Keyless ignition warning ...

[mojo]

So the family all went for a quick trip to the shops the other day. Our 12 week old twins have nodded off in the back, so I jump out with our daughter while the car's running, and the wife hops in the drivers seat and heads off for a 15 minute drive to keep the boys asleep while we do our shopping.

A few minutes later I get a call from the wife ...

"A warning light's come on, do you know what it is?"
"No idea, does it say anything on the screen"
"No, just a warning light"
"Well if the car's driving OK, don't worry. I'll look at it when you pick us up"

A few minutes later another call ...

"You've got the ****ing keys in your pocket!!!"


Oops. She'd pulled over to stop and start the car, to see if the warning went out...

Babies are now awake and screaming, she's breastfeeding them on the side of the road while I wait for a taxi.

I was not in the good books - luckily I was able to remind her of a comment she made to me a few weeks earlier when we first got the car ...

"Why don't you just leave the keys in your pocket when your driving, there's no need to take them out and put them in the centre console ..." :D

[SBD4]

I'm certain the message "Smart key not found!" would have been displayed on the drivers information panel.

Lucky for you, you had that little gem by her to fall back on! A mistake that will be made only once I am sure.

Let us know when the dog has kicked you out of his house - one of us might be able to find a couch for you:D

[solmanic]

Had a loan car this week with keyless ignition. This story just adds to the list of reasons why we hated it. We got sick of getting in the car with the key ready, then popping it into the centre console or any other inappropriate storage nook for it to just rattle around during the trip, only to get out and forget the key is still inside. If nothing else, an ignition slot is a perfectly sensible and logical place to store the keys whilst driving. What halfwit genius ever thought keyless ignition was a good idea?!? You've got to get the bloody things out to unlock the car in the first place!

[Tombie]

Once you're familiar with it then it is second nature.

I never take my keys out to unlock the car, you can feel the button without sight.

I get in our D2 now and wonder what do I do with this damn key :)

As for driving off and not knowing whats happening:

"Smart Key not found" and the warning light both come on the moment the key leaves the confines of the vehicle.

[Tombie]

What halfwit genius ever thought keyless ignition was a good idea?!? You've got to get the bloody things out to unlock the car in the first place!

The one who kept locking keys in the car, or got sick of the lock jamming and not being able to start :p

[solmanic]

The one who kept locking keys in the car, or got sick of the lock jamming and not being able to start :p

I can't see how this still happens to anyone. You still need the key fob to lock most cars and fewer and fewer even have keyholes in the handles anymore. And just to make things less than straight forward, some manufacturers have more than just a lock & unlock button. They now have "boot release" or worse still boot open buttons for those people who find it hard to do it manually. This makes it harder to be sure which unlock button you're pressing in your pocket.

The smart key we have still has all the proximity sensing stuff which automatically immobilises the car if the key goes too far away, but you still put it in a slot in the dashboard. You even turn it old school style although it is actually just a start button type action as you don't hold it to crank. For me this is the ideal blend of modern, key elctrickery with simple, traditional actions. And you can never leave the keys in or accidentally walk away with them while the car is going.

Sorry, keyless ignition is just not for me. It seems like the wrong solution to the keys locked in the car/jamming lock problem.

[Tombie]

Hehehe...

So you take the "key" out of your pocket to unlock the car..

And place it in a "slot" (space) in the dash/steering column..

Sound familiar?

Only action that's different is push not turn :)

Then when you get out and walk off the key is still "in the dash" just like a "real" key...

And a transponder key doesn't rattle... If its the only key - and you aren't supposed to have other keys hanging from an ignition as it causes damage.
Plus the little slot, left of Terrain response is rubber lined so doesn't rattle ;)

I'm use to it now and find it very convenient. And the time the wife did jump in and the key was in my pocket the car warned her of exactly the issue before she drove off...

And the key positions are tactile...
Lock is raised top left, right is unlock and recessed
Lights lower left with pimple, right tailgate pop
Bottom centre is triangle for haz/panic.
I often don't take them out of my pocket for shorter trips, just reach in and click.

Change isn't difficult, it's a matter of adapting... After all, Defenders have keys in an "odd" position!

[scarry]

Sorry guys,i hate the thing,give me a normal key anytime.......

Can't see any advantage in it at all.

But thats me:p

I drive a company vehicle most of the time with a key which does make it difficult to get used to no key.

[Blknight.aus]

Sounds like the wheel getting re-invented again, Ive had keyless entry and keyless ignition for years now.....

of course on the few occaions Ive left the keys in the vehicle and accidentally managed to lock the door its a simple task to reach in over the top of the door through the missing window frame and pick them up from where ever I left them in the vehicle.

