Community Chat

[fthunt]

I use a key ring/chain for my car & house key. Also on that is a small luggage type tag  that holds my telephone number and REWARD word - so if dropped in parking lot or elsewhere - the finder can call me.

The keys are of no good to him/her - but the $$ is.

No home address - just tele to contact me.

[patbz]

I found that batteries in a pair of fobs usually go at about the same time so recently I've started replacing both of them annually.  I get mine done at O'Reilly's, so they actually open the fobs and put in the batteries.  Btw when you get a code on your dash that something is wrong, I go to them ( before the dealer) to check out what is wrong ( frequently someone hasn't screwed in gas cap correctly).  They fix it for free.  Learned that after I got charged $90 at Dealer for diagnostics to tell me same thing.  Car dealers are worse than airlines for milking you for extra charges!  I've owned over twenty cars over the years (2-3 at a time) so a I've seen a lot and learned a lot.

[caroln242]

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@fthunt wrote:

Reading all the postings is interesting..........for a GM car I have OnSTAR as my protection.  They can unlock your door and start the engine if key is lost.

Also, if car is stolen and on the run.....they can knock out the engine - - and locate you if you're in a ditch.

I know it isn't for everyone....but  it's my security blanket when alone.

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I also have a GM car which came with OnSTAR.  When the trial ran out, I lost the "perk" of having them unlock the car for me, so I had an extra key made for $90.00 which I keep in a safe place in case I lock myself out.

[DJs mom]

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@Desertdi wrote:

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@novamc1 wrote:

Refer to your owner's manual for instructions on starting the car when the remote battery is dead.

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@novamc1    The BIG CHALLENGE is getting into a locked car......(I know there is an emergency "key" inside the fob).....but you need a screwdriver to get to it.....then you have to figure out how to get to the slot UNDER the door handle.......

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@Desertdi I don't need a screwdriver to reach my emergency key. I push a tab and pull and there's the key. 

[Desertdi]

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@DJs mom wrote:

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@Desertdi wrote:

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@novamc1 wrote:

Refer to your owner's manual for instructions on starting the car when the remote battery is dead.

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@novamc1    The BIG CHALLENGE is getting into a locked car......(I know there is an emergency "key" inside the fob).....but you need a screwdriver to get to it.....then you have to figure out how to get to the slot UNDER the door handle.......

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@Desertdi I don't need a screwdriver to reach my emergency key. I push a tab and pull and there's the key. 

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@DJs mom  @shoesnbags    Dunno.......I drive a "muscle car".....and the directions vary by model year.    

[shoesnbags]

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@Kachina624 wrote:

I don't put my key in the lock, just press the unlock button and it also has a battery.  It's a 2003 SUV with 55,000 miles.  Put the key in the ignition. 

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@Kachina624 

Now I'm confused.  Your hardware store has replacement keys that will unlock your car when you press the button?  I thought that kind had to be programmed at the dealership to match your car's electronics.

I had to pay $$$ to replace the key fob to my 2016 Toyota RAV4 when I lost my keys.

[shoesnbags]

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@fthunt wrote:

Reading all the postings is interesting..........for a GM car I have OnSTAR as my protection.  They can unlock your door and start the engine if key is lost.

Also, if car is stolen and on the run.....they can knock out the engine - - and locate you if you're in a ditch.

I know it isn't for everyone....but  it's my security blanket when alone.

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I don't see how this helps if your keys are permanently lost. (mine were)  You still need a new key or key fob and for most of us that has cost a pretty penny.

[shoesnbags]

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@Jaspersmom wrote:

I don't know if most people know this (I didn't), but if you slide your key fob, there's an actual key inside.  It's there in case the fob doesn't work for some reason (ex. - battery dies).  My mechanic was the one who told me about it.  You'd think the dealer would have informed me of that.  By the way, when traveling, it's a good idea to take both key fobs with you just in case you lose one.  I keep one in my handbag and another in a separate location that I still have easy access to ICE.  I sometimes travel great distances alone and a fear I always have is I'll get stranded at a rest stop.  

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@Jaspersmom 

Good to point that out for the posters who are unaware!  I knew about it because I'm one of those people who actually reads the owner's manual when I get a new car.  But knowing that didn't help when I lost my entire key ring.

[shoesnbags]

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@Desertdi wrote:

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@novamc1 wrote:

Refer to your owner's manual for instructions on starting the car when the remote battery is dead.

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@novamc1    The BIG CHALLENGE is getting into a locked car......(I know there is an emergency "key" inside the fob).....but you need a screwdriver to get to it.....then you have to figure out how to get to the slot UNDER the door handle.......

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@Desertdi 

My RAV4 fob has a button to push and the emergency key just slides out. It fits into a key slot in the door.

[DJs mom]

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@shoesnbags wrote:

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@Desertdi wrote:

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@novamc1 wrote:

Refer to your owner's manual for instructions on starting the car when the remote battery is dead.

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@novamc1    The BIG CHALLENGE is getting into a locked car......(I know there is an emergency "key" inside the fob).....but you need a screwdriver to get to it.....then you have to figure out how to get to the slot UNDER the door handle.......

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@Desertdi 

My RAV4 fob has a button to push and the emergency key just slides out. It fits into a key slot in the door.

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As does my Nissan Rogue