Why does Ford do this? (disable remote start when service soon active)

[robinlanark]

With my 2016 Limited I get the feeling that Ford is lacking in respect of customers in general. Horn honks loudly when I step out of the car while it's running. Intelligent access key (with new batteries and recent cleaning with alcohol) cannot be seen by vehicle, and suggestion was to buy a new one. Horn goes off with some notifications. Seriously, why can't I disable this baloney if I want?

Latest feeling comes from reading the manual and seeing this:

"The remote start system does not work if:
...
• The service engine soon light is on."
So maybe I'm wrong and there is a valid reason to tell me, no, I can't remote start my vehicle because I've been bad and I am too close to a maintenance check. Help me understand that Ford doesn't think their drivers are all under 12 years old.

 

[Ironworker40]

It isn't just Ford, Gm 's do this also. I agree it's stupid.

 

[peterk9]

With my 2016 Limited I get the feeling that Ford is lacking in respect of customers in general. Horn honks loudly when I step out of the car while it's running. Intelligent access key (with new batteries and recent cleaning with alcohol) cannot be seen by vehicle, and suggestion was to buy a new one. Horn goes off with some notifications. Seriously, why can't I disable this baloney if I want?

Latest feeling comes from reading the manual and seeing this:

"The remote start system does not work if:
...
• The service engine soon light is on."
So maybe I'm wrong and there is a valid reason to tell me, no, I can't remote start my vehicle because I've been bad and I am too close to a maintenance check. Help me understand that Ford doesn't think their drivers are all under 12 years old.

As I mentioned in a reply to your post in another thread, the grease on the fob batteries and circuit board is there for a reason and should NOT be cleaned off as stated in the manual. It is a dielectric grease that helps in conductivity.
There are many articles on the condition of the remote start being disabled if a CEL is present. Presumably, it is to prevent possible damage to the engine. This isn't just a Ford thing as mentioned.

Google Search

www.google.com

Peter

 

[robinlanark]

As I mentioned in a reply to your post in another thread, the grease on the fob batteries and circuit board is there for a reason and should NOT be cleaned off as stated in the manual. It is a dielectric grease that helps in conductivity.
There are many articles on the condition of the remote start being disabled if a CEL is present. Presumably, it is to prevent possible damage to the engine. This isn't just a Ford thing as mentioned.

Google Search

www.google.com

Peter

Thanks, Peter. And others on the other thread have said otherwise re the grease so I'll resort to trying other ways of finding solutions.

And I didn't realise the service engine soon light was a check engine light. I thought it was a reminder, but I guess some causes of the CEL coming on would not want the vehicle started.