The A with a circle around it is a symbol in many modern cars, usually in one of the center console buttons. It signifies an additional innovative feature that boosts fuel efficiency while reducing emissions. But what does this symbol mean, and how can you use it?
I explain what the A with a circle around it car means. You’ll also know how it works, the appropriate time to use it, and more.
Question: What Does the A with a Circle Around it Mean?
The button with an encircled A on the dashboard means your car has the engine Start/Stop system. Most cars have this button on the center console, near the brake and gas pedal control buttons. Before we look at how to use this button, let’s figure out what the Start/Stop function does in your car.
The engine Start/Stop system is an innovative feature that automatically shuts down your car engine when needed. For instance, it’ll shut down the engine when your car is stationary at a stop-and-go traffic. It works with intelligent sensors to detect when you apply brakes to stop the vehicle.
The goal is to save on fuel and battery power, especially when waiting at a traffic congestion or traffic light. Moreover, it helps minimize emissions and prevents premature motor impairment.
In automatic cars, the system will quickly restart the engine when you release the brake pedal. If your manual car has this function, it’ll restart the engine when you depress the clutch pedal.
The Start/Stop system works smoothly and seamlessly to prevent any disturbance from switching the engine on and off. If you’re unaware of this technology in your car, you might not notice the engine turning off and on.
Question: What Does the Button With an Encircled A Do in Your Car?
You now know what the symbol A with circle around it in car means. But what does the button with an encircled A do?
This button (the engine Start/Stop button) will activate or deactivate your car’s start-stop function. You’ll need to press the button to activate or deactivate the system.
When activated, you might see the “A” symbol displayed on the instrument cluster. If you deactivate it, the “A” symbol on the instrument cluster might feature a cross line over it. Not all cars will display this symbol on the dash when you press the engine start-stop button.
Some cars will automatically activate the engine start-stop system when you start the engine. If you want full control of these cars, press the Start/Stop button to deactivate the feature. Doing so means your vehicle will keep idling when you press the brakes to stop at traffic lights.
Deactivating the A with a circle around it car means the engine will run constantly despite the driving conditions. Doing this helps your vehicle to maintain power and good traction to handle different driving conditions.
Question: What Do the Colors on the Button With an Encircled “A” Mean?
You’ll see two different lights illuminating the button with the encircled “A.” So, what do these colors indicate?
- Green Light: The green light on the encircled “A” symbol signifies that the engine Start/Stop function is in action. This light comes on when the engine automatically shuts down at a stop-and-go traffic.
- Amber Light: This light signifies a deactivated engine start-stop system. You’ll see the amber light when the engine restarts after releasing the brake pedal. This light should also come up when you manually deactivate the system by pressing the button. In this case, a warning message or alarm may accompany the amber light.
Answer: Conditions Where the Engine Start/Stop System Won’t Activate
The start-start feature will activate after meeting certain safety conditions. So, if you stop the car, but the engine fails to shut off automatically, some conditions have not been met. The system won’t activate in the following situations:
- Driver door not closed
- Driver seatbelt not fastened
- Blower on MAX A/C
- Blower on full defrost
- Shifter in reverse
- Hood is open
- If you turn the steering wheel
- Cabin temperature not reached
- Low battery power
- Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) is on
Answer: Benefits of the Engine Start/Stop System
The A with a circle around it car provides the following benefits:
- Improved Fuel Efficiency: By temporarily shutting off the engine at a stoplight or intersection, this system can help save up to 10% of fuel.
- Reduce emissions: Running the engine at idle increases greenhouse gas emissions. With this technology, your car engine will shut off to minimize idle time, thus reducing emissions.
- Prolonged vehicle life: The system helps prolong the life of your engine and other car components. Allowing the engine to run constantly adds undue strain, leading to premature wear and failure of parts. This system improves the health of the spark plugs, pistons, and ignition system.
- Saves on Maintenance costs: Less wear and tear on engine parts and other car components means lower maintenance costs.
- More convenient to use: The start-stop feature will automatically shut off and restart the engine while needed. That means you don’t have to keep pressing the button to activate or deactivate it. The system works with multiple sensors to determine when to activate or deactivate.
- Increased comfort: Shutting off the engine at stop-and-go traffic increases the comfort level in the cabin. When the car is stationary, the engine shuts down, meaning less noise and clear conversations among car occupants. Also, occupants can make phone calls or take naps without disturbance from the engine’s revving noises.
- Maintains cabin temperature: If you’re driving in a hot afternoon, you’ll want to keep the AC working to cool the cabin. The start-stop feature will restart the engine when the cabin gets too hot. As a result, you can relax in a cool cabin as you wait at a traffic light or traffic congestion.
Answer: When to Deactivate the Engine Start/Stop System
Although you’ll gain a lot from the start-stop feature, there are instances you might want to deactivate it.
You Want Full Control of Your Car
Some drivers prefer having full control of their cars. For example, if you’re driving a sports car, you might want to keep the engine running even at stoplights. Doing so can help avoid delays when you release the brakes and press the gas pedal.
Also, some drivers find this system annoying. In this case, you only need to press the button with an encircled “A” symbol to deactivate the system.
In Some Weather Conditions
Rain, snow, and mud can trigger a loss of traction, causing your car to slide or skid. Deactivating the start-stop function keeps the traction control on, allowing the car to maintain traction.
When Driving Off Road
If you’re off-roading or navigating bumpy roads, keeping the engine running consistently makes sense. You don’t want the engine to turn off and deactivate traction control and other safety features in such driving conditions. So, if you’re off-roading, press the start-stop button to deactivate the system.
When Hauling or Towing Heavy Items
If you’re hauling or towing heavy equipment, you’ll need to keep the engine running to ensure complete vehicle control. Deactivating the system will help the engine maintain its operating temperature, even when you press the brake pedal. Moreover, your vehicle’s stability and traction control will remain functional to ensure traction and control in such a driving condition.
If the Battery is Low
The start-stop function relies on the car battery to restart the engine. If you repeatedly restart the engine during traffic congestion, the system will put more strain on your battery, making it drain quickly.
The good news is that most cars with this system feature powerful batteries to meet the high demands of this system.
However, if the battery is low, you can deactivate the start-stop feature to save on battery power. If you’ve installed a new battery, you can deactivate the system to allow the battery to charge completely.
Wrapping Up
The symbol A with a circle around it car means your engine has a Start/Stop system that improves fuel economy and reduces emissions. If your car has this symbol, you can press the button with an encircled A to activate or deactivate the start-stop function.