MGS5 Emergency Key

[Just Jules]

Hi. Our early model MGS5 has the normal key and a metal key attached which I understand is the emergency key if the 12v battery fails. I’ve scanned the manual but can’t see any info on using, but I can see an aperture underneath the door handle. Can anyone confirm that’s where the key should be inserted?

 

[MG Clive]

Yes you'll insert the key blade into that slot under the handle, and use it to pop the red cover off to reveal a manual door lock for unlocking the door with the same key blade.

Similar to this on the MG4 >

 

[Just Jules]

Yes you'll insert the key blade into that slot under the handle, and use it to pop the red cover off to reveal a manual door lock for unlocking the door with the same key blade.

Similar to this on the MG4 >

Thank you. I didn’t realise the cover came off.

 

[Lovemyev]

When we were first shown our new S5 it was still wearing all of the factory shipping protection ( plastic seat covers etc ).
The colour coded lock protection cover, was missing from the drivers door.
When I pointed this out to the sales agent, he said that the cover will be in the glovebox, as they all come without the cover already fitted for shipping purposes.
It will be fitted when we do the PDI / final clean and polish, prior to delivery, which it was.
I think they leave the cover off, just in case the 12 battery runs low and they then can use the emergency blade to gain entry into the car.
If it had to be removed in transit, it would very likely be lost somewhere on route.
Replacing the missing cover is easy enough, but I would guess that the replacement is not colour coded, so a real faff having to paint a tiny cover every time one is lost.
I know the replacement external door handles are not colour coded as standard on the ZS EV, they are only supplied in primer finish.
Like many of the plastic parts, bumper covers / petrol / charging flaps etc ( if coloured ).

 

[brilig]

Nothing worse than to discover your MG is all dark and can’t be opened!

Do not despair. The 12 volt battery can still be got at using the emergency key, as we know, which of course is contained in the remote after pushing the small button on its side to open the handle retaining it.

Inserting this mechanical key into the small hole at the bottom of the cap beside the driver’ s door-handle will NOT release the cap by itself! One must carefully PRY the cap off by pulling the bottom of the inserted key carefully towards you, (The cap is hanging on two small plastic teeth at the top and a lip at the bottom). Insert the key into the door lock and turn 1/8 of a turn counter-clockwise. Now you’re in!

(btw: in England, if a “Trunk” is a “Boot” why isn’t a “Frunk” a “Froot”?)

 

[Ian Key]

Nothing worse than to discover your MG is all dark and can’t be opened!

Do not despair. The 12 volt battery can still be got at using the emergency key, as we know, which of course is contained in the remote after pushing the small button on its side to open the handle retaining it.

Inserting this mechanical key into the small hole at the bottom of the cap beside the driver’ s door-handle will NOT release the cap by itself! One must carefully PRY the cap off by pulling the bottom of the inserted key carefully towards you, (The cap is hanging on two small plastic teeth at the top and a lip at the bottom). Insert the key into the door lock and turn 1/8 of a turn counter-clockwise. Now you’re in!

(btw: in England, if a “Trunk” is a “Boot” why isn’t a “Frunk” a “Froot”?)

The mechanical key for the MGS5 is different to the MG4 in that it's a separate item and isn't contained within the fob.

If you have an MG4 its worth checking that there is a mechanical key in both fobs as some have been supplied with it in only one of them.

Also if you have a battery booster keep it in the car not the boot otherwise it will be difficult to get to. I keep mine in the storage bin under the centre arm rest.

 

[brilig]

The mechanical key for the MGS5 is different to the MG4 in that it's a separate item and isn't contained within the fob.

If you have an MG4 its worth checking that there is a mechanical key in both fobs as some have been supplied with it in only one of them.

Also if you have a battery booster keep it in the car not the boot otherwise it will be difficult to get to. I keep mine in the storage bin under the centre arm rest.

thanks for this. I hope my next car will be the S5! I DID find an extra key on my second remote. I keep my booster under the passenger seat to leave my rubbish bin free! =

 

[tsedge]

The mechanical key for the MGS5 is different to the MG4 in that it's a separate item and isn't contained within the fob.

If you have an MG4 its worth checking that there is a mechanical key in both fobs as some have been supplied with it in only one of them.

