How to turn off auto start/stop on your gas RAV4, and whether it's hurting the engine

Quick picks

What auto start/stop is on the gas RAV4

So Toyota calls auto start/stop the Stop & Start system. Basically, when you come to a stop in a gas RAV4 that has Stop & Start, the Stop & Start system shuts the engine off to save gas. Then the engine starts again by itself when you take your foot off the brake pedal.

Owners call the Stop & Start system a lot of different names, like auto stop, idle stop, ISG or "the circle A button." They all mean the same thing. And while the engine is shut off by the Stop & Start system, a green Stop & Start light shows on the gauge screen behind the steering wheel.

Now the Stop & Start system is only on some gas RAV4s. So the quickest way to know whether your RAV4 has Stop & Start is to look for the A OFF button, which I cover next.

Which gas RAV4 trims have Stop & Start, by year

So the fastest check is to look at the button panel beside the shifter. If there's a button with an "A" inside a circular arrow and the word OFF under it, your RAV4 has Stop & Start. And if there's no A OFF button there, your RAV4 doesn't have Stop & Start.

This table shows what Toyota's dealer guides, called SourceBooks, and its brochures list for each year.

So if you have a 2025 Limited AWD or a 2024 or 2025 LE FWD, the A OFF button beside the shifter is the real answer. And something to note is that some brochures say to turn Stop & Start off before towing on "V6 gas models only." That's a copy mistake, because no 2019 to 2025 RAV4 has a V6.

My own 2025 RAV4 Hybrid XSE has no A OFF button, like every RAV4 Hybrid. If you're a Hybrid owner wondering why your engine won't shut off, skip down to how the Hybrid's engine stopping is different.

How to turn off Stop & Start with the A OFF button

Toyota calls the A OFF button the Stop & Start cancel switch. The Stop & Start cancel switch is on the button panel right beside the shifter, in the same group as the parking brake and Brake Hold switches.

1. Start the car, and wait until the gauge screen behind the steering wheel finishes its start-up and the warning lights go out.
2. Press the A OFF button once.
3. Check the gauge screen. An orange A OFF light, which Toyota calls the Stop & Start cancel indicator, comes on. That orange A OFF light means the engine won't shut off at stops for the rest of this drive.
4. To turn Stop & Start back on during the same drive, press the A OFF button again. The orange A OFF light goes out.

Does Stop & Start stay off after a restart?

So no, and Toyota set Stop & Start up that way on purpose. Once you've pressed the A OFF button, Toyota's manual says the system "will be automatically re-enabled once the engine switch is turned off and then the engine is started."

And there's no factory way to change that. These are the places owners usually check, and what each one does.

• The settings on the gauge screen have only one Stop & Start item. That item changes how long the engine stays off when the A/C is on, Standard or Extended. There's no choice to keep Stop & Start off.
• The dealer can't switch Stop & Start to off by default either. Toyota's list of settings a dealer can change has no Stop & Start default. And one 2020 RAV4 owner told NHTSA, the federal safety agency, that they asked their Toyota dealer to disable Stop & Start and the dealer "refused."
• Pulling a fuse won't keep Stop & Start off. There's no fuse for Stop & Start, as one RAV4World owner points out.
• OBD tools like Carista or Techstream (Carista, and Toyota's dealer software site for Techstream) come up on owner forums only for turning off the hood alarm, not for keeping Stop & Start off. Neither tool has a known RAV4 setting that keeps Stop & Start off by default.

So for a lot of owners, pressing the A OFF button just becomes part of starting the car. One 2021 owner on RAV4World called pressing the A OFF button "part of my start up sequence." But other owners say they forget, and one owner guessed they forget about 40 percent of the time.

And if you keep turning off the lane departure beep too, I cover which lane settings stay off in my guide to turning off lane departure.

Ways to keep the engine running at stops without buying anything

So before you spend any money, it's worth knowing how the Stop & Start system decides when to shut the engine off. Basically, the engine only shuts off when a long list of things are all true. And a few of those are things you control.

