OBD2 Tool to permanently disable the Auto start/stop

My SR5 4x4 does not have start/stop. I did not know this was even a feature on any 2024 Taco.

I previously had this feature on a Highlander and on an Audi (for reasons I still do not understand, I once felt a need to deviate from a Toyota product; big big mistake). I was able to disable start/stop on the Highlander with a clunky Carista-type OBD laptop app. On the Audi I had to pop open the dash and install a pricey aliexpress gadget that worked hit or miss. I will literally never buy a car with start/stop again. It ruins the driving experience, adds complexity, and hinders reliability, all for essentially zero fuel savings benefit. It is a total deal-breaker.

 

my wife's 2018 highlander has it. i hate it, but she won't let me disable it for whatever justification she has in her head - not worth the fight for how little i drive that thing.

 

I’m glad 4x4 doesn’t have it.

 

Not that I don't love my Tacoma, and I think my wife's 21 Lexus NX is solid car, but I truly believe that my son's 97 Camry, which my mom bought new, is the best car we own. A super solid 4 cyl, simple as can be. Only upgrade in all these years was to swap the worn stock head unit for a Boss carplay screen from Crutchfield. That car just goes and goes and goes - and it didn't need a gimmick like stop/start to get decent gas mileage.

I believe the Camry will still be running solid when my Tacoma hits 150k miles.

 

The Engine Idle Stop is not a feature that Carista advertises it can change. See feature list here:

https://carista.com/en/supported-cars/toyota/tacoma/4th-gen

Our 2018 Odyssey has this feature. AC stops blowing cold when engine off. Will stay off for up to 2 minutes before restarting engine. Doesn’t make a bit of difference for gas mileage. Methods to “disable” that still require a button press each time vehicle started:

- Press Idle Stop disable
- Drive in Sport mode

Methods to disable without button press:

- Get used to only partially depressing brake pedal, it is doable
- Allow battery to wear enough to dip below voltage threshold for Idle Stop to work, I am here
- Install IdleStopper harness (Honda / Acura)

AGM batteries only last about 2 yrs in this vehicle.

Going through the Tacoma manual (pg 302-303) doesn’t mention any of the above methods will disable the Idle Stop “feature”, only mentions the DISABLE button. Yuck.