2021 McLaren GT Keys and Smart Key Setup 

The 2021 McLaren GT is a breathtaking example of automotive excellence, fusing luxury and high-performance engineering in a seamless manner. This supercar is distinguished by its advanced key and clever key technology, among its other innovative features. In this introduction, we will examine the 2021 McLaren GT’s key and smart key system, highlighting how it enhances convenience, security, and the overall driving experience. The keys to the 2021 McLaren GT are more than just a means to start the engine; they are a portal to a world of unmatched automotive sophistication. These keys were meticulously designed to compliment the sleek and aerodynamic appearance of the automobile. Even before entering the vehicle, the exterior of the key fob is crafted from premium materials that match the opulent interior and emanate an aura of exclusivity. In conclusion, the keys and smart key system of the 2021 McLaren GT epitomize the combination of performance and luxury that characterizes this remarkable supercar. They provide a seamless and secure way to activate, start, and personalize your driving experience, exemplifying the innovative technology and meticulous attention to detail for which McLaren is renowned. Whether you’re a performance devotee or a luxury connoisseur, the 2021 McLaren GT unlocks a world of automotive excellence.

Keys

Keyless entry
Keyless entry allows the user to unlock and disarm the vehicle by simply opening the door when the key fob is within 1.2 m (3 ft 11 in) of the sensors. The key fob needs only to be on the user’s person or in a non-metallic container such as a bag. It does not need to be exposed or handled.
Five sensors detect where the key fob is around the vehicle.

Right-hand drive models

Left-hand drive models

1. Front in-vehicle sensor
2. Driver’s door sensor
3. Rear in-vehicle sensor
4. Passenger’s door sensor
5. Passenger’s footwell sensor

Key fob entry
Your McLaren includes two remote control key fobs. The key fob allows you to remotely lock and unlock the vehicle.

NOTE: To prevent theft, only use the key fob in the immediate vicinity of the vehicle.

The key fob locks and unlocks the following:

• The doors
• The luggage compartment
• The fuel filler flap
• The centre console stowage compartment
• The glove box

To unlock the vehicle, using the key fob, press the unlock button. The front, rear and side direction indicators (market-specific) flash twice and the anti-theft alarm system will be deactivated.
The unlock button operation changes depending on whether the Driver’s door or Both doors is selected in the vehicle settings (see Door unlock.

Warning: The key fob allows the engine to be started and is also used to activate other features on the vehicle.
Take the key fob with you, every time you leave the vehicle.

NOTE: Do not expose the key fob to high levels of electromagnetic radiation. Doing so may cause it to function incorrectly. For example, close proximity to laptops, tablets, personal media players, or mobile phones.

Unlock Button	Outcome
Single Press	If Both doors is selected, a single press of the button unlocks both doors. If the Driver’s door is selected, a single press of the button unlocks the driver’s door. A second press (after a pause) unlocks the passenger’s door.
Double Press	If Both doors is selected, a double press of the button unlocks both doors and unlatches the driver’s door. If the Driver’s door is selected, a double press of the button will unlock and unlatch the driver’s door only.

Stowing the key fob
For security, it is recommended that the key fob stays on your person when you are in the vehicle. If, however, you wish to stow the key fob within the vehicle, ensure that it is not left in plain view.

NOTE: If the message ‘Key not found within vehicle’ appears on the Folding Driver Display, reposition the key fob until it is detected.

NOTE: Do not stow the key fob in the centre console stowage compartment, in the cup holders, in the stowage nets between the seats, in the door stowage compartments, or on the shelf immediately behind the seats as the system may not detect its presence and the engine will not start.

Discharged battery
If you experience a fully discharged battery, the vehicle can still be opened using the mechanical key, see Unlocking – discharged battery.

Opening a door

1. Press the button (1) firmly to unlock and unlatch the door.
   NOTE: The keyless entry feature requires the key fob to be within 1.2 m (3 ft 11 in) of the sensors.
   Warning: Always stand to the rear of the door before opening it, as the opening action may cause injury. The speed which the door opens will be affected by ambient temperature.
   NOTE: Because the door opens outwards and then upwards, ensure sufficient side and overhead clearance before opening a door, see vehicle dimensions.
2. If keyless entry is used, the front, rear and side direction indicators (market-specific) will flash twice, and the anti-theft alarm system will be deactivated.
3. The door latch will then release, the mirrors will unfold if folded and the door will be allowed to be partially raised before it automatically swings outwards and upwards.
   NOTE: On Spider models, when the door is opened, the window will lower slightly. It will raise to the closed position once the door is shut. If the window does not lower, for example, due to a discharged battery or freezing temperatures, take care when opening and closing the door. Do not force the door during opening or closing, as this could lead to the door seals or window becoming damaged.

