New MG4 owner - newbie tips

[KernowBoy]

Hi folks (and fellow MG4 owners),

I picked up my very first new car today ever at the ripe old age of 54. It's an MG4 Trophy LR. After moving on up from a 15-year-old Seat Exeo Estate, my impression is very favourable indeed. So, I imagine this has been asked many, many times before (and I'll search for and read those threads too), but what would be the main tips you'd give to a total newbie MG4 driver. Also, the car came with no charging cables at all, not even the granny charger for charging up tired grannies - is this normal practice? I have also worked out how to switch off lane-assist -the dealer showed me - and I'm getting the software update to help with that mess, the next time I can get to the dealer.

Thanks in advance...
(couldn't find volcano orange)

 

[siteguru]

If it's a brand new car (rather than just new to you) then it should have come with at least a Type 2 charging cable. (Mine came with the granny cable). I'd get back on to the dealer and say "Hey! Where's my charging cable?"

 

[bedsev]

Welcome.

One thing that was not clear when I first started out was that you don't need to wait for everything to boot up. Jump in, press brake, engage drive and go. Sometimes it will whine about all the safety systems not working, but ignore it, it will be fine next time.

If the radio doesn't come on, press volume up or down and it will work.

Go and practice public charging (even a couple of % to keep cost down) when you have plenty of range. It can be a bit stressful at first, but once you've done it a few times it's a doddle and you are ready for when you are getting low. Tesla app is your bible, if you can see it, you can charge there. For some reason I still end up reversing into a public charging bay on the wrong side, remember where the flap is cos there's no little pump with an arrow on the dash!

 

[salty]

Congrats on your new motor. Best colour obviously.

And.

 

[OriginalBigAl]

Welcome, First, as Corporal Jones says ... " don't panic " remember to keep your left foot planted on the footrest . Sit in it for a while and get used to all the control positions , especially the lights. Remember to grin, although it will be hard not to. Any problems , questions ask here.

 

[Everest]

remember to keep your left foot planted on the footrest

... just not too hard

Already broken

Unfortunately the left footrest (dead pedal) just fell apart. It’s pretty cheap plastic. Will see if I can make a warranty claim for a new one, though I doubt there will be stock for some time.

www.mgevs.com

 

[dsimpkins]

Agree with the public charging practice that @bedsev recommended. Do that on a local charger so you don't get stuck when on a long journey. Follow the instructions written on the public charger, or in the charging app as they vary depending on the charging network. Make sure you have downloaded the app for the charger you are using beforehand. You will find there are lots of different charging networks, so you'll probably end up with a few.

Plan long journeys in advance, work out where you might need to stop and charge, have an alternative in mind if the chargers are busy. Note ABRP app (see below) can help with that. That said, the amount of public chargers is increasing rapidly every day, the chance of being caught out and running out of charge is low these days.

Note on cables, rapid public chargers will have a tethered cable built in (DC charging) so you won't need a charging cable for those. slower public chargers (AC charging) you will need a Type 2 charging cable. Someone will correct me I'm sure, but rapid chargers will be over 22kW, and slower chargers will be 22kW or lower.

A few apps I'd recommend you have:
- ZapMap app is good for finding public charging locations.
- ABRP (A Better Route Planner) is good for navigation and links to public chargers so will determine what stops (if any) you need to make on longer journeys.

• Electroverse app and card also very useful as can help you find chargers, and for charging networks signed up to Electroverse, you can make public charging easier.
• MG iSmart app, if only to preheat the car in winter.

Finally remember it's rear wheel drive. If you're used to front wheel drive, it's very easy to spin up and slide the back end in wet or greasy road conditions (especially on the factory tyres as only summer rated) Bring the power in gently until your wheels are straight. Unless of course you want a little fun in which case, drive it like you stole it!

 

[bedsev]

Finally remember it's rear wheel drive. If you're used to front wheel drive, it's very easy to spin up and slide the back end in wet or greasy road conditions (especially on the factory tyres as only summer rated) Bring the power in gently until your wheels are straight. Unless of course you want a little fun if which case, drive it like you stole it!

This ^
Instant torque will be something new, avoid planting it half way around a roundabout in winter or you may swap ends. Progressive throttle when turning.

 

[dsimpkins]

The instant torque is one of the best things. I used to think my old diesel Golf had bags of torque, but I was hooked the first time I test drove an MG4. I let my best friend try mine a little while ago. He was surprised at the instant response to throttle input. The regen braking was also a pleasant surprise for him.

 

[bedsev]

A common first question is why won't one pedal driving (OPD) turn on. It gives a cryptic Chinese to English message that doesn't say "battery charge too high, wait until it goes down a bit" which is what it means.

