Another annoying "feature" of current range of VAG cars with KESSY

[serdar_18fr]

As some of you already know, I own a '25 Cupra Ateca, but I chose to post here for broader visibility.

There are a lot of automated features in the car which can be really useful, like auto-hold, auto-parking brake engagement and release etc.

But there's one thing that really keeps annoying me: Sometimes I prefer to let the engine running while I temporarily leave the car and go check something around the car for a very brief period and then get back in the car, only to find that it decided to turn the engine off. I never managed to get used to this and it keeps confusing me every time, trying to push on the throttle on a turned off engine!

I just want to be able to turn the engine off only when * I * see fit, not when the car decides, just like in all of my previous cars with an ignition barrel/no "kessy".

If there's any way to turn off this behaviour, like some coding or such, I desperately want to know about it.

Thanks,
Serdar

 

[James_R]

It's a pretty uniform safety/security function that I assume is for likes of traffic laws and insurance purposes, where in countries like the UK if you leave your vehicle unattended with the engine running, if someone jumps in it and drives away then technically your policy is invalid.

At the end of the day it's not like you're having to hand crank the engine to start it again, it's a button press

 

[Momochi]

Or the Start-Stop system activated??

 

[serdar_18fr]

Or the Start-Stop system activated??

Start-stop system turning the engine off temporarily to be turned on again by pushing the throttle and shutting it down completely are different things.

 

[East Yorkshire Retrofits]

Start-stop system turning the engine off temporarily to be turned on again by pushing the throttle and shutting it down completely are different things.

If start stop is enabled/currently stopped and you open the door, it'll switch the ignition off fairly quickly

 

[serdar_18fr]

If start stop is enabled/currently stopped and you open the door, it'll switch the ignition off fairly quickly

Yes, I noticed that and tried with start/stop disabled too and it switched off the ignition again. I didn't keep time but I could say the difference wasn't noticeable, if any.

 

[Richard52]

New to kessy, so little experience, but are you taking the key with you when you get out and leave the engine running?

 

[serdar_18fr]

New to kessy, so little experience, but are you taking the key with you when you get out and leave the engine running?

No, I'm not.

 

[Richard52]

My wife and I were visiting someone yesterday with a gate entry system. She was driving, and had the keys in her trouser pocket. She put the car in park, handbrake on, left the engine running, and got out the car. The engine stayed running until she got back in, about a minute later. A message came up on the dash, but I wasn't quick enough to read it as I was on the phone at the time. Stop/start was disabled.

 

[serdar_18fr]

My wife and I were visiting someone yesterday with a gate entry system. She was driving, and had the keys in her trouser pocket. She put the car in park, handbrake on, left the engine running, and got out the car. The engine stayed running until she got back in, about a minute later. A message came up on the dash, but I wasn't quick enough to read it as I was on the phone at the time. Stop/start was disabled.

Thanks for your contribution to the subject. I plan to try and observe again all the possible combinations of start/stop state, transmission position, key in/out state etc.

 

[Tell]

It probably doesn't like you taking the key out of the car and out of range so stops the engine. Think those drive away thieves have a few problems without the Kessy key. Haven't tried it . Perhaps the engine stops next time you are stationary. May be a google.

Hmmm having done the Google reckon its start stop being active and may be the keys removed. I keep SS coded out but you can't do that on newer models and don't in anycase shut any doors with the engine running and keys inside. Don't trust kessy. Tyre pumping up I do that way with the 12v socket and door open. It behaves.

People change the SS switch as an alternative now you can't code stop start out as VAG tightens up workarounds on newer models. Next car will be an EV so no SS or gear box . But donging is increased and a new set of workarounds. Cross that bridge when we get to it.

PS people moan those that live in gated communities of the donging they get whilst opening the gate.

 

[Loadmaster748]

KESSY, stop/start, lane assist, sub menus and all the rest of it - over the near last 12 months of owning my Leon I've unfortunately become tired of everything accessed by the touchscreen and the lack of buttons and switches to control things. I'm sorry to say that I don't see me owning it for much more than another year before going back to my true interest when it comes to my 'car of interest/hobby car - Mercs and BMWs from early 2000s to 2015. Additionally, despite being a very capable and good looking car, it also has no soundtrack and is quite soulless being a 4 pot after years of V6, straight 6 and V8 soundtracks. That's not the Leon's fault, but mine for maybe choosing a car that doesn't quite 'hit the spot' for me this time.

