated starter and a stop-start-rated 12 V battery watched by a battery monitor that reads state of charge. The engine only shuts down when that monitor is satisfied the battery can support an immediate restart and still run the lights, climate and electronics while stopped. On this generation there is no hybrid assistance, so a healthy, well-charged battery matters more than on newer cars.

Before You Start

• Confirm your Freelander actually has stop/start — look for the “A”-in-arrow button; earlier cars were not fitted with it.
• Have the engine running and warm — the button toggles the feature, it does not start the car.
• The stop/start button is on the dashboard, marked with an “A” inside a circular arrow.
• You can press it while stationary or moving; it takes effect immediately for the current drive.
• The setting resets to on at the next engine start.

Turning the System Off

1. With the engine running, press the stop/start button on the dashboard (marked with 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 Freelander, so disabling it is a per-drive choice — press the button again to re-enable it.

When the Freelander Disables Stop/Start Itself

Even with the system on, the Freelander 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, when heating or demisting demand is high, or when the 12 V battery charge is low.

If It Won’t Cut Out

On a car of this age a battery that no longer holds a strong charge is by far the most likely reason stop/start goes quiet. Work through these before assuming a fault:

• Weak or ageing battery. A tired 12 V battery is the usual reason the engine stops cutting out — it can no longer guarantee a restart.
• Recent battery disconnection. After a jump-start or a battery change the system relearns state of charge over several drives before it will cut out again.
• Cold engine or cabin. On a cold morning the engine and heater are still warming up, so it holds off.
• High climate demand. Strong heating or windscreen demisting keeps the engine running.
• Clutch, seat belt or a door open. On this manual system the car must be in neutral with the clutch up, the belt fastened and the doors and bonnet closed.
• Gradient. On a slope the engine is kept running.
• Slow-charging on short trips. Lots of short journeys never fully recharge the battery, which suppresses the feature.

What to Expect After

Once you press the button the indicator shows the system is off and the engine idles normally at every stop for the rest of that journey. Nothing needs clearing or resetting — switch off and restart, and stop/start arms itself again. If you prefer it off, make the single press part of your setting-off routine.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Press the stop/start (“A”) button on the dashboard with the engine running. An indicator confirms it is off, and the engine will idle at every stop for the rest of the drive. Only later stop/start-equipped TD4 models have this button; earlier Freelanders do not.

Does it stay off?

No — it resets to on each time you start the car. There is no permanent switch, so if you prefer it off you need to press the button once each drive. Making that press part of your start-up routine is the easiest way to remember.

Does my Freelander even have stop/start?

Not all of them do. It was fitted only to the later stop/start-equipped TD4 diesel versions, so many earlier Freelander Mk2s never had the feature. The quickest check is to look for the “A”-in-a-circular-arrow button on the dashboard — if it is not there, your car does not have the system.

Why has my Freelander stopped switching the engine off?

On a car of this age it is almost always a low or ageing 12 V battery, or one still relearning after a recent disconnection. The engine or cabin not yet being at temperature will also hold it off. Lots of short trips that never fully recharge the battery are a common everyday cause.

Is leaving it on harmful?

No — the starter and battery are specified for the extra restarts, so leaving the system on causes no unusual wear. Turning it off is simply a preference, for example when you want a steadier idle in traffic. Keeping the battery in good health matters far more than whether you use the feature.

Could a weak battery be damaging my Freelander?

A battery too weak for stop/start will not harm the engine, but it is a sign the battery is near the end of its life and may soon struggle to start the car normally. If stop/start has stopped working and the battery is several years old, it is worth having it tested before it lets you down.

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