So, Took the 16 to a bonfire and I was in charge of music. I could not get the radio to play for more than say 10 minutes (or 1.5 beers) before the radio shut off. I'm sure its a safety feature to eliminate a dead battery but if someone knows a work around please advise.

I had the key turned one click which in previous vehicles would allow the radio to play until shut off.

No one likes a quiet bonfire!

 

You can just push the volume button in to turn the radio on with key off

 

Your best bet is a boom box. The radio will continue to turn off to save battery.

 

Making value changes via FORScan in the APIM module can give you up to 60 minutes of extended stereo play.

 

That's for the 15's the 16+ I thought should come with it.. Not sure on the 16+ ones but on my 15 I have to open the drivers door first to get it to turn on.

 

Previous responses are dead on. In short, these vehicles have a nice big bright screen that comes on with your radio. It sucks power. Therefore, the old days of playing your radio for hours while you work on your vehicle, or sit by a bonfire, are gone.

Either buy a boom box, or enjoy the peaceful snap and crackle of the fire.

 

I was able to make the FORScan value changes to the APIM module to extend stereo play on my 2017.

 

Yes the 16+ does turn on without the key but times out in 10 minutes as the OP said. You can change this in forscan and I set mine to 60 minutes. Not sure what the max is. The display will also go to dark mode shortly after turning the stereo on.:

 

OK that makes sense.. From my testing last year 60 minutes is the longest I was able to get..

Interesting that your display goes dark, but as I use the longer time out mostly to have a longer time to program all the yard sales my wife wants to go to into the navigation,( do wish it would hold more waypoints ). I turn down the radio and type in addresses... So glad it stays active if using it.. I'll have to let it sit and see if it goes dark..

 

Guess i should of said night mode and it stays that way while navigating menus. Not sure what mft does.