My only complaint (key fob)
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2020 GLS450 (wife) / 2024 Ford Bronco (mine) / 2014 VW Tiquan (son)
My only complaint (key fob)
My only complaint about our GLS is the key fob. No, not the fob itself, but the fact that it seems to go to sleep, and to start the car after it’s sat for a while, I have to press a button on it to wake it up so the car knows it’s there. I get this “place key in certain location” message until I wake it up. That place it want to be located is inside the arm rest along the front wall of it at the bottom. It’s annoying as hell, and has been happening since we got the car. Just haven’t had time to take it back yet. But going to do so soon as I have a warranty claim for the drivers window motor, which is no big deal.
anyine else have that issue with the key fob? It doesn’t appear to be the fob battery. I suspect a setting that I haven’t a clue about. I see something in the manual about a smart key, but doesn’t make sense to me, guess I’m just too dense.... If this is normal (which would really shock me), then how’d it pass safety protocol? In an emergency and needed to start the car to flee, nothing like having to find it and press a button on it to make it work. Reminds me of my parents Chrysler Pacifica where you basically have to use the key fob to press the start button on the dash. Goofy. I mention their Pacifica (2017) because it’s painfully obvious that Chrysler was still looting the MB parts bin of what was left over in it
anyine else have that issue with the key fob? It doesn’t appear to be the fob battery. I suspect a setting that I haven’t a clue about. I see something in the manual about a smart key, but doesn’t make sense to me, guess I’m just too dense.... If this is normal (which would really shock me), then how’d it pass safety protocol? In an emergency and needed to start the car to flee, nothing like having to find it and press a button on it to make it work. Reminds me of my parents Chrysler Pacifica where you basically have to use the key fob to press the start button on the dash. Goofy. I mention their Pacifica (2017) because it’s painfully obvious that Chrysler was still looting the MB parts bin of what was left over in it
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From: Palm Beach County, FL
2017 Chevy SS, 2018 GLA250, 2020 GLS580
My only complaint about our GLS is the key fob. No, not the fob itself, but the fact that it seems to go to sleep, and to start the car after it’s sat for a while, I have to press a button on it to wake it up so the car knows it’s there. I get this “place key in certain location” message until I wake it up. That place it want to be located is inside the arm rest along the front wall of it at the bottom. It’s annoying as hell, and has been happening since we got the car. Just haven’t had time to take it back yet. But going to do so soon as I have a warranty claim for the drivers window motor, which is no big deal.
anyine else have that issue with the key fob? It doesn’t appear to be the fob battery. I suspect a setting that I haven’t a clue about. I see something in the manual about a smart key, but doesn’t make sense to me, guess I’m just too dense.... If this is normal (which would really shock me), then how’d it pass safety protocol? In an emergency and needed to start the car to flee, nothing like having to find it and press a button on it to make it work. Reminds me of my parents Chrysler Pacifica where you basically have to use the key fob to press the start button on the dash. Goofy. I mention their Pacifica (2017) because it’s painfully obvious that Chrysler was still looting the MB parts bin of what was left over in it
anyine else have that issue with the key fob? It doesn’t appear to be the fob battery. I suspect a setting that I haven’t a clue about. I see something in the manual about a smart key, but doesn’t make sense to me, guess I’m just too dense.... If this is normal (which would really shock me), then how’d it pass safety protocol? In an emergency and needed to start the car to flee, nothing like having to find it and press a button on it to make it work. Reminds me of my parents Chrysler Pacifica where you basically have to use the key fob to press the start button on the dash. Goofy. I mention their Pacifica (2017) because it’s painfully obvious that Chrysler was still looting the MB parts bin of what was left over in it
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2020 GLS450 (wife) / 2024 Ford Bronco (mine) / 2014 VW Tiquan (son)
Yeah I’ve had the iPhone interference thing happen before as well on all of our cars. This one is a little bit different, and I suspect a battery saving setting on the key fob that I can’t figure out. It’ll literally be sitting right there in the cup holder and yet the car won’t start until I hit a button on the key fob that basically awakens it so the car can see it. I usually just press the unlock button and then off it goes. If it sits for like an hour or so, it’s fine, will fire right u. But if it sits for like 3 hours, it’ll act like the key fob isn’t in the car until I either (a) put the fob inside the front wall of the armrest container (there is a little cutout spot for it in there) or I hit the button t wake it up. Really strange and quite annoying. It has to be some kind of setting though given the differences in time.
