A little while ago a question was posted about a way to switch the car to accessory mode while the car was running.

There was some discussion and I posted (after I had only had my car a couple of days) my experiences... The behaviour I described didn't seem to work for everyone.

Well, after living with the car (SH-AWD Elite) for a couple of months I can describe the behaviour more completely. It actually behaves both the ways described in the original thread.

Scenario 1:
1. Car stopped, but with engine running.
2. Transmission in Drive.
3. Press the ignition switch.

The car will shift to park, and the engine will shut off and the car will be in accessory mode. (Radio continues to play etc.)

Scenario 2:
1. Pull up to a stop (ie. into a parking spot)
2. with the Transmission in Drive.
3. Idle stop turns off the engine.
4. Press the ignition switch.

The transmission will shift to park, and the ignition will turn off completely.

I hope this clears up some of the mystery about this, but I am still willing to believe that there is different behaviours based on CAN/US or trim level.

later...

 

What about for the I4?

 

In your scenario 1 is the car really in accessory mode? IIRC (I have '12 by the way) when you turn off the car it retains power for 10 minutes or until a door is opened.

 

Can't help you there... v6 powah!

 

All I can tell you it is in "accessory mode" as that is what it says in the MID...

 

As I said, I have a '12 so I will defer to you.

 

Very useful. Just to perhaps build on this:

In your Scenario 1, the parking brake will also engage, but only if you have enabled Brake Hold.

Related to Scenario 2, if the car is running and you put it in park and then shut it off, the car will shut off completely. Again, the Parking Brake will only engage automatically if you have Brake Hold on.

 

This works for me when i need 'uninterrupted' access to accessory mode ( the normal park / poweroff turns everything off).

Keep in mind that I have a RLX PAWS w/ the 'conventional' 6AT; this may / may not work in your ZF- or DCT-equipped cars...

Come to a stop where you want to park the car. I use my parking brake most of the time...I'd recommend to the v6 owners, at least
If you need to maneuver in the space w/ D or R, go right ahead.
When done, Shift to N (instead of 'P')
Hit the power button
In your MID, you'll see a message to 'shift to park' (as an orange 'warning' type message. Go ahead - you'll maintain uninterrupted accessory power.

Hope this helps...i often have a use / need for it.

 

This is what I do if I am on the phone when I pull into my driveway, and don't want to transfer the call from bluetooth to my phone itself. We are basically engaging car wash mode, but with the parking brake engaged, or your foot on the brake.