NOTE: A sustained, long press and hold on the unlock button will automatically lower the windows. The windows will continue to lower until the unlock button is released or the windows reach a predetermined level. See Hot Evac.

NOTE: If the vehicle is unlocked using the key fob but the doors or luggage compartment are not opened, the vehicle will relock after 30 seconds.

Locking a door

1. Close the door. See Closing a door.
2. To lock the vehicle using the key fob, press the lock button. The front, rear and side direction indicators (market-specific) flash in a rapid, circular sequence around the vehicle. The anti-theft alarm system is activated.
3. If using the keyless entry feature, press the touch-sensitive switch (1) located within the side duct.
   NOTE: The keyless entry feature requires the key fob to be within 1.2 m (3 ft 11 in) of the sensors.
   NOTE: The lock switch will recognize a single press.
   NOTE: The lock switch is touch-activated. There is no mechanical travel or audible feedback when pressed.
   NOTE: A sustained, long press and hold on the lock switch will automatically raise the window(s). The window(s) will continue to raise until fully closed.
4. The direction indicators flash to indicate that the anti-theft alarm system is activated.
   NOTE: On Spider models, when the door is opened the door glass will lower slightly to avoid contact with other parts of the vehicle. When the door is closed the glass will raise to the closed position automatically. If for any reason the door glass does not raise it is likely that the system has sensed a “trap” event. This can be caused by debris in the glass channel or misalignment of the glass. Ensure there are no obvious signs of debris in the glass channel, and hold the lock button. The glass will raise providing the door is correctly closed and there are no obstructions preventing it from rising. If the glass does not close, or the glass repeatedly fails to automatically raise, contact your McLaren retailer.

Matlock

If either the doors or the luggage compartment lid are left open, or the key fob is still inside the vehicle, the horn will sound indicating a mislock when an attempt to lock the vehicle is made.
Check that the doors, the luggage compartment lid, the service cover and the tonneau cover (Spider models only) are all closed and that the roof is fully open or fully closed (Spider models only), then relock the vehicle.

NOTE: The vehicle can be locked or armed with the luggage compartment open. A long tone sounds to alert you to this condition and differs to the short tone sounded for door open/key fob in vehicle mislock. The luggage compartment will become alarmed as soon as the luggage compartment lid is closed. This allows you to connect a McLaren-supplied battery charger to the charging point in the luggage compartment whilst leaving the rest of the vehicle locked.

Individual settings
If you frequently travel without passengers, you can change the locking system so that only the driver’s door is unlocked (see Automatic door Locking page
If only the driver’s door has been configured to unlock, the passenger’s door can only be unlocked by either pulling the passenger’s door internal handle, pressing the unlock button on the key fob again or by unlocking the vehicle from the central locking button located on the dashboard.

Locking and unlocking from inside

1. Press the central locking button to lock the vehicle, the light in the button will illuminate to indicate that the vehicle is locked. A door can be opened from inside the vehicle.
2. Press the central locking button again to unlock the vehicle and the light in the button will be extinguished.

Opening a door from inside
A door can be opened from inside the vehicle at any time, even if it has been locked. Open the doors only if the vehicle is stationary and road and traffic conditions permit.

NOTE: Because the door opens outwards and then upwards, ensure sufficient side and overhead clearance before opening a door.

Pull door handle upwards, in the direction of the arrow, and push the door outwards until the opening mechanism takes over. The door will then swing outwards and upwards automatically.

NOTE: Unlocking the vehicle using the door handle while the key fob is not within the vehicle will activate the anti-theft system and may cause the alarm to sound.

Closing a door
Push or pull the door downward and ensure that it latches securely.

Warning: Keep hands and other objects clear of the door edge when closing. This is particularly important for vehicles fitted with soft-close latches as the door will automatically continue to the fully closed position when the first catch has engaged. There is no anti-trap feature preventing the door closing. if an item or body part is trapped between the door and the door aperture, serious injury and vehicle damage may occur.

NOTE: Do not force close the door, the door aperture or door seals could be damaged.
On Spider models, if the window does not close, this may be due to an anti-trap event. Try one of the following:

• Reopen and close the door
• Lock the vehicle using the lock switch in the side duct

In the event of continuous anti-trap events, press the lock switch (1) for a few seconds. The window will continue to raise until you remove your finger from the lock switch. Only attempt this if the above methods do not resolve the problem.

NOTE: Do not force the door closed; the door seals or window could be damaged.

Automatic locking
The doors and the luggage compartment lock automatically after the vehicle has driven away.

NOTE: The doors unlock automatically in an accident if the force of the impact exceeds a predetermined level.

