What Is the Difference Between Keyless Go and Keyless Start?

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During your travels, you may encounter several inconveniences with your vehicle on California terrain, such as a flat tire. However, no inconvenience causes you to panic quite as much as when you can’t locate your car keys and then see them on your driver’s seat. Many drivers have been in this situation, but thanks to technological advancements, you no longer need to worry about such an inconvenience.

With Mercedes-Benz’s Keyless Go and Keyless Start features, heading to where you need to be doesn’t have to be preceded by nervous pocket pats searching for your keys. These features offer convenience, and when you exit the vehicle, you don’t risk locking yourself out. Our tech experts at Mercedes Benz of Fairfield explain the Keyless Go and Keyless Start features, describe their differences and advantages, and show how to use the Keyless Go feature. If you have any questions, give them a call at (707) 430-0102.

What Are the Keyless Start and Keyless Go Features?

Keyless Start is a drive authorization feature that lets you start the engine by pressing a button without having to insert keys into the ignition. Keyless Go is an access-and-drive authorization feature that enables drivers to conveniently lock and unlock their vehicles and start their engines faster. These features need a SmartKey to transmit radio waves and communicate with the vehicle to start the engine and lock or unlock the vehicle.

What Is a SmartKey?

A SmartKey is a key designed to access a corresponding vehicle electronically. The SmartKey is part of the key fob that comes with your Mercedes-Benz. It works with your vehicle to start your engine or lock your door by sending low-frequency transmissions to your vehicle. Your key’s radio pulse generator creates these transmissions, which are picked up by antennas in your vehicle’s bodywork.

Since a SmartKey is battery-operated, its functionality may decrease when the battery is low. Luckily, every SmartKey comes with a key blade. When the battery dies, you may use the key blade for locking, unlocking, or starting the vehicle’s engine until you replace the SmartKeys batteries. Alternatively, the SmartKey can provide an emergency start that you can achieve by inductive coupling. Inductive coupling involves placing the key in the slot containing a hidden inductive coil that can transfer energy so that the key gets inductive charging.

Differences Between the Keyless Start and Keyless Go

Here are the differences between these two keyless features:

Number of Functions You Can Perform

The Keyless Go system allows you to perform three principal functions: starting your engine, closing your windows plus sunroof from the outside, and unlocking or locking your vehicle. The Keyless Start allows you to perform only one function — starting your car by pressing the Start or Stop button on your dashboard and stepping on the brake to start your car engine.

Mercedes-Benz Models That Can Operate the Keyless Systems

The Keyless Go system is standard on the newer, more tech-savvy Mercedes-Benz models such as the S-Class Coupe and GLE Coupe, but it is available as an optional feature on other models for the 2022 model year. The Keyless Start system comes standard across the Mercedes-Benz lineup.

How To Use Mercedes-Benz Keyless Go

With Mercedes-Benz Keyless Go, you may unlock, lock, start and stop your car, or even close your windows and sunroof from outside your vehicle. To perform these functions, have your SmartKey within the immediate vicinity of your vehicle.

Here’s a guide on how to use the Keyless Go feature:

• To unlock your car, firmly grip the driver’s door handle. Grabbing any passenger handle opens all the vehicle’s doors.
• To close your window and sunroof from the outside, keep the sensor surface on your door handle until they all close.
• To start the car using the keyboard option, remove the Start or Stop button, insert your SmartKey and turn on your engine.
• To start the engine in a different way, with your Start/Stop button in place, step on your brake and press the Start or Stop button.
• To access different key positions, with your foot off the brake pedal, press the Start or Stop button. Each press is like turning the key one position. When you press the button once, you can turn on your vehicle’s accessories, such as the radio. Pressing the Start or Stop button again turns on the dash lights and all electrical items. Press it a third time with your foot off the brake, and everything turns off. You can also turn all features off by opening your door.

Advantages of the Mercedes-Benz Keyless Go

Advantages of the Keyless Go feature include:

• Reminder notifications: Keyless Go helps you avoid locking your SmartKey in your vehicle. If you leave the SmartKey inside your vehicle, your vehicle alerts you through a dashboard notification that your SmartKey is still inside the car.
• Security: Whenever you want to use Keyless Go, the SmartKey sends an encrypted low-frequency signal to your vehicle in a rolling code sequence. This sequence is linked to your vehicle and makes the system safe from robbery because the sequence is impossible to mimic.
• Convenience: With the Keyless Go, you don’t need to spend time looking for your keys to unlock your door. Grabbing your door handle and gaining access to your vehicle is convenient, especially when you’re carrying things like grocery shopping bags or your kid’s car seat.

Buy or Lease Keyless Start and Keyless Go Mercedes Benz Models

Browse our Mercedes Benz of Fairfield inventory to check new vehicles equipped with the Keyless Go and Keyless Start systems. New models such as the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 have a standard Keyless Go system. You can buy or lease the SUV and enjoy the convenience of the Keyless Go feature.

You can also schedule a test drive on various models to experience how these features work and select an appropriate one based on your preference. If you have more questions about using the Keyless Go or Keyless Smart features, you may contact Mercedes-Benz of Fairfield and we’ll clarify any issue and offer necessary assistance.