[scarry]

Sounds like the wheel getting re-invented again, Ive had keyless entry and keyless ignition for years now.....

of course on the few occaions Ive left the keys in the vehicle and accidentally managed to lock the door its a simple task to reach in over the top of the door through the missing window frame and pick them up from where ever I left them in the vehicle.

Your just lucky you don't live down our way or you would be carless:p

[phl]

Why do you need to take your key out of your pocket? Just use keyless entry as well. Best option box I ticked...

[Utemad]

I like the Prado system of not even needing to use the remote. You just walk up to the car and open the door as if it is unlocked. There is a sensor in each front door handle. Doesn't do it on the back doors. The rear door is annoying with two rubber lock/unlock buttons though.

The car beeps loudly and unmistakeably if you take the key away with the engine running. No visual warnings though.

I think the best thing about push button electronic start is that people don't keep the starter running past when the car has actually started.

Just have to be careful where you put the keys after driving. I once put them on a table for a few nights at a motel not realising til the last day that the keys were close enough to the car that it was effectively unlocked. However the car knew the keys were not close enough to start the car.

I have heard of people wrapping the remote in alfoil to avoid the above for various reasons.

The main concern I have is that I'll put them through the wash as I leave them in my shirt pocket too.

Overall I think they are a great idea so long as you are aware of their negatives.

There is an ad on tv for a car that can open the rear door by waving your foot under it. Don't know the car but that is taking it further again.

[Basil135]

And then there was the lady that took the keys out of the ignition, locked the car, picked up a parcel from the front door step, put it AND the keys in the boot, and slammed the boot shut. :o

Whoops

But wait, there is more...

Said car was 3 weeks old. Inside said car, was 8 month old baby, sleeping in her car seat. Oh, and #2 kid was due to be picked up from kindy right then as well. :eek:

So, ring dear hubby :cool: explain the situation, get told to put a brick thru the passenger window :dbcry: of his 3 week old, black XR6 with pebble leather seating, dual zone climate control, colour screen....

Then a moment of clarity...

On the old dog & bone, ring the RAA, tell them the keys are locked in the car... "Any kids or pets in the car?" they ask... "YES" says hubby. "OK, we will be right there".

From me calling them, to the van leaving to go back to the job he had just dropped..... 7 mins :eek:


So, keyless entry would have been great... but then, what fun would we have?

[Blknight.aus]

There is an ad on tv for a car that can open the rear door by waving your foot under it. Don't know the car but that is taking it further again.


I thought that was the boot on a VW and you needed to have the keys on you for it to work. IIRC it does it via the parking sensors

[sheerluck]

..........There is an ad on tv for a car that can open the rear door by waving your foot under it. Don't know the car but that is taking it further again.

Ford Kuga. Had one as a hire car back in the UK a year or so ago.

Nothing special.

[austastar]

Hi,
my keys live on one of these: (https://www.whitworths.com.au/main_itemdetail.asp?item=43851&search123=snap&intAbsolutePage=1)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/05/54.jpg

And when they are not in the ignition, they are hooked into a belt loop on my jeans

[lpj]

The main concern I have is that I'll put them through the wash as I leave them in my shirt pocket too.

I love the key.

2 weeks after bringing home the D4, I was looking for the "other" key when my wife's face went pale. She'd had it in her jeans pocket which went through the wash, on the long cycle, and she was hoping I didn't notice. I wasn't impressed but when I went out to check if it still worked- hey presto, it did!

Disaster averted.

[phl]

I like the Prado system of not even needing to use the remote. You just walk up to the car and open the door as if it is unlocked. There is a sensor in each front door handle. Doesn't do it on the back doors. The rear door is annoying with two rubber lock/unlock buttons though.

The D4 has sensors on all doors, with push button to lock as well. I suspect the reaction time is also faster than the Prado, unless the Prado has a faster system than what Toyota puts into their Lexus.


Just have to be careful where you put the keys after driving. I once put them on a table for a few nights at a motel not realising til the last day that the keys were close enough to the car that it was effectively unlocked. However the car knew the keys were not close enough to start the car.

For the D4 keyless entry, you need to be a lot closer for it to work; I gather they have quite a few receivers to determine your position before it will unlock. Might also be why it reacts so quickly.

Actually mine also beeps at me as soon as I get out of the door, such as when checking the mailbox on my way in, and throw up all sorts of warning.

