These instructions apply to the Volvo XC60 Mk2 (246) 2018-present.
For other models, please choose your vehicle here.
Your Volvo XC60 (246, 2018–present) shuts the engine off at a standstill to save fuel and reduce emissions when you’re sitting still. When you’d rather keep it running — crawling traffic, a hot day, or before any under-bonnet work — you can switch the auto stop/start off. The A-in-an-arrow symbol on the display is simply the system indicator, not a fault light: an XC60 that cuts its engine at the lights is working exactly as intended.
How auto stop/start works on the XC60
When you brake to a halt, a control module weighs up whether to switch the engine off. It does so only when the supporting conditions are met — the 12 V battery is well charged, the engine is up to temperature, and the climate system isn’t calling for strong heating or cooling. Ease off the brake or touch the accelerator and the engine restarts straight away. Mild-hybrid XC60s use a small electric motor to make those restarts smoother and quieter, but the same inhibit logic governs when a stop is allowed, so the engine won’t always shut down even with the system switched on.
First, a Few Checks
- You can make the change with the engine running; there’s no need to park or select a particular gear.
- If your car uses the touchscreen setting rather than a button, wake the display before you set off so you’re not distracted on the move.
- Planning under-bonnet work? Switch the system off first so the engine can’t auto-restart.
- Check the indicator or on-screen state afterwards to confirm the change registered.
Turning It Off
- Look for the start/stop (auto-stop) button — often marked with an A and an arrow — near the gear selector, and press it once.
- If your XC60 has no physical button, open the centre touchscreen → Settings and switch ‘Automatic engine start/stop’ off.
Why It Returns Each Drive
The XC60 re-enables auto stop/start every time you start the car. There’s no permanent off — switch it off again at the start of each drive if you prefer it disabled.
If the engine won’t stop anyway
If the system is on but the engine keeps idling at every stop, one of the inhibit conditions is being met. This is normal behaviour, not a fault. On the XC60 the usual reasons are:
- Cold engine. After a cold start, stops don’t begin until the engine has reached normal operating temperature.
- Low 12 V battery. A run of short journeys leaves the battery under-charged, so the car keeps the engine running to recharge it. This is the most common cause by far.
- Climate demand. On a very hot or very cold day, heavy air-con or heater load holds the engine on to keep the cabin comfortable.
- On a gradient. Facing up or down a noticeable slope, the system often stays inactive so the car can pull away cleanly.
- Not fully stopped. The car must be at a complete standstill with steady brake pressure before a stop is considered.
- Doors or belt. An open door, an unlatched bonnet, or the driver’s seat-belt undone can prevent the system activating.
Once It’s Done
With auto stop/start switched off, the engine idles normally at every stop for the rest of that drive and the indicator shows the system is disabled. Nothing else about how the car drives changes — you’ll simply use a little more fuel in stop-go conditions. Because the setting resets at the next engine start, the system returns to its ready state next time you drive, and you repeat the button press or touchscreen step if you want it off again.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I turn off auto stop/start on a Volvo XC60?
Press the auto-stop button by the gear selector if your car has one, or open the centre touchscreen, go to Settings and switch ‘Automatic engine start/stop’ off. Either method disables it for the current drive, so the engine idles at stops instead of shutting down. There’s no button combination to hold — it’s a single action.
Can I disable it permanently?
No — the XC60 re-arms auto stop/start each time you switch the ignition on, so there is no factory way to keep it off for good. You have to set it at the start of every drive. This is deliberate, because the emissions and economy figures the car is certified on assume the system is active.
Why didn’t the engine stop today?
Because a background condition wasn’t satisfied. The common reasons are a cold engine that hasn’t warmed through, a 12 V battery low on charge, strong heating or cooling demand, or being parked on a slope. The system waits until conditions suit before it starts cutting the engine, so the behaviour can differ from one day to the next.
Does leaving it on harm the car?
No — the starter, battery and, on mild-hybrid cars, the electric motor are all built for constant stop-start cycling, so leaving it enabled won’t wear anything out early. The main thing to watch is battery health, because a tired 12 V battery can make the system behave erratically or stop working entirely.
Where is the setting if there’s no button?
On XC60s without a physical auto-stop button, the control sits in the centre touchscreen under Settings, listed as ‘Automatic engine start/stop’. Switch it off there. As with the button, the choice only lasts for the current drive and reverts to its default the next time you start the car.
Should I switch it off for engine work?
Yes. Before doing anything under the bonnet, disable auto stop/start so the engine can’t restart itself while your hands are near moving parts. For added safety on any real repair, turn the ignition fully off rather than relying on the system setting alone, and only work on a cool engine.
If a stop/start fault shows, it usually points to the 12 V battery — see our XC60 battery guide, or look the code up on autodtcs.com.
Independent guide — not affiliated with Volvo. Always follow your official service manual and safety precautions. Read our full disclaimer.