 

[dsimpkins]

A bit like the reduced regen braking you get when battery is over 95% full. At least that message is clear.

 

[KernowBoy]

Thank you so much for the welcome and helpful responses everyone

 

[Everest]

Thank you so much for the welcome and helpful responses everyone

It would be good to hear your feedback in a week or month's time.... I'm also looking to do a similar leap in technology in the next month or three.

 

[KernowBoy]

Hi folks (and fellow MG4 owners),

I picked up my very first new car today ever at the ripe old age of 54. It's an MG4 Trophy LR. After moving on up from a 15-year-old Seat Exeo Estate, my impression is very favourable indeed. So, I imagine this has been asked many, many times before (and I'll search for and read those threads too), but what would be the main tips you'd give to a total newbie MG4 driver. Also, the car came with no charging cables at all, not even the granny charger for charging up tired grannies - is this normal practice? I have also worked out how to switch off lane-assist -the dealer guided showed me - and I'm getting the software update to help with that messthe next tome I can get to the dealer.

Thanks in advance...
(couldn't find volcano orange)

Apparently, the dealer missed putting the type 2 cable in so I'm grabbing that next week

 

[Corindikev]

If you have a garage install a 7kW EVSE & get an electricity plan that suits your lifestyle. I also have solar panels & the only time I pay for charging is when I am away from home on a long trip. 22,000km so far & 95% of that has been free.

 

[OzricEV]

Apparently, the dealer missed putting the type 2 cable in so I'm grabbing that next week

I was warned when I ordered mine that they don't come with any cables as standard anymore, it would be entirely up to dealer remaining stocks/generosity.

 

[salty]

I was warned when I ordered mine that they don't come with any cables as standard anymore, it would be entirely up to dealer remaining stocks/generosity.

WOW, that's bad. Should be one of the other. The Granny Charger preferably.

 

[OzricEV]

WOW, that's bad. Should be one of the other. The Granny Charger preferably.

I luckily did get a type 2 in the end, but the lease company specifically phoned me to say I might not get anything and to make sure I still wanted the car.

 

[siteguru]

That's unusual ... lease cars have historically come with both.

 

[slmorgan42]

Welcome. This is something I posted in a FB group. I know it covers points made by other people already but thought I would share anyway.

PS I am currently switching from an MG5 FL to MG4 Trophy and did ask for / confirm I would be getting Type2, granny and floor mats included. I think it does come down to the dealer. I will always make the hour drive to my dealer vs my local one as they are so customer focused and always looked after me.


I got my first EV two years ago, so I understand where you’re coming from.
The first thing to keep in mind is that these forums exist to offer advice and support, which naturally means you’ll see more posts about things going wrong.

Next, try not to overthink it. Start with the basics and go from there if needed.

Understanding Charging
There are roughly two types of chargers: AC (slow/fast) and DC (rapid). While there are more variations, for simplicity, it’s easiest to think of it this way.
• AC chargers usually require you to bring your own Type 2 cable.
• DC chargers have a cable permanently attached.

For the health of your battery, it’s best to use AC charging whenever possible, as it takes several hours but is gentler on the battery. However, when you’re on a road trip or in a hurry, you’ll likely use DC chargers, which take roughly 30–45 minutes to charge.

While many chargers these days offer tap-and-go payment, I’d strongly recommend trying out a few different AC and DC chargers in advance. This way, you can work through any issues before you’re on a road trip with a car full of people. Most EV drivers are happy to help if they see someone struggling—we’ve all been there at least once!

Battery Management
It’s generally recommended to keep your battery between 30% and 80%, ideally 50–80%. The main reason is to avoid keeping it near 100% for long periods. That said, it depends on your needs—if you require maximum range daily, you may need to charge to 100% more often.

Every now and then, it’s also good to balance the battery. This means charging from a low-ish percentage up to 100%, then allowing the car to trickle charge while it equalises the battery cells.
I’m not a heavy driver during the week, so it’s easy for me to stay within the 50–80% range.

A Different Mindset
With a petrol car, you typically run it low and then fill up. With an EV, it’s better to top up whenever you can. For example, if I take my missus to Bluewater, I’ll plug in at their chargers while she shops.

No Home Charger? No Problem
I live in a London flat, so I don’t have access to home charging. Despite this, I still love my EV and wouldn’t go back. Public charging does cost more than home charging, and I have to think a bit more about when to charge, but it’s second nature now. My cheapest public charging at the moment is 49p/kWh, which is still far cheaper than running my old diesel van.