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This place is a joke.
No need to "take it back." It is operating as designed. The key goes to sleep to prevent your car from being stolen. You can Google search Mercedes relay box theft if you want more details.
You can also shake the key to wake it.
You can also shake the key to wake it.
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2020 GLS450 (wife) / 2024 Ford Bronco (mine) / 2014 VW Tiquan (son)
Thanks E55, but if it's normal, then wouldn't we all have this issue?
So I guess my question now is - do you all have this issue as well? Leave your key in the car for a few hours (say, while parked in your garage) and then go and try and start it without touching the key. Will the car start? Or does it tell you to place the key in it's special place?
Thanks guys!
So I guess my question now is - do you all have this issue as well? Leave your key in the car for a few hours (say, while parked in your garage) and then go and try and start it without touching the key. Will the car start? Or does it tell you to place the key in it's special place?
Thanks guys!
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That's not normal at all. I leave my car sitting for days and I can walk right up to it and open the handle and start it without even touching my key.
I would definitely have that checked out.
Oh I seem to remember there is a battery saving thing on the key you can disable. Its somewhere in the manual.
If you leave your key *inside* your car that might be a different story though.
I would definitely have that checked out.
Oh I seem to remember there is a battery saving thing on the key you can disable. Its somewhere in the manual.
If you leave your key *inside* your car that might be a different story though.
Last edited by darlop; Jan 26, 2021 at 02:04 PM.
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2020 GLS450 (wife) / 2024 Ford Bronco (mine) / 2014 VW Tiquan (son)
Thanks darlop, question though - is your key on you when you walk up to it and get in? Or has it been sitting still inside your car? For us, it's always when the key has been sitting still inside the car. We leave it in the car because the car is in the garage. That's when the hiccup occurs. We get in, press start and get the message to move it to it's safe spot in the armrest holder tray (which doesn't always work either).
I think E55 might be right. I went to take the car to the furniture store a few hours ago. It had been sitting in the garage since yesterday afternoon. I got the message again with the key just sitting there in the cup holder. I put my hand down in the cup holder and bumped the key fob around for a split second. Then hit the start button, and it started right up. I think he's right - if it's been sitting still for a certain amount of time, it goes into sleep mode and stops transmitting. If you move it around, it wakes up and starts transmitting again. Would make sense on why it never happens with the key is with us. It always works when we approach the car. But if it's been still, it doesn't work.
Sneaky germans!
I think E55 might be right. I went to take the car to the furniture store a few hours ago. It had been sitting in the garage since yesterday afternoon. I got the message again with the key just sitting there in the cup holder. I put my hand down in the cup holder and bumped the key fob around for a split second. Then hit the start button, and it started right up. I think he's right - if it's been sitting still for a certain amount of time, it goes into sleep mode and stops transmitting. If you move it around, it wakes up and starts transmitting again. Would make sense on why it never happens with the key is with us. It always works when we approach the car. But if it's been still, it doesn't work.
Sneaky germans!
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From: Orbiting the planet
This place is a joke.
When the key is in your pocket it moves enough while walking to wake it up. Some women who leave the key in their purse do not move it enough to wake up.
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From: San Francisco Bay Area
2019 C63CS
As has been eluded already above. The new key fobs have a motion sensor in them for security reason. It the fob doesn't sense motion for 2 minutes it turns off until there is motion again. That's so if you put the key somewhere in your house, your car can't be stolen using the relay attack method. Yes, the downside is if you leave your fob sitting in the car, it won't start until you shake the fob or move it. Normally with the fob in one's pocket there is enough movement to keep it awake. It's all by design.
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From: Central Ontario Canada
2025 AMG GLC43 Coupe, Past ‘12 ML350 & ‘17 GLE AMG43 Coupe, 2021 GLC 300 Coupe
The Mercedes Smartkey is deactivated by pressing the lock button twice in quick succession. It is reactivated by pressing any button on the Smartkey. Some drivers instinctively press the lock button twice to ensure the vehicle is locked.
