Not sure if anyone has posted anything about this or not but I did a search and didn't find anything.

Last week I was driving my friends CLK500 for him as he was out of town and he wanted it to be seen around town with the 4Sale signs on it. Anyway when he was showing me the car he said that you don't need to hold the key in the start position when you are starting it. Just flip it into the start position and let it go.

I tried this on my Xfire today and it works the same as the MBZ CLK500.

 

yup its the same. nice touch isn't it.

 

Don't want to sound "stupid" but what do you mean?

 

I'm with CrossfireLTD, what do you mean? I tried it, 6 speed, but when I turned the key and let go, it stopped "cranking" as soon as I let go.

 

You don't have to hold the key in the start position until it starts. Just turn it and let go, it'll start even if you don't hold it there.

 

Mine doesn't do that. Maybe it only works on autos.

 

Ditto. My guess is that it only works on autos as well. But mine starts so fast I would have to work hard to release the key before it fired. I don't quite understand the feature unless grinding away on the starter was necessary to get it started.

 

Just tried it and it works.

 

Works on my SRT6. Though i'd rather see a functional rollover bar than this worthless feature, IMHO.

 

Maybe it is just an auto feature. My Xfire is actually at the dealer today having the cooling fan recall taken care of. I will check with them (if they know) when I pick it up later and report back what they have to say.

 

Works on mine too.

 

I think we have pretty much determined it only works on the automatics. They must be harder to start for some reason...LOL.

 

Works on my autostick. Perhaps not on the manual because of the starter lockout - ie, clutch in to start...

 

Great Find! I love learning new things like this about our cars. Of course you know I ran down and tried it as soon as I read this and tried it, it works!

 

It's gotta be an "auto" thing. I poked around in the service manual and couldn't find anything specifically dealing with that feature, but I did learn that starting this car is a lot more complex than it appears! The car automagically disengages the starter motor when it senses the engine is running, which would explain the cool behavior with the key.

What I did find amusing is the description they give of the starting system:

An electrically operated engine starting system is standard factory-installed equipment on this model. The starting system is designed to provide the vehicle operator with a convenient, efficient and reliable means of cranking and starting the internal combustion engine used to power the vehicle and all of its accessory systems from within the safe and secure confines of the passenger compartment. See the owner’s manual in the vehicle glove box for more information and instructions on the recommended use and operation of the factory-installed starting system.


Like there's any other way to do it!

 

It's definitely an auto thing and almost all diamler/chrysler autos are like this.

 

As trivial of a feature as it may be, I kinda like it!

 

We have a 300 C and it doesn't have that feature. I've gotten used to starting the xf and I end up having to turn the key again because I don't hold it long enough.

 

Its an old Mercedes Benz feature circa '97. Its called TOUCH START. I have it on my Mercedes CLK also. Only works on automatics not manuals.

 

It may be a bit gimmicky, but I like it.