Dacia Stop / Start Not Working

The Dacia automatic engine stop / start system helps to reduce fuel consumption and exhaust emissions. As you’re driving, the system automatically stops the engine when you reach a standstill (traffic jam, traffic lights, etc) and by releasing the foot brake, the engine restarts. The stop / start system can be manually switched off, but is activated each time the vehicle is started.

If your Dacia Duster, Sandero / Stepway or Logan MCV / Stepway has automatic engine stop / start technology, you may notice that it’s not always working as expected. This may be due to a fault, though usually it’s related to specific conditions that must be met for the stop / start system to operate. These conditions are as follows:

Conditions for Engine Stop to Take Place

The vehicle has moved off from its original parked position and:

Dacia vehicles with automatic or sequential gearbox

• The gear selector is in position D or N
• The brake pedal is sufficiently depressed
• The accelerator pedal is not depressed
• The speed of the vehicle has remained at zero for at least one second

Dacia vehicles with a manual gearbox

• The gear selector is in neutral
• The clutch pedal is released
  • The stop / start warning light flashes if the clutch pedal is not sufficiently released

Driver Actions Preventing Engine Stop

In certain situations, such as getting ready to move off from a busy junction for example, you may not wish for engine stop to take place. To do this:

Automatic or sequential gearbox

Engine stop will be prevented by keeping the vehicle stationary without pressing too hard on the brake pedal.

Manual gearbox

Engine stop will be prevented by keeping the clutch pedal pressed right down.

Conditions Preventing Engine Stop

Certain conditions will prevent the engine stop / start system from shutting off the engine, some of which are outside of the driver’s control. If the conditions for engine stop / start are not met, the yellow warning light displays. Conditions preventing operation are:

• Reverse gear is engaged
• The bonnet / hood is not properly closed
• The outside temperature is below 0 °C or higher than 30 °C
• Battery charge is too low (this is quite a common reason for auto stop / start not working)
• The vehicle is in ‘4WD Lock’ mode (if available on your Dacia vehicle)
• Engine temperature is too low
• Battery temperature is too high or too low
• Vehicle power consumption is high
• The front demister is switched on
• The heated rear window is switched on
• The anti-pollution system is required
• The gradient is steeper than approximately 12% (applies to vehicles with an automatic or sequential gearbox only)

Dashboard Warning Lights

Find out what your Dacia dashboard warning lights mean.

Dacia Duster

Dacia Logan l and ll / MCV and MCV Stepway

Dacia Sandero / Sandero Stepway

Dacia Engine Stop / Start Not Working