Easy fix fooled the dealer

Q: The engine in my 2023 GV80 turns off at stop lights to save gas. I noticed that the feature had stopped working, so I took the vehicle to the dealership. Two hours later, it was returned to me with the statement that there was no error code and there were many things that could affect that feature from operating correctly so there was nothing they could do. I was surprised, but they offered nothing more.

At home I researched causes and decided that the battery was the most logical culprit. My battery minder confirmed that short trips brought the charge down to 52%. Once charged, the feature is back working.

I thought your readers should be aware of this easy fix. Should I return to the dealership to point out their minimal service provided?

A: A weak or dying battery absolutely causes the condition you describe. The automatic stop/start feature turns off to allow more important stuff to keep working. I would definitely discuss this with the service manager, who may want to send somebody for training.

Q: I own a 2018 Hyundai Sonata. Sometimes when I park, the doors will automatically lock. Is there a way to stop this?

A: Although the procedure should be in the owner’s manual, sometimes it’s not. In most cases, you can change the setting for automatic lock. For instance, go to the touch screen, select vehicle, then select setting and finally select doors. There you will find a way to activate and deactivate this feature. Check with your dealer’s service manager if you need help.

Q: It’s time to get a new battery. To keep my pre-set settings last time, I connected a cable to my other car’s test port and into a 12-volt socket in mine. This worked to save all the settings in the van.

A: If you have a domestic van (or car for that matter), you need not worry about losing settings. They have a keep-alive feature. But your method will work, even on temperamental imports. Just be careful to connect your jumpers to the cables, not the terminals. And keep the positive cable from touching any part of the vehicle.

Bob Weber is a writer, mechanic and ASE-certified Master Automobile Technician. His writing has appeared in automotive trade publications, Consumer Guide and Consumers Digest. Send automotive questions along with name and town to motormouth.tribune@gmail.com.