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Is there a way to leave the car on but prevent it from being stolen

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Old May 14, 2025 | 11:33 AM
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c 300 w206
Is there a way to leave the car on but prevent it from being stolen

I want my car to be on while i run for some errands because its hot af here and want to leave the car on with ac with it being locked
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Old May 14, 2025 | 12:58 PM
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This question has been asked before, and the short answer is no. The car doesn't allow to be locked from the outside if the engine is running. The workaround that's been proposed in markets that have remote start, is to lock the door with the engine off, and then remote start the engine back up from the app. It will run for 10 minutes and then turn off automatically. It can be remote started a second time for another 10 minutes before it needs to be started normally with the key fob before it allows further remote starts.

Another potential option is to lock the car via the app. I've never tried to see if you can lock it remotely if the engine is running. Most likely it won't allow you to do that, either, but worth a try.

This is one advantage that EVs have. You can run the climate control at any time via the preconditioning feature or some cars like Teslas have camping mode that allows you to cool/heat the car while it's stationary, off and locked.

Last edited by superswiss; May 14, 2025 at 01:01 PM.
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Old May 14, 2025 | 10:00 PM
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Could also try using the emergency key to lock the vehicle but it might still not let you do that.
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Old May 15, 2025 | 01:02 AM
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Originally Posted by Thekiller114
I want my car to be on while i run for some errands because its hot af here and want to leave the car on with ac with it being locked
Your best bet is to turn on the engine remotely from the Mercedes Me app a few minutes before entering. Unlike EVs, you cannot change the temperature from the app. It will turn on with the climate controls set to what they were when you last turned off the car.

I live in Los Angeles and this is essential for me during the summers and makes the MM subscription totally worth it.
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Old May 15, 2025 | 02:44 AM
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Yeah but the Mercedes me app doesn't work in my region so I'm trying to find a work around
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Old May 15, 2025 | 03:06 AM
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I see, yes Mercedes me is not offered in Saudi Arabia. Unfortunately, you are pretty much out of luck then. As somebody else mentioned above, using the mechanical emergency key inside of the key fob does work as far as I know, but isn't really very practical as you have to pop off the cover that hides the lock cylinder and even then it's still a bunch of finagling to actually lock/unlock using the emergency key. As the name suggests, it's only meant for an emergency, so it isn't designed to use regularly, but pretty much your only option, short of having a passenger ride with you and stay in the car while you are running inside the store.

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Old May 15, 2025 | 04:10 AM
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Lol then I'm hiring someone to stay in my car and keep it safe any one interested send your cv's in. But in the new gen c class it's not really a pop off cover its a different mechanisim

Last edited by Thekiller114; May 15, 2025 at 04:14 AM.
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Old May 15, 2025 | 07:34 AM
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Originally Posted by superswiss
This question has been asked before, and the short answer is no. The car doesn't allow to be locked from the outside if the engine is running. .

Sure you can, I do it frequently. Just use the key to lock the drivers door (the metal key).
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Old May 15, 2025 | 07:43 AM
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I have never had to operate a car that has been parked in the sun in excess of 100F temperature. But up to that temperature, I can use the remote convertible retract to let all the hot air out of the car so to speak, which is tolerable if there is even the slightest breeze.
In the Middle East it would be a much different ballgame. Temperatures there can reach 120F and higher.
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Old May 15, 2025 | 11:28 AM
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Originally Posted by OldManAndHisCar
Sure you can, I do it frequently. Just use the key to lock the drivers door (the metal key).
Yes, we've covered that option.
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Old May 15, 2025 | 11:32 AM
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Originally Posted by Thekiller114
Lol then I'm hiring someone to stay in my car and keep it safe any one interested send your cv's in. But in the new gen c class it's not really a pop off cover its a different mechanisim
Yes, the pop out handles are different. Based on somebody's report who had to use the metal key on a W223, it's even more cumbersome with these handles.
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Old May 15, 2025 | 11:44 AM
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Originally Posted by MB2timer
I have never had to operate a car that has been parked in the sun in excess of 100F temperature. But up to that temperature, I can use the remote convertible retract to let all the hot air out of the car so to speak, which is tolerable if there is even the slightest breeze.
In the Middle East it would be a much different ballgame. Temperatures there can reach 120F and higher.
Yes, I use the convenience open feature mostly when the car has sat in the sun as I walk up to it to open the windows, sunroof and turn on the seat ventilation. But not sure how effective that is if ambient temperature is at the temperature of a hairdryer.
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Old May 15, 2025 | 12:20 PM
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Originally Posted by superswiss
I see, yes Mercedes me is not offered in Saudi Arabia. Unfortunately, you are pretty much out of luck then. As somebody else mentioned above, using the mechanical emergency key inside of the key fob does work as far as I know, but isn't really very practical as you have to pop off the cover that hides the lock cylinder and even then it's still a bunch of finagling to actually lock/unlock using the emergency key. As the name suggests, it's only meant for an emergency, so it isn't designed to use regularly, but pretty much your only option, short of having a passenger ride with you and stay in the car while you are running inside the store.
Oh it does? I was skeptical because I thought the car just ignores the lock request when turning when the engine is on, I can't remember guess only one way to find out.

