diff --git a/Firmware/cardreader.cpp b/Firmware/cardreader.cpp
index d4fd92ed1..c23559c98 100644
--- a/Firmware/cardreader.cpp
+++ b/Firmware/cardreader.cpp
@@ -25,7 +25,6 @@ CardReader::CardReader()
    cardOK = false;
    saving = false;
    logging = false;
-   autostart_atmillis=0;
    workDirDepth = 0;
    file_subcall_ctr=0;
    memset(workDirParents, 0, sizeof(workDirParents));
@@ -39,7 +38,7 @@ CardReader::CardReader()
     WRITE(SDPOWER,HIGH);
   #endif //SDPOWER
   
-  autostart_atmillis=_millis()+5000;
+  autostart_atmillis.start(); // reset timer
 }
 
 char *createFilename(char *buffer,const dir_t &p) //buffer>12characters
@@ -619,7 +618,7 @@ void CardReader::checkautostart(bool force)
   {
     if(!autostart_stilltocheck)
       return;
-    if(autostart_atmillis<_millis())
+    if(autostart_atmillis.expired(5000))
       return;
   }
   autostart_stilltocheck=false;
diff --git a/Firmware/cardreader.h b/Firmware/cardreader.h
index 32a024529..d13caa08b 100644
--- a/Firmware/cardreader.h
+++ b/Firmware/cardreader.h
@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@ private:
   char filenames[SD_PROCEDURE_DEPTH][MAXPATHNAMELENGTH];
   uint32_t filesize;
   //int16_t n;
-  unsigned long autostart_atmillis;
+  ShortTimer autostart_atmillis;
   uint32_t sdpos ;
 
   bool autostart_stilltocheck; //the sd start is delayed, because otherwise the serial cannot answer fast enought to make contact with the hostsoftware.