Beware of MGS5 emergency call button

[Joningy]

Having taken delivery of my new MGS5 only days ago and being unfamiliar with all the knobs buttons and whistles, I went to turn off the interior light and pressed the "SOS" EMERGENCY RESPONSE BUTTON which sits next to the interior light.

I was quite surprised when the emergency operator asked me which service I required.
The grandkids were with us, they thought it hilarious.

A genuine mistake, I wonder if this is happening often with newer cars, it was so easily done.

I wonder if the button should be placed elsewhere and not next to the front interior light, it does have a green LED to make it more visible.
I've since read pressing the phone button will cancel the call.

 

[Alb]

If you press it again immediately, the call will be cancelled.

 

[Joningy]

If you press it again immediately, the call will be cancelled.

Thanks @Alb, I did try that, it didn't work, because I wasn't aware of the correct procedure.
it just kept chuggin on to make the call.

According to AI
"To cancel the call if pressed in error, press the button again within 5 seconds to hear two beeps and confirm cancellation" it probably took me longer than 5 seconds to realise exactly what was happening.
I'll take a closer look at it, as I never intentionally pressed and held it (knowingly) for the required one second.

But IMHO, it's a design flaw to put the critical SOS button next to the interior light by the rear view mirror
The regular hazard warning button is better positioned on the dashboard, centrally below the Infotainment screen.

 

[Sandypuke]

Having taken delivery of my new MGS5 only days ago and being unfamiliar with all the knobs buttons and whistles, I went to turn off the interior light and pressed the "SOS" EMERGENCY RESPONSE BUTTON which sits next to the interior light.

I was quite surprised when the emergency operator asked me which service I required.
The grandkids were with us, they thought it hilarious.

A genuine mistake, I wonder if this is happening often with newer cars, it was so easily done.

I wonder if the button should be placed elsewhere and not next to the front interior light, it does have a green LED to make it more visible.
I've since read pressing the phone button will cancel the call.

Yes. This has just happened to me!! I’d no idea how I triggered the alarm and no idea how to switch it off. I think in the end the call just timed. I think the operator was not English though. I couldnt understand

 

[Ian Key]

Yes. This has just happened to me!! I’d no idea how I triggered the alarm and no idea how to switch it off. I think in the end the call just timed. I think the operator was not English though. I couldnt understand

You need to change the country in the settings. I can't remember just where but I'll have a look when I next get into the car.

There is also an option to set the rescue call country in the iSmart app. Scroll down to the bottom of the home page, tap Rescue Call, tap Switch Country. The number is for the breakdown service for that country, in the UK it's MG Assistance (AA)