Keyless start? Anyone got it working?

[siteguru]

I'm sure it must be flat by now.

 

[Ian Key]

I'm sure it must be flat by now.

Once a year I put the one that was in the car in to the spare key-fob and put a new one in the car

 

[tsedge]

I believe MG change the batteries in the key fob at every service. They are supposed to at least.

 

[tonybridge]

A (fictitious) scenario:
We go out to a country pub for an anniversary dinner - a lovely meal! Then go to open the car, waving my phone at the door. Oh my gosh, the phone is dead I knew I should have charged it up this afternoon... Never mind, I'll use the physical key... err, I left that at home

 

[siteguru]

I believe MG change the batteries in the key fob at every service. They are supposed to at least.

Every 2nd service I believe. (So be sure to give them both fobs at service time).

Edit: item 8 in the Maintenance Schedule:

 

[Yorkshire Hillbilly]

A (fictitious) scenario:
We go out to a country pub for an anniversary dinner - a lovely meal! Then go to open the car, waving my phone at the door. Oh my gosh, the phone is dead I knew I should have charged it up this afternoon... Never mind, I'll use the physical key... err, I left that at home

Just out of interest... when's the last time your phone died? I honestly can't remember the last time it happened to me. And surely your partner (don't call me Shirley ) would have been shared the digital key right?

 

[securespark]

I'll try to remember to try this tomorrow. (I won't go far in case the car stops and I've got to walk back for the physical key). ?

We were in the Cotswolds the other day. We went to Waitrose in Cirencester as I needed the loo.

Mrs S couldn't find a space, so dropped me off and went round again looking for spaces.

I always carry my key in a pouch, but she often asks me to carry her bunch as she doesn't always have a pocket.

So it was that I went into Waitrose with both car keys, while Mrs S drove round looking for a parking space. I realised as I came out that I had both keys and when I found the car, asked her if there were any issues, like warnings or bleeping etc...

Nothing. She had driven round again, found a space and parked successfully while being at least 75m from me with solid walls and doors between us. And she hasn't got the app on her phone so no access to the smart key.

I was amazed.

 

[decrep]

Every 2nd service I believe. (So be sure to give them both fobs at service time).

Edit: item 8 in the Maintenance Schedule:

View attachment 29081

That's interesting. my service schedule is every 2 years. so that would make it ever service not every 2nd service.
Is your schedule different?

 

[DixieTGS]

We were in the Cotswolds the other day. We went to Waitrose in Cirencester as I needed the loo.

Mrs S couldn't find a space, so dropped me off and went round again looking for spaces.

I always carry my key in a pouch, but she often asks me to carry her bunch as she doesn't always have a pocket.

So it was that I went into Waitrose with both car keys, while Mrs S drove round looking for a parking space. I realised as I came out that I had both keys and when I found the car, asked her if there were any issues, like warnings or bleeping etc...

Nothing. She had driven round again, found a space and parked successfully while being at least 75m from me with solid walls and doors between us. And she hasn't got the app on her phone so no access to the smart key.

I was amazed.

I believe it won't stop you driving until after you've left ready mode. I assume this is because a failure of the fob battery (or phone if using that) is possible at any time and you wouldn't want it bringing you to a halt on a busy road or when at traffic lights.

 

[siteguru]

That's interesting. my service schedule is every 2 years. so that would make it ever service not every 2nd service.
Is your schedule different?

In the UK (and probably the EU) servicing is annual.

 

[DaevM]

Can confirm this works with minimum fuss on a '23 SE LR ??

 

[wandle MG4 trophy]

Every 2nd service I believe. (So be sure to give them both fobs at service time).

Edit: item 8 in the Maintenance Schedule:

View attachment 29081

They may replace the batteries but will they charge you for the replacements? Consumables are often added to the bill (at least with my old Nissan and Ford)

 

[siteguru]

I don't know ... but I have a service plan so I don't expect to be charged for such small value consumables.

 

[DaevM]

I'm sorry but what is the advantage of using the keyless start/digital key?

With the physical key on your person, you press the button on the driver's door, you get in and off you go. How is using your phone easier and quicker especially with a car that's known for flaky Bluetooth?

Is the worry of "Am I going to be able to get in the car and get it to recognise the digital key so I can get home" worth it?

Umbrella effect for sure. ?
I only just got around to trying mine out having just got back from a 1000 mile round trip with the spare key all wrapped up in tin foil in my bag in the holiday accomodation.
If I'd have confirmed it working beforehand I wouldn't have bothered taking the key

 

[wandle MG4 trophy]

After two years of ownership my digital key finally works. They fixed it at its second service having failed to fix it on at least three previous occasions. I don’t know which modules they updated but I am now on R63 for entertainment and SNAKP23E32 for telecoms. I use an iPhone 15 Plus and run iSmart V2.0.9.
Not sure I will ever trust the Bluetooth key enough to leave my physical keys behind but it may come in useful if my keys are not available for any reason.

 

[AlunJ]

It’s never worked on my early SE. Would be handy to have it working but I’ve just put it down to one of those things with this bloody car I can unlock and lock it no problem, but try and start it and just get the no key detected message. Gave up with it.

 

[gazza487]

It’s never worked on my early SE. Would be handy to have it working but I’ve just put it down to one of those things with this bloody car I can unlock and lock it no problem, but try and start it and just get the no key detected message. Gave up with it.

I get the message always but if you select keyless start in the app (first time in new app asks you to do some weird calibration holding the phone near centre of steering wheel iirc). Tap the brake and she “fires up”.

 

[ReintjeWA]

It works for me, but I also am not too confident it will be reliable enough to leave without keys. Used it the other day though when I had to move the car and didn’t have my keys on me, it’s a cool little feature that might save you one day in a pinch.

I use the lock and unlock occasionally.

 

[AlunJ]

I get the message always but if you select keyless start in the app (first time in new app asks you to do some weird calibration holding the phone near centre of steering wheel iirc). Tap the brake and she “fires up”.

Yep tried all that but no cigar unfortunately.

 

[fnegroni]

It works for me, but I also am not too confident it will be reliable enough to leave without keys. Used it the other day though when I had to move the car and didn’t have my keys on me, it’s a cool little feature that might save you one day in a pinch.

I use the lock and unlock occasionally.

It saved me once when car was valet parked underground and key fob left in vehicle.
Car would not recognise key fob. Until a full cycle of lock and unlock with said key, but to unlock the car and drive away I needed the BT key