MG4 Trophy Charging Process – Clarification Needed

[slmorgan42]

I've had my MG4 Trophy for a short time after two years with the MG5 FL. I'm quickly getting used to not having a start/stop button, but I'm about to do my first charge and feeling a bit confused, even after reading the manual.

I rely on public charging, so I want to clarify:

AC Charging​

If I've just driven to a charger, do I need to lock the car to fully turn it off, then unlock it again to open the charge flap and start charging?

DC Charging​

Is it the same process—do I have to lock the car to turn it off before plugging in? Also, if I want to sit in the car while it charges, will it still try to go into "Ready" mode, or does it recognise that it's plugged in and prevent this?

 

[webhiker]

Both ac and dc
Just hit the big P button, and you are good to start the charging process as indicated by the charger.

You are free to get back in and sit in the seat, or leave the car and lock and unlock it when you get back, and sit and wait while it is still charging

 

[ReintjeWA]

The car will recognise it is charging and not go into ready mode. When a DC charge ends it is normal for the car to flash up a battery warning as the high voltage is not charging the low voltage battery. Putting your foot on the brake will solve this.

My dealer told me to lock the car so the charger cable gets locked into the socket, but with tips from this forum I’ve found the car will do this after a short while anyway. I do tend to lock the car while holding the DC charge plug up a bit, as the weight sometimes makes the pins disconnect and then the car and charger all get confused. But you can just unlock the car and sit in it once it’s charging.

I tend to go for a walk, shop, or a juice whilst charging, but if I know I’ll be a while (charging to 100%) I’ll bring my steam deck and play games.

If you’re AC charging and you get the unlucky configuration of a 3 phase 11 kW charger, in which case the Trophy can only use one of the phases, you’ll only get around 3,6 kW into the battery. If your also sitting in the car and running the A/C you’ll be in it for the long haul, so maybe go for a wander in that situation (or find a different charger).

 

[Tight Git]

If you are on an AC charger and start the charge when the car is locked the car will stop the charge when you unlock it. This is not a problem on a home charger but on a public one you would need to start a new session.

It doesn't do this on DC charging.

 

[Anon70]

As well as all the advice from previous posts, things to note. If you are sitting in the car with the HAVC (heating/air con) on the car will take longer to charge as these systems use some power.

If you start the charge then lock the car and return to the car and unlock it this will interrupt and in some cases stop the charge.

 

[slmorgan42]

Thanks all for the help as always.

It was the lack of stop/start causing my confusion. When I first got my MG5 I didn't turn the car off and the DC charger would then not start. Glad to hear it is easier with the MG4.

PS I would only sit in the car for DC charging never for AC. I would be there for hours lol