• Press the A OFF button every drive. The A OFF button is the only control Toyota gives you, and the A OFF button works every time.
• Press the brake pedal lightly at stops. Toyota says the brake pedal has to be "depressed firmly" for the engine to shut off. If you stop gently, the engine keeps running, and the gauge screen may say "Press Brake More to Activate." Owners say the light brake works, but not every time.
• Lift your foot a little once you're stopped. Easing off the brake pedal starts the engine again before you move. So if the engine shuts off at a light, you can restart the engine a second before the light turns green.
• Turn the steering wheel. Toyota says turning the steering wheel restarts the engine. And the engine won't shut off while you're turning the steering wheel.
• Use Snow mode in winter, on AWD RAV4s. The Stop & Start system doesn't shut the engine off in Snow mode. The off-road modes, Mud & Sand and Rock & Dirt, also keep the engine running. But those two modes are meant for dirt and sand, not for pavement.
• Turn on the windshield defogger, on RAV4s with automatic climate control. Toyota says the defogger restarts the engine. And Toyota itself says that if your windshield fogs up often, or you want full A/C at stops, you can press the A OFF button.

Now on 2019 and 2020 RAV4s, Toyota's manual says the Stop & Start system only works in Normal or Eco mode. So Sport mode keeps the engine running on a 2019 or 2020. But that Normal or Eco line is gone from the 2023 manual, so Sport mode isn't a reliable trick on a 2023 to 2025 RAV4.

And if what bothers you is the A/C getting warm at stops, the gauge screen settings have a Stop & Start system item. Setting that item to Extended lets the engine stay off longer with the A/C on. Toyota says that if the A/C smells musty on Extended, switch the item back to Standard.

Why the engine sometimes won't shut off, and that's normal

So a lot of new owners think the Stop & Start system is broken because the engine shuts off at one light and not the next. But Toyota's manual lists a lot of reasons the engine stays running, and Toyota says these aren't a malfunction.

The engine only shuts off when all of these are true.

• You've been driving for a while, the engine is warmed up, and it's 23°F (-5°C) or warmer outside.
• The shifter is in D, the brake pedal is pressed firmly, and the gas pedal isn't pressed.
• The driver's seat belt is buckled, and the driver's door and the hood are closed.
• The RAV4 isn't in Snow mode, Mud & Sand or Rock & Dirt, and the windshield defogger is off.

And even when all of that is true, the engine may still keep running. Toyota says that happens when the A/C is working hard or the 12-volt battery is charging or low. The engine also keeps running on a steep hill, at high altitude, or when you're stopping again and again in a traffic jam. Something to note is that after the 12-volt battery is disconnected or replaced, the engine may not shut off for up to an hour.

These are the messages you might see on the gauge screen, and what Toyota says each one means.

And the engine starts again by itself when you let off the brake, press the gas or turn the steering wheel. Unbuckling, opening the driver's door, shifting out of D or turning on the defogger also restarts the engine. If you open the driver's door while the engine is shut off in D, a buzzer sounds and a Stop & Start light on the gauge screen flashes. I explain the RAV4's other buzzers in my guide to RAV4 beeps.

Does Stop & Start wear out the RAV4's starter, battery or engine?

So this is the big question for anyone planning to drive a gas RAV4 to 200,000 miles or more. And the short answer is there's no evidence that Stop & Start is wearing out RAV4 starters or engines. The gas RAV4 was built for all that stopping and starting, and the owner complaints don't show a pattern of failures.

Toyota built the gas RAV4's starter and battery for Stop & Start

So the gas RAV4 with Stop & Start isn't just a regular car that turns its engine off. Toyota's manual says these cars need "a genuine battery specifically designed for use with the Stop & Start system" or one with the same specs. And with the wrong battery, Toyota says Stop & Start may be limited to protect the battery.

The Car Care Nut, a Toyota master technician who runs their own repair shop, goes through the rest of Toyota's setup in their video further down this page. These are the parts they point to.

• A redesigned starter with two solenoids, which they call a tandem starter. A solenoid is a kind of electric switch.
• A battery sensor that checks the 12-volt battery on every start, so the system won't shut the engine off when the battery is low.
• An electric water pump that keeps the heater warm while the engine is off.
• Cold storage plates in the A/C that keep the air cool for a short while at a stop.
• An electric transmission oil pump, so the car is ready to pull away the moment the engine restarts.

And outside of Toyota, starter makers build stop-start starters differently too. Bosch says its stop-start starters have stronger bearings and gears and last "up to 3.5 times" as many starts as a regular starter. There's even an international test standard, ISO 20574, just for how long these starters hold up.

The 384,000 start limit

Now The Car Care Nut says Toyota sets the starter's life at 384,000 stop and start cycles. They say that's "just over 10 years" for someone driving 15,000 to 20,000 miles a year with Stop & Start on at every light. And they say when the car reaches that count, the car sets a trouble code and turns Stop & Start off until the starter is replaced.

But keep in mind that the 384,000 number comes from The Car Care Nut, and that number isn't confirmed in any Toyota manual, service bulletin or parts document. So I'd treat it as a well-informed mechanic's figure, not a Toyota spec. And they also warn that the counter should never be reset without replacing the starter.

What about the engine itself?

So The Car Care Nut says the idea that Stop & Start damages the engine "is not true," and that "there is no data" showing it does. The one harmful case they name is lots of stops and starts on a cold engine. But Toyota's system already blocks that, because the engine has to be warmed up before Stop & Start will shut the engine off.

Now something to note is that lab tests on engines in general, not RAV4s, can measure a little extra piston ring wear during stop and start cycles. But no study or owner data shows that extra wear shortens a real engine's life.

What owners have reported to NHTSA

NHTSA is the federal agency that collects owner safety complaints. And the 2019 to 2025 RAV4 complaints that mention the starter or Stop & Start break down like this.

• Worn-out starters: Not one 2019 to 2025 RAV4 complaint describes a starter that wore out or failed from Stop & Start. The complaints that mention the starter either say the starter tested fine or aren't about wear.
• A delay or a lurch when the engine restarts: Two owners describe a delay or a lurch. A 2020 owner says the engine "took time to restart" while pulling into traffic, and a 2019 owner describes a hesitation, then a lurch. One 2021 owner on YouTube describes "a hard yank forward."
• "Steering Power Low" at stops: About five owners describe this one, and I cover it in the next section.

Now one RAV4World owner with a 2023 XLE called Stop & Start "terrible for the starter and battery," but the owner didn't say what happened. So that's one owner's report without details.

What the warranty covers on the starter

So on a 2023 gas RAV4, the starter isn't on Toyota's powertrain warranty list. That means the starter falls under the 3-year or 36,000-mile basic warranty. The flywheel, which the starter's gear turns, is under the 5-year or 60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

So ultimately, if you plan to keep your gas RAV4 a long time, Stop & Start isn't something I'd worry much about. But Stop & Start relies on the 12-volt battery, which is why Toyota requires a battery made for Stop & Start. So I'd keep an eye on the 12-volt battery, and I cover battery checks in my RAV4 12-volt battery guide.

"Steering Power Low" and stalling at stops

So a small number of owners report a "Steering Power Low" or "Voltage Abnormality" message while the engine was shut off by Stop & Start. About five owners of 2019, 2021 and 2024 RAV4s describe this to NHTSA.

• A 2019 owner says the power steering light came on "particularly when the start-stop system is engaged." The dealer found no trouble codes.
• Three 2021 owners describe the same kind of message at stops. One shop blamed a worn alternator, and the dealer found nothing.
• A 2024 owner says the RAV4 stalled after a one-minute stop at a drive-thru with Stop & Start on, and showed "Engine Stopped Power Steering Low."

Keep in mind that other 2019 to 2024 owners report "Steering Power Low" stalls without mentioning Stop & Start at all. And no recall or service bulletin ties these messages to Stop & Start. So the cause isn't confirmed.

But if you see "Steering Power Low" or "Battery Charging" often, I'd have the 12-volt battery and the charging system tested. The steps are in my 12-volt battery guide. And for the bigger picture on problem years, I go through them in my RAV4 years to avoid guide.

Now one RAV4World owner thinks the "Battery Charging" message means Stop & Start is draining the 12-volt battery. But Toyota's manual says the opposite. Basically, Toyota says the "Battery Charging" message means the car is holding off on shutting the engine down so the 12-volt battery can charge.

How much gas Stop & Start actually saves

So the EPA rates the gas RAV4 separately with and without Stop & Start, which gives a rough idea of the difference.

So on the AWD gas RAV4, the version with Stop & Start gets 2 mpg more in the city and the same on the highway. But keep in mind the Limited and Adventure also use a different AWD system, so not all of that 2 mpg comes from Stop & Start alone.

And fueleconomy.gov's 2025 Fuel Economy Guide says stop-start improves mileage by "up to 5%," mostly in stop and go driving. A Department of Energy study measured 4 to 5 percent on the EPA's test drives and 9.7 percent on the road. So if most of your driving is in town, turning Stop & Start off costs you a little at the pump. But if you mostly drive on the highway, you'll barely notice the difference.

Plug-in modules that keep Stop & Start off every drive

So the most common way owners keep Stop & Start off is a small plug-in module, often called a start/stop eliminator. Basically, the module plugs in between the A OFF button and its wiring behind the dash. Then every time you start the car, the module presses the A OFF button for you a few seconds later.

What's great about this kind of module is that the A OFF button still works normally. So if you want Stop & Start on for one drive, you just press the A OFF button again. And owners say the install takes about 30 minutes with no cutting, because you're only removing trim pieces around the shifter and the climate controls.

4D Tech RAV4 Start / Stop Eliminator

The 4D Tech RAV4 (19-25) Start / Stop Eliminator, part number 4DT-STARTSTOP-48A, is $99.99 and in stock on 4D Tech's own site as of October 15, 2026. 4D Tech lists the eliminator for 2019 to 2025 RAV4s, but only gas RAV4s have the A OFF button the eliminator plugs into. 4D Tech gives the eliminator a 1-year warranty and a 30-day money back return.

Something to note is that you can switch the 4D Tech module itself off by holding the A OFF button for more than 6 seconds. 4D Tech shows that in its install video, which is linked in the sources below.

Cheaper modules

Now owners on RAV4World also use cheaper unbranded modules from Amazon (this is an Amazon search, not one listing). They posted in 2024 and 2026 that they paid about $25, and they say the modules work well. But none of those owners named the brand, and their reports only cover a few months of use. One owner also says they'd read that some modules, even $100 ones, "failed after a few months," but that's not confirmed.

Keep in mind that several search results for these modules lead to hijacked school and charity websites selling them. Those listings are likely scams, so I'd stick to the maker's own site.

A quirk owners report with these modules

If you turn the car off and back on within about 30 seconds, the module won't cancel Stop & Start for that drive. 4D Tech says this, and owners with other modules report the same thing. So after a quick stop, it's worth checking for the orange A OFF light on the gauge screen.

Will a start/stop module void the RAV4's warranty?

So no, a module by itself doesn't void the warranty. But a module can cost you coverage on any repair the module caused.

Toyota's warranty says it doesn't cover "damage or failures resulting directly from" alteration or tampering, "including installation of non-Genuine Toyota Accessories." The key words there are "resulting directly from."

And the FTC is the federal agency that enforces warranty law. The FTC says companies "can't void your warranty or deny warranty coverage solely because you use a part made by another company." But the FTC also says they "may, however, refuse warranty coverage for defects or damage caused by using third-party parts."

So basically, if the dealer can show the module caused an electrical problem, like in the switch panel or its wiring, that one repair won't be covered. The rest of your warranty stays the same. And sellers' "won't void your warranty" claims are just the sellers' own claims, so keep that in mind.

Now The Car Care Nut sees Stop & Start as an emissions part. So they tell owners not to modify Stop & Start, and to just press the A OFF button every drive. That's their view as a shop owner. They don't point to a specific law or rule that names these modules.

Some owners unplug the module before a dealer visit. A plug-in module like the 4D Tech eliminator leaves the factory wiring the way it was, so unplugging the module puts the car back to stock.

The hood switch trick, and why it causes problems

So you'll see owners online talk about a free trick, which is unplugging the hood latch switch. Basically, the hood latch switch tells the car whether the hood is closed. The Stop & Start system won't shut the engine off if the car thinks the hood is open. That way the engine never restarts by itself while someone has the hood open.

And with the hood latch switch unplugged, the car thinks the hood is always open, so Stop & Start never runs. About 10 owners with 2019 to 2023 gas RAV4s say they only got a short "Stop & Start unavailable" message, which they turned off in the display settings. But the hood switch trick has real problems.

• Nonstop beeping on many RAV4s. Five owners with 2021, 2023 and 2024 gas RAV4s report a constant warning or an alarm that sounds the whole time the car is running. One 2024 owner says the hood switch trick "does not work on a 2024." One owner says the beeping can only be turned off with Toyota's dealer tool, called Techstream, or a copy of it.
• The alarm loses the hood. Toyota lists "the hood is opened" as something that sets off the factory alarm. With the hood latch switch unplugged, the alarm can't tell when someone opens the hood.
• Remote start may stop working. One owner says remote start quit because the car thought the hood was open. I explain the RAV4's remote start in my key fob remote start guide.
• Possible warning alerts. One owner reported pre-collision and traction control alerts in the car's history after unplugging the hood latch switch, and another owner checked theirs and found none. So whether unplugging the switch sets off safety alerts isn't settled.
• The same warranty risk as a module. Toyota's "alteration or tampering" wording applies the same way.

So ultimately, the hood switch trick is the riskier option, especially on a 2023 or newer gas RAV4. With the hood latch switch unplugged, the car can't tell when the hood is open, so the factory alarm won't go off if someone opens the hood. And owners of 2023 and 2024 gas RAV4s more often report nonstop beeping. If you want Stop & Start off every drive, a plug-in module behind the A OFF button is the cleaner way to do it.

When Stop & Start acts up

• The engine never shuts off, and there's no message. Check that the hood is fully latched. Toyota says to close the hood, turn the car off, wait 30 seconds, and start it again.
• "Battery Charging" shows often, or for more than an hour. Toyota says the 12-volt battery may be worn, so have the battery checked. My 12-volt battery guide covers how to test the battery.
• The orange A OFF light flashes, or you see "Stop & Start System Malfunction Visit Your Dealer." Toyota says to have the dealer check the car right away.
• You just put in a new 12-volt battery. The engine may not shut off for up to an hour while the car learns the new battery. And Toyota says the replacement has to be a battery made for Stop & Start. The right size is in my 12-volt battery guide.
• You added or removed an electrical accessory or a wireless device. Toyota says electrical accessories and wireless devices "may affect the Stop & Start system."
• You pressed the power button while the engine was shut off. The engine won't restart by itself after that. So just start the car normally.

How the RAV4 Hybrid's engine stopping is different

So the RAV4 Hybrid, the RAV4 Prime and every 2026 RAV4 don't have a Stop & Start system or an A OFF button. But the Hybrid's gas engine still shuts off at stops, and that's just part of how a hybrid drives.

Basically, Toyota's Hybrid manual says "the gasoline engine stops when the vehicle is stopped." And when you pull away or drive slowly, the electric motor moves the car. The green EV light on the gauge screen shows when the Hybrid is driving on the electric motor alone.

Now the big difference is the starter. The RAV4 Hybrid doesn't have a regular starter. The hybrid system spins the gas engine up with its electric motor-generator, so the stopping and starting doesn't wear a starter the way a gas RAV4's does. I go through the Hybrid's other differences, like having no alternator or accessory belt, in my RAV4 Hybrid vs gas guide.

And Toyota says the Hybrid's gas engine won't shut off while the engine is warming up or the hybrid battery is charging. The gas engine also keeps running when the hybrid battery is very hot or cold, or when the heater is on. There's no button to change any of that. So if your Hybrid's engine keeps running at stops in winter, that's why, and I explain the winter rules in my RAV4 Hybrid mpg guide.

Videos about the RAV4's Stop & Start system