The deactivating of the Smartkey is an available security function to pause the communication between the Smartkey and the vehicle and save power. Sophisticated car thieves can intercept this communication and steal a high end vehicle without ever having the Smartkey/fob.
Just a thought. Good luck getting to the source of the issue.
The deactivating of the Smartkey is an available security function to pause the communication between the Smartkey and the vehicle and save power. Sophisticated car thieves can intercept this communication and steal a high end vehicle without ever having the Smartkey/fob.
Just a thought. Good luck getting to the source of the issue.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2012
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From: Orbiting the planet
This place is a joke.
The Mercedes Smartkey is deactivated by pressing the lock button twice in quick succession. It is reactivated by pressing any button on the Smartkey. Some drivers instinctively press the lock button twice to ensure the vehicle is locked.
The deactivating of the Smartkey is an available security function to pause the communication between the Smartkey and the vehicle and save power. Sophisticated car thieves can intercept this communication and steal a high end vehicle without ever having the Smartkey/fob.
Just a thought. Good luck getting to the source of the issue.
The deactivating of the Smartkey is an available security function to pause the communication between the Smartkey and the vehicle and save power. Sophisticated car thieves can intercept this communication and steal a high end vehicle without ever having the Smartkey/fob.
Just a thought. Good luck getting to the source of the issue.
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Thanks darlop, question though - is your key on you when you walk up to it and get in? Or has it been sitting still inside your car? For us, it's always when the key has been sitting still inside the car. We leave it in the car because the car is in the garage. That's when the hiccup occurs. We get in, press start and get the message to move it to it's safe spot in the armrest holder tray (which doesn't always work either).
I think E55 might be right. I went to take the car to the furniture store a few hours ago. It had been sitting in the garage since yesterday afternoon. I got the message again with the key just sitting there in the cup holder. I put my hand down in the cup holder and bumped the key fob around for a split second. Then hit the start button, and it started right up. I think he's right - if it's been sitting still for a certain amount of time, it goes into sleep mode and stops transmitting. If you move it around, it wakes up and starts transmitting again. Would make sense on why it never happens with the key is with us. It always works when we approach the car. But if it's been still, it doesn't work.
Sneaky germans!
I think E55 might be right. I went to take the car to the furniture store a few hours ago. It had been sitting in the garage since yesterday afternoon. I got the message again with the key just sitting there in the cup holder. I put my hand down in the cup holder and bumped the key fob around for a split second. Then hit the start button, and it started right up. I think he's right - if it's been sitting still for a certain amount of time, it goes into sleep mode and stops transmitting. If you move it around, it wakes up and starts transmitting again. Would make sense on why it never happens with the key is with us. It always works when we approach the car. But if it's been still, it doesn't work.
Sneaky germans!
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From: McLean, VA
2011 Audi A4, 2014 E63S Wagon, 2020 GLS 580
I have a slightly different problem with the key fob. Often when I exit the vehicle with the key in my pocket and not next to my phone, I can't lock the doors by touching the handle. If I take the key out of my pocket it works and locking them with the key works. I complained about this on my last service visit but of course, that day it worked fine when I tried to demo the problem. So, they did nothing. Anyone else have a problem locking the doors with the touch handle?
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From: Palm Beach County, FL
2017 Chevy SS, 2018 GLA250, 2020 GLS580
This 100% for me and it's not just about protecting things from being stolen.
I should have been explicit about this in my original response too. This scenario isn't a use case for me as I never leave my key in the vehicle unattended, even at home in the garage.
I should have been explicit about this in my original response too. This scenario isn't a use case for me as I never leave my key in the vehicle unattended, even at home in the garage.
Member
Joined: Oct 2019
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From: Palm Beach County, FL
2017 Chevy SS, 2018 GLA250, 2020 GLS580
I have a slightly different problem with the key fob. Often when I exit the vehicle with the key in my pocket and not next to my phone, I can't lock the doors by touching the handle. If I take the key out of my pocket it works and locking them with the key works. I complained about this on my last service visit but of course, that day it worked fine when I tried to demo the problem. So, they did nothing. Anyone else have a problem locking the doors with the touch handle?
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From: McLean, VA
2011 Audi A4, 2014 E63S Wagon, 2020 GLS 580
Out Of Control!!