The automatic locking function is selectable in the vehicle settings section of the Central Infotainment Touchscreen; see Automatic door locking.
If automatic locking is ON, the interior central locking button will illuminate once the vehicle locks on drive-away.

Front luggage compartment

WARNING: Do not exceed luggage compartment maximum load. See Vehicle weights.

NOTE: The luggage compartments will only open if the vehicle is stationary and neutral is selected.
A message will display on the driver Display if the luggage compartment is open when pulling away.

NOTE: When a luggage compartment is unlatched or open, gear selection will be inhibited. Press and hold D or R for 5 seconds to override this and select a gear if there is a need to maneuver the vehicle.

Warning: Only maneuver the vehicle at low speed if a luggage compartment is open or unlatched, as the driver’s view may become obscured.

Opening

Press the luggage release button on the key fob, the luggage compartment will fully unlock and open slightly.

Alternatively, press the door button or dashboard button to fully unlock and slightly open the luggage compartment.
Lift the front of the luggage compartment lid, the gas struts will support it in the fully open position.

Closing
Pull the luggage compartment lid down firmly and ensure that it is latched securely.

NOTE: Do not leave the key fob in the luggage compartment, as the vehicle may lock, and you may be locked out of the vehicle.

NOTE: If the vehicle had previously been locked, it will still be locked and the direction indicators will flash as the lid closes.

The luggage compartment will become alarmed as soon as the luggage compartment lid is closed.

NOTE: The vehicle can be locked/alarmed with the luggage compartment open. This will allow you to charge the battery while leaving the rest of the vehicle locked. A long tone sounds to alert you to this.

The luggage compartment’s internal release button

WARNING: Unsupervised children could lock themselves in an open luggage compartment and risk injury. Children should be taught not to play in or around the vehicle.
A mechanical luggage compartment internal release button is provided as a means of escape for children and adults in the event they become locked inside the luggage compartment.

The button is located in the luggage compartment area. The button is illuminated green when the car is awake and flashes when the vehicle is locked or shut down. This operation is completely independent of the ignition state. There are 2 modes to the button:

1. If the vehicle is in motion when the button is pressed, the primary latch releases to allow air to enter the luggage compartment but is prevented from opening by the secondary latch.
2. If the vehicle is stationary, both latches will be released to allow the occupant to exit the luggage compartment.

Rear luggage compartment

Warning: Do not exceed the luggage compartment maximum load. See Vehicle weights.
Warning: Do not carry unsecured objects inside the vehicle. Occupants could be injured by objects being thrown around during sharp braking, a sudden change of direction, or an accident. See Luggage retention.
Note: The luggage compartments will only open if the vehicle is stationary and neutral is selected.
A message will display on the Driver display if the luggage compartment is open when pulling away.
NOTE: When a luggage compartment is unlatched or open, gear selection will be inhibited. Press and hold D or R for 5 seconds to override this and select a gear if there is a need to maneuver the vehicle.
Warning: Only maneuver the vehicle at low speed if a luggage compartment is open or unlatched, as the drivers’ view may become obscured.
Note: Ensure that there is sufficient overhead clearance before opening the tailgate.

Opening

Press the luggage release button on the key fob, the luggage compartment will fully unlock and open slightly.

If your McLaren is equipped with a powered tailgate the tailgate will open automatically.

Alternatively, press the dashboard button to fully unlock and slightly open the luggage compartment.
Lift the rear of the tailgate, the gas struts will support it in the fully open position.
If your McLaren is equipped with a powered tailgate, the tailgate will open automatically.

Warning: Keep hands and other objects clear of the tailgate edge when closing.
On vehicles fitted with power-close functionality, the tailgate will automatically close and the anti-trap feature may not detect an object or body part preventing closure. Serious injury and damage to the vehicle may occur.

On vehicles fitted with soft close latches, the tailgate will automatically continue to the fully closed position when the first catch has engaged. There is no anti-trap feature preventing the tailgate from closing if an item or body part is trapped between the door and the door aperture, serious injury and vehicle damage may occur.

If your McLaren is equipped with a powered tailgate, push the close button and the tailgate will close automatically.
Alternatively, pull the luggage compartment lid down firmly and ensure that it is latched securely.

NOTE: Do not leave the key fob in the luggage compartment, as the vehicle may lock, and you may be locked out of the vehicle.
NOTE: If the vehicle had previously been locked, it will still be locked and the turn signals will flash as the tailgate closes.
NOTE: The power-close function can only be operated by the button on the tailgate.

The luggage compartment will become alarmed as soon as the tailgate is closed.
For more information about the rear luggage compartment, see Rear luggage compartment stowage.

FAQs