A method of inhibiting stopping of an engine

A method of inhibiting stopping of an engine (10, Fig 1) of a motor vehicle (5) having a stop in gear stop-start system, an accelerator pedal (18) and a manual multi-speed transmission (11). A driver operated clutch pedal (25) selectively disengages a clutch interposed between the engine and the multi-speed transmission. The method comprises steps of checking whether the accelerator pedal is being pressed 205 and, if the accelerator pedal is not being pressed, setting a first test period of time when the multi-speed transmission is in neutral. A second test period of time is set when the multi-speed transmission is not in neutral and checking whether the accelerator pedal is pressed during the first test period of time when the multi-speed transmission is in neutral and checking whether the accelerator pedal is pressed during the second test period of time 220 when the multi-speed transmission is not in neutral. If the accelerator pedal is pressed during the respective period of time the automated stopping of the engine is prevented. A vehicle and method of starting and stopping the engine of a motor vehicle are also claimed.