Pet mode / Internal Alarm Off

[ShEV]

Hi all,

I'm expecting my IM5 in the next couple of weeks, but I saw a post on another forum saying that there is no 'Pet Mode' - i.e. that you can;t leave a pet (or an elderely mother come to that) in the car with the doors locked without the alarm going off. This is a real issue for me as I mostly do my long trips alone and often with the dog on a hammock on the back seat - if I can't leave her in the car with it locked whilst I nip into the services, that's not going to make for an easy life!

I did check the manual and it does say it has Pet Mode, but i didn't check it when I did a test drive. Can anyone confirm whether it's possible to turn off the internal movement sensor and leave the car and lock it? Or is there some work around?

Thanks All...

 

[Sloucher]

"Pet Mode" does indeed get a mention (and that's all) in the manual along with "Nap Mode", but it seems we, in the UK at least, just get the "Nap Mode" and "Rainy Night Mode" which are configured from
'Scene Mode' on the App List

(third icon from the right on the central screen display )

 

[MikeJS]

Hi all,

I'm expecting my IM5 in the next couple of weeks, but I saw a post on another forum saying that there is no 'Pet Mode' - i.e. that you can;t leave a pet (or an elderely mother come to that) in the car with the doors look without the alarm going off. This is a real issue for me as I mostly do my long trips alone and often with the dog on a hammock on the back seat - if I can't leave her in the car with it lcked whilst I nip into the services, that's not going to make for an easy life!

I did check the manual and it does say it has Pet Mode, but i didn't check it when I did a test drive. Can anyone confirm whether it's possible to turn off the internal movement sensor and leave the car and lock it? Or is there some work around?

Thanks All...

There is no dedicated pet mode. Not seen a work around atm.

 

[ShEV]

I'm leasing my car and asked them if they could find out. they've asked and got this response from the branch supplying them:

"To temporarily switch off the interior alarm on your MG (like the iM5/MG4), lock the car with the fob, then immediately press the lock button a second time within 10 seconds, which deactivates the motion sensors for that lock cycle; you can also find a setting in the infotainment system under Vehicle Settings > Convenience to disable "Internal motion sensor" or "Rear occupant alert,".

I'm slightly sceptical as this looks like it's really for MG rather than IM, but if anyone's willing to try it and feedback, that would be helpful!

 

[MSvirus]

Never found anything under vehicle settings about this.

IM5/6 key fob has two buttons, one at the top for locking and unlocking and one at the back for tailgate. So pressing the "lock" button twice on this fob, will send the "unlock" signal. No button solely for "lock", as the one switches. So this can't be done.

 

[ShEV]

Never found anything under vehicle settings about this.

IM5/6 key fob has two buttons, one at the top for locking and unlocking and one at the back for tailgate. So pressing the "lock" button twice on this fob, will send the "unlock" signal. No button solely for "lock", as the one switches. So this can't be done.

Thanks for this - so it's dealer rubbish then

 

[Mikeupo]

Response from MG

It comes down to type approval. We decided not to include the feature in the UK market. As we type approved the car in this version (prior to launch), it means it cannot be added retrospectively, unless the car now goes through the same testing.



It may be something that becomes available on future models, however, it cannot be added now unfortunately.



It hasn’t been available in the UK market since the vehicle was launched.

 

[MSvirus]

Do UK have to obey the dictations from EU type approval?

This is terrible! Ok back to the app activation then, and hope that is enough for the dog. 3. party programming, anyone? Will pay for it.

 

[Mikeupo]

Do UK have to obey the dictations from EU type approval?

This is terrible! Ok back to the app activation then, and hope that is enough for the dog. 3. party programming, anyone? Will pay for it.

I am just confused how pet mode had been there originally according to some people.. It then being taken away in August time, but them saying it's never been available. I also do not understand why it cannot be added as its just software...... Tesla add things all the time, it's either a cop out or they have no clue as people have been informed different reasons as to why it's unavailable

 

[MSvirus]

I am just confused how pet mode had been there originally according to some people.. It then being taken away in August time, but them saying it's never been available. I also do not understand why it cannot be added as its just software...... Tesla add things all the time, it's either a cop out or they have no clue as people have been informed different reasons as to why it's unavailable

Weren't the ones that had pet mode, from outside Europe? Not sure what to approve tho. Seems silly to me.