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From: San Francisco Bay Area
2019 C63CS
It wakes up immediately. I tested this function by leaving the key fob sitting on a box next to the door and locked the car using the handle. Waited a little more than two minutes and verified that I can no longer unlock the car by holding the handle. Then just picked up the fob and tried again. It unlocked right away.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2018
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Likes: 5,357
From: San Francisco Bay Area
2019 C63CS
I have a slightly different problem with the key fob. Often when I exit the vehicle with the key in my pocket and not next to my phone, I can't lock the doors by touching the handle. If I take the key out of my pocket it works and locking them with the key works. I complained about this on my last service visit but of course, that day it worked fine when I tried to demo the problem. So, they did nothing. Anyone else have a problem locking the doors with the touch handle?
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2020 GLS450 (wife) / 2024 Ford Bronco (mine) / 2014 VW Tiquan (son)
It wakes up instantly. I got in it today again, had been sitting in the garage for 24 hours. Would not start, then nudged the key sitting in the cup holder with my finger and immediately pressed start with my other hand and all was right with the world again. Thanks E55 for the answer!
In my defense re: leaving the key in the car - we live in a gated community with security guards, at the end of a triple culdesac with only 4 houses on our street (including ours). Unless if you’re swimming across the Potomac River, you’re not back here unless you know your way around and here for a specific reason. Our kids don’t play in the cars, and have no worries about them accidentally jumping in and taking off with one. It’s just easier for us to leave a key in a car for when we need to go somewhere with one. Obviously we don’t leave the keys in the car when we’re anywhere else.
In my defense re: leaving the key in the car - we live in a gated community with security guards, at the end of a triple culdesac with only 4 houses on our street (including ours). Unless if you’re swimming across the Potomac River, you’re not back here unless you know your way around and here for a specific reason. Our kids don’t play in the cars, and have no worries about them accidentally jumping in and taking off with one. It’s just easier for us to leave a key in a car for when we need to go somewhere with one. Obviously we don’t leave the keys in the car when we’re anywhere else.
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From: SW Ontario Canada
2020 GLS580, 2023 Corvette Z06
key sleeps while driving??
I have a slightly different problem with the key fob. Often when I exit the vehicle with the key in my pocket and not next to my phone, I can't lock the doors by touching the handle. If I take the key out of my pocket it works and locking them with the key works. I complained about this on my last service visit but of course, that day it worked fine when I tried to demo the problem. So, they did nothing. Anyone else have a problem locking the doors with the touch handle?
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From: McLean, VA
2011 Audi A4, 2014 E63S Wagon, 2020 GLS 580
Sort of. I found out the key, for security purposes, goes to sleep when it isn't moved after a period of time. So when I'm driving and it isn't moving, the motion of getting out of the car is apparently not enough to wake it up, especially if I'm wearing jeans or something that keep it close to my thigh. If I giggle it a little in my pocket it works every time. It also explains why it would work when I'd walk around the car and try locking from the passenger side doors.
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Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 630
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From: SW Ontario Canada
2020 GLS580, 2023 Corvette Z06
Sort of. I found out the key, for security purposes, goes to sleep when it isn't moved after a period of time. So when I'm driving and it isn't moving, the motion of getting out of the car is apparently not enough to wake it up, especially if I'm wearing jeans or something that keep it close to my thigh. If I giggle it a little in my pocket it works every time. It also explains why it would work when I'd walk around the car and try locking from the passenger side doors.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 11,471
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From: San Francisco Bay Area
2019 C63CS
Sort of. I found out the key, for security purposes, goes to sleep when it isn't moved after a period of time. So when I'm driving and it isn't moving, the motion of getting out of the car is apparently not enough to wake it up, especially if I'm wearing jeans or something that keep it close to my thigh. If I giggle it a little in my pocket it works every time. It also explains why it would work when I'd walk around the car and try locking from the passenger side doors.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 630
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From: SW Ontario Canada
2020 GLS580, 2023 Corvette Z06
Most of the time I get out right away and it doesn't lock by touching the door switch. Of course the dealer could not repeat the problem. Thanks for the information so next time I go for service I can stay there and show them my issue after the engine is shut off.