 

[Tell]

Clicky switches are coming back. The excursion to multipurpose menus and hepatic touch has ended in the new models and refreshed ones. Little black boxes shut up the rest and remember how you last set things before you turned the ignition off. NCAP point scoring meant everything thing got set back to off. Those little boxes remember how you like things and don't lead to pre flight twiddling and that check list.

 

[Rob66]

I've driven a few different cars for work recently so I may be getting mixed up with another, but I think I am right in saying the Formentor we had a message pop up when the door was opened saying something like 'engine switching off' which i only noticed when having reversed into a space i wanted to check how far I was from the curb. With it being the Hybrid you couldnt hear the engine running of course, just nothing happened when you touched the accelerator

 

[serdar_18fr]

I've driven a few different cars for work recently so I may be getting mixed up with another, but I think I am right in saying the Formentor we had a message pop up when the door was opened saying something like 'engine switching off' which i only noticed when having reversed into a space i wanted to check how far I was from the curb. With it being the Hybrid you couldnt hear the engine running of course, just nothing happened when you touched the accelerator

I started to type a rant against mighty manufacturers and insurance companies but decided it would be a futile exercise and deleted it all. We keep seeing some new stupid management decisions with every new model and it will never stop.

 

[Tell]

Ah but that's a Formentor, it furments ... some call it Tormentor but those were initial niggles. Its a bit like the NHS in England ... new ideas throw out one management team. Go onto a new one. Throw them out... repeat as required .

 

[Momochi]

KESSY, stop/start, lane assist, sub menus and all the rest of it - over the near last 12 months of owning my Leon I've unfortunately become tired of everything accessed by the touchscreen and the lack of buttons and switches to control things. I'm sorry to say that I don't see me owning it for much more than another year before going back to my true interest when it comes to my 'car of interest/hobby car - Mercs and BMWs from early 2000s to 2015. Additionally, despite being a very capable and good looking car, it also has no soundtrack and is quite soulless being a 4 pot after years of V6, straight 6 and V8 soundtracks. That's not the Leon's fault, but mine for maybe choosing a car that doesn't quite 'hit the spot' for me this time.

Unlike most people I, on contrary, quite happy with the modern touch screens replacing those physical buttons. I do understand it is a bit difficult to press on any particular button especially when cruising on a twisty B-road, but i do not find it too difficult once you have got used to it.

Definitely NO to the Volvos of the previous generation, with nearly 100 buttons in the central console alone

 

[Loadmaster748]

Unlike most people I, on contrary, quite happy with the modern touch screens replacing those physical buttons. I do understand it is a bit difficult to press on any particular button especially when cruising on a twisty B-road, but i do not find it too difficult once you have got used to it.

Definitely NO to the Volvos of the previous generation, with nearly 100 buttons in the central console alone

It's a strange situation, because if plod saw you holding your mobile phone whilst driving you'd be stopped and most likely nicked. However, giving all your attention to the car's touchscreen on the move appears to be fine.

 

[SRGTD]

It's a strange situation, because if plod saw you holding your mobile phone whilst driving you'd be stopped and most likely nicked. However, giving all your attention to the car's touchscreen on the move appears to be fine.

Agree, it is a strange situation. Clean lines of a switch-less, button-less interior is a very good example of form over function and IMHO is not only a driver distraction, but is dangerous. Fortunately, VAG seem to have bowed to customer demand and clicky switches as @Tell has called them earlier in this discussion topic are coming back!

On the few occasions I’ve used the touchscreen in my non-VAG car whilst on the move, I found it quite difficult (impossible?) to fully concentrate on the view ahead. Fortunately in my car, there are physical controls for the frequently used functions - e.g. HVAC, seat and steering wheel heating that I can operate by touch alone without diverting my eyes from the road ahead. I can - and have - also permanently switch off the nannying aids such as lane assist; the car remembers my preferences and they stay switched off so no need to go through the “pre-flight checks” at the start of each journey.

 

[serdar_18fr]

Fortunately, VAG seem to have bowed to customer demand and clicky switches as Tell has called them earlier in this discussion topic are coming back!

An effort too weak, probably just to calm down angry buyers a little bit. Physical climate controls are not coming back for example. I also don't buy "clean lines & simplicity" arguments. All cockpit designs are same now; they look empty, cheap and like no efforts were made to design something different.