InsideEVs: Key Fob free to current owners!

[RayK]

@voip-ninja: My solution:

I've been using this setup since day one. Have not bothered to assign my phone to the car. Hopefully this will do for me until the fob arrives. No need to "whip it out of my wallet", but yes, I do have to take it out of my pocket. 90% of the time I'm sitting in the car, buckled up, within the time limit allowed so no need to "badge in". The other 10% it's easy enough to put the keycard behind the cupholders, step on the brake and then slide the card into the cupholder. It has worked for me 100% of the time. My only real complaint is that if I need to open the passenger-side doors, I have to go over to the driver side first. The fob should eliminate this problem.

 

[brianman]

Cause kayaking.. etc - keyfob easier to keep water safe than keycard cause reasons ...

huh?

 

[svp6]

@voip-ninja: My solution:

View attachment 346546

I've been using this setup since day one.

I keep one of those in the car for valet parking. works very well.

 

[Msjulie]

@brianman

↑
Cause kayaking.. etc - keyfob easier to keep water safe than keycard cause reasons ...
huh?

you didn't read about the water box specifically for keys... fwiw

 

[voip-ninja]

@voip-ninja: My solution:

View attachment 346546

I've been using this setup since day one. Have not bothered to assign my phone to the car. Hopefully this will do for me until the fob arrives. No need to "whip it out of my wallet", but yes, I do have to take it out of my pocket. 90% of the time I'm sitting in the car, buckled up, within the time limit allowed so no need to "badge in". The other 10% it's easy enough to put the keycard behind the cupholders, step on the brake and then slide the card into the cupholder. It has worked for me 100% of the time. My only real complaint is that if I need to open the passenger-side doors, I have to go over to the driver side first. The fob should eliminate this problem.

That is such a step backwards from a traditional keyless entry setup I don't even know where to begin.

Glad it's working for you, but, just kill me now if I was forced to use such a cumbersome method to get into $60K+ car.

 

[bd7349]

That is such a step backwards from a traditional keyless entry setup I don't even know where to begin.

Glad it's working for you, but, just kill me now if I was forced to use such a cumbersome method to get into $60K+ car.

Yeah, that seems a little too cumbersome for me too especially since by the sound of it, they haven't even tried the phone key yet.

 

[dsvick]

The key card is horrible. Having to fish something out of your wallet, swipe it on the B pillar, then swipe it on the center console ever freaking time you want to drive the car is just horrible.

But having to stop, put down what I'm carrying, fish out my wallet, remove a card, tap it just so, then reverse the procedure is a major, major step backwards in first principles functionality over a key fob that stays in my pocket and the car simply opens.

From the majority of posts I've seen you don't need to remove the card from your wallet. Unless you have a particularly thick wallet or something in it interfering with the card it should work fine through it. No, it's not as easy as a working phone solution or a FOB but it shouldn't be as cumbersome as you say, at least it isn't for most people.

 

[rlb4]

From the majority of posts I've seen you don't need to remove the card from your wallet. Unless you have a particularly thick wallet or something in it interfering with the card it should work fine through it. No, it's not as easy as a working phone solution or a FOB but it shouldn't be as cumbersome as you say, at least it isn't for most people.

Don't you need to hold the key card up to the B pillar?

 

[Guest]

Don't you need to hold the key card up to the B pillar?

Yes you do. The card itself is not much of a problem, having to take it out of your pocket is the problem.

 

[N5329K]

From the majority of posts I've seen you don't need to remove the card from your wallet. Unless you have a particularly thick wallet or something in it interfering with the card it should work fine through it. No, it's not as easy as a working phone solution or a FOB but it shouldn't be as cumbersome as you say, at least it isn't for most people.

Even if you've found the magic combination of wallet thinness, wallet material, absence of interfering objects, denim/non-denim pants (and what about those of use who use purses?), and, of course, posture (front, back, sideways), you still have to remove the thing and place it in the right spot in the cabin in order to drive away. This is cumbersome at best, and, to my way of thinking, just bad design. Perfectly OK for emergencies. Crappy and retro for everyday use.
That said, if anyone is happy with the setup, you have what you need.
Robin

 

[CruzinTX]

Yes you do. The card itself is not much of a problem, having to take it out of your pocket is the problem.

Ahhhh, first world problems =)

 

[contaygious]

Woot that was the only weird thing going from a to 3 lol

 

[crackers8199]

At that point, I asked if I could also order 2 additional Key Cards and the response was “Absolutlely, and if you’d also like to get a Key Fob we can have Mobile Service bring it out to you on the repair call, it’s $15 if you’d like to add it.”

while i still think it should be free for current owners (especially those of us who have never been able to get phone key to work reliably), i can't really complain about $15. i'd still ask for them to comp it considering they have documented evidence of my phone key issues, but if they refuse at least it's priced reasonably. $100+ would be a different story...

 

[BobAbooey]

Yes you do. The card itself is not much of a problem, having to take it out of your pocket is the problem.

If I leave the keycard in my wallet and hold my wallet up to the door pillar will it unlock?

 

[voip-ninja]

Even if you've found the magic combination of wallet thinness, wallet material, absence of interfering objects, denim/non-denim pants (and what about those of use who use purses?), and, of course, posture (front, back, sideways), you still have to remove the thing and place it in the right spot in the cabin in order to drive away. This is cumbersome at best, and, to my way of thinking, just bad design. Perfectly OK for emergencies. Crappy and retro for everyday use.
That said, if anyone is happy with the setup, you have what you need.
Robin

Close but this instead;

 

[WileyTheMan]

If I leave the keycard in my wallet and hold my wallet up to the door pillar will it unlock?

Nope. It needs very close proximity to the reader.

 

[Guest]

If I leave the keycard in my wallet and hold my wallet up to the door pillar will it unlock?

I will give you the fantastic answer of, it depends. I have a non-folding wallet with a clear window on one side for licence. I keep my card in that clear window and hold it to the b-pillar. That does work. I don't know at what amount of "depth" in the wallet it will not work any longer, but I am sure not all wallets and wallet content will be compatible to consistent functioning.

 

[Runt8]

If I leave the keycard in my wallet and hold my wallet up to the door pillar will it unlock?

It works for me when it's on the outside fold of my wallet, but not the inside. It also works when its in my phone wallet case, behind my credit card, drivers license, and the flap that folds over it.

 

[nvx1977]

There are lots of RFID-blocking wallets out there. Make sure you don't have an RFID blocking wallet.

I have a folding wallet, and my keycard is in one of the inner pockets. On both sides are tons of cards. Despite that, I can tap my closed wallet on the B pillar, and it always opens.

I would prefer the PIN entry feature (on S/X) over having to place the keycard behind the cupholders. Once the wallet is back in my pocket, I really don't want to take it out while seated. Yes I know if I start the car immediately, I don't need to do that, but often that time expires. Mainly cause I need to make sure the kids are buckled in.

 

[BobAbooey]

This is what I have..... The Port Wallet should work fine, I hope

There are lots of RFID-blocking wallets out there. Make sure you don't have an RFID blocking wallet.

I have a folding wallet, and my keycard is in one of the inner pockets. On both sides are tons of cards. Despite that, I can tap my closed wallet on the B pillar, and it always opens.

I would prefer the PIN entry feature (on S/X) over having to place the keycard behind the cupholders. Once the wallet is back in my pocket, I really don't want to take it out while seated. Yes I know if I start the car immediately, I don't need to do that, but often that time expires. Mainly cause I need to make sure the kids are buckled in.