What is the A with a circle around it in my Subaru?

The A inside a circle is the Auto Start-Stop indicator. It signals that your Subaru has a system that can automatically shut the engine off when you’re stopped and restart it when you move again, in order to save fuel and reduce emissions.

In Subaru vehicles, this symbol appears on the instrument cluster and is linked to a dedicated Start-Stop control. The system can be turned on or off, and its behavior depends on model, current driving conditions, and battery/climate load.

What the symbol indicates in Subaru dashboards

Subaru’s Auto Start-Stop feature is designed to improve fuel economy by turning off the engine at a standstill (for example, at a traffic light) and restarting automatically when you’re ready to move again. The A-within-a-circle icon serves as a status indicator for that system. The exact light color and behavior can vary by model and trim, but in many Subarus a lit icon means the system is ready or active, while an off icon indicates the feature is disabled or temporarily unavailable.

How Auto Start-Stop works in Subaru

The system is designed to engage only when several conditions are met, so the engine may remain running in some stops and shut off in others. Understanding how it behaves can help you drive with it in mind.

Before you explore how it operates, here are the key conditions that commonly affect engagement.

• The car is at a complete stop with the brake pedal pressed and the transmission in Drive (or in Park/Neutral when appropriate for the system).


• The battery and electrical systems have enough charge to safely restart the engine quickly.


• Climate control loads (air conditioning, defrosters) aren’t pulling more power than the system can handle at that moment.


• Engine temperature is within the normal operating range and other high-demand loads aren’t preventing shutoff.

The engine will restart automatically when you release the brake or press the accelerator, and you’ll feel or hear the restart as part of normal operation. Some Subarus also require you to begin moving again or to press the accelerator slightly to restart, depending on model and conditions.

Typical statuses you might see

Depending on your model, you may notice the A-circle indicator:

• Lit or glowing when Auto Start-Stop is active or available.


• Dim or off when conditions aren’t suitable for starting/stopping, or if you’ve temporarily disabled the feature.


• A separate warning or message if the system is unavailable due to a battery or electrical issue.

If the light behaves inconsistently or you notice frequent unexpected restarts, it may be worth having the system checked to ensure the battery and starter are functioning properly.

Reasons Start-Stop might be off or unavailable

There are several reasons the A-circle indicator might not engage, or might show the feature as unavailable. Here are the most common scenarios.

• Battery is weak or charging is insufficient for a reliable restart.


• Electrical loads are high, such as heavy use of air conditioning, heater, or defrosters.


• Engine is not at operating temperature yet, or the system detects conditions that favor keeping the engine running.


• Vehicle is in a mode or gear where Start-Stop is disabled (some models permanently disable Start-Stop in certain drive modes or when sport/eco settings are chosen).

In these cases, the icon may be off or you may see a notification explaining why the system isn’t engaging. If you notice the indicator flashing or a specific fault message, it could signal a maintenance issue that should be checked by a technician.

How to manage Start-Stop in your Subaru

If you prefer to control whether the engine shuts off at stops, use the Start-Stop toggle control (often labeled with an A and a circular arrow) to enable or disable the feature. The exact location of the button can vary by model—commonly near the center console or on or near the dash by the steering column.

• Press the A-with-circle button to disable Start-Stop. The indicator may turn off or show an “Off” status.


• Press the button again to re-enable Start-Stop. The indicator should return to its active state when conditions allow.


• Note that some Subaru models automatically re-enable Start-Stop after you restart the vehicle or under certain driving conditions.

If you drive in situations where you rely on immediate power for acceleration or when battery health is a concern, you may prefer to leave Start-Stop disabled. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific details and button location.

What to watch for and when to seek service

Most Subaru models use the Auto Start-Stop system as a routine fuel-saving feature. If you notice unusual behavior—persistent failure of the system to engage, repeated unwanted restarts, or warning lights related to the battery or engine—schedule a diagnostic check. A healthy battery, alternator, and starter are essential for reliable operation of Start-Stop.

In normal operation, the A-circle indicator simply informs you of the system’s status. If in doubt about how Start-Stop behaves in your exact model or if you notice inconsistencies, refer to your owner’s manual or contact a Subaru service professional for specifics.

