A method for controlling a stop/start vehicle includes commanding an engine auto start in response to a calibratable time interval elapsing after receiving an electric defroster activation request when the engine is auto stopped. The method may further include activating a defroster after the engine has been auto started. The method may additionally include activating a defroster indicator when the electric defroster activation is received. The method may further include inhibiting an engine auto stop in response to an electric defroster activation request when the engine is running and further in response to a battery charge being insufficient to support a predicted current draw, and signaling an alert to a vehicle driver.