Remote Start - Battery Saver Hint (1 way type)

[MAB & My Classic 2012 MKZ]

Everything I've seen on operating the single direction remote start, instructs you to 'hold down the button until start'. However (at least on my MKZ) I've found this not to be the best method.

Here's how you do it to save the fob battery:

Hold the remote 'start' button down just long enough to hear the horn beep and immediately let go. On the next quick press of the button the engine will start.

 

The question is what is the limit of time between the 'beep' press and the second 'start' press? Anyone wanting to experiment and let us know? :waiting:

 

MAB

[FunktasticLucky]

Or just use the App to start the car and be done with it.... ;)

[drolds1]

Or just use the App to start the car and be done with it.... ;)

Not possible. There's no embedded modem in a 2012..  That wasn't available until the 2015MY.

[FunktasticLucky]

I know I was just being facetious.

 

Just out of curiosity. Do these FOBs go through batteries quickly? It was a tad odd seeing this post to be honest. Are people not getting over a year out of their FOB.

[R2D2]

I changed my batteries after about 4 years but I don't use them much, I use the intelligence built into the door handle to open and lock my car. Same for the trunk, I use the outside button. My fob sits in a hard zippered key case in my pocket so the buttons are less likely to be hit by accident.

 

Oh and BTW I do not use the remote start function much, no need to warm up the car down here :)

Edited May 24, 2018 by R2D2

[FunktasticLucky]

I will mostly be using the app since my car will be parked a ways away. It gets into the upper 90s lower 100s here in Nebraska. And the winters have been favoring single digits and teens these last few years. So I'll be taking advantage of my timed remote start schedule in the mornings. That's for sure!

[bbf2530]

I know I was just being facetious.

 

Just out of curiosity. Do these FOBs go through batteries quickly? It was a tad odd seeing this post to be honest. Are people not getting over a year out of their FOB.

 

Hi Funktastic.  No, the keyfobs do not go through batteries quickly.

[MAB & My Classic 2012 MKZ]

Yup, no app for my vehicle yr.

 

Well, some of the generic Chinese batteries can go quickly! Personally, I don't like having to hold the Remote Start button down that long. If you have arthritis, nerve problems (like I do) or other disabilities the finger pressure can become... well, let's just say uncomfortable.

 

90's in summer and freezing cold in winter here so remote start is a real blessing. I can sit in a cool or heated living room and start the vehicle so it's ready to go. Unfortunately, my MKZ engine shuts down when you open a door. By the time I help my wife in and get back to the drivers seat, the MKZ is heating up again (Charcoal seats don't help :sunny:). There is an interesting YouTube video on changing the computer programing to turn this feature off but the method used in the video is a risky blind procedure using the brake peddle (not sure it would work for my vehicle). If I can decipher the steps used and convert them to work with my Harbor Freight ZR13 OBDII tool I will report back :salute:   :sos:

 

MAB

[MAB & My Classic 2012 MKZ]

CORRECTION!

After further 'playing' with the remote start fob, l learned that this is ALL that is necessary to start the vehicle as part of my first posted: "Hold the 'remote' start button down just long enough to hear the horn beep and immediately let go." That's it! No need to press again or hold to engine start. In a second or two after the 'honk' the engine will start.

 

MAB

[MAB & My Classic 2012 MKZ]

BTW, I did conquer the 'open door/kill engine' problem. See remedy that worked on my MKZ in the "D.I.Y. Guides" forum section

MAB