What Does Stop/Start Not Ready Battery Protection Mode Mean?

It can be quite frustrating when your car won’t start, especially in a hurry. So if you ever see the “Stop/Start Not Ready Battery Protection Mode” message on your car screen, don’t panic or let the message confuse you.

When the “Stop/Start Not Ready Battery Protection Mode” is activated, the battery is protected because the state of charge (SOC) is below the threshold. This message isn’t a warning or something to worry about; it’s only advisory.

In simple words, this message means that your battery has insufficient charge. Keep reading to learn how to recharge your battery and turn off this battery protection mode.

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Battery Protection Mode

The “Stop/Start Not Ready” Battery Protection Mode is exactly what its name entails. It prevents you from stopping or starting your engine as the car battery is protected. The battery requires protection when the state of charge is below the threshold.

The car is either turned off or in standby mode in battery protection mode. The battery protection mode has three levels, each of which can be assigned to a state of charge. The first two levels are warning stages, depending on the time of day. The third level is activated when the battery has zero charge.

Another reason your car enters battery protection mode is that the battery isn’t holding its charge well. This can occur when the battery health deteriorates due to problems with the electrical system or the alternator.

In this case, your battery will need to be replaced. Lastly, your car can enter battery protection mode because it hasn’t been used in a long while. This causes the battery to discharge completely and go into protection mode.

If your car goes into battery protection mode quite often, it’s probably time to replace the battery or utilize the car more efficiently. You can do so by using the Accessory Mode less often and utilizing fewer onboard system components simultaneously.

How to Turn Off “Stop/Start Not Ready” Battery Protection Mode

There are several different ways to turn off the “Stop/Start Not Ready” Battery Protection Mode; here are a few of them:

Method 1

Park your car in an empty parking spot.
Turn off the engine and all car accessories.
Wait a few moments.
Turn the engine on.
Check if the “Stop/Start Not Ready” Battery Protection Mode message has disappeared.

Method 2

Open the car’s hood and locate the car battery.
Disconnect the black negative terminal from the battery’s negative post.
Wait a few moments.
Reconnect the negative terminal to the battery’s negative post.
Turn the engine on.
Check if the “Stop/Start Not Ready” Battery Protection Mode message has disappeared.

Method 3

Turn the engine off.
Wait a few moments.
Turn the engine on.
Check if the “Stop/Start Not Ready” Battery Protection Mode message has disappeared.
If the battery is still in protection mode, the battery may need to be replaced.

How to Prevent “Stop/Start Not Ready” Battery Protection Mode

If you could get rid of the protection mode, you need to ensure that it doesn’t occur again. You can maintain your car’s battery health and use it efficiently. Regular checkups on the car battery’s voltage will help you determine its performance and prevent such risks in the future.

Since the protection mode only activates when your battery is discharged, the main goal is to maintain the battery’s charge. Keeping the car running in ACC mode for too long or leaving your car unused for too long drains the battery.

It’s best to fire up the engine now and then to recharge your battery, as it activates the alternator, which provides power to the car’s main battery. Unfortunately, if your car battery is dead, the only solution is to replace it, which can cost anywhere between $45 to $250.

In addition, it would also be helpful to have a battery backup system in place to help you out in emergencies. For example, if the car battery’s SOC is low, the additional battery can help recharge it or replace it if the battery is dead.

How Long It Takes to Charge a Stop/Start Battery

The “Stop/Start Not Ready” Battery Protection method only shows up when the battery’s SOC is below the threshold. Unfortunately, this means you need to recharge your battery for the car to operate safely and efficiently.

Most cars are of 4 to 8 amps, meaning they take between 10 to 24 hours to charge completely. For a quick mix, you may start the engine to let the alternator charge the main battery, which should take about two to four hours.

However, if that doesn’t work, the alternator is faulty, and you need an external car battery charger to help you out. Follow these steps to charge a car battery safely and correctly:

First, you need to prepare the battery. Depending on your car, you may need to remove the battery before charging it. However, most traditional cars allow you to charge the car battery.
Turn off all car accessories, including the interior cabin light and stereo.
Detach the negative terminal from the battery before detaching the positive terminal.
Clean both terminals using a terminal cleaning brush and a battery cleaning solution to neutralize the battery acid.
Turn the battery charger off before connecting its positive cable to the positive terminal. Then, connect the negative cable to the negative terminal.
Turn the battery charger on at the lowest rate if you’re charging your car battery with an external charger for the first time.
Let your car battery charge according to battery type and capacity.

Conclusion

If you come across the “Stop/Start Not Ready Battery Protection Mode” message, it means your car’s battery is low. Follow our instructions before charging your battery with either the alternator or an external car battery charger.

If you find that the car battery isn’t charging, either way, the charging system may be damaged. Consult a professional immediately to prevent your car battery from overheating or rupturing.

Once your car battery is fully charged, maintain the battery health by using your car and its accessories efficiently and in moderation.