2026 CX-5 S Preferred - iStop feature

[RAD3579]

Hi, new-be here - 2026 CX-5 - I understand how to turn i-stop on and off via the display panel, and I know it defaults back to on after the car is restarted, but I do not feel the feature actually working. Are you supposed to feel or hear the car shut off at stops and back on when you accelerate again? Are there any other 'normal' conditions, not tricks, that the feature does activate?

Also, if you have time, is this feature actually bad for the engine or just an annoyance.

Thanks - Ray

 

[cz5gt]

go to a stop with engine running (at traffic light) after it has wermed up, open windows..press "harder" the brake pedal and should hear engine off. If pressing lightly often times it doesnt trigger the stop.

In the car manual they got very detailed info when it triggers and conditions, etc.

Its to save fuel/emissions at stop go traffic in a city. Bad or good its debatable almost every new car has it for emissions. may be in 50-100k miles it may wear out starter or cause some issues..it depends.

 

[namiboy]

I can tell you it's much more subtle in my wife's 2026 S-Premium than in my 2022 Civic Touring.

 

[nickswhip24]

Hi, new-be here - 2026 CX-5 - I understand how to turn i-stop on and off via the display panel, and I know it defaults back to on after the car is restarted, but I do not feel the feature actually working. Are you supposed to feel or hear the car shut off at stops and back on when you accelerate again? Are there any other 'normal' conditions, not tricks, that the feature does activate?

Also, if you have time, is this feature actually bad for the engine or just an annoyance.

Thanks - Ray

Hi Ray-yes ...it is bad for the car...the battery,starter,engine maybe more...there is alot of info about it online and maybe in this group
if you hit the button to turn off for about a week steady it should become automatic-your new car will thank you

 

[RAD3579]

Hi Ray-yes ...it is bad for the car...the battery,starter,engine maybe more...there is alot of info about it online and maybe in this group
if you hit the button to turn off for about a week steady it should become automatic-your new car will thank you

I will try this. Thanks.

 

[RAD3579]

Hi, new-be here - 2026 CX-5 - I understand how to turn i-stop on and off via the display panel, and I know it defaults back to on after the car is restarted, but I do not feel the feature actually working. Are you supposed to feel or hear the car shut off at stops and back on when you accelerate again? Are there any other 'normal' conditions, not tricks, that the feature does activate?

Also, if you have time, is this feature actually bad for the engine or just an annoyance.

Thanks - Ray

I actually felt it engaging at a light today and watched the green I-Stop indicator light come on and noticed the Tech drop to 0. The engine was not fully warmed up. I’m puzzled as to why when I sit in the passenger seat I never noticed it engaging. I will try manually turning it off for a few weeks to see if it learns that behavior. Ray

 

[N7turbo]

Hi Ray-yes ...it is bad for the car...the battery,starter,engine maybe more...there is alot of info about it online and maybe in this group
if you hit the button to turn off for about a week steady it should become automatic-your new car will thank you

Don't worry about it:

 

[Snake]

I actually felt it engaging at a light today and watched the green I-Stop indicator light come on and noticed the Tech drop to 0. The engine was not fully warmed up. I’m puzzled as to why when I sit in the passenger seat I never noticed it engaging. I will try manually turning it off for a few weeks to see if it learns that behavior. Ray

Please report back after a few weeks to let us know if the system learned to keep I-Stop off for you. Thanks

 

[CrazyHippie]

Please report back after a few weeks to let us know if the system learned to keep I-Stop off for you. Thanks

I've been turning i-stop off as soon as I start my 25 CX-5 non-turbo for months and it hasn't changed the default. It's always on when I start it.

 

[Snake]

I've been turning i-stop off as soon as I start my 25 CX-5 non-turbo for months and it hasn't changed the default. It's always on when I start it.

Yes, but the above poster has a 2026 Gen 3. Perhaps if we are lucky, that super fancy computer screen it has, has a learning capability. All he can do it test the system and report back his findings. This is a learning time for everyone.

 

[RAD3579]

Don't worry about it:

Watch most of the video - lots of detailed technology but towards the end, the bottom line is that this technology does not damage the car, the system will not allow it to come on in the engine is cold, and although you can shut it off at each start up, it is an emission system and this tech does not advise it by law, however, your car you do want you want. So it you don't like it, shut if off each time.
I will still go ahead and do the two week test, but reading some of the other replies, I don't think it will learn to stay off permanently.