Summary

The A inside a circle on your Subaru is the Auto Start-Stop indicator. It signals when the engine may automatically shut off at stops to save fuel and restart when you’re ready. The system’s engagement depends on battery health, climate load, temperature, and driving conditions, and you can usually toggle it on or off with a dedicated button. If you’re ever unsure about its behavior or notice warning indicators, consult your vehicle’s manual or a Subaru technician for model-specific guidance.

What car logo is an A in a circle?

The "A in a circle" symbol on a car dashboard or button is for the auto start/stop system. This feature automatically turns off the engine when the car is stopped to save fuel and restarts it when you release the brake. The symbol can also refer to an Auto-Brake Hold system in some vehicles. 
Auto Start/Stop system 

• What it is: A fuel-saving system that shuts off the engine at a complete stop and restarts it when you're ready to go. 
• The button: A button with this symbol lets you manually turn the system on or off. 
• Indicator light: When the system is active, the light often appears with a green or white color. If it's amber or shows an exclamation point, it may indicate the system is temporarily disabled or has a fault. 

Auto-Brake Hold system 

• What it is: In some cars, an "A" in a full circle with brackets around it is the symbol for the Auto-Brake Hold system, which automatically applies the brakes once you've come to a complete stop, holding the car until you press the accelerator. 
• Indicator light: This light often turns green when the system is active and holding the vehicle in place. 

What does the a with a circle around it mean in a Subaru?

automatic engine start/stop system
An "A" with a semicircular arrow around it controls a vehicle's automatic engine start/stop system. Designed to prevent idling and reduce fuel consumption and emissions, the system turns the engine off when the vehicle is stationary and back on when it's time to move again.

What is the A with a circle on my dashboard?

An "A" with a circle on a dashboard typically represents the automatic start-stop system, which automatically shuts the engine off when the vehicle is stationary to save fuel and reduce emissions. If the symbol is an "A" with a circle and an exclamation point, it indicates a fault with the system, often due to a battery, sensor, or wiring issue. If it's just an "A" with a circle and a circular arrow, it's the button to manually disable or enable the system.
 
This video explains what a circle with an exclamation mark in the middle of a car dashboard means: 39sDmitry SapkoYouTube · Jul 17, 2024
Meaning of the symbol

• "A" with a circle and arrow: This is the button to manually turn the auto start-stop system on or off. The system automatically turns the engine off when you are stopped (like at a traffic light) and restarts it when you take your foot off the brake. 
• Solid "A" in a circle (color varies): This indicates the system's status. A green or blue light often means the system is active, while an amber or yellow light means it's been disabled or is not currently functioning. 
• "A" with a circle and an exclamation point: This is a warning light that indicates a malfunction in the automatic start-stop system and requires servicing. 

What to do if the warning light comes on

• Check the system status: Look at your car's display for messages or icons that provide more detail about the system's status. 
• Inspect the battery and connections: A weak battery is a common cause for the start-stop system to malfunction. 
• Check the brake pedal sensor: The system relies on the brake pedal sensor to operate correctly. 
• Perform a system reset: Turn the vehicle off and then on again to see if the light clears. 
• Consult a professional: If the light persists, have a mechanic diagnose the system with a diagnostic scanner to identify the fault. 

What does the letter A with a circle mean?

The meaning of the "A" with a circle around it depends on the context, as it can represent either an anarchist symbol or a car dashboard warning light for the auto start-stop system. In the context of a vehicle, it usually refers to the start-stop system being either on, off, or having a malfunction. The symbol could also be a specific car model's button or a warning light with an exclamation point, indicating a problem with the system.
 
In a car

• Auto Start-Stop system: The symbol is associated with a feature that automatically shuts off the engine when the car is stopped to save fuel and reduce emissions. 
• "A" in a circle with an arrow: This is the button to manually turn the auto start-stop feature on or off. If the light is illuminated, the system is off. 
• Solid "A" in a circle: This typically means the auto start-stop system is on and operating. 
• "A" in a circle with an exclamation point: This warning light indicates that the auto start-stop system has a malfunction and has been disabled. This could be due to a weak battery, a sensor issue, or a problem with the transmission fluid. 

Political/Social context

• Anarchist symbol: The "circle-A" (Ⓐ) is a well-known symbol for the anarchist movement, which combines a capital "A" for anarchy inside a capital "O" for order, symbolizing "Society seeks order through anarchy". 

Other contexts

• Third Army insignia: The United States Third Army uses an "A" in a circle as its shoulder insignia.