wtf? what's with the giant car key fobs?
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I just bought my first "push button" car. Went back to a Toyota Rav 4 after 7 years with a Subaru Forester. Trying a new hybrid. It takes some getting used to.
What's the point of this giant car key fob? It's as big as a catcher's mitt and is a hassle to carry around in my pocket. So much bigger than the car key it replaced. Ya gotta reach for the button anyway, so why not insert a key into an ignition switch?
Plus some lady in exercise glass just showed me a special pouch that it is supposed to go into to avoid people stealing the electronic code.
Give me back the old technology. A simple metal key.
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Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Mice elf
It's so when you lose your
It's so when you lose your magical proprietary key they can charge you another thousand bucks
obviously
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Tim
They are made for taking acid
They are made for taking acid and driving, big buttons easier than some odd shaped metal key
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: billionyearoldcarbon
Cars don't need the same
Cars don't need the same technology as the Space Shuttle. It ends up costing a fortune when they break. I think the Toyota's and Honda's of the mid 1990's to around 2010 were the best we are ever going to get. Their longevity is legendary. Treat them well and you could get 300,000 to 400,000 out of them. Especially the Toyotas. There was enough technology to really increase gas efficiency and also safety (e.g. think antilocking brakes), but not so much technology regarding every aspect of the car (e.g. think electronic push button emergency brake). I drive a '95 Camry with 200K on it and it runs fantastic. Just have a f'ing car key, so nothing electronic to get hacked or break.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Alan R
you guys crack me up; so true
You guys crack me up; so true though. The dealer did say if you lose one of the two keys it is like 500 - 600 dollars to replace it. That's a travesty.
One other "bad" feature -- the fucking car tracks you and sells all the info to Toyota. It basically has its own cell phone built it for data transmission, ostensibly for "quality control." And SOS safety.
Well it's a shame we even need a carjacking alarm in the first place, which is probably what it is, because it you are in a crash that needs an SOS, you are probably dead anyway.
But its real purpose is to sell your data to your insurance company so they can base your rates on your driving habits. And to various law enforcement agencies.
All sounds fine an dandy til they activate the auto-governor speed limit switch to match the local speed limit signs. Or turn off your car when martial law is imposed?
I've started to research how you disable this device. But what if I'm carjacked or drive off a cliff?
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: MarkD
Not sure why your key is like
Not sure why your key is like that Alan. My last 3 cars(2 Prius's and my current Accord Hybrid) going back to 2005, have had key fobs that never leave my pocket. I don't even know what the buttons do anymore as the print has worn off.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Alan R
typo: "and sells all the info
typo: "and sells all the info to Toyota." I meant "sends" (you know what I meant). But I actually should be getting reimbursed for my data.
Like I said I mentioned I was always a Toyota guy before I switched to Subaru. I didn't like the Rav4 grill that year and got a Forrester instead. We still have an Outback.
Yep, it's a long way from my first car: a 1963 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Alan R
Mark, I'm a wallet and
Mark, I'm a wallet and keyring right front pocket guy. I only carry a few keys and a slim wallet. A minimalist.
I had a normal e-carkey with several buttons that was on the keyring just fine along with the house key, mailbox key, and mystery key, but this new fob one is thick and bulbous. If the whole point is to never have to take your key outta your pocket, why would I always want an enormous bulge in my pants? OOOhhhhhhhhh I get it........
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Briank
I bought a used car that came
I bought a used car that came with only one fob, which I lost in the snow one day.
I called the dealer and this was the only solution if you have just 1 fob: they tow the car to the dealership, then order an entire new starter system with fobs. They'd have the car for at least a week and it would cost about $1,200.
I went out in the snow with a shovel and retraced my walk with the dog, After about 2.5 hours I found the damn thing. I spent $275 on a second fob so that would never happen again, but ai chose not to spend the $150 on the little key that goes in the fob.
The thought of $1,200 and no car for a week, simply for a lost key, is stupid.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: _________
My Basic Rides with Keys !!
My Basic Rides with Keys !!
1984 4 Runner
1995 4 Runner
1998 4 Runner
TOYOTA
i love them all.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Briank
Also want to add that my
Also want to add that my current fob "tends to constantly be in contact with the car" and burns through batteries like crazy. Half the time I have to hold the fob to the button because the battery doesn't have enough power, which defeats the purpose altogether. The dealer said some people store the key in a metal box to break the communication and preserve battery life. It's a fob, not kryptonite.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Mice elf
Metal keys for all
Metal keys for all
No exceptions
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Sun so hot, clouds so low
This all sounds like
This all sounds like legislation is due in regards to this matter. A key fob should cost no more than a television's remote control.
Unlikely that I will ever buy a car new, but if I do, three key fobs or no deal.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: El Nino
Here is how to disable the
Here is how to disable the tracking on a Honda
https://sherwood.news/tech/how-to-opt-out-of-the-privacy-nightmare-that-comes-factory-installed-in-new/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0_otrGfc3Ww1UtBOjrqlIc5WwATgLJBqyTB0p2WmX6dc2_c7d4g2Fo2jU_aem_AW_k2DAcbTdzYiy4_6wegcwdz8mSmSpDGYbTlTp8fQ1K_JwRdWhxFiNE2SHigKVJs5728EazlzkzbVOCeFwmuJ25
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: An organ grinder’s tune
my new toy has a huge fob. i
my new toy has a huge fob. i carry around a big set of keys daily and have to keep taking them in/out of my pockets. I take the fob off for the day and leave it at my desk.
also, guess its good i don't use this car for surfing. Most people take their metal keys out in the water...the fob is both too big, and not going to risk puttingina waterproof pouch. then you have the real estate boxes some use, but those aren't very secure.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Alan R
^ Yep. You know.
^ Yep. You know.
> putting in a waterproof pouch<
And this lady today showed me this RFID blocking pouch she carries around to protect her key fob....its almost as big as a sunglasses case. She could drop it in her purse. What's a guy supposed to do? Are we back to fanny packs or pager cases hung on a belt?
(There's a million dollar idea -- key fob belt buckles! Whenever you want to go for a drive, just put on the fob belt with the electronics embedded in the buckle.)
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: An organ grinder’s tune
i was also told recently of
i was also told recently of an elderly couple that passed due to the garage not being properly sealed...hybrid was not "off" and ran during the night and the exhaust filled into the home...
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: _________
A key fob should cost no
A key fob should cost no more than a television's remote control. <<<<
This.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: billionyearoldcarbon
Hey Bss, what years are those
Hey Bss, what years are those Ford trucks? Are they all F150's? Ford definitely makes a great truck. Not so sure about their cars, but I do know they are way better than what General Motors is putting out these days.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: MarkD
Alan, I had a 66 Dynamic 88.
Alan, I had a 66 Dynamic 88. Was a great car.
BSS, want to sell one of those pickups?