 

[Mikeupo]

Weren't the ones that had pet mode, from outside Europe? Not sure what to approve tho. Seems silly to me.

Oh not too sure, I just remember someone saying it being on there car in August and then it disappears

 

[NikLiverpool]

MG are talking out of their ass on this one.
This can be released as an OTA. Tesla did this when they released pet mode.
Pet mode was released as an OTA in February 2019. This was before any Model 3s started being delivered in the UK.
BUT older Model S and Model X cars that were already in the UK received this through OTA. So I really do not understand where the problem is and what kind of testing or approval their talking about!

 

[NikLiverpool]

Oh not too sure, I just remember someone saying it being on there car in August and then it disappears

This was reported by Evets who is based in Thailand.

 

[ShEV]

Well it's also mentioned in the English language manual you can download from the UK MG site here: https://www.mg.co.uk/sites/default/files/2025-09/MG-IM5-Owner-Manual.pdf It's what reassured me that it would be OK.

 

[Mikeupo]

Well it's also mentioned in the English language manual you can download from the UK MG site here: https://www.mg.co.uk/sites/default/files/2025-09/MG-IM5-Owner-Manual.pdf It's what reassured me that it would be OK.

They also said manuals are general across the world and you cannot use that against them basically

 

[Mikeupo]

MG are talking out of their ass on this one.
This can be released as an OTA. Tesla did this when they released pet mode.
Pet mode was released as an OTA in February 2019. This was before any Model 3s started being delivered in the UK.
BUT older Model S and Model X cars that were already in the UK received this through OTA. So I really do not understand where the problem is and what kind of testing or approval their talking about!

Exactly! It's software, just send it over. Definitely talking out their arse, the more people that write a complaint, the better though

 

[MSvirus]

They also said manuals are general across the world and you cannot use that against them basically

Do that hold up in a courtroom? Then there should have been disclaimers about that items on the manual was for some areas right?

 

[LenEV2016]

Exactly! It's software, just send it over. Definitely talking out their arse, the more people that write a complaint, the better though

We are talking about a company that backtracked from recognising the x power vibration as a fault with a potential fix (as used in Australia) to calling it a characteristic of the car and providing no fix in the UK.
Complaint letters don't work with them, there is a group legal claim against them for the x power fault and last I heard they still had no joy and that was well over a year ago.

 

[NikLiverpool]

It's not the same company though right?
This is IM. If they want to establish premium presence then they will have to be more open and receptive to client feedback.
Otherwise and forget Tesla or European manufacturers, Zeekr, BYD, Polestar, Geely will have them for breakfast.

 

[ShEV]

Response from MG

It comes down to type approval. We decided not to include the feature in the UK market. As we type approved the car in this version (prior to launch), it means it cannot be added retrospectively, unless the car now goes through the same testing.



It may be something that becomes available on future models, however, it cannot be added now unfortunately.



It hasn’t been available in the UK market since the vehicle was launched.

I put a question into chat GPT about type approval implications. It does seem that a full-on pet mode might require some form of type test re-approval (but not a full one given it's an EV). However, I also asked it about providing a facility to turn off the internal alarms - which would actually be fine for me - the only reason I'd want to use pet mode is normally because I've stopped at the services - I'm unlikey to be gone long enough to need to worry about having AC running. The response on that is much clearer:

2. Is it allowed to let the user turn it off?​

Yes —​

UNECE R116 permits temporary deactivation of interior surveillance provided that:

1. The immobiliser remains active
2. The perimeter alarm (doors, bonnet, boot) remains active
3. The deactivation is intentional and user-initiated
4. The system automatically re-arms fully at the next locking cycle or ignition cycle

This allowance exists specifically for cases such as:

• Animals left in the car
• Ferry transport
• Vehicle movement on trains
• Car washes