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[I_am_Neo]

When i bought my forfour, it came with two keys...one which works fine, the other doesn't but it looks brand new! it was the spare key, I'm assuming the battery has died. but i was wondering if a key is left with no battery for a long time...will it need to be re programmed again once a new battery is inserted?

my next question is, my for four has no temperature gauge, how am i meant to know the engine temperature? is there no way to find it? or would i have to put in the temperature pod on the dash board for this? I just thought most cars have that as standard

[Alex]

If you don't have the mutifunction steering wheel+trip computer there is no way to tell the engine temp without an OBD reader like Scangauge or Torque app for android. Of course you can buy the dash pods and have them installed and activated.

There is just one red warning light that turns on when the engine is dangerously hot.

[I_am_Neo]

Thanks ...
is it expensive to upgrade to the multi function steering wheel and on board comp?

also does anyone know if they key will need to reprogrammed if left for years without being used and the battery has stopped working

[mr singh]

you can buy a clock and temp pod from mercedes for about £115 inc rings.

[I_am_Neo]

thanks Mr Singh, is it easy to install?

[Alex]

Installation isn't hard, but they will also need activating. That's another cost to consider. Perhaps a scangauge 2 would be the same in terms of money but you will also gain a trip computer, lots of interesting parameters, and fault code reading.

The upgrade to a multifunction steering wheel+trip computer is very expensive, and probably impossible to retrofit. Not something worth looking in to.

Oh and the key might work without reprogramming it, try the battery from the other one and see It's a quick swap.

[mr singh]

easy to fit, radio out, plug the temp pod to the clock pod and then in to a connector behind the radio, push in to place and tuck the pod connector in to the gap of the dash... i got lucky with my fitting as they worked straight away, the lad at mercedes who i see when ever i go in to get bits didnt mention anything about activaiting them... but i have been proven wrong.

[CrazyG]

Re the spare key..
It would be far better to buy a new battery for the old key fob and then try it.
If you take the battery out of the key that works for even a short period you may
find it could lose the code, then you will have 2 dead keys and be stranded  !

The battery to get is size CR2016.
And the best quality one you can get is made by Renata. (Swiss, as used by Swatch)
They're not that expensive.