[Nomad9]

Hi,
Central locking, buttons on key pad, hazard distress alarm on the key pad, warnings on information panel......... huh, what is all this stuff you talk about. Keys in door, key in ignition (wrong side), turn key, click. click.... jumper leads and so on

Signed
Defender owner.............:)

[scarry]

what is all this stuff you talk about.

Signed
Defender owner.............:)


Does get rediculous doesn't it,half of it is technology for technologys sake.

No massive advantage at all,just more to go wrong.........

High beam assist,rain sensors,auto headlights,smart key(been there i know),bla bla.

Don't get me wrong, there are many things that are extremely helpful,particularly technology in the area of safety,emissions,traction aids,even cruise control,air suspension,etc etc.

Just my 2cents worth....

[Plane Fixer]

Luddite:wasntme:

[Utemad]

The D4 has sensors on all doors, with push button to lock as well. I suspect the reaction time is also faster than the Prado, unless the Prado has a faster system than what Toyota puts into their Lexus.

For the D4 keyless entry, you need to be a lot closer for it to work; I gather they have quite a few receivers to determine your position before it will unlock. Might also be why it reacts so quickly.

Actually mine also beeps at me as soon as I get out of the door, such as when checking the mailbox on my way in, and throw up all sorts of warning.

Thanks.
From what I was reading above it sounded like you still needed to use the remote buttons to lock unlock a D4 even though it had a proximity key for the ignition.

[phl]

Thanks.
From what I was reading above it sounded like you still needed to use the remote buttons to lock unlock a D4 even though it had a proximity key for the ignition.

Nope, as I said, I have keyless entry, so as soon as I touched the inside of the door handle, it instantly unlocked, such that there is no pause in the opening action, whereas in my Lexus, you touch, wait second for the beep, then pull to open.

[Nomad9]

Hey Scarry,
Hey buddie I'm with you, love technology (when it is working), I wouldn't change my RRS for anything else right now, she is a beaut.........Hasn't got the keyless entry, but hey I have to remain a traditionalist in some ways.
Watching a Ford Falcon reverse parking itself on the TV the other day, where is the skill in that, one reason we have driving tests is to prove the competency of the driver, a whole box of worms........:)

[Utemad]

Nope, as I said, I have keyless entry, so as soon as I touched the inside of the door handle, it instantly unlocked, such that there is no pause in the opening action, whereas in my Lexus, you touch, wait second for the beep, then pull to open.

The Prado is instant too. However due to the placement of the sensor it doesn't always register. You find you have to retrain yourself on how to open a door in order to get it to work 100%

[andrew.taylor@atmedia.com]

I just had an interesting experience.On the way to Melb from Syd we stopped at the roadside service centre at Wallan about 60 k north of Melb. We stopped at Maccas and I had trouble locking the car with the remote but did get it locked.Came back out and was unable to unlock it with the remote and used the key.All hell broke loose with the alarm activated.We followed the manuals instructions to reset the alarm/ ignition but could not get the car started.
Eventually a Landrover Assist organized tow truck arrived. the guys told us that this part of the Walan service centre is some sort of Landrover black spot! The solution was to tow us 50'mt away and hey presto all things remote entry and ignition were back to normal.
Has anyone else experienced this? beware the Landrover Bermuda triangle outside Wallan Maccas.

[phl]

Has anyone else experienced this? beware the Landrover Bermuda triangle outside Wallan Maccas.

Used to be in Artarmon near the intersection of Hotham Parade and Clarendon St; too many transmitters in close proximity.

[JamesH]

Eventually a Landrover Assist organized tow truck arrived. the guys told us that this part of the Walan service centre is some sort of Landrover black spot! The solution was to tow us 50'mt away and hey presto all things remote entry and ignition were back to normal.
Has anyone else experienced this? beware the Landrover Bermuda triangle outside Wallan Maccas.

Lot's of stories about this. A mate had this problem with his XC90. It was parked by a bank machine and I think a pharmacy. I heard that these can cause interference sometimes. Could not get it started, was collected by a truck and when the time came to unload it, it started and was driven off.

Ive read stories on this site that D2's would sometimes not start in a service station, push it away and presto.

One mate had his new Freelander refuse to start in an underground car park, LRA came to the rescue and took it outside and it worked as if nothing happened.

[JamesH]

And a transponder key doesn't rattle... If its the only key - and you aren't supposed to have other keys hanging from an ignition as it causes damage.


Is this something I should have read in the manual but didn't? Can you elaborate?

PS Thanks Tombie for the information about "feeling" the different buttons, that's going to be very useful.

[Tombie]

Keys should never hang from the ignition...

Places stress on the key and tumbler accelerating wear...


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