Press the ISG OFF button on the 2011–2018 Kia Rio 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 re-arms every time you restart the engine, and there is no factory setting to keep it off for good.
Overview
Idle Stop & Go (ISG) shuts the Rio's engine off when you stop and restarts it as you pull away, to save fuel in traffic. On the third-generation Rio (UB) it is armed automatically at every start and shown by an 'A' inside a circular arrow in the cluster. Kia provides only a temporary override, as the system is designed to be left on.
Applies to
2011–2018 Kia Rio (UB, third generation) fitted with ISG. Button location varies (floor console per the manual, lower dash on some cars) and not every trim has ISG.
What you’ll need
- No tools required — this is a dashboard/console button
Step-by-step
- Find the ISG OFF button — It is marked 'ISG OFF' with an 'A'-in-a-circular-arrow symbol. Kia's manual places it on the floor console; on some markets and trims it sits on the lower-left dash near the instrument-dimmer — check both.
- Press ISG OFF with the engine running — A single press disables the system; the light in the button comes on to confirm ISG is off.
- Confirm it is off — The engine will no longer shut down when you come to a stop.
- Re-enable when you want it back — Press ISG OFF again, or restart the car — the system re-arms on the next engine start.
Important
- The off state does not stick — ISG re-arms every engine start, so you must press ISG OFF again each drive to keep it off.
- There is no factory menu or coding option to disable ISG permanently. Aftermarket memory modules exist but can affect your warranty.
- ISG also cancels or skips an auto-stop if you unfasten the driver's seatbelt or open the driver's door or bonnet during a stop, or when the battery is low or the engine is cold — all normal behaviour.
FAQ
Can I turn the Kia Rio ISG off permanently?
Not with a factory setting. The Rio re-arms ISG at every start and has no menu option to keep it off. Only aftermarket memory modules give a lasting off, with a warranty risk.
Why did my engine cut out at the traffic lights?
That is ISG working as intended — it stops the engine at a standstill to save fuel and restarts it when you move off. Press ISG OFF to stop that for the drive.
Why won't ISG stop my engine sometimes?
ISG only stops the engine when the battery is charged enough, the cabin is comfortable and the engine is warm. In cold weather or with a tired battery it stays running.
Is start/stop bad for the Rio's engine?
No. ISG cars use an uprated starter and a heavier-duty battery built for frequent restarts, so normal use is not harmful — just fit the correct battery type when it needs replacing.