If you drive a Kia Seltos, you already know the routine. You start the engine, pull out of your driveway, and the first time you stop at a light, the engine shuts off. You reach over and press the Auto Start/Stop button to disable it. Then tomorrow morning, you do it all over again. Every single drive.
It’s one of the more annoying quirks of modern crossovers, and the Seltos is no exception. The system is designed to save a small amount of fuel by shutting off the engine at stops, but plenty of owners find it jerky, distracting, or just plain unnecessary. This guide covers exactly how to turn it off, why it keeps coming back, and what you can do to make the “off” setting stick permanently without pressing a button every morning.
Understanding the Auto Start/Stop System on the Kia Seltos
Kia calls this feature ISG, which stands for Idle Stop and Go. It’s been standard on Seltos models since the first generation launched in the U.S. for the 2021 model year, and it carries forward through the refreshed 2024 and 2025 models as well. The system works by cutting the engine when the vehicle is fully stopped and certain conditions are met, then restarting it automatically when you lift your foot off the brake.
Kia includes conditions where the system won’t activate. If the battery charge is too low, the cabin temperature needs significant heating or cooling, or the hood is open, the system stays off automatically. But under normal driving conditions, it’s active by default every time you turn the key.
The reason it resets to “on” after every engine restart isn’t a glitch. Kia programmed it that way intentionally to meet fuel economy and emissions testing standards. The car’s EPA ratings are calculated with ISG enabled, so Kia doesn’t offer a built-in option to permanently disable it through the infotainment system or a settings menu.
How to Temporarily Disable Auto Start/Stop (The Button Method)
The quickest way to stop ISG from kicking in on any given drive is to press the dedicated button on the center console. On the Seltos, look for a button with an “A” wrapped in a circular arrow, usually located near the gear selector or in the row of buttons below the climate controls.
Here’s how to use it:
- Start the engine and shift into drive.
- Before you reach your first stop, press the ISG button once.
- A light on the button or a message in the cluster will confirm the system is off.
- The system stays off for the rest of that drive, but reactivates the next time you start the engine.
This works perfectly well if you don’t mind the daily habit. But if you want a more permanent fix, read on.
Why the Setting Resets Every Time You Start the Engine
This is the part that frustrates most Seltos owners. Unlike some driver-assist settings that can be saved to a profile, ISG is hardwired to reset to “on” with each new ignition cycle. There’s no software toggle in the Seltos menu system that changes this behavior.
Some owners have explored using an OBD2 scanner to look for a programmable parameter that controls ISG default state. On most Seltos trims, no such accessible coding option exists through standard OBD2 tools without dealer-level software. Kia dealers can sometimes disable the system through a service mode, but many won’t do it without a documented complaint, and even then it’s not guaranteed to stick after a software update.
The most practical solution for most owners is a plug-and-play eliminator module.
The Permanent Fix: Kia Seltos Start/Stop Eliminator Module
A start/stop eliminator is a small electronic module that plugs into your vehicle’s existing wiring harness, usually at the ISG button connector. It intercepts the signal and tells the system to stay in the “off” state automatically, every time the car starts. You don’t press any buttons. You don’t think about it. The engine just behaves like you’ve already pressed that button for you.
These modules are designed to work specifically with each vehicle’s wiring, so you need one confirmed compatible with the Kia Seltos. Installation takes about five to ten minutes and requires no tools beyond possibly a plastic trim pry tool to access the button panel. There’s no cutting, splicing, or coding involved.
Kia Seltos ISG Start Stop Eliminator Module
A plug-and-play module that automatically disables the auto start/stop system every time you start your Seltos, no button pressing required.
Before buying, confirm the module lists your specific Seltos model year in the compatibility notes. The 2021 through 2025 Seltos models share similar ISG wiring, but it’s always worth double-checking with the seller if you’re unsure. Most reputable modules include a simple installation guide, and the process is genuinely easy enough for anyone comfortable with basic DIY work.
If you’re already doing small upgrades to your Seltos, this pairs well with other simple wins like a headlight bulb upgrade or picking up a dash cam for added protection on the road.
Installing the Eliminator Module: Step by Step
The process varies slightly depending on which module you buy, but the general steps are the same for Seltos models across the 2021 to 2025 range.
- Turn off the engine and make sure the ignition is fully off before you start.
- Locate the ISG button on the center console. On most Seltos trims it sits in the lower button cluster near the climate controls.
- Remove the button panel if needed. Some modules plug in from behind the panel, which may require popping out the switch cluster with a plastic pry tool. Others plug into a harness that’s accessible without removing anything.
- Unplug the factory connector from the back of the ISG button.
- Plug the module in line between the factory connector and the button. It’s a pass-through connection, so the original button still works if you ever want to toggle ISG back on manually.
- Tuck the module out of sight and reassemble the panel if you removed it.
- Start the engine and verify that ISG no longer activates at a stop.
The whole process typically takes under ten minutes. You won’t need to visit a dealer or do any programming. If you ever want to remove the module and restore factory behavior, you just unplug it and reconnect the original harness.
Kia Seltos Auto Start Stop Canceler
Keeps your Seltos ISG system permanently disabled without any wiring modifications, and restores easily if you ever want to sell the car.
Model Year Notes for the Kia Seltos
The Kia Seltos has been sold in the U.S. starting with the 2021 model year. The ISG system is present on all trim levels, including LX, S, EX, and SX Prestige, across both the 2.0L naturally aspirated and 1.6T turbocharged engines.
The 2024 refresh brought updated interior styling and a new infotainment layout, but the ISG system itself remained functionally the same. The button location may differ slightly on 2024 and newer models compared to the 2021 to 2023 generation, so if you’re buying an eliminator module, make sure it lists your specific year or a range that includes it.
If you own a Kia Telluride and are setting up features on that vehicle, our guide on setting up wireless Android Auto on the Kia Telluride is worth a read. And if vibration at idle after stops is bothering you on a different vehicle, our article on Acura MDX vibration at idle in drive covers what causes that behavior and how to address it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does disabling auto start/stop affect the Seltos warranty?
Using the factory button to disable ISG has no effect on your warranty since it’s a built-in feature. A plug-in eliminator module is removable and doesn’t modify the vehicle’s wiring, so it’s generally considered low-risk. However, if a warranty claim is related to the ISG system specifically, having the module installed could complicate things. When in doubt, remove it before a dealer visit and reinstall it after.
Will turning off auto start/stop hurt my fuel economy?
Yes, but only slightly. The EPA fuel economy figures for the Seltos are measured with ISG active. In real-world city driving, the difference is typically small, somewhere in the range of one to two miles per gallon depending on how much stop-and-go traffic you encounter. Many owners consider that trade-off completely acceptable given how much smoother the driving experience becomes without the constant engine cycling.
Is there a way to permanently disable ISG through the Kia Connect app or infotainment settings?
No. As of the current Seltos lineup through 2025, Kia does not offer a persistent ISG disable option through the Kia Connect app, the UVO infotainment system, or any driver settings menu. The only factory method remains the center console button, which resets with every ignition cycle. The eliminator module remains the most reliable permanent solution available to owners.
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