Waking up the 987.2 after 7 + days?

[911hillclimber]

Just watched a UK video on YouTube about waking up the sleeping boxster/Cayman 987.2 using 2 methods.
1
Try the key fob, no action, car asleep.
Insert key, and retract without turning. Try key fob, it all works, CDL opens the car etc.
2
Try the key fob, no action, car asleep.
Lift door handle (driver's side) and release.
Try key fob, all works, CDL etc opens the car.

Rather than wait 6 days for mine to fall asleep to test, do the above work?

 

[Steve Brown]

Certainly the 2nd does. Have never tried the first as the 2nd is so convenient.

 

[AndrewT]

I use method 2, but when I know the car hasn’t been used for 7 days or so I don’t use the key fob first, I just lift the handle and then use the fob. Well, that’s what my memory thinks I do .

 

[tscaptain]

Yes, same on the 997. Simply lift the handle first.

 

[987Phil]

Wow, I did not know about this “sleep” mode as I don’t think it’s mentioned in the handbook* but I’ve certainly experienced my car sleeping and gone into half panic thinking the car battery was flat, and all the following rigmarole required to open the bonnet. I think in my panic I’ve pressed unlock a few times and then tried the handle in some naive view that maybe it did unlock and I just did not hear it. As such, it seems I did the right thing but by luck rather than by plan.

Thank you 911HillClimber for posting this as I don’t think I’d ever know without this !!

And whilst on this topic, anyone got a view about how long you can leave a car before the battery does go flat ? I know the answer is “it depends” and battery age etc will impact things, but comments of how long people leave their cars would already give me a little reassurance. Currently when I get to about 7 days I become concerned, but with work / travel / weather it’s not always possible to drive as often as I would like.

*off to go check now !

 

[Motorhead]

Graham,

The Driver’s Manual says:

1. Unlock the driver’s door with the key at the door lock. Leave the door closed in order to prevent the alarm system from being triggered.

2. Press button 1 (central locking) on the remote control. The remote control is now activated again.

I seem to recall when I purchased my car back in 2009 this was the only option, but at some stage - presumably owing to an update at one of the services - method 2 was activated. Like Andrew and Alan I just lift the handle if the remote control doesn’t work.

Jeff

 

[Motorhead]

Wow, I did not know about this “sleep” mode as I don’t think it’s mentioned in the handbook

Phil,

Check page 12 of the Driver’s Manual: The remote control standby function switches off after 7 days

Jeff

PS: If possible it’s advisable to leave the battery on a maintenance charger like that available from CTEK if you’re leaving the car unattended for a period of time, but you should be OK for a couple of weeks provided the battery is in tip-top condition.

 

[911hillclimber]

Thanks all for the input.

In the past years with my car I've found it in sleep mode, and by chance all the fiddling about with the key and button the car unlocked and all was well.

during the winter, the car (that sleeps outside no matter what) can go beyond the 7 days, and this sleep mode is part of the car's strategy to save battery life.

I thought I had tried the manual described method last time and it did not work! 3 hours later the bonnet was open via the tiny pull cord in the NS front wheel arch.

If you took your Boxster to the airport for 2 week holiday, wonder what the car would do?

Be asleep but flat??

Cannot believe Posrche would have a car that has a flat battery after 2 weeks?

It would be awkward to get a lead to the car on my drive to run a conditioner, so at the mercy of the car's system.

I'll leave the car now for 8 days, next Friday, and see if the fob works.

If not will lift the handle and see. If that fails the key in the door and turn to unlock and try the fob.

Fingers crossed.

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

Always worth checking that the key actually works the door lock. There have been plenty of cases where the door lock mechanism has been replaced, and the key barrel hasn't engaged in the lock when it has been fitted. If the battery goes flat, there is no way to unlock the door.

 

[987Phil]

Thanks Jeff as I’d missed this previously but as you say, it is in the manual. And I agree being on a CTEK would be good, but like Graham, my car “sleeps outside”

@Richard you are right, checking the key is always a good idea else you end up taking the wheel off like Graham…. Although as the locking key for the wheel bolts is typically also in the car you are kind of in trouble ! (until a call to RAC etc with their “skeleton“ wheel keys)

As my car is “new to me“ I might just get the battery changed anyway to give a little extra reassurance for sub £200

 

[911hillclimber]

As it is a sunny day, and the Boxster has been untouched for 10 days I thought I would wake it up.

Tried the key fob, nothing, sound asleep.

Lifted the door handle fully, released it and waited a few seconds for things to hopefully happen.

Tried the key fob and the car unlocked perfectly and started a dream.

So, for me that is the sure way to wake the car up.

Thought this would help a few on here.

Road trips very soon!!