bsky post:
"Today I learned, through an unfortunate chain of events, that it's possible to start a car with the keys on the roof, have the keys stay on the roof for five miles, ask "what's that clunk" as they fall off, continue for a further 20 miles, then find you can't lock your car and it won't restart."
>keyless ignition is one of the worst tech advances
Amen.
Remember those magnetic key boxes people used to hide a spare key in a fender well or under the car? We're going to need a modern-tech version with lead shielding to hide a spare smart key, hhh.
+
Hide-a-Key for keyless entry? : r/wingfoil
https://www.reddit.com/r/wingfoil/comments/1jt6j2o/hideakey_for_keyless_entry/
My car (Hyundai Tucson) does not start unless the key is in the driver's seat and someone is sitting in it.
I've actually tried to reach over from the passenger seat, hold the key in the driver's seat and start it (to get windows down and AC on for example while my wife who was driving was running to the bathroom or something). No go.
I've also tried to start the car while sitting in the driver's seat with the key in my bag in the passenger seat (because I forgot my key was in my running pack, for example). No go.
Most locations near the car are not sufficient to unlock it. In fact, if it's in your pocket and you are holding the handle, it often doesn't work and you have to move closer. If the key were in one of the classic hide-a-key locations like on one of the struts, it won't unlock the door. This happens all the time if the key is in the left pocket and I reach for the door handle with my right hand.
By contrast, if I actively push the lock or unlock button on the key fob, that will work from 100 feet away.
Meanwhile, my MIL's Buick Encore allowed her to accidentally drop the key in the back compartment while unloading groceries and lock her out. In other words, it allowed the hatch to open, but when closed again it relocked, but a key *inside* the back compartment will not allow you to unlock the hatch or the door. She had to get a ride home and come back with another key.
Because of my MIL's experience, we've tried as many combos as we can to lock the keys in the car, to start it with the keys on the roof, and so on. So far we have not been able to create a bad outcome.
Speaking of keys on the roof though.... I went for a backcountry ski and stupidly put my keys on the roof. My wife drove home. This was 70 miles of winding mountain roads. On Monday, I grabbed a spare key and drove to work. That was 17 miles on winding mountain roads. 34 RT. On Tuesday, another 34 RT. On Wednesday, I parked in the lower lot at work as was walking out to the car looking down on it from about 10 feet above and there were my keys on the roof, caught against the rail that the crossbars connect to.
>I've actually tried to reach over from the passenger seat
I've tried that with the Volvo's secondary key in my pocket. Didn't start. I suspect the Volvo may have some or all of the "in the driver's seat" requirements. I'll give it a try sometime.
I'd also sent this out to my daughters. One sent this back
My friend had the key in her purse. Her husband dropped her out with the kids and then ran to get gas. Couldn't start the car back up.
This can happen with our car, but you would have to ignore the big notice (2"x3"??) on the instrument panel by the speedometer that says, "Key not in vehicle" and tune out the obnoxious blaring alarm warning that goes along with that.
All in all, it would be harder to do this than it is to lock the key in the car with a keyed lock/ignition, but certainly possible
By the way, a tip for testing all the combos in your car without fear: roll down a window before testing combos just in case you do get locked out.
>"Key not in vehicle"
The 2024 & 2025 Volvos have that feature. PITA unless you need it.
>window
Good tip. If I get around to testing it, I'll do it in the driveway with the secondary key handy but just out of range. ....and also roll the window down.
>> PITA unless you need it.
True, but that also can be said of seat belts and blindspot warnings :-)