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We went look at some cars today and we discovered the hard way that Ford's power seats do not work unless the car is on. Anyone see this with any other makes? Most makes we've seen allow the power seats to work even with car off. This is an issue with us because my wife is 4 feet 11 inches tall. If she has to drive my future car, I can't get into the car at all without moving the seat. When I have to drive her car, I can't get into the driver's seat at all. She raises the seat all the way up and lowers the steering wheel all the way down to allow her to see over the dashboard.
The memory seat selection works without the ignition on or power on in the Lexus we have. I just press the memory setting and the seat adjusts to that setting before I ever get in the driver's seat.
Hmm. Which Ford? I can attest that the new Escape (2013) I drove this weekend has memory function w/o vehicle running. That being said, some brands do only have the "memory" function operating w/o engine on.
This was in the Fusion and Taurus. Don't know about the memory feature. I just tried to use the power seat control to adjust the seat and it didn't move.
What models were these and were they new cars or used cars? (edit: you answered that, yes the seats should move without the key in the ingnition. I've driven both with power seats.) I've driven plenty of new Ford/Lincoln cars with power seats and they definitely work without the key in the ignition. If these were all new cars, it could be that they haven't been properly programmed by the dealership yet. For instance, a lot of new Ford's with power seats also have seat memory and the "return" function (seat goes all the way down and back to aid ingress/egress). If these aren't properly setup the seat may not move until they are. Also, did you unlock the cars with the remote, or were they just open on the lot? If you don't unlock the car with the remote the anti-theft system won't power the accessories and the car is "dead" until you put the key in the ignition.
FWIW, in the hundreds of different cars I have driven from all different brands, I've never driven one where the power seat couldn't be moved unless the key was in the ignition.
What models were these and were they new cars or used cars? (edit: you answered that, yes the seats should move without the key in the ingnition. I've driven both with power seats.) I've driven plenty of new Ford/Lincoln cars with power seats and they definitely work without the key in the ignition. If these were all new cars, it could be that they haven't been properly programmed by the dealership yet. For instance, a lot of new Ford's with power seats also have seat memory and the "return" function (seat goes all the way down and back to aid ingress/egress). If these aren't properly setup the seat may not move until they are. Also, did you unlock the cars with the remote, or were they just open on the lot? If you don't unlock the car with the remote the anti-theft system won't power the accessories and the car is "dead" until you put the key in the ignition.
FWIW, in the hundreds of different cars I have driven from all different brands, I've never driven one where the power seat couldn't be moved unless the key was in the ignition.
These were in the show room with doors already unlocked.
These were in the show room with doors already unlocked.
Not sure how ford does it. But I am sure they have some sort of body control module(bcm)
Basically a cabin systems computer, I bet if you activate anything with the keyless remote the it will allow you to power the seats. Similar to if I shut my 2000 camaro off, radio and power Windows all work, as soon as I open the driver door, it cuts power. As it is sequnced in.
These were in the show room with doors already unlocked.
That's why then. When the cars sit unlocked like that, they go into a power saving mode and "sleep". They only "wake up" when the remote is used or the key is placed in the ignition. You will find many other cars sitting in showrooms have the same issue or even straight up dead batteries. I can assure you that when you actually use it normally the power seats function just like they do on any other car.
FWIW, I highly recommend getting one with the memory seat/mirror function. My wife and I have very different seating positions and it's a great feature. On the new Fords (and many other brands) they are tied not just to the button on the door, but also the remote used to unlock the car, so hit the button and your seat is already set before you even open the door. Many of the Fords also have the return function where the seat drops all the way back and down and then moves to the memory position when you put the key in to start the car (this can be turned on or off based on personal preference for each driver).
That's why then. When the cars sit unlocked like that, they go into a power saving mode and "sleep". They only "wake up" when the remote is used or the key is placed in the ignition. You will find many other cars sitting in showrooms have the same issue or even straight up dead batteries. I can assure you that when you actually use it normally the power seats function just like they do on any other car.
FWIW, I highly recommend getting one with the memory seat/mirror function. My wife and I have very different seating positions and it's a great feature. On the new Fords (and many other brands) they are tied not just to the button on the door, but also the remote used to unlock the car, so hit the button and your seat is already set before you even open the door. Many of the Fords also have the return function where the seat drops all the way back and down and then moves to the memory position when you put the key in to start the car (this can be turned on or off based on personal preference for each driver).
If we can afford it, we're getting the memory feature. I know it seems to take forever to get highly adjustable power seats to the perfect setting. Then when you take it to the shop or car wash the seat settings are all messed up.
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