Yes, I agree and I ended up with only one mechanical key in mine.

 

[Lovemyev]

Because the emergency blade is not storable inside the fob on the S5 model, as it is on the ZS EV this makes it more liable to be lost, I think.
The S5 fob is a nice design ( it’s the same fob as the Cyberster ) but lacks the facility to store the emergency blade internally.
Typical case of design over function here I think.
Having the blade separate means you have to carry it with you of course, but it looks a bit untidy and a bit of a Heath Robison solution.
You can imagine the head of design saying this ;-
“Well done, really nice pear drop design for the fob, but where do we store the emergency blade ?”.
Aarrhhhh….. Crap, never thought about that one .

 

[emmrecs]

Because the emergency blade is not storable inside the fob on the S5 model

But it is (storable inside the fob)! In fact, for me, it was in the fob from the day I collected the car.

As suggested in an earlier post to this thread, if you press the silver button on the rear of the fob, the top (thin end) opens and there is space to store the blade within the fob there!

HTH.

 

[Lovemyev]

But it is (storable inside the fob)! In fact, for me, it was in the fob from the day I collected the car.

As suggested in an earlier post to this thread, if you press the silver button on the rear of the fob, the top (thin end) opens and there is space to store the blade within the fob there!

HTH.

Thank you I will check !.
Both of my blades were not installed in the fobs on collection day, but the cap on the door was removed when we first seen the car in its delivery protection gear.
So the blade had been used, maybe the blades should have been installed inside the fobs as part of the PDI ?.
Aarrrhhhh…… So that explains why that will be a NO then .

 

[Alb]

I think it depends on whether you have a Type B or C key. They are identical externally but it looks like the Type C can store the blade whilst the Type B cannot.

 

[Lovemyev]

I think it depends on whether you have a Type B or C key. They are identical externally but it looks like the Type C can store the blade whilst the Type B cannot.
View attachment 41395

100% correct .
I removed the cover from my teardrop key fob and there is NO space to store the emergency blade inside.

Here is a photo taken from the Cyberster handbook that shares the same fob as ours for the S5.

 

[emmrecs]

With my key fob there is no need to remove the back cover!

The first image shows my fob. Having pressed the silver button the top (silver, where the fob can be attached to a key ring) will separate, as shown.

The second image shows my Emergency Key partly slotted into the space for it inside the fob.

HTH!

 

[Alb]

I think it answers one of the basic questions.
Lack of stowage space on the Type B was obviously recognised as a mistake so the modified Type C was introduced.
They had already produced so many of the Type B they decided to use them regardless so I'd assume that later cars would automatically get the Type C.
It would be quite nice if you could get the modified outer case on its own so you could swap the internals.

 

[Lovemyev]

With my key fob there is no need to remove the back cover!

The first image shows my fob. Having pressed the silver button the top (silver, where the fob can be attached to a key ring) will separate, as shown.

The second image shows my Emergency Key partly slotted into the space for it inside the fob.

HTH!

View attachment 41402View attachment 41403

Thanks for posting your findings.
I have check both of our fobs and the silver push button is totally fixed, it has no release mechanism.
It looks like that the fob on latter built cars have a modified fob to allow the blade to be installed internally.
Now I think about it, I did mention the fact that I thought that having the emergency blade outside of the fob was both untidy and a step backwards in relation to the fob on the ZS EV’s.
He agreed and said that he had read somewhere, that MG was looking at address the issue as a mod ?.
Not sure is this is true, but it would be nice to see if the case old be replaced at the time of the first service maybe .

 

[Ian Key]

He agreed and said that he had read somewhere, that MG was looking at address the issue as a mod ?.
Not sure is this is true, but it would be nice to see if the case old be replaced at the time of the first service maybe .

I emailed MG customer service about this yesterday. Here is their reply:

Good afternoon ,

Thank you for contacting MG Motors UK.

I recommend contacting your local MG dealership to see if this is possible for you.

I have included a link to our website that can help you locate your local MG dealership via a postcode:

Find your nearest MG dealer

With our simple-to-use tool, you can locate your nearest MG dealer.

www.mg.co.uk

Thank you,

I think I'll do the same as you and ask when it goes for its first service.

 

[Alb]

What a thoroughly unhelpful reply