Wednesday 19th April 2023

New Mustang gets remote rev feature

And here's why, if you buy a 2024 Mustang, you must never, ever use the remote start and rev feature...

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Back in the mid-to-late ‘90s, there was this bloke called Wiggie. That wasn’t his actual name, it was the nickname me and my mates gave him because he’d saunter into our local, always wearing the same loose-fitting denim shirt, baggy cream Chinos and Timberland boots, sporting this long, flowing mane of reddish hair. He just looked a bit comical, even back then. In his defence, Wiggie had a nice motor – a very clean, red Peugeot 205 1.9 GTI, but he made even this something prattish.

He’d fitted it with a remote start feature. So a minute or so before he left the pub, he’d fire up the 205 from within. “Hey up, Wiggie’s on the move,” and out he’d pop, clothes flapping like sails in the wind and hair blowing off his shoulders like some awful remake of the Timotei advert. It was just hilarious if we were sat in the beer garden, watching this man thinking he was the definition of cool, while those around thought he was anything but.

I mention this because Ford’s just announced that the 2024 Mustang will not only have a remote start feature, but a remote rev feature, too. Apparently, you start the car using the remote control or the FordPass app, then activate the rev feature by pressing the lock and unlock button together for three seconds. This will raise the revs to 2,000rpm - but there’s more. Press the same buttons again and the engine will rev three times in succession, the revs each time getting higher and higher until they peak at 5,000rpm. 5,000rpm is an awful lot. If you want, you can leave it there or if you’re not satisfied everyone around has heard, repeat the procedure.

My advice, though, is don’t do this. Just like Wiggie, you’ll gain yourself a less-than-glowing reputation. And someone may well write an article about you thirty years later.

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• 2024 Ford Mustang | PH Review
• Ford Mustang Mach 1 | PH Review

[Jon_S_Rally]

Obviously the rev feature is rather childish, but I think you and your mates were being a bit unfair on "Wiggie" there, John.

I bought a car that had been fitted with a Clifford alarm with remote start and it was brilliant. On a cold morning, I could start the car from in the house a few minutes before I left and it was toasty warm. It was even better if there was snow/ice. It's a feature that more cars should have.

[wpa1975]

Would this really be a good idea on a stone cold engine?

[StuE39]

I'm confused - perhaps I deserve a whoosh Parrot.

A remote start / rev. app. is a fantastic idea! At least it shows someone at Ford is still interested in doing something a bit fun.

[Dr Interceptor]

wpa1975 said:

Would this really be a good idea on a stone cold engine?

I'd hope it wouldn't let you do it unless it was warm.

The C8 Corvette I had had remote start, never tired of it.

[Puddenchucker]

Is remote start legal to use in the UK on public highway?

[clacs2]

I can't think of a reason why not.

It is essentially the same as starting a car and leaving it to idle.

Revving the engine to 5000rpm remotely strikes me as particularly silly though.

[varsas]

Puddenchucker said:

Is remote start legal to use in the UK on public highway?

I didn't think it was legal to have a car running with no one inside it in the UK, which is why cars do not come with remote start from the factory in this country.

It makes this article confusing. Are they saying this rule has been overturned/got around and the Mustang will have that feature here? If not it seems a bit pointless pointing out features we won't have.

Highway code says:

‘You MUST NOT leave a parked vehicle unattended with the engine running or leave a vehicle engine running unnecessarily while that vehicle is stationary on a public road’

'must not' means it's illegal to do so. You are allowed to have the car stationary with the engine on to defrost the windscreen, but presumably have to be inside it.

Edited by varsas on Wednesday 19th April 13:26

[bowder]

clacs2 said:

I can't think of a reason why not.

It is essentially the same as starting a car and leaving it to idle.

Revving the engine to 5000rpm remotely strikes me as particularly silly though.

is it more nickable? Seems to be a feature designed for redneck appeal.

[essayer]

losers

[wpa1975]

varsas said:

Puddenchucker said:

Is remote start legal to use in the UK on public highway?

I didn't think it was legal to have a car running with no one inside it in the UK, which is why cars do not come with remote start from the factory in this country.

It makes this article confusing. Are they saying this rule has been overturned/got around and the Mustang will have that feature here? If not it seems a bit pointless pointing out features we won't have.

Highway code says:

‘You MUST NOT leave a parked vehicle unattended with the engine running or leave a vehicle engine running unnecessarily while that vehicle is stationary on a public road’

'must not' means it's illegal to do so. You are allowed to have the car stationary with the engine on to defrost the windscreen, but presumably have to be inside it.

Edited by varsas on Wednesday 19th April 13:26

Interesting info, did not think it was legal

[Triumph Man]

Ideal for the MoT emissions test - tester won't even have to get in.

Aside from that, remote rev seems a feature suitable for those who don't believe their penis is quite small enough already

[SturdyHSV]

To be fair, the safest place for most Mustang drivers wanting to show off is well away from the car, this could save many lives at car shows

[Downward]

Bit late for April fools

[DaytonaMull]

I have had remote start on various Jaguar and Land Rover products for years, it's great in summer and winter (especially winter) for getting teh car warm and thawed

[Robertb]

clacs2 said:

I can't think of a reason why not.

It is essentially the same as starting a car and leaving it to idle.

Revving the engine to 5000rpm remotely strikes me as particularly silly though.

I recall my XKR would not allow itself to be revved above 2,000 rpm at all, when in neutral. It did however make an amusing brrbrrbrr noise when it hit this low limiter so it was not without humour.

[chazwozza]

I thought uk insurers wouldn't cover cars fitted with this type of system?!

[Haltamer]

So, somewhere along the line there's a method to wirelessly actuate the throttle plate.

DEFCON 2024 Practical demonstrations may well include an totally unpiloted mustang wiping out a crowd

[djone101]

My 2018 Volvo XC90 has remote start via the app on my phone - it's definitely fine to use in the UK (and great in winter)

[Gecko1978]

varsas said:

Puddenchucker said:

Is remote start legal to use in the UK on public highway?

I didn't think it was legal to have a car running with no one inside it in the UK, which is why cars do not come with remote start from the factory in this country.

It makes this article confusing. Are they saying this rule has been overturned/got around and the Mustang will have that feature here? If not it seems a bit pointless pointing out features we won't have.

Highway code says:

‘You MUST NOT leave a parked vehicle unattended with the engine running or leave a vehicle engine running unnecessarily while that vehicle is stationary on a public road’

'must not' means it's illegal to do so. You are allowed to have the car stationary with the engine on to defrost the windscreen, but presumably have to be inside it.

Edited by varsas on Wednesday 19th April 13:26

Public high way is key. On your drive fine I assume

[NMNeil]

Not technically illegal in the US, but will still get you a ticket
https://www.motorbiscuit.com/remotely-starting-car...