Yes and it is easy to scratch the paint which is not ideal, desperate times require desperate measures so I guess they didn't really design it in a way that they would care about the car's paint.
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Old May 15, 2025 | 12:21 PM
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Originally Posted by superswiss
Yes, the pop out handles are different. Based on somebody's report who had to use the metal key on a W223, it's even more cumbersome with these handles.
I heard as well, need to use a card to push the handle out first as the extra step.
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Old May 15, 2025 | 12:24 PM
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Originally Posted by superswiss
Yes, I use the convenience open feature mostly when the car has sat in the sun as I walk up to it to open the windows, sunroof and turn on the seat ventilation. But not sure how effective that is if ambient temperature is at the temperature of a hairdryer.
It would help if the vehicle's sunroof was tilted (ventilation mode) before leaving the vehicle so at least the heat doesn't build that quick, I wish MB lets you keep the sunshade closed without having to close the sunroof or panoramic sunroof. Although I guess only audi allows that?

Maybe or maybe get a sunshade like Covercraft as well. Some regions (I forget if true) can remotely open the sunroof with the app, I know in the usa, it is not possible. I know other than North America, on recent MBs (depending on options) sunroofs auto close based on the rain sensor so no risk of water draining in the cabin (unless the drains are clogged).
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Old May 15, 2025 | 12:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Thekiller114
Lol then I'm hiring someone to stay in my car and keep it safe any one interested send your cv's in. But in the new gen c class it's not really a pop off cover its a different mechanisim
OP, if you don't have Mercedes Me then you might be able to consider an aftermarket remote start kit: https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...tall-tips.html

Just please keep in mind, it is a very bad idea to idle a bad engine as fuel can mix with the oil plus it is just not healthy for the car in general.

I don't like the idea of remote starting because of that maybe if it was an EV that wouldn't be an issue. Most people sadly lease so they really don't care about the longevity of the car or the engine for that matter.
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Old May 15, 2025 | 12:30 PM
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Rain is less of a concern in Saudi Arabia, but now that I think of it, opening the windows and sunroof and let the sand dust in is probably not very desirable, either.
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Old May 15, 2025 | 12:31 PM
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Originally Posted by W205C43PFL
OP, if you don't have Mercedes Me then you might be able to consider an aftermarket remote start kit: https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...tall-tips.html

Just please keep in mind, it is a very bad idea to idle a bad engine as fuel can mix with the oil plus it is just not healthy for the car in general.

I don't like the idea of remote starting because of that maybe if it was an EV that wouldn't be an issue. Most people sadly lease so they really don't care about the longevity of the car or the engine for that matter.
Correction: idle a *cold engine
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Old May 15, 2025 | 12:32 PM
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Originally Posted by W205C43PFL
OP, if you don't have Mercedes Me then you might be able to consider an aftermarket remote start kit: https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...tall-tips.html

Just please keep in mind, it is a very bad idea to idle a bad engine as fuel can mix with the oil plus it is just not healthy for the car in general.

I don't like the idea of remote starting because of that maybe if it was an EV that wouldn't be an issue. Most people sadly lease so they really don't care about the longevity of the car or the engine for that matter.
Once the engine is warm, remote start is not a concern. I sometimes use the remote start if it's particularly hot outside to cool it down before I get in. The big concern is remote starting and idling a cold engine during the winter.
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Old May 15, 2025 | 12:32 PM
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Originally Posted by superswiss
Rain is less of a concern in Saudi Arabia, but now that I think of it, opening the windows and sunroof and let the sand dust in is probably not very desirable, either.
Oh yes, I forgot about that
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Old May 15, 2025 | 12:35 PM
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Originally Posted by superswiss
Once the engine is warm, remote start is not a concern. I sometimes use the remote start if it's particularly hot outside to cool it down before I get in. The big concern is remote starting and idling a cold engine during the winter.
Yes I especially meant during cold engine starts not "bad engine", the edit button didn't work for me so I had to post it again, Sorry about that!

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Old May 15, 2025 | 12:38 PM
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I guess idling in general is bad as it is a waste of fuel, bad for the engine oil, bad for the engine, encourages carbon deposit build up? not OP's concern as OP needs to have the cabin cool down, which is the point but something to keep in mind for longevity sake, sort of like how stop and go traffic is bad for the car, constant moving and stopping etc and engine can't cool down from driving (airflow), etc. but I guess I am just stating the obvious or common sense so everyone probably already knows that.
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Old May 15, 2025 | 03:59 PM
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Originally Posted by superswiss
Rain is less of a concern in Saudi Arabia, but now that I think of it, opening the windows and sunroof and let the sand dust in is probably not very desirable, either.
Don’t forget curious insects, and other critters trying to find a haven in the shade. Interestingly enough, there have been crashes from distracted drivers who were dodging flying insects inside the car.
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Old May 15, 2025 | 08:19 PM
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The other option is to have the car running with trunk open, and crawl through trunk. If you can make use of a young child, that would be less embarrassing
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Old May 15, 2025 | 08:28 PM
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Originally Posted by smiles201
The other option is to have the car running with trunk open, and crawl through trunk. If you can make use of a young child, that would be less embarrassing
LOL...I'd love to see that in action.
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