Disclaimer:
This post is based on my personal experience and intended for informational and educational purposes only. Procedures, tools, and parts may vary depending on the vehicle and situation. Always consult your service manual or a professional before performing any maintenance.For more information, please read the full disclaimer here.
Introduction – Start/Stop System on BMW F36
Modern BMW vehicles like the F36 Gran Coupe come equipped with features aimed at reducing fuel consumption and emissions — one of the most talked-about being the Automatic Start/Stop System. While it may sound efficient on paper, in real-world city driving, it can become more of a burden than a benefit from my point of view.
📊 What My BMW Diagnostics Revealed
When I looked into my own car’s data using a diagnostic tool, I found something eye-opening:
-
🧮 Number of Engine Start Cycles: 7,805
Approximately 100,000 km — around 12–13 starts per 1,000 km. -
⚠️ Number of Start/Stop System Activations: 19,638
That means the Start/Stop system alone had shut down and restarted the engine over 19,000 times — more than double the number of normal starts. This creates a considerable load on the starter motor, battery, and flywheel.
I prefer to decide when the engine should shut off and when it shouldn’t.
These numbers made me think: Is all this stress on engine components worth the small fuel savings in city traffic?
That’s when I decided to take control — by unlocking a hidden coding feature that allows my BMW F36 to remember the last state of the Start/Stop system. No more unwanted engine shutdowns at every traffic light!
🔍 How Often Was the Start/Stop System Used per Drive?
According to my diagnostics, the Start/Stop system was triggered 19,638 times, while the total number of regular engine starts was 7,805. With a total mileage of approximately 100,000 km, I wanted to understand how often the Start/Stop system was activated during everyday driving.
- Activations per 1,000 km:
19,638 ÷ 100,000 km = 0.196 per km → 196 times per 1,000 km - Estimated number of drives:
Assuming average trip length = 20 km → 100,000 ÷ 20 = 5,000 drives (approx.) - Activations per drive:
19,638 ÷ 5,000 = 3.9 Start/Stop events per drive
So, on average, the Start/Stop system was activated nearly 4 times during every single drive — a clear indication of how frequently the engine was being turned off and on in typical city conditions.
In this article, I’ll explain how the Start/Stop system works, its pros and cons, and why I decided to enable the coding feature that allows the car to remember the last Start/Stop button state (Start/Stop memory), making my joruney smoother and less frustrating.
How the Start/Stop System Works
Notice: This section was generated with the help of AI 🙂
The Start/Stop system automatically shuts down the engine when the vehicle comes to a stop (e.g., at traffic lights) and restarts it as soon as the driver lifts their foot off the brake pedal (in automatic transmission models) or presses the clutch (in manuals). This aims to reduce idle time, save fuel, and minimize CO₂ emissions in traffic.
Which Components Are Under Pressure?
Although the system is designed with durability in mind, several components experience increased wear:
- Starter motor – it is engaged much more frequently than in cars without this system.
- Battery – often an AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) type to handle frequent restarts.
- Engine mounts and crankshaft bearings – subjected to more start/stop cycles.
- AC compressor & other accessories – momentarily lose power or efficiency when the engine shuts off.
Good Sides of the Start/Stop System
- Fuel savings in heavy traffic or long waits.
- Reduced emissions, especially important in cities with eco-zones.
- Environmentally friendly image – lower CO₂ output.
Downsides of the Start/Stop System
- Annoying in city driving, especially with frequent stops and starts.
- Increased wear on starter and battery.
- Lag during takeoff, especially when quick reactions are needed (e.g., entering roundabouts or merging).
- Uncomfortable restarts or vibrations noticeable in cabin.
Why I Decided to Enable Start/Stop Memory Function
In my daily city driving, the Start/Stop system would constantly shut off the engine in short stops — even when I knew I’d need to move again in a second. This slowed me down during:
- quick turns at intersections
- rolling in stop-and-go traffic
- entering traffic from a side street
After coding the Start/Stop memory feature (via BimmerCode), my car now remembers whether the system was on or off from the last drive. If I turned it off previously, it stays off. This simple tweak made driving in the city far more responsive and less frustrating.
How I Enabled Start/Stop Memory Using My Launch Diagnostic Tool
Instead of using apps like BimmerCode, I used my Launch diagnostic device to activate the Start/Stop memory feature. The process was straightforward and didn’t require any advanced skills.
Here’s what I did:
- Launched the Launch Diagnostic Tool
- Navigated to:
Diagnostic → BMW → Automatically Search → Coding → Personalization - Entered the module:
FEM (Front Electronic Module) - Located the coding option:
Auto Start&Stop Memorized Last State - By default, this setting was disabled (as shown in the image below).
- Changed the value to “Active”, saved the change, and applied the coding.
After this change, the vehicle now remembers the previous state of the Start/Stop button. If I disable it once, it stays off until I choose to turn it back on.
Video Tutorial
In this video, I show you how to enable the Auto Start/Stop memory function on a BMW F36 using the Launch diagnostic tool — no need for BimmerCode or expert knowledge. This simple coding tweak gives you full control over the Start/Stop system so it remembers your last setting every time you start the car.
🚘 Compatible with many BMW F-series models
🔧 Tool used: Launch / Creader Elite 2.0 BBA
📍 Coding path: Diagnostic → BMW → Coding → FEM → Auto Start&Stop Memorized Last State
If you’re tired of your engine turning off at every traffic light, this is for you!
Conclusion
Maybe modern diesel engines, like those engineered by BMW, are likely built to handle the frequent starts and stops that this system imposes – however, from a driver comfort and control perspective, I prefer to decide when the engine should shut off and when it shouldn’t.
While the Start/Stop system may offer slight fuel savings, it often comes at the cost of comfort and long-term wear on mechanical components — especially for those who drive frequently in stop-and-go city traffic. In my case, the system was more of a nuisance than a benefit, interrupting smooth takeoffs and slowing me down in urban conditions.
By enabling the “Auto Start&Stop Memorized Last State” option via my Launch diagnostic tool, I was able to make the car work with me instead of against me. Now, the Start/Stop feature stays off if I turned it off previously — giving me full control based on the driving situation.
If you find yourself frustrated by the Start/Stop behavior in your BMW, unlocking this coding feature might be the perfect solution. It’s quick, reversible, and gives you more control over your driving experience — just the way it should be in a car like the F36.
