Driving with no key

[blank]

So after reading how to do this on a BMW I thought I'd try it on my girlfriend's countryman.

Basically start the car, turn it off, remove key, press start button again. Car starts and runs without the key.

Does anyone know if this feature is for a particular purpose? It seemed to be fine, no steering lock or anything.

Just wondering why there is the ability to do this?

[rigga]

I've done it on mine to defrost the car before going home after a cold nightshift., no idea why its built in like that, It is a useful feature though.

[DCS01]

How far away from the car can you walk, and it still runs. With you still having the keys / fob on your person. Just thinking about the warming up / deicing bit, if you start the car then go inside for a cuppa, whilst its warming up.
Could some toe rag drive it away.

[rigga]

DCS01 said:

How far away from the car can you walk, and it still runs. With you still having the keys / fob on your person. Just thinking about the warming up / deicing bit, if you start the car then go inside for a cuppa, whilst its warming up.
Could some toe rag drive it away.

As you have the key fob in your hand you lock the car first before waking away, I don't do it outside my house where a Lowlife could break in, but behind security gates at work.
As far as i know, once its started less key, it does not matter how far away you are from the car, it has no way of knowing.

[Sheepshanks]

rigga said:

As far as i know, once its started less key, it does not matter how far away you are from the car, it has no way of knowing.

I know keyless go works like that but are you saying this happens on cars where you need a key physically in the ignition to start them in the first place?

[rigga]

Sheepshanks said:

I know keyless go works like that but are you saying this happens on cars where you need a key physically in the ignition to start them in the first place?

As explained, on minis without comfort access (keyless) you insert the key and start the car, stop the engine and remove the key, then press the start button again and it will start up without the key inserted, no idea why but it does.

[Sheepshanks]

rigga said:

As explained, on minis without comfort access (keyless) you insert the key and start the car, stop the engine and remove the key, then press the start button again and it will start up without the key inserted, no idea why but it does.

How odd. At what point does it refuse to re-start solely on the button push - after the car has been though a lock / unlock cycle?

I don't normally do a "think of the children" thing, but suppose you left kids in the car while you nipped in somewhere - they'd be able to start the engine.

Edited by Sheepshanks on Monday 12th January 16:38

[blank]

I think you have 10-15 seconds to do the restart. And clutch needs to be down aswell I guess.

[rigga]

I've only done it with door's closed, will have to try it tomorrow after opening the door first, as i think it might not work once the body control module has detected door opening, interior lights on dash and footwell diminish once key out and then door opened, must be a limit as said that this will work, and then not.

Edited to add that today I drove home, stopped the engine and removed the key, opened the driver's door, and the engine wouldn't start off the button, so as i expected its dictated by the body control module at least, if not on a timer as well.

Edited by rigga on Tuesday 13th January 21:24

[12TS]

Yep. Does it on our R56 Cooper S. My guess is that it's so you can leave the engine running with the doors looked on a cold morning to clear windows.

Quite neat I thought.

[JonnyVTEC]

Guess once you have handshook key and immobiliser a degree of courtesy time is pretty handy.

Also when you key off the car but then realise the windows are open you can shut them without needing the key in ignition UNTIL you open the door.

Maybe its the same? Ill try it later on my R60 MCS. Handy for winter mornings thats for sure.

[ugofirst]

12TS said:

Yep. Does it on our R56 Cooper S. My guess is that it's so you can leave the engine running with the doors looked on a cold morning to clear windows.

Quite neat I thought.

I'll try this tonight on mine as well! Of course if you walk away and forget to lock the car it's not so good.

[AlphaMike31]

This is not a feature but a memory effect. The fob once removed without opening the drivers door leaves its "signature" allowing the car to be started for a 15 - 30 seconds. If you switch off the car, remove the fob and then open the drivers door this effect does not happen and the car will not start without the fob.

I am not sure about it but the case is that when you proceed to switch the engine off after driving without the fob, the safety features will not engage fully. In particular the steering week lock.

I queried this with the dealer when I was purchasing a E84, this was also the case with my E87. I never got to try this memory effect in my R56.

ATB

[ugofirst]

AlphaMike31 said:

This is not a feature but a memory effect. The fob once removed without opening the drivers door leaves its "signature" allowing the car to be started for a 15 - 30 seconds. If you switch off the car, remove the fob and then open the drivers door this effect does not happen and the car will not start without the fob.

I am not sure about it but the case is that when you proceed to switch the engine off after driving without the fob, the safety features will not engage fully. In particular the steering week lock.

I queried this with the dealer when I was purchasing a E84, this was also the case with my E87. I never got to try this memory effect in my R56.

ATB

I was about to come on and say that I'd tried this in my R56 and it didn't work BUT I had indeed turned the engine off and opened the door before pressing the Start switch. I'll try it again but this time remain seated with the door closed.

I did also notice that it is incredibly easy to jiggle the key out of the 'socket' once the engine is started anyway and the engine doesn't cut out although a warning does appear in the display.

[rigga]

ugofirst said:

I was about to come on and say that I'd tried this in my R56 and it didn't work BUT I had indeed turned the engine off and opened the door before pressing the Start switch. I'll try it again but this time remain seated with the door closed.

I did also notice that it is incredibly easy to jiggle the key out of the 'socket' once the engine is started anyway and the engine doesn't cut out although a warning does appear in the display.

As I pointed out about 5 or so posts up, once the door is opened the body control module detects the open door and the feature is disabled.
Regarding being able to remove the key once the engine is running, I can't and suspect your key or slot is worn maybe.

[ugofirst]

rigga said:

ugofirst said:

I was about to come on and say that I'd tried this in my R56 and it didn't work BUT I had indeed turned the engine off and opened the door before pressing the Start switch. I'll try it again but this time remain seated with the door closed.

I did also notice that it is incredibly easy to jiggle the key out of the 'socket' once the engine is started anyway and the engine doesn't cut out although a warning does appear in the display.

As I pointed out about 5 or so posts up, once the door is opened the body control module detects the open door and the feature is disabled.
Regarding being able to remove the key once the engine is running, I can't and suspect your key or slot is worn maybe.

Cheers. I'll tell the wife her slot is worn. Pray for me.

[andrew]

ugofirst said:

rigga said:

ugofirst said:

I was about to come on and say that I'd tried this in my R56 and it didn't work BUT I had indeed turned the engine off and opened the door before pressing the Start switch. I'll try it again but this time remain seated with the door closed.

I did also notice that it is incredibly easy to jiggle the key out of the 'socket' once the engine is started anyway and the engine doesn't cut out although a warning does appear in the display.

As I pointed out about 5 or so posts up, once the door is opened the body control module detects the open door and the feature is disabled.
Regarding being able to remove the key once the engine is running, I can't and suspect your key or slot is worn maybe.

Cheers. I'll tell the wife her slot is worn. Pray for me.

whack it back it smartish and she'll hardly notice
hth

[Dolf Stoppard]

Got to be to help with defrosting. I seem to remember you can code BMWs to do this as well but I'm surprised it works on a standard car as I thought there was some legislation which prevented it (something to do with not leaving a car unattended).