Intentional key lock-in

[grichard]

My MS is in for service (buffing out a scuff on the bumper, alas).

I usually get done with work after the body shop closes. I'd like to pay them with a credit card over the phone, have them lock my key in the car, and go pick the car up later that evening. With a physical lock, this is easy. But... can they (or I) lock the car with a key fob inside it? If they pop the battery out of the key fob before putting it in the car, are they then able to lock the door?

How should I do this?

Thanks!

 

[Rockster]

You might need to lock it remotely for them with your phone after they report that they've removed the battery and put the key fob in your car.

 

[Beaker]

They can drop the fob into the truck well. The car cannot detect it there.

 

[benjiejr]

Last week the Ranger put my fob in the cup holder and sliding armrests over it then locked it remotely. I was able to use my phone app to unlock the car. Just make sure the car has good reception so you can reliably use your phone app to unlock. The Ranger said this location is just outside of the range of it's antenna and they do it frequently.

 

[Discoducky]

When my fob is in the trunk I can hold down the trunk release/open and it will open.

Not sure about the frunk, haven't tried that....

 

[Canuck]

They can drop the fob into the truck well. The car cannot detect it there.

I note that when I walk up to my car with the key in my pocket, and I am behind the vehicle, the door handles don't always retract. However, if I touch the trunk unlock, it takes a moment, and then unlocks. This has caused me to surmise that upon the trunk unlock being touched, it sends out a more powerful signal looking for the key. If it finds it, it unlocks the trunk. If not, the trunk stays locked.

So putting the keys in the trunk is not a good idea if my theory is correct. The vehicle may lock, and the key may not be detected, but touching the unlock of the trunk may cause the key to be detected.

 

[Rockster]

When my fob is in the trunk I can hold down the trunk release/open and it will open.

Not sure about the frunk, haven't tried that....

Mine too (the trunk, that is). I've never been able to lock the key in my car, no matter the location I try. (I can't say I've tried the frunk, though.)

 

[Max*]

Last week the Ranger put my fob in the cup holder and sliding armrests over it then locked it remotely. I was able to use my phone app to unlock the car. Just make sure the car has good reception so you can reliably use your phone app to unlock. The Ranger said this location is just outside of the range of it's antenna and they do it frequently.

That's odd. I have dropped my key in the cup-holder occasionally and the car always detects it. I may not have slid it shut though...

 

[muleferg]

Key in frunk, trunk, and in the cup holders will not keep it locked, I just tried it. Touch the handle and they come out. I took the key inside the house and it would not unlock.

 

[Discoducky]

Key in frunk, trunk, and in the cup holders will not keep it locked, I just tried it. Touch the handle and they come out. I took the key inside the house and it would no unlock.

Hmm, guess we'll need a Faraday cage then to be sure

 

[muleferg]

Well I just tried this. . I wrapped it in alum foil. Bingo.... It want unlock

 

[Max*]

Nice, and that makes perfect sense!

 

[grichard]

Thanks for the help.

I assume that taking the battery out of the fob will keep the car from detecting it? So I can have them pop out the battery and put the fob in the car, then I can lock the car from the app. Right? Would that work?

 

[brucet999]

Well I just tried this. . I wrapped it in alum foil. Bingo.... It want unlock

View attachment 99865

Awww, now you've gone and ruined your hat!

 

[RDoc]

Just be sure the car's console computer hasn't crashed before you do this. At least for our car and our Android phone apps, the car won't connect at least 10% of the time until we reboot the console.

 

[CatB]

FYI, this is a good trick at Cars'n'Coffee too. I like letting kids sit in the front seats and play with the touchscreen (easier than trying to tell the parents how to use the GUI), but I wrap the fob in foil, in case they touch the pedals.

 

[steph280]

I thought cupholders are where the fob detectors are at. I recall somebody saying that's where you put the fob with dead battery in order for the car to detect it.

 

[mibaro2]

Locking the car remotely with your phone overrides the key in the car. I know this because when I went to the SC to drop off my car, they had a loaner parked upfront with the keys in it. The SC had to call Tesla to have them unlock it remotely. (We could not get in the car even though the key was in the car).

 

[Duckjybe]

All you have to do is leave key FOB in the car (cupholder or cubby), hold door open and manually hit the lock icon on centre console. Then get out and close door. It stays locked. This is the procedure service centre suggested.

 

[deonb]

If you want something a bit neater than the foil, you can try a Faraday cage bag instead:


e.g.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LJMCI7G?keywords=faraday cage&qid=1446651839&ref_=sr_1_2&sr=8-2

or
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00WLI5G7G?keywords=faraday cage&qid=1446651839&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1