Radio 10 able to turn on without key?

smrt4her · 04-29-2009, 04:20 AM

The dreaded dead battery happened to us. Went on vacation for a week without our Smart and the battery was dead when we got back.

I hooked up the charger to the battery (without removing it from the car) and the radio came on. I thought it was odd because the key was not in the car. I turned it off and thought nothing about it.

After the battery was charged, I started the car and everything seemed normal. Turned it off, removed the key and pressed the radio button and the radio came on. I don't recall trying this before and wondered if others have this same issue. We have a appointment for the technical changes, but already have the upgraded battery.

Can you turn on your radio without the key inserted (car not running)?

Thanks,
Don

**JPaul** · 04-29-2009, 04:38 AM

Yes. The radio can be turned on without the key but will only stay on for ±15 minutes. At least that is what was confirmed last year by another member...
Actually the radio will "remember" if it was "on" or "off" when the car was last switched off and stay that way.

SmartJoeMN · 04-29-2009, 03:13 PM

It goes for a lot longer than 15 minutes, in my experience, I'm 99% sure it goes for 1 hour.

SuperGeek · 04-29-2009, 05:42 PM

The manual should say how long, I think it's 10, 15, or 20 minutes by design. It'll come on with the power button regardless of key, and stay on that long.

SmartDigger · 04-29-2009, 06:25 PM

Easton told me it would stay on if you turn it on after the key is out????

andrewd · 04-30-2009, 02:11 AM

the radio stays on for exactly 1 hour then turns off, press the on button again and you have another hour of playtime... handy when working in the garage...

i think in australia we got man size batterys, cos it's done several hours several times over of loud playing and never hesitated to start

**JPaul** · 04-30-2009, 05:35 AM

Radio 10 "Operating Instructions", page 8

Quote:

>Notice!
If you switch on the radio without inserting the key or if the key is in the "Lock" position, the radio will switch off automatically after 60 minutes.

I stand corrected on my previous post...