Just received my EQE SUV. I notice in what the owner's manual calls the "storage compartment" where the cup holders and the induction phone charger is found, there is a symbol of a key in the rubber to the left of the cup holders and behind the phone charger. Does anyone know if this symbol has any functionality, or is it just to show a nice place to put ones key? I looked but could not find anything in the owner's manual.
thanks

 

If for any reason the vehicle does not detect the key properly, you may be asked to put the key into its designated location. That symbol is the designated location, and placing your key there will allow the car to reconnect with the key in the even that it's not responding.

FWIW, haven't had to do this on my EQE, I think I had to do it once on my W213 E-class, so this system has been around for a while but you rarely if ever will need to use it.

 

I'm pretty sure my owner's manual says that's so you can start the car with a dead battery in the key fob. But maybe I read it wrong...

 

You are indeed correct.

 

Yup. I forgot to mention that! Your fob has a physical key to open the emergency lock cylinder behind the door handle. It can be pried open, physically unlocked, and then the key can be placed in emergency location in case battery is out.

Earlier MBs had infrared communication between the key and the onboard starting hardware. It also worked of the battery was out.

So, the key spot serves multiple purposes.