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Car Forum / Mercedes-Benz Cars / April 2005

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Smartkey question

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TN - 11 Sep 2003 00:25 GMT
Does anyone know whether a smartkey can still
start the car if it runs out of battery?

(I understand one would need to use the mechanical
key to unlock the door, but I assume the
mechanical key cannot be used to start the car)

Thanks,
Tony
Vetluver - 11 Sep 2003 01:07 GMT
> Does anyone know whether a smartkey can still
> start the car if it runs out of battery?
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> Thanks,
> Tony

I have Keyless GO and the battery was drained. I had to open the door with
the little metal key that goes into the Smartkey. I then opened the trunk
with the key and jumped the battery. After a few minutes of charging from
the jumper I was able to use the Smartkey to crank the car. The Keyless GO
would not function however.

I have run the battery down twice because the Xenon lights were left on. I
would think that MB could put a chip on the battery to shut them down when
reserve goes below a prescribed level. I guess that would be to much to ask
however. I just put a jumper box in my trunk to prevent this from happening
again.

Rob
TN - 11 Sep 2003 07:35 GMT
Sorry I wasn't too clear... what I meant
is that if my SmartKey's battery runs out,
can I still start my car (assuming my car battery is
still ok)

Thanks,
Tony

>>Does anyone know whether a smartkey can still
>>start the car if it runs out of battery?
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
>
> Rob
k - 11 Sep 2003 13:38 GMT
I always believe MB should make a car smarter than MB's engineers. A smart
battery would definitely a good point for an expensive car's standard
equipment.
Recently I found some Japs car's design has nearly overtaken German's. Look
at a Lexus GS 300, I would ask myself why my C-class doesn't have this
doesn't have that.

Keith

> Sorry I wasn't too clear... what I meant
> is that if my SmartKey's battery runs out,
[quoted text clipped - 27 lines]
> >
> > Rob
Paul Hyndman - 11 Sep 2003 23:07 GMT
Yes. The ignition switch socket will induce the necessary power for either
the standard Smartkey or the flat (no-battery) wallet key (spare) to work.
The only thing the battery is really needed for is to remotely open/close
the doors, trunk, etc.

IIRC, while the code changes with each use (and each key), the car's program
is allocated a block of 8 key identifier codes. If a Smartkey is lost or
damaged, the replacement is based on the remaining identifiers available (as
you want to remove the "lost" key's ID code from the car's program, so as to
prevent a rogue "finder" from using it to access the vehicle). When all 8
identifiers have been used, another block of 8 must be allocated.

Paul

--- http://www.astro-nut.com ---

> Sorry I wasn't too clear... what I meant
> is that if my SmartKey's battery runs out,
[quoted text clipped - 27 lines]
> >
> > Rob
kipper - 11 Sep 2003 20:50 GMT
Why don't you buy a spare battery for your smartkey and keep it in your
glove compartment?  That way you can use the mechanical key to unlock the
door then change the battery in the smart key.  Bingo

> Does anyone know whether a smartkey can still
> start the car if it runs out of battery?
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> Thanks,
> Tony
Gregg - 30 Apr 2005 18:04 GMT
Yes, but how do you get to the smartkey battery compartment. It's not as
easy to find and get to as in the prior model "switchblade" type key.
Thanks for your advice.
Ric - 11 Sep 2003 21:21 GMT
> Does anyone know whether a smartkey can still
> start the car if it runs out of battery?

Dunno but it can survive an hour through a full-cycle whites 60C washing
machine, then forty minutes in the tumble-dryer, and still work fine :-)
H - 11 Sep 2003 21:24 GMT
I think that it can. The power source is in the ignition itself. Why not
take the battery out and see?

h

> > Does anyone know whether a smartkey can still
> > start the car if it runs out of battery?
>
> Dunno but it can survive an hour through a full-cycle whites 60C washing
> machine, then forty minutes in the tumble-dryer, and still work fine :-)
miknik - 11 Sep 2003 23:22 GMT
>Does anyone know whether a smartkey can still
>start the car if it runs out of battery?

Yes, it is powered by an inductive coil which picks up a signal
transmitted by the ignition switch, take your batteries out and try
it.
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