Key Remote Range
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
CLK 320
Key Remote Range
How far is the range of your key remote?
I have a 99 CLK 320 and the range is kinda poor. I normally have to be in 10 feet for the car to respond. I have two keys and I've chaged batteries for both but they pretty much react the same way.
I rent cars quite often when I travel and the Japanese cars have amazing range for their key remotes.
I wonder if it's just my car or the keys. Anybody have similar issues?
I have a 99 CLK 320 and the range is kinda poor. I normally have to be in 10 feet for the car to respond. I have two keys and I've chaged batteries for both but they pretty much react the same way.
I rent cars quite often when I travel and the Japanese cars have amazing range for their key remotes.
I wonder if it's just my car or the keys. Anybody have similar issues?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,261
Likes: 21
From: SoCaL (LA / OC)
E55 AMG (SOLD), EvoSport CLK (SOLD), 2013 GsxR 750 (SOLD)
How far is the range of your key remote?
I have a 99 CLK 320 and the range is kinda poor. I normally have to be in 10 feet for the car to respond. I have two keys and I've chaged batteries for both but they pretty much react the same way.
I rent cars quite often when I travel and the Japanese cars have amazing range for their key remotes.
I wonder if it's just my car or the keys. Anybody have similar issues?
I have a 99 CLK 320 and the range is kinda poor. I normally have to be in 10 feet for the car to respond. I have two keys and I've chaged batteries for both but they pretty much react the same way.
I rent cars quite often when I travel and the Japanese cars have amazing range for their key remotes.
I wonder if it's just my car or the keys. Anybody have similar issues?
My CLK is a '01, original keys and everything. My range sucks too. I can't even arm/disarm the car from inside my house, and the car is literally right there on the drive way, like 15 feet away.
Looks like i'm gonna have to drop a lot of money sometime to get a new remote.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 691
Likes: 0
From: Southern CA
08 CLS63, Honda Accord, 04 911
I have the chrome key, I dont know where it came from ( MB or other retailer) but the range is ok to disarm/arm, maybe 20 feet and a bit more using the old chin trick.
To open the windows/sunroof I have to be standing right in front of the door handle and aiming at it.
To open the windows/sunroof I have to be standing right in front of the door handle and aiming at it.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,261
Likes: 21
From: SoCaL (LA / OC)
E55 AMG (SOLD), EvoSport CLK (SOLD), 2013 GsxR 750 (SOLD)
Whoa whoa whoa! $130 for the new chrome keys? Which dealership did you go to? That's $70 cheaper than ANY of the dealers that i inquired at here in SoCal.
Trending Topics
Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
From: Orange County, CA
SS Minnow Johnson
please explain more!
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 157
Likes: 36
From: Suffern, NY
2020 GLC300 & 2009 SL550 (previously had 1999 CLK / 2006 E500 / 2011 GL450)
The sensors on your exterior door handles are infrared. So after you unlock the doors, point the key at one of the door handle sensors and hold the UNLOCK button down. After a few seconds, the windows should go down and the sunroof should open. Release the unlock button when the windows/roof are in the desired position. It's a great way to vent a car on a hot summer day.
The reverse works too. Say you lock the car and realize you left a window or sunroof open. Point the remote at one of the door handles and hold the LOCK button down. After a few seconds the windows will roll up and the sunroof will close.
I have always speculated that the limited range of the remote is related to this feature. In particular, I seem to recall my manual saying that for safety reasons the range is limited to ensure the windows and roof will be in your line of sight.
The reverse works too. Say you lock the car and realize you left a window or sunroof open. Point the remote at one of the door handles and hold the LOCK button down. After a few seconds the windows will roll up and the sunroof will close.
I have always speculated that the limited range of the remote is related to this feature. In particular, I seem to recall my manual saying that for safety reasons the range is limited to ensure the windows and roof will be in your line of sight.
Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: PK, NY
2kCLK320
does everyones sunroofs take like 3X longer then the windows?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
CLK 320
Yeah that window/sunroof opening feature is pretty cool, though it's really not that convenient having to operate it in a 10 foot range. I normally have the windows rolled down a bit that since there isn't cover parking at work and the cabin would be like an oven (I'm in Texas...). But whenever it rains I'd have to rush out to to the car to close the windows although I can see my car right through the window.
xmodrelic: Ya my roof is slow, too.
For guys who have the chrome keys, how much did you get it for? Also is the chrome easily scratched by the other keys?
Houston, TX area dealerships: $210-$230
xmodrelic: Ya my roof is slow, too.
For guys who have the chrome keys, how much did you get it for? Also is the chrome easily scratched by the other keys?
Houston, TX area dealerships: $210-$230
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 576
Likes: 1
1999 CLK320
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 576
Likes: 1
1999 CLK320
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
2000 CLK430
Not sure if you guys tried this, but this worked for me.
When lock or unlock, facing the car try to aim the laser end (the end you put on your ignition) to your body (arm, etc.) ....I am aiming to my chin and it worked great...i can lock or unlock the door 20 to 30 ft at any direction. I've tested this. With long distance, it never worked when you pointing the remote to the car, but it worked 10 out of 10 (unless you're way too far) when I am facing the car and point it to by chin (make sure it touchs your body part). I know it sounds weird, but give it a try.
For rolling the windows up and down you'd have to point to the door which sucks...
When lock or unlock, facing the car try to aim the laser end (the end you put on your ignition) to your body (arm, etc.) ....I am aiming to my chin and it worked great...i can lock or unlock the door 20 to 30 ft at any direction. I've tested this. With long distance, it never worked when you pointing the remote to the car, but it worked 10 out of 10 (unless you're way too far) when I am facing the car and point it to by chin (make sure it touchs your body part). I know it sounds weird, but give it a try.
For rolling the windows up and down you'd have to point to the door which sucks...
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 523
Likes: 1
From: Hollywood North
CLK 55 ///AMG Cabrio, ML63 ///AMG
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 576
Likes: 1
1999 CLK320
Not sure if you guys tried this, but this worked for me.
When lock or unlock, facing the car try to aim the laser end (the end you put on your ignition) to your body (arm, etc.) ....I am aiming to my chin and it worked great...i can lock or unlock the door 20 to 30 ft at any direction. I've tested this. With long distance, it never worked when you pointing the remote to the car, but it worked 10 out of 10 (unless you're way too far) when I am facing the car and point it to by chin (make sure it touchs your body part). I know it sounds weird, but give it a try.
For rolling the windows up and down you'd have to point to the door which sucks...
When lock or unlock, facing the car try to aim the laser end (the end you put on your ignition) to your body (arm, etc.) ....I am aiming to my chin and it worked great...i can lock or unlock the door 20 to 30 ft at any direction. I've tested this. With long distance, it never worked when you pointing the remote to the car, but it worked 10 out of 10 (unless you're way too far) when I am facing the car and point it to by chin (make sure it touchs your body part). I know it sounds weird, but give it a try.
For rolling the windows up and down you'd have to point to the door which sucks...
thanks
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 527
Likes: 5
From: TN
2002 c240
When my remote went dead on my car and I damn near replaced the entire EIS trying to fix it I learned more than I need to know about remotes.
First, there are three signals in your remote. IR, radio, and (I don't actually remember the third, but I believe it is microwave).
One starts the car and that is the IR.
One works the door locks and that should be the microwave frequency.
The third one I don't recall. I have tried to block as much of that experience as possible from my mind. If I remember correctly it should be the radio frequency for the window feature on the door handle sensor.
You can have one of the three go bad at any time and it produce results you don't understand. Like your car starting, but your windows and door locks not working or the opposite of the situation. This is because each one has it's own certain transmitter and receiver in your remote and car.
You can help your range by making sure you clean and polish your door sensors in your handles. They become cloudy and hazed from the elements as well as waxing your car since the wax usually stays in the cracks of the sensors and builds up.
There's always the old trick of putting the remote to your temple to double and triple your range. We were doing that in high school with Viper alarms and I have done it with my Mercedes remote several times when I was across a parking lot and wanted to be sure I locked the car.
First, there are three signals in your remote. IR, radio, and (I don't actually remember the third, but I believe it is microwave).
One starts the car and that is the IR.
One works the door locks and that should be the microwave frequency.
The third one I don't recall. I have tried to block as much of that experience as possible from my mind. If I remember correctly it should be the radio frequency for the window feature on the door handle sensor.
You can have one of the three go bad at any time and it produce results you don't understand. Like your car starting, but your windows and door locks not working or the opposite of the situation. This is because each one has it's own certain transmitter and receiver in your remote and car.
You can help your range by making sure you clean and polish your door sensors in your handles. They become cloudy and hazed from the elements as well as waxing your car since the wax usually stays in the cracks of the sensors and builds up.
There's always the old trick of putting the remote to your temple to double and triple your range. We were doing that in high school with Viper alarms and I have done it with my Mercedes remote several times when I was across a parking lot and wanted to be sure I locked the car.
