These instructions apply to the Volkswagen Tiguan Mk2 (AD) 2016-Present.
For other models, please choose your vehicle here.
The Volkswagen Tiguan Mk2 (AD, 2016–present) has an automatic engine start/stop system that switches the engine off at a standstill to save fuel and reduce emissions. When you stop — foot on the brake on the DSG automatic, or in neutral with the clutch up on the manual — the engine cuts, and it restarts the instant you lift the brake or dip the clutch. A message or symbol confirming the engine has auto-stopped is normal, not a warning of a fault. If you’d rather keep it running — in traffic, on a hot day, or before working in the engine bay — you switch it off with one button.
How It Works on the Tiguan
The Tiguan Mk2’s start/stop leans heavily on the 12 V battery and a beefier starter, so the control unit constantly monitors battery charge, engine temperature and the demands you’re placing on the car before it allows an auto-stop. That is why you may find it cuts the engine perfectly one journey and barely at all the next — the conditions simply weren’t met. Understanding those inhibit conditions is the key to knowing whether the system is behaving normally or actually needs attention.
Before You Start
- Locate the A with a circular arrow button first — on the Tiguan it’s near the gear selector or on the dashboard.
- You can press it any time after starting the car; there’s no need to be moving.
- Planning engine-bay work? Switch start/stop off before you open the bonnet so the engine can’t restart unexpectedly.
- Remember it’s a per-journey action — the setting doesn’t carry over once you switch the car off.
How to Turn Off Start/Stop
- Find the AⓇ (A with a circular arrow) button near the gear selector or on the dashboard.
- Press it once — the indicator shows the system is off, and the engine will keep running when you stop.
If the Engine Won’t Auto-Stop (or Won’t Stay Off)
If the engine keeps idling at every stop even though you haven’t switched the system off, it’s almost always one of these inhibit conditions rather than a fault:
- Weak or ageing 12 V battery — the number-one cause. The Tiguan won’t auto-stop unless there’s enough charge to guarantee a clean restart, so a tired battery quietly disables the function.
- Cold engine — the engine has to reach normal operating temperature first, so short cold-start trips rarely trigger a stop.
- High climate demand — a big heating or cooling load, or the demister running, keeps the engine on to power the system.
- On a gradient — the car may decline to stop the engine when it senses you’re on a slope.
- Steering, belt or door — turning the wheel, an unbuckled seatbelt, or an open door can all inhibit an auto-stop.
- Ignition was cycled — the button resets to ‘on’ every time you restart, so if it’s stopping again you may simply need to press it once more.
What to Expect After
Once you press the button and the off indicator appears, the Tiguan holds the engine running for the rest of that trip — you can sit at lights without it cutting out. Switch the car off and on and the function re-arms itself, with the indicator clearing. There’s nothing stored and nothing to re-code, so you can switch it on and off as often as you like without any lasting effect.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I turn off auto stop/start on a VW Tiguan?
Press the AⓇ button (an A inside a circular arrow) near the gear selector or on the dashboard. The indicator confirms it’s off, and the engine will then keep running at every stop for the remainder of that journey.
Can I disable it permanently on the Tiguan?
No — there’s no factory ‘always off’ option, so the system resets to on at every ignition cycle. The practical workaround is simply to press the button once at the start of each drive if you routinely prefer the engine to keep idling.
Why did stop/start come back on?
Switching the ignition off and on re-enables it automatically. This is the intended reset behaviour, not a malfunction — the Tiguan starts every journey with start/stop armed, so you disable it again on the next drive if you want it off.
Why won’t the engine stop sometimes even with start/stop on?
The car only stops the engine once its inhibit conditions clear: a healthy 12 V battery, a warm engine, a satisfied cabin temperature, level ground and a firm brake. A low battery, high climate demand or a gradient will hold the engine running — that’s by design.
Does start/stop wear out the starter or battery?
No — the Tiguan uses a reinforced starter and an appropriately rated battery designed for frequent cycling. If anything the battery limits the system rather than the reverse: as it ages, start/stop works less often because the car protects it by keeping the engine running.
Is it safe to keep start/stop switched on all the time?
Yes. It’s designed to run continuously and there’s no mechanical downside. Turning it off is purely a matter of preference — smoother stop-go driving, faster cabin heating or cooling, or making sure the engine can’t restart while you’re working under the bonnet.
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 Tiguan battery guide.
Independent guide — not affiliated with Volkswagen. Always follow your official service manual and safety precautions. Read our full disclaimer.