Press the ISG OFF button on the third-generation Kia Picanto (JA) to switch the auto start/stop system off; a light in the button confirms it is disabled. It only stays off for the current drive — ISG turns itself back on every time you restart the engine, and there is no factory menu setting to make it stay off permanently.
Overview
Idle Stop & Go (ISG) is Kia's engine auto stop/start system: it shuts the engine off when you come to a stop and restarts it when you move away, to save fuel and cut emissions in traffic. On the 2017-onward Picanto it is armed automatically every time you start the car and is shown by an 'A' inside a circular arrow in the instrument cluster (green when ready). The system is designed to be left on, so Kia only provides a temporary override rather than an off switch that remembers your choice.
Applies to
2017-present Kia Picanto (JA, third generation) fitted with the ISG idle stop/start system. Button placement and telltale wording vary slightly by trim and market.
What you’ll need
- No tools required — this is a dashboard button
Step-by-step
- Find the ISG OFF button — It is marked 'ISG OFF' with an 'A'-in-a-circular-arrow symbol, on the centre/floor console near the gear lever. On some trims and markets it sits on the lower dash — check both areas.
- Press ISG OFF with the engine running — A single press disables the system. The telltale in the button (or cluster) lights to confirm ISG is now off.
- Confirm it is off — The green 'A' auto-stop symbol should no longer show as active, and the engine will no longer shut down when you stop.
- Re-enable when you want it back — Press ISG OFF again, or simply restart the car — the system re-arms itself on the next engine start.
Important
- The off state does not stick — ISG re-arms every time you start the engine, so you must press ISG OFF again each drive if you want it off.
- There is no factory menu or coding option to disable ISG permanently. Aftermarket 'memory' or eliminator modules exist but can affect your warranty — fit them at your own risk.
- ISG may also refuse to stop the engine, or auto-cancel a stop, when the battery is low, the cabin is still heating or cooling, or the engine is cold — that is normal protective behaviour, not a fault.
FAQ
Can I turn the Kia Picanto ISG off permanently?
Not with a factory setting. The Picanto re-arms ISG at every engine start and offers no menu option to keep it off. The only lasting solutions are aftermarket memory modules, which can carry a warranty risk.
Why does start/stop keep coming back on?
By design. ISG is a fuel-saving and emissions feature, so Kia arms it automatically each time you start the car; the ISG OFF button is only a per-drive override.
Does using start/stop wear out the engine or starter?
Cars with ISG use an uprated starter and battery designed for frequent restarts, so normal use is not harmful. The battery is a heavier-duty type, which is worth knowing at replacement time.
Why won't my Picanto stop the engine at a light?
ISG only stops the engine when conditions are met — enough battery charge, the cabin at a comfortable temperature, and the engine warm. In cold weather, with the heater working hard, or with